Goa CM Performs Ayudha Pooja On His Toyota Fortuner Legender
Navratri is an important festival in the Indian culture. Ayudha Puja is an important part of these festivities. It is the practice in which people offer reverence and prayers to their tools and vehicles on Vijayadashami. Every year, we come across many videos of celebrities and other public figures doing Ayudha Puja on their respective vehicles. Now, a new set of pictures showing Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant doing Ayudha Puja on his Toyota Fortuner Legender has surfaced.
These images were shared on Sawant’s official Instagram handle. It shows the White SUV parked in his garage. It has a garland on its hood and another hanging down from its grille. The CM is seen standing in front of it and performing Puja on the Legender.
In the description, he said ‘ Performed Ayudha Pooja on the sacred day of VijayaDashami. I convey my warm greetings to all Goans, praying that Dussehra brings renewed strength and joy to every home.’ The post is racking up views and engagement. Many wished the minister happiness and luck during Dassahra.
Performing Ayudha Puja On One’s Vehicle during VijayaDashami is believed to bring blessings and success to the owner, and further strengthen his/her bond with the vehicles. For people who actually love their cars and SUVs, this ritual is important. It is celebrated mostly in South India. Ayudha Puja is often followed by taking these vehicles on short drives.
Even last year, a video of Sawant performing Ayudha Puja on his Fortuner had surfaced online. In it, however, a regular Fortuner and a Hyundai Creta, both finished in White, were seen.
Like many other politicians of our country, Sawant too seems to love the Fortuner. His transition from a regular Fortuner to the Legender in a year’s time is proof of this. If you’re wondering, the Legender is a more comfortable, urban-friendly, and tech-packed version of the Fortuner that doesn’t lose the rugged genes or go-anywhere abilities.
Yes, it comes with a sizeable price premium over the regular SUV. At the time of writing this article, the 4X4 NeoDrive AT variant of the regular Fortuner has an ex-showroom price of Rs 41.88 lakh. The 4X4 NeoDrive AT variant of the Legender, however, costs Rs. 46.75 Lakh!
Both SUVs are based on the same TNGA-F platform and are powered by the same diesel engine- a 2.8L turbocharged unit mated to a 48V mild hybrid system. This setup makes 201 Bhp and 500 Nm of peak torque. Toyota launched the hybrid Fortuner here in June this year. It remains unclear if the Legender seen in the new set of images is a hybrid model that he purchased recently or a non-hybrid version.
Politicians in general, have a strong affinity towards the Fortuner family. A big reason for this is the image and reputation that the Fortuner has among Indians. It is seen as a symbol of status, wealth, and success. People often associate Fortuner owners to those who have power and authority. Thus, politicians seldom think beyond this SUV, when it comes to vehicle acquisition.
Another reason is its durability and performance. A well-maintained Fortuner would hardly have a breakdown or get its occupants stranded mid-way. Its mighty engine further ensures good performance in both road and off-road scenarios.
The SUV also meets the comfort and space demands of most of the people looking to buy a ladder-frame SUV of this size. And finally, for people who do not want to lose in the resale market, the Fortuner packs a lot of appeal with its low depreciation and high resale value.