The Indian Meteorological Departments prediction of below normal monsoon drove Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to the holy town of Ujjain on Thursday,something he was candid to admit on camera as well. I am a firm believer. By whatever name you call Him,the Almighty controls the universe, he said in his typical self-effacing style outside Mahakaleshwar temple as the sun beat down. The CM,along with his wife Sadhna Singh,walked the half-a-km stretch from Gopal Temple to Mahakaleshwar,and took part in the inaugural ceremony of Ati Rudrabhishek,an elaborate ritual undertaken in extreme situations. The state is reeling under severe water and power crisis. Through this religious rite I am seeking the blessings of Lord Mahakal for copious rain, Chouhan said. This was the only official ceremony as the state has seen traditional,bizarre and tantrik activities being undertaken by individuals and groups to propitiate the rain god. By evening,though,Chouhans prayers seem to have been answered as it rained.
