If Rahul Gandhi visited temples in Gujarat and northern Karnataka districts in his usual white kurta-pyjama attire, he turned south Indian at Sringeri on Wednesday.
Clad in a white dhoti and shawl, the Congress President offered prayers to the Goddess Sri Sharadamba, sought blessings from Bharathi Theertha Swamy of Sringeri Sharada Peetham and interacted with the students of the ‘ved paatshaala’.
The temple has no ‘dress code’.
Even Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a socialist, was seen in a white ‘dhoti’ and shawl.
Brahmin votes?
Rahul’s new attire is being seen as an attempt to endear himself to attract a larger section of Hindus, especially Brahmins, in the poll-bound State. The Brahmin community is believed to be at odds with Siddaramaiah.
The Sringeri Peetham, a monastery founded by Adi Sankaracharya in 8th century AD, enjoys a great influence among many castes in Karnataka.
Late on Tuesday evening, Rahul visited the Gokarnanatheshwara temple, the Rosario church and the Ullal dargah in Mangaluru taluk.
Interestingly, the Congress chief did not visit the famous Sri Krishna Temple in Udupi, though he began the third leg of ‘Jana Ashirvada Yatre’ from the district. However, Congress office-bearers say Rahul will return to coastal Karnataka before the elections, and visit the temple.