Rajasthan
It’s written in the far-away stars, but experts in Karoi village read it well
Karoi in Bhilwara district may not have much to set it apart from other villages in the region, but it continually remains in the limelight, especially when elections are round the corner. Political leaders from five poll-bound states-Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Rajasthan, and Mizoram-are currently in contact with astrologers in Karoi.
Over the past two decades, Karoi’s reputation as the “village of fortunetellers” has spread far and wide, and one must have quite some influence simply to be able to get appointments with the seasoned astrologers who live here, practising the craft for generations. Politicians, both veterans and newcomers, are making discreet visits to Karoi or engaging in video calls with these astrologers, all in the hope of getting insights into their political destinies.
Gopal Lal Vyas, one of the astrologers in Karoi, has an illustrious clientele that includes former chief minister Vasundhara Raje. Like other astrologers in this village, Vyas draws upon the wisdom of ‘Bhrigu Samhita,’ an ancient Hindu astrological text believed to have the formula to decode individual horoscopes and provide detailed predictions for individuals based on their birth charts. The text is considered one of the earliest works of Vedic astrology.
“Politicians from all parties are contacting us to know what outcome for them and their parties lie in store. Some reach out over the phone, while others prefer a personal visit,” said Vyas, adding that leaders from as far as Goa have visited astrologers in Karoi for consultations.
The questions politicians often ask the astrologers here range from the chances of victory in upcoming elections to whether their children should enter politics or if there is a better alternative career path for them. “For sitting MLAs, the question often is whether they can go on to become MPs. And the MPs want to know if they will ever get ministerial berths,” said Om Vyas, Gopal’s brother and another astrologer.
Most politicians keep their consultations with the astrologers in Karoi confidential, and the astrologers claim that their predictions have rarely proven incorrect.
While the Vyas family is the most prominent practitioners of astrology in Karoi, other astrologers from the village are rapidly gaining recognition. Among them is Pandit Gopal Upadhya, who has made Karoi his home and is frequently consulted by politicians and even film actors.
“Political predictions from Karoi have consistently matched the eventual outcomes, which is why politicians continue to come here to seek guidance,” said Upadhya.
Over the past two decades, Karoi’s reputation as the “village of fortunetellers” has spread far and wide, and one must have quite some influence simply to be able to get appointments with the seasoned astrologers who live here, practising the craft for generations. Politicians, both veterans and newcomers, are making discreet visits to Karoi or engaging in video calls with these astrologers, all in the hope of getting insights into their political destinies.
Gopal Lal Vyas, one of the astrologers in Karoi, has an illustrious clientele that includes former chief minister Vasundhara Raje. Like other astrologers in this village, Vyas draws upon the wisdom of ‘Bhrigu Samhita,’ an ancient Hindu astrological text believed to have the formula to decode individual horoscopes and provide detailed predictions for individuals based on their birth charts. The text is considered one of the earliest works of Vedic astrology.
“Politicians from all parties are contacting us to know what outcome for them and their parties lie in store. Some reach out over the phone, while others prefer a personal visit,” said Vyas, adding that leaders from as far as Goa have visited astrologers in Karoi for consultations.
The questions politicians often ask the astrologers here range from the chances of victory in upcoming elections to whether their children should enter politics or if there is a better alternative career path for them. “For sitting MLAs, the question often is whether they can go on to become MPs. And the MPs want to know if they will ever get ministerial berths,” said Om Vyas, Gopal’s brother and another astrologer.
Most politicians keep their consultations with the astrologers in Karoi confidential, and the astrologers claim that their predictions have rarely proven incorrect.
While the Vyas family is the most prominent practitioners of astrology in Karoi, other astrologers from the village are rapidly gaining recognition. Among them is Pandit Gopal Upadhya, who has made Karoi his home and is frequently consulted by politicians and even film actors.
“Political predictions from Karoi have consistently matched the eventual outcomes, which is why politicians continue to come here to seek guidance,” said Upadhya.
