Jaipur: The Raje government in Rajasthan on Monday held special prayers in temples for state’s prosperity and better future. The state government’s devasthan department, in association with Rajasthan Sanskrit Akademi, is organising Rudrabhishek in 34 major Shiva temples across Rajasthan on four consecutive Mondays of Hindu calendar month of Sharavn.

On Monday, the first Rudrabhishek in temples across the state was held in Sri Pratapeshwarji in Jaipur’s Chandni Chowk, Sri Shamshaneshwar temple in Bharatpur, Sri Mahakaleshwar Mahadev in Udaipur, Sri Shivpuri Dham in Kota and Sri Koteshwar Mahadev in Ajmer.

The next three rounds of Rudrabhishek programmes would be held on 6th, 13th and 20th of the next month.

Four years ago, it would have been justified as the state was staring at severe drought with 72 per cent less than average rain that year. However, after a fortnight’s delay, Rajasthan, in the last few days, has received a good rainfall of this season. According to political opponents and critics, the decision is to camouflage actual political message.

In fact, seeking divine intervention in election year is not new for the ruling BJP, which is headed by a deeply religious chief minister. For her, the way to win the hearts of the voters, goes through the path of religion.

Her pre-elections campa-ign begins from Charbh-uja temple in Rajsamand on August 4. This is the same place from where she had launched her election campaign in 2003 and 2013 while she was in the Opposition, and came to power with a bang. Two weeks ago, Ms Raje visited the famous Srinath temple where she asked saints to bless her. “Mare upar puro ashirwad rakju (give me your full blessings),” she told them.

Now that she is in power and facing strong anti-incumbency, the need to please the lord up and above is more than ever. It is strongly believed that Rudrabhishek can ward-off troubles. Rudra is a famous name of Lord Shiva, and Rudrabhishek is one of the most powerful forms of worships in Hinduism performed by giving Shivling a holy bath.

Full page advertiseme-nts have been given in newspapers. According to it, the special prayers are being conducted by scholars of Rajasthan Sanskrit Akademi. Public represe-ntatives have also be invited for the programme.

The expenditure is being borne by the devasthan department that maintains and manages around 600 old temples handed over to the government after independence from the former princely states with an annual budget of around Rs 400 crore.

Though the CM did not attended the Rudrabhi-shek on Monday, it is possible that she may attend it in her home town Dholpur or Jhalarapatan, which is her constituency.

Similar exercises were carried out in 2004 and 2014. However, unlike four years ago when her government had organised prayers not just in temples but also in mosques, churches and gurdwaras, this year only temples have been chosen for the special prayers.