ON THE RIGHT TRACK: Devotees of Lord Hanuman undertaking a padayatra to the Kondagattu temple shrine in Karimnagar. — Photo R. Raju

KARIMNAGAR: Gone are the days when rural youth joined the naxalite-fold attracted by revolutionary songs. Now, they take to wearing Lord Hanuman's `deeksha malas,' shunning the path of violence and leading a good life.

Inspired by the giant idols of Lord Hanuman installed in the forest areas of Ammakkapeta in Ibrahimpatnam mandal, Nagaram in Konaraopeta mandal, Kondagattu temple shrine and other places and motivation from the district police, the rural youth are taking to Hanuman `deeksha malas' and performing pujas ranging from 11 to 108 days in these naxal-dominated villages.

Instead of singing revolutionary songs they now chant the names of Lord Hanuman and Sri Rama.

On the eve of Lord Hanuman Jayanthi, the youth wear the deeksha malas and perform pujas at the temples and village centres.

They also perform cultural programmes during the night highlighting the importance of Ramayana and the story of Lord Hanuman and other religious epics.

Saffron revolution

In naxalite-dominated Kathalapur mandal adjoining the Manala forests there has been a `saffron revolution' with several hundreds of youth performing the Hanuman deeksha pujas. The disciples wear saffron dress and walk without footwear in the hot summer. "It has become a new craze in the villages. We get respect in the village, make new friends and are able to see new places because of the pujas," says Tirumaleshu of Kathalapur mandal.

Changed lifestyle

Says Hanumantha Reddy of Thirukonda village of the Kathalapur mandal: "By wearing the deeksha malas, we could change our lifestyle, visiting temples everyday and learning the discipline of waking up early in the morning. We also go to the temple shrines of Badrachalam, Vijayawada Kanaka Durga temple and other places and are also exposed to development."

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