Recently there has been a tremendous increase in incidents of child rape in the country. In order to prevent such crimes from happening in the future, priests at Chilkur Balaji temple performed prayers . Chilkur Balaji also popularly known as ‘Visa Balaji’ is one of the oldest temples and is located on the banks of Osman Sagar lake.
As part of the prayers three cows were taken around the sanctum sanctorum thrice by the priests amid chanting of vedic hymns, even as more than 1,500 devotees witnessed the pradakshinams or circumbulation. Speaking to a media agency, the head priest C S Rangaraja said they prayed for divine protection for children. He said people should be vigilant and those who exploit children roam around like predators.
According to the temple officials, the puja is a depiction of an incident narrated in the Hindu scriptures. When the Mother Earth was subjected to tremendous torment from men, she disguised herself as a cow and approached Lord Vishnu for help.
“This is a very trying phase for the women in the State. None of them are feeling safe or secure as police are unable to do anything. If a 9-month-old is put through such torment, how would the future look like?” asked CS Ranga Rajan, Hereditary Archaka and Trusty of the temple. He said that all temples must counsel the youth and hold such activities.
“Last year we took up a rakhi challenge wherein girls had to tie rakhis on men to foster the feeling of respect. We also organised a Kanya Vandanam where 108 young girls’ feet were smeared with turmeric in reverence,” added the chief priest.
