Even Sarvagna needs a Homa

"We will perform gana homa and rudra homa at the venue early in the morning."

'An insult'

The Tamil Nadu chief minister is understood to have opposed the idea initially, saying it was an insult to the saint-poet to perform rituals as he and Thiruvalluvar had preached principles condemning superstitions.

He had not allowed doing any such things when Thiruvalluvar statue was unveiled, last week in Bangalore, Karunanidhi said.

The hosts of the event, The Ayanavaram Kannada Sangha, therefore had to toil a bit to convince the atheist chief minister.

"It was tough to convince him," said Attavar Ramadas, president of the Kannada Sangha.

"But it is necessary to perform pooja because it creates positive vibrations and gives peace of mind to both Kannadigas and Tamilians."

Reportedly, Karunanidhi obliged only after Yeddyurappa intervened and requested him to allow the rituals.

Yeddyurappa will unveil the statue at 4 pm, although the TN chief minister would not be present at the venue when the rituals are performed in the morning.

" It is an historic event and the Kannadigas living here are thrilled," said Ramadas. He said nobody was opposing the unveiling of the statue and the event would be peaceful.

Interestingly, the unveling of the Thiruvalluvar statue in Bangalore was hosted by the Bangalore Tamil Sangha, the local counterpart of Ramadas's organisation.

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