Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah was among more than 3,000 people who thronged a Marian shrine in the state capital of Bengaluru on September 8, the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The chief minister referred to increasing drought in the southern Indian state and “perils farmers are facing” in almost all 27 districts of the state. He urged the devotees to pray fervently to Mother Mary for a better monsoon.
State ministers K J George and Roshan Baig were also present for the flag-off of the chariot procession at St. Mary’s Basilica which lies nestled between a mosque and a Hindu temple.
Saffron-robed devotees of various religious backgrounds with flower petals, salt and pepper were seen devoutly throwing them at the gorgeously decorated hand-pushed chariot with the image of Mother Mary and the Infant Jesus in hand.
The chariot chugged into the basilica premises around 9.50 pm.
In his homily, Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore spoke about respect for the girl-child and urged the gathering to pray for farmers who are suffering because of failing monsoons.
“It is so inspiring to see so many of you come to the basilica of our Mother year-after-year. May our faith in our Blessed Mother make us torchbearers of peace and goodwill wherever we are,” the prelate added.
The 160 feet high basilica built in 1882 draws millions of people from various religious backgrounds from India and abroad throughout the year.