RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat offers prayers to Lord Athivaradar

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat Thursday offered prayers to Lord Athivaradar at the Devarajaswamy shrine here amid tight security. The RSS supremo sat down in front of the deity and offered a basket of tulsi leaves to the idol made of fig, called 'Athi,' in Tamil.

Varadar refers to Lord Vishnu. Bhagwat was received by priests at the entrance of the ancient temple.

The priests explained to him the history of the shrine and practice of taking out the idol from the temple tank once in 40 years for worship. Local RSS leaders accompanied Bhagwat who was at the shrine for about 20 minutes.

According to RSS sources, he was here for the temple visit and he had no other public engagement. Former cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth and film producer Ishari Ganesh also separately offered prayers.

Recently, President Ram Nath Kovind and Chief Minister K Palaniswami visited the temple to offer prayers. The shrine has been witnessing heavy rush of devotees ever since the darshan of the idol began on July 1 after it was taken out from the temple tank on June 27..