Farooq Abdullah prays at Tirumala temple; meets Satya Sai Baba

Syed Amin Jafri in Hyderabad

Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah on Sunday offered prayers at the famous Sri Venkateswara temple at Tirumala and called on godman Sri Satya Sai Baba at Puttaparti in Andhra Pradesh.

He joins a long list of VIPs, including chief ministers of various states, who make it a point to visit the temple before important political events such as elections. J&K is going to the polls this month.

Accompanied by his two daughters, Dr Abdullah signed, before entering the temple, the mandatory declaration (for non-Hindus) that he had faith in Lord Venkateswara.

Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanam Executive Officer P Krishnaiah explained to him the significance of the shrine and later, presented him a copy of the Bhagwad Gita.

Dr Abdullah also offered prayers to Goddess Padmavati at the Sri Padmavati Ammavari temple at Tiruchanoor.

Later, the J&K chief minister proceeded to Puttaparti to call on Sri Satya Sai Baba at Prasanthi Nilayam.