Some prefer dealing with deities on Net

BANGALORE, India -- When an astrologer warned Anasuya Dhanrajgir that bad luck was on her horizon, she took the road increasingly traveled by modern Hindus looking to appease ancient divinities.

Anasuya logged onto the Internet.

In the old days, the astrologer's advice might have pushed the 39-year-old Anasuya to take a 900-mile journey to a temple on the southern tip of India. There, she'd pay respects to Shani -- the Hindu god the astrologer said she had angered.

"I surfed the Internet to see if there was a way out," said Anasuya, from the western city of Pune, near Bombay.

She found that technology offered an easy way to keep the faith. The site -- www. prarthana.com -- offers to conduct prayer rituals for a fee at some 400 temples across India.

With the click of her mouse, Anasuya placed an order for a ceremony or puja -- which she was told would cost $25. This particular prayer service, marked by chanting of Vedic verses and worship of fire, was designed to mollify Shani.

Hindu temples offer puja ceremonies aimed at providing good health, success in business, marital bliss and so on. Prices vary according to the service required.