Chitradurga (Karnataka) Aug 3 (UNI) Focusing on breaking the dominant Linagayat community’s allegiance to the BJP in Karnataka, the opposition Congress has started wooing the community ahead of Assembly polls in 2023. Giving clear hints about the plans, former AICC President Rahul Gandhi Wednesday not only visited and sought to blessings of Lingayat seer Dr. Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru but also got “Istalinga Deeksha” from him. Rahul Gandhi, who reached Karnataka on Tuesday night, reached Murugha Mutt in Chitradurga and sought the blessings of Dr. Shivamurthy Muruga Sharanaru. He also met another prominent Lingayat seer of Moorusavura Mutt and 20 seers belonging to different backward communities. During the meeting, the Congress leader asked Dr. Shivamurthy to seer on “Istalinga” (a symbolic representation of formless God, in the form of shivling, presented by a guru and always worn on the body by Lingayats).
Rahul Gandhi inquisitively asked questions on “Istalinga” or “Lingadeeksha”. Dr. Shivamurthy Sharanaru gave him a demo of how to practice the worship of “Istalinga”. Dr. Shiuvamurthy Sharanaru of Murugha Mutt stated that they have carried out “Istalinga” Dharana for Rahul Gandhi. “Rahul Gandhi asked about ‘Basava’ philosophy. He also with all the respect and love got the Vibuthi (bhasm) on his forehead. Got the “Istanlinga” tied to his neck and asked for guidance to carry out its worship everyday” the seer said.
The swamiji further stated that this is today’s big news. Rahul Gandhi stated that he would follow Basava philosophy henceforth. The “Istalinga” worshipping will bring down stress. “Rahul Gandhi asked himself whether he can get the ‘Istalinga’ dharana for himself and also expressed his happiness on the philosophy of Basava,” he said.
