Thiruvananthapuram

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday offered prayers at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple here, describing the visit as a thanksgiving after the BJP secured the mayoral post in the Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation.

Shah, who arrived in the state capital late Saturday night for a one-day visit, reached the centuries-old shrine on Sunday morning accompanied by BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar and district president Karamana Jayan.

Dressed in a traditional dhoti and kasavu (silk) shawl, the Union Minister was received by temple authorities and Aditya Varma, a member of the Travancore royal family. After the darshan, Shah was presented ceremonial offerings, including the onavillu, a painted bow traditionally dedicated to Lord Sree Padmanabha.

Security was tightened in and around the temple complex during the visit, with restrictions imposed on public movement as part of the arrangements.

Shah’s visit comes ahead of the Lakshadeepam ritual scheduled for January 14, a highly auspicious ceremony held once every six years at the temple, during which thousands of oil lamps are lit across the premises.

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Later in the day, while addressing newly elected BJP councillors, Shah said he had come to Kerala to fulfil a promise of offering prayers at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple if the party succeeded in securing the mayoral post in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.