Amit Shah's Devotional Visit to Tamil Nadu Temples

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accompanied by his wife Sonal Shah, visited the Kottai Bhairavar temple in Tamil Nadu to offer prayers. His visit, initially planned for April, underscores his connection with Tamil culture and practices. Shah also visited the Sathya Giriswarar temple before leaving for Tirupati.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah offered prayers at the Kottai Bhairavar temple at Tirumayam here on Thursday.

He was accompanied by his wife Sonal Shah to the roadside temple for the darshan and puja. Priests at the temple welcomed the couple with shawls and garlands. Shah's visit, which was earlier scheduled for April, exemplifies how he closely associated himself with Tamil culture and practices, BJP state chief K Annamalai said about the tour. Located on the northern side of the Archaeological Survey of India-managed fort's outer walls, the Kottai Bhairavar temple is dedicated to Bhairavar, an aspect of Lord Siva.

Besides Annamalai, party seniors, including H Raja, were among those who received Shah upon his arrival here by road from the Tiruchirappalli airport. The minister later left for Tirupati. ''On April 12, during the election campaign in TN, our Hon HM had to visit this temple but it was cancelled unfortunately due to adverse flying conditions,'' Annamalai said in a post on the social media platform X.

However, the union minister resolved that he would visit the temple and seek the blessings of Bhairavar before the end of the elections, he said. ''His visit today exemplifies how he closely associates himself with our Tamil culture & practices,'' Annamalai said, posting photos of Shah's trip.

Shah visited the Sathya Giriswarar temple at Tirumayam, too.