PTI

Bangalore, Feb 24: Shivratri celebrations in Karnataka took a different hue this year as the BJP government transported large quantities of 'Ganga jal' from Hrishikesh to be distributed among devout in select temples across the state.

Over 50000 litres of sacred 'Ganga jal' were distributed to devotees as 'theertha' in at least four temples in each taluk.

This is the first time that the government in the state has ventured to offer "theertha" through temples managed by Muzrai (Religious endowment department), officials said.

Besides the "theertha",the government also distributed six lakh calendars of Lord Shiva.

The government has also organised special Shivratri celebrations at the Palace grounds here. Last month on Vaikunta Ekadasi, the government had distributed Laddus.

Minister for Muzrai, S N Krishnaiah Shetty had issued a controversial order directing temples to perform pooja in the name of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.

He had stirred up another controversy about three months ago when Tirupati laddus and photographs of Lord Venkateswara were airlifted from there to USA for distribution among Kannadigas.