Karunanidhi may be a declared atheist but still his family members and admirers are loath to displease the lord upstairs and would pray on his behalf. Incidentally, there is a temple close to his house that many say the family members bow in respect now and then.

Well there is nothing wrong in praying at all or having religious or astrological beliefs, but since the Dravidian movement was targeted at anti-barhmins and by extension religious practices that were carried out by Brahmins, religious rituals were frowned upon in the Dravidian party.

But, with passage of time, things began to change and acceptance of seeking divine intervention has begun. When it comes to Kalaignar, he himself does not go to the temple across his house, but his family members pray there regularly.

Karunanidhi only leaves for campaign only after his family comes back from the temple. Incidentally, Karunanidhi had begun throwing a yellow angavastram, after an astrologer had advised, if sources are to be believed.

But when it comes to religious belief and seeking God’s help, his bete noire, J Jayalalitha, AIADMK supremo, is bold and never shies away from making it fully public – her display of religious feelings as well as her own belief in the god.

Jayalalithaa never does anything without advise on auspicious timing, set by astrological advisers and before every important event, she gets special pujas done. In fact, her army of admirers, followers, partymen and women head to temples on every such occasion and conduct special pujas in her name.

And when fighting an electoral battle, the prayers and their intensity only increase.

The moment she steps out of her Poes Gardens residence, priests chant mantras and ladies with kalasams bless her for success in everything she does. And every day when she returns from campaigning, a priest chants mantras at the entrance of her house. Jayalalithaa is handed a white pumpkin, that she just touches. After she touches the pumpkin, it is handed over to the priest, who breaks it – to ward off and destroy evil forces. Only after this ritual is carried out, Jayalalithaa enters her home.

People’s Welfare Front coordinator, Vaiko, is running a tough time astrologically, what with planet mercury inflicting some problems for him. Which is why, these days he is seen sporting a green turban, apparently on the advise of an astrologer to appease Planet Mercury and lessen his influence.