MRPL conducts puja to keep off evil spirits

Mangalore, Aug. 26: Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) peformed a bhoomi varaha puja recently amidst speculation that it was seeking divine protection against the problems it has been plaguedwith since its inception. According to locals, accidents and other troubles have hampered the functioning of the plant for years.

MRPL officers headed by its managing director (MD) performed the puja on August 20, the last new moon day with the help of an archak, who was specially summoned from Padubidri in Udupi district for the purpose

“Right from the beginning, there have been problems at the plant,” say locals, who believe that its troubles began after it removed some nagasthanas (abodes of the snake God) and daivathanas while acquiring land to establish the company.

“During the Nagamandala held in MRPL a few years ago, we were told that many abodes of the Snake God were harmed during the construction of the plant,” a resident of the area recalls.

MRPL DGM (corporate communication) Lakshmi Kumaran, however says the puja was performed to appease Mother Earth as a number of trees were cut during land acquisition for the expansion of the refinery.

“The puja was intended to appease Mother Earth as when land is acquired, it causes some heartache among those displaced There is a need for some atonement,” she said, speaking to Deccan Chronicle, explaining that according to mythology Lord Varaha saved Mother Earth from the clutches of demons and so the puja was performed to both.

During the pooja, a Sudarshana Yantra was placed near the main entrance of MRPL.
To protect the sanctity of the place, a Tulasi Vrindavana has been installed above the place where the Sudarshana Yantra has been placed.