Rahul Gandhi offers prayer at Kottakkal Sri Viswambhara temple

Malappuram: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is currently undergoing Ayurvedic wellness treatment at the famous Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala here, has offered prayers at Sri Viswambhara Temple situated on its premises.

Gandhi visited the temple on Wednesday evening, party sources said.

He was accompanied by AICC general secretary K C Venugopal and party MLA A P Anil Kumar, they said on Thursday.

The temple, dedicated to Viswambhara, is an abode of solace and consolation for a large number of patients visiting Arya Vaidya Sala.

Later, Gandhi also witnessed a Kathakali performance at PSV Natyasangham, a centre of national repute at Arya Vaidya Sala.

Renowned Malayalam writer and Jnanpith laureate M T Vasudevan Nair, who is staying next to Gandhi's room at the Vaidyasala, also enjoyed the Kathakali performance with Gandhi, sources said.

In a Facebook post, Gandhi said, "Thoroughly enjoyed an enthralling performance of Kathakali by PSV Natyasangham, a renowned classical centre under the aegis of Arya Vaidya Sala Kottakkal that was established by the legendary 'Vaidyaratnam' PS Varier." He said each art form of India is a reflection of its diverse histories and cultures.

"I also got the opportunity to visit the Sri Viswambhara temple, and was captivated by its serenity," he said in the post.

The four-armed Viswambhara is conceived as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, with the divine conch, discus, mace, and lotus in the four arms.