When in crisis, Amma reposed faith in this Kerala temple
- Jayalalithaa visited Talipparamba Rajarajeswara Temple in Kannur when her political and personal life was going through a crisis.
- Though Jayalalithaa had expressed her desire to pray at the temple again, she could not fulfil that.
FollowIt was in 2001, and the AIADMK had just won Tamil Nadu in a landslide victory, despite its supreme leader J Jayalalithaa being ineligible to contest, thanks to legal tangles. But her party had no doubt about whom to be anointed as the Chief Minister. Within four months, Amma paid a visit to the Raja Rajeswara Temple at Thalipparamba in Kannur, Kerala to express her gratitude for realising her prayers.
The four months in power saw a series of dramatic political developments in the state including the arrest of former Chief Minister and DMK leader Karunanidhi. Jayalalithaa's personal life was also on a rough patch.
An ardent believer, Jayalalithaa sought energy and support from gods and offerings were made at various temples in Kerala for Amma as suggested by astrologers. But she preferred to personally visit the Rajarajeswara Temple at Taliparamba, a small town half an hour drive from district headquarters of Kannur. It was her first and final visit to the famed temple.
Even though Jayalalithaa lost power after four months following a court verdict later, and she met with a crisis in her personal life, including the rift with her confidante Sasikala, the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister retained her faith in the temple.
The AIADMK leader used to offer golden pot, the main offering at the temple, regularly after that. Every month, representatives of Jayalalithaa used to visit the temple and offer prayers for her sake.
Though Jayalalithaa had expressed her desire to pray at the temple again, she could not fulfil that. The temple staff still remember the visit and also joined the mourning of the influential Tamil Nadu leader who passed away on Monday night.
