Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay visited the renowned Kollur Mookambika Temple in Karnataka on Friday, 12 June 2026, and offered prayers to Goddess Mookambika, reviving memories of a long-standing tradition followed by several former Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers.
Vijay arrived at Mangaluru International Airport on a special flight on Friday afternoon and travelled by road to Kollur amid tight security arrangements. At the temple, he participated in special rituals conducted by priests and offered prayers at the revered Shakti Peetha.
The visit drew attention after Vijay presented a silver sword to the temple, a gesture reminiscent of former Chief Minister MG Ramachandran, who was a devoted follower of Goddess Mookambika and had famously donated a sword to the shrine.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay is scheduled to visit the revered Kollur Thai Mookambika Temple around 2.30 pm on June 12.
His visit comes soon after assuming office as Chief Minister. He is expected to offer prayers and seek blessings at one of South India’s most powerful… pic.twitter.com/318mSzxza9
— A Selvaraj (@Crime_Selvaraj) June 11, 2026
Political observers noted that the gesture closely mirrors one of the most well-known symbolic acts associated with MGR’s devotion to the temple. Over the decades, the Kollur Mookambika Temple has occupied a special place in the political and spiritual landscape of Tamil Nadu, particularly among leaders who sought the blessings of the deity after assuming office.
Apart from MGR, former Chief Ministers Janaki Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa had also visited the shrine after assuming office and offered prayers seeking the blessings of Goddess Mookambika.
Vijay’s visit comes barely a month after assuming office as Chief Minister and draws comparisons with MGR, whose political journey the actor-turned-politician has been blatantly copied by Vijay since entering public life.
While temple visits by Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers are not uncommon, Vijay’s decision to donate a sword similar to MGR’s famous offering has reignited discussions over the extent to which the TVK founder is consciously copying the political and symbolic legacy of the late AIADMK founder.
The symbolism bears striking similarities to MGR’s well-known association with the temple – Vijay seems to be building an image just like MGR.
TAMIL NADU CM VIJAY DONATED SILVER SWORD TO KOLLUR MOOGAMBIKA TEMPLE
Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay at Kollur Shri Moogambika Temple, Karnataka.
Right from Mangalore airport to Kollur, people queued on both sides of road to CCB wet up Vijay.
The temple was crowded… pic.twitter.com/SCk6xKqZ75— A Selvaraj (@Crime_Selvaraj) June 12, 2026
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