Rahul Gandhi offers prayers at Murugarajendra Mutt in Karnataka's Chitradurga

Congress' national leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday visited the Murugarajendra Mutt, a prominent Lingayat seminary, as part of his visit to the state on the occasion of Karnataka's ex-CM Siddaramaiah's 75th birthday bash.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday offered his prayers at Sri Jagadguru Murugharajendra Vidyapeetha in Karnataka's Chitradurga district, which is a prominent Lingayat seminary in the region. The Wayanad MP is in Karnataka to attend former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's 75th birthday bash.

The visit is likely with an eye on the significant Lingayat population in the state ahead of the upcoming 2023 assembly polls. (Image source: @RahulGandhi/Twitter)

Read: Siddaramaiah's birthday event leads to traffic congestion for miles in Davanagere.

Gandhi's last visit to Karnataka was in April, and in similar fashion, he had paid a visit to the Siddaganga mutt in Tumakuru, which is another prominent spiritual centre for the Lingayat community. The visits are likely with an eye on the significant Lingayat population in the state ahead of the upcoming 2023 assembly polls.

Gandhi on Wednesday posted many of his photographs on Facebook and wrote, "Offered my humble respects at Sri Jagadguru Murugharajendra Vidyapeetha, Chitradurga in the presence of its President Dr Sri Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru and senior leaders."

Rahul, in his post on Facebook, appreciated the contribution of Vidyapeetha in empowering people throughout the state. "The Vidyapeetha is engaged in commendable efforts to empower people from rural and remote areas through 150 educational and cultural institutions. Their work has helped uplift countless lives and is an inspiration for all," Rahul Gandhi further said in the same Facebook post.

Congress leader also honoured the president of Vidyapeeth Dr Sri Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, offering him a shawl. Gandhi received the 'Ishtalinga Deekshe' from the Murugha Sharanaru. He was also felicitated by the seer and gifted a portrait of Basavanna.

Later, the leader took Twitter to say, "It is an absolute honour to visit Sri Jagadguru Murugharajendra Vidyapeetha and receive the 'Ishtalinga Deekshe' from Dr. Sri Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru. The teachings of Guru Basavanna are eternal and I am humbled to learn more about it from the Sharanaru of the Math."

Notably, Sri Jagadguru Murugharajendra Vidyapeetha is an apex body established under the Societies Act to organize and manage educational and cultural institutions with an intention to take education to the doorsteps of common people in rural and remote areas.

This was started in the year 1964 by His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Sri Mallikarjua Murugharajendra Mahaswamiji, the then pontiff of Srimath and now It runs 150 institutions.

During his last visit to the state in April, the Wayanad MP had set a target of winning 150 seats and urged for unity among the party's rank.