DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Thu, 25 Sep 2025 12:56:54 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/religion/vadodara-comes-alive-with-garba-as-navratri-festival-draws-global-attention-640070.html New Delhi Sep 23 As Navratri celebrations sweep across India Gujarats Vadodara often considered the cultural capital of Garba is once again at the heart of the festivities The Vadodara Navratri Festival is witnessing an electrifying turnout with thousands of participants dancing with joy and devotion to the rhythmic beats of traditional Garba musicAdding a global flavour to the event Russian delegate Elina who flew in from Russia specifically to witness the Garba festivities expressed her excitementIm very happy to be here she said This festival is full of colour music and joy India and Russia share a longstanding friendship and I feel lucky to witness this cultural celebrationElina was given a traditional welcome at the venue She paid respects to the idol of Maa Amba at Chachar Chowk received a ceremonial tilak on her forehead and had a sacred thread tied to her wrist as part of the Hindu customsVadodaras Member of Parliament Dr Hemang Joshi was also present at the festivalGarba is not just a dance form it is a reflection of our deeprooted culture and religious devotion he said This festival represents Indias unity spirituality and cultural heritage It also echoes Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of preserving and promoting our traditions while embracing developmentVadodaras festival organiser Mayank Patel noted the massive response on the first day and said that the arrangements have been made with utmost careWe are witnessing an overwhelming turnout he said Security and all facilities have been taken care of to ensure everyone can enjoy Garba safely The recognition by UNESCO has further elevated Vadodaras Garba to a global levelOne of the Garba dancers Jindal Dixit shared his excitement sayingI wait eagerly for Navratri every year Today is the second day and Im here to dance my heart outVadodaras Garba has gained international recognition with UNESCO listing it among culturally significant festivals and it is often referred to as the worlds longest dance festival The presence of international delegates and cultural enthusiasts highlights its growing global appealAs Navratri continues Vadodara remains lit with devotion music and a spirit that unites people from across the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/vadodara-comes-alive-with-garba-as-navratri-festival-draws-global-attention-640070.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 09:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kavitha-asks-telangana-government-to-reveal-details-of-caste-survey-640089.html Hyderabad Sep 23 Telangana Jagruthi president K Kavitha on Tuesday demanded that the Congress government in Telangana disclose caste census details for every gram panchayat before announcing the dates for the local body elections Kavitha accused the government of conspiring to finalise reservations for Backward Classes BCs without revealing the details of the caste census surveyIn a post on X she said that Congress is attempting to finalise reservations in places that are considered favourable to them The government must prove its sincerity by disclosing the details of the caste census survey before announcing the dates for local body elections she saidIf they hurriedly conduct elections to gain political advantage it would be an injustice to the BCs The caste census details should be disclosed for each gram panchayat said KavithaTelangana Jagruthi has been working with sincerity from the beginning to increase BC reservations It will continue the struggle until the reservation for BCs is enhanced she addedKavitha who resigned from Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS early this month after party president and her father K Chandrasekhar Rao KCR suspended her from the party for antiparty activities is scheduled to visit Mancherial district later in the day to participate in Bathukamma celebrationsOn Monday she participated in Bathukamma celebrations at Telangana Jagruthi office in HyderabadEver since launching Telangana Jagruthi to give a cultural push to the movement for a separate Telangana State Kavitha has been actively participating in BathukammaBathukamma Telanganas state festival commenced on Sunday Considered a symbol of Telangana culture it is celebrated with enthusiasm by women for nine daysNature is worshipped during the festival Women and girls sing and dance around specially arranged flowers At the end of the festival they immerse the specially arranged flowers called Bathukamma in local pondsEver since the formation of Telangana State in 2014 Bathukamma is celebrated as the state festival IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kavitha-asks-telangana-government-to-reveal-details-of-caste-survey-640089.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 12:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/prisoners-perform-ramlila-inside-varanasis-central-jail-640102.html Varanasi Sep 23 As the festive spirit of Dussehra sweeps across India even the high walls of Varanasis Central Jail are echoing with chants hailing Lord Ram In a unique initiative blending tradition with reform prisoners serving life sentences or longterm imprisonment are performing the ageold epic of Ramlila within the jail premises This isnt a oneoff event For the past 15 years the Central Jail has hosted its own rendition of Ramlila with inmates playing every role from Lord Ram and Goddess Sita to King Ravana and Lord HanumanThe performance begins on the first day of Navratri and culminates with the symbolic burning of Ravanas effigy on Dussehra Preparations begin as early as July turning the prison into a stage of devotion and redemptionSpeaking to IANS Senior Jail Superintendent Radha Krishna Mishra shared insights into the initiative We have been organising Ramlila since 201011 Prisoners are carefully selected for roles and regular rehearsals are conducted They not only perform with sincerity but truly bring the Ramayana to lifeInterestingly the jail doctor plays a crucial role in assigning parts to inmates based on their behaviour voice modulation and personality turning the casting process into a thoughtful and creative exerciseRamlila is a performance of the Ramayana epic in a series of scenes that include song narration recital and dialogue It is performed across northern India during the festival of Dussehra held each year according to the ritual calendar in autumnThe most famous Ramlilas are those of Ayodhya Ramnagar and Varanasi Vrindavan Almora and MadhubaniThis staging of the Ramayana is based on the Ramacharitmanas one of the most popular storytelling forms in the North of the country This sacred text devoted to the glory of Ram the hero of the Ramayana was composed by Tulsidas in the sixteenth century in a form of Hindi in order to make the Sanskrit epic available to allThe majority of the Ramlilas recount episodes from the Ramacharitmanas through a series of performances lasting ten to twelve days but some such as Ramnagars may last an entire monthFestivals are organised in hundreds of settlements towns and villages during the Dussehra festival season celebrating Lord Rams return from exileRamlila recalls the battle between Lord Ram and Ravana and consists of a series of dialogues between gods sages and the faithful Ramlilas dramatic force stems from the succession of icons representing the climax of each scene IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/prisoners-perform-ramlila-inside-varanasis-central-jail-640102.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 13:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/nse-to-hold-diwali-muhurat-trading-session-on-october-21-640027.html New Delhi Sep 22 The National Stock Exchange NSE on Monday announced that it will conduct a special onehour Muhurat Trading session on October 21 on the occasion of Diwali to mark the beginning of the new Samvat year According to the exchange circular the trading window will open at 145 pm and close at 245 pm while a 15minute preopen session will be held from 130 pm to 145 pmTrade modifications will be allowed until 255 pm and all trades executed during the session will carry settlement obligations similar to regular trading hoursStock markets remain closed on Diwali Lakhsmi Puja but the symbolic Muhurat session is conducted annually to mark the start of the Vikram Samvat year in the Hindu calendarThis year the session coincides with the beginning of Samvat 2082The session will take place in the afternoon instead of the evening as is customary A similar session is anticipated to be held by the Bombay Stock Exchange BSE though the exact time has not yet been disclosedMuhurat trading is considered auspicious by traders and investors who believe that participating in the market during this period brings financial growth and prosperityWhile the session lasts for just an hour markets are typically volatile and sentiment often plays a larger role than profitability in trading decisionsTraders use this window to engage in both symbolic and meaningful trades with the belief that the practice will usher in wealth and good fortune in the new financial yearOver the years the Muhurat session has become a significant cultural and financial tradition blending market activity with festive celebrations and reflecting the enduring role of sentiment and optimism in Indian stock markets IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/nse-to-hold-diwali-muhurat-trading-session-on-october-21-640027.html Mon, 22 Sep 2025 22:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/dont-indulge-in-petty-politics-over-dusshera-siddaramaiah-tells-critics-640036.html Mysuru Sep 22 Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday threw a challenge to his political opponents and critics saying that if they wanted politics they should choose the election ground not the state festival Dont indulge in lowlevel politics over Dusshera he said after offering prayers to Goddess Chamundeshwari and inaugurating the worldfamous historic Dusshera festivities in Mysuru city along with Booker Prize winner Banu MushtaqThose who have no knowledge of Dusshera and our cultural heritage opposed Booker awardee Banu Mushtaq Distorting history and indulging in selfish politics is an unpardonable crime If you want to do politics do it during elections Dont stoop to petty politics over the state festival he saidThe majority of people in the state have welcomed Banu Mushtaqs inauguration of Dusshera This is a matter of pride It is appropriate that Booker Prize awardee Banu Mushtaq inaugurated Dusshera More than being a Muslim woman Banu Mushtaq is a human being who upholds humanitarian values We humans must live with love for one another Hatred is against humanity Therefore those who celebrate hatred are against humanity itself the CM remarkedThose who follow the constitutional values of tolerance and coexistence are the true Indians Our Constitution is secular and nonreligious Both the High Court and Supreme Court have upheld this Only those who are proud to call themselves Indians will take pride in the Constitution To know our rights and responsibilities we must know the Constitution he saidQuoting the famous Kannada poet Kuvempu Siddaramaiah lashed out at communal forces saying We must not forget Kuvempus words Step out of temples churches and mosques Let us build the state as Kuvempu envisioneda garden of peace for all communitiesWe have implemented guarantees for the poor of all castes religions and political affiliations in line with the spirit of the Constitution Are BJP leaders not beneficiaries of these guarantees Siddaramaiah askedThese guarantees will not stop Because of them our states per capita income has reached number one in the country Today we are number one in GDP in India as well he said with prideOn one hand BJP leaders oppose our guarantees and on the other hand they are stealing them the CM alleged IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/dont-indulge-in-petty-politics-over-dusshera-siddaramaiah-tells-critics-640036.html Mon, 22 Sep 2025 23:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/devotees-throng-temples-in-himachal-on-first-day-of-navratri-639846.html Shimla Sep 22 Thousands of devotees from across the region thronged temples in Himachal Pradesh on Monday on the first day of the nineday Navratri considered by Hindus to be an auspicious period and offered prayers The popular temples of Naina Devi in Bilaspur Chintpurni in Una Baba Balak Nath in Hamirpur Brajeshwari Devi Jwalaji and Chamunda Devi in Kangra and Bhimakali and Hateshwari in Shimla district witnessed a huge rushSecurity has been beefed up and closedcircuit television CCTV cameras have been installed to manage the crowds in all the prominent shrines a senior police official told IANSShardiya Navratri will culminate with the celebration of Dussehra on October 2A majority of the pilgrims came from Punjab Haryana Chandigarh and Delhi Every day we are expecting between 15000 and 20000 devotees at the temple an official at the hilltop Naina Devi shrine in Bilaspur district told IANS over the phoneMany temples including Mata Chintpurni in Una district Baba Balak Nath Temple Deothsidh in Hamirpur district and Jakhu Temple in Shimla district are now offering online darshan servicesThe devotees would also be able to offer online offerings The websites of the temple have a collection of photographs and the history of the shrines It also includes information on forthcoming religious events and festivalsOne can literally have a parikrama circumambulation of the temple an official at the Chintpurni temple saidExtending greetings Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu wrote on X My wish from Maa Shailputri is that with her divine grace she frees your life from every crisis and fills it with joy and brightness Jai Mata DiThis festival is celebrated four times a year known as Chaitra Navratri Magha Gupt Navratri Ashadha Gupt Navratri and Shardiya Navratri The most wellknown Navratris are those that take place during Chaitra Month and Ashwina Month During this Navratri Durga Puja is also conducted in various regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/devotees-throng-temples-in-himachal-on-first-day-of-navratri-639846.html Mon, 22 Sep 2025 09:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/navratri-begins-with-grandeur-as-devotees-throng-temples-across-india-639860.html New Delhi Sep 22 Navratri is being celebrated with great fervour across the country as devotees in large numbers flocked to temples to seek blessings on the auspicious occasion The nineday festival dedicated to the Goddess Durga is one of the most revered in Hinduism The celebration marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura symbolising the triumph of good over evil and the restoration of dharmaTemples across the nation have been decorated beautifully adding to the festive spiritIn Uttarakhand grand arrangements were witnessed at Haridwars Maa Mansa Devi Temple where devotees offered prayers and participated in a special aartiDuring Shardiya Navratri devotees offer prayers to the Goddess with great devotion presenting items such as betel leaves coconut and other offerings according to their heartfelt devotion On the first day of Navratri the first form of the Goddess Shailputri is worshipped a temple priest told IANSA devotee added We pray that Mata Rani blesses everyone and brings happiness and prosperity to all homesIn Jammu and Kashmir devotees thronged the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple in Katra chanting Jai Mata Di along the wayToday is my birthday as well as the first day of Navratri I wanted to celebrate it with Mata Raani hence I came here to seek blessings a devotee told IANSHimachal Pradeshs famous Shaktipeeth Naina Devi temple in Bilaspur district also saw large crowdsA priest explaining the significance of the temple told IANS The eyes of Mata Sati fell in the court of Mata Shri Naina Devi hence this religious place is named Shri Naina Devi Ji and a large number of devotees reach the court of Mataji for Navratri worship and fulfil their wishesThe Shailputri Temple in Uttar Pradeshs Varanasi has also drawn thousands of worshippers since morningThe first day of Navratri is considered incomplete without a visit to Shailputri Mata This is why this temple in Varanasi is a wonderful confluence of faith and devotion a devotee saidIn Delhi long queues were seen since 5 am at the Shri Jhandewalan Devi Temple where chants of Jai Mata Di echoed throughout the premisesSpeaking to IANS a devotee said We come every year to have darshan of Mata Rani Good arrangements have been made by the temple Sevadaars are deployed everywhere to ensure that the devotees do not face any problems Very good arrangements have been made by the temple administration and the sevadaarsSimilar scenes were seen in the Kalkaji Temple another famous temple in Delhi where devotees lined up since morning for darshan Authorities have deployed tight security and have made elaborate arrangements to manage the heavy rushNavratri celebrations also began in Rajasthan where hundreds visited Jodhpurs Mehrangarh Fort to offer prayers at the Chamunda Mata Temple Darshan arrangements have been made from 7 am to 5 pm for devoteesWith vibrant decorations devotional chants and large gatherings at temples the festival has once again brought together millions of devotees across the nation in prayer and celebration IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/navratri-begins-with-grandeur-as-devotees-throng-temples-across-india-639860.html Mon, 22 Sep 2025 10:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/auspicious-day-for-indian-economy-says-pawan-kalyan-639864.html Amaravati Sep 22 Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Monday hailed the rollout of GST 20 calling it an auspicious day for the Indian economy The Jana Sena leader thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for implementing the GST reformsHappy Sharad Navratri Its a truly auspicious day for Indias economy On behalf of the people of Andhra Pradesh I convey my heartfelt gratitude to our Honble Prime Minister Narendra Modiji for implementing the next generation GST reforms starting from 22nd September 2025 the actorpolitician said in a post on XThe GST Bachat Utsav and supporting Swadeshi goods amp services will empower our farmers industries manufacturing sector and MSMEs while also making essential goods and services more affordable for common people With these reforms the journey toward Viksit Bharat 2047 and a truly Atmanirbhar Bharat takes a decisive step forward he addedEarlier Nara Lokesh the state Minister for Human Resources Development and Information Technology also welcomed the implementation of GST reforms Under Prime Minister Narendra Modiis visionary leadership GST 20 heralds a sunrise of simplicity with fewer rates affordable essentials and a tax system that empowers women consumers and businesses alike posted LokeshWhat was once a web of taxes has transformed into a festival of savings We now have a true GST Bachat Utsav for every household These reforms will accelerate investment energize local manufacturing and fuel Indias growth journey As we join hands in this mission let us proudly embrace his mantra Garv Se Kaho Ye Swadeshi Hai added LokeshUnion Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu in his post on X on Sunday night stated that the Prime Ministers address to the nation filled the aspirations of the common man with new Shakti As the nation welcomes Navratri the festival of Shakti tomorrow GST 20 will emerge as the economic Shakti of Atma Nirbhar Bharat The nextgen GST reforms will empower the youth farmers middleclass families shopkeepers traders MSMEs and startups to save more and grow more Honble PM has always believed that the growth of every individual and every household is the true foundation of a Viksit Bharat he saidIndias aviation sector also stands to gain from this landmark reform with a uniform GST of just 5 on drones reduced from the earlier 18 and 28 This will give a major boost to the drone ecosystem and create opportunities for the youth from drone manufacturing to field operations Also exemption of motion and flight simulators from GST will open up significant opportunities for pilot training within the country he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/auspicious-day-for-indian-economy-says-pawan-kalyan-639864.html Mon, 22 Sep 2025 11:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/will-hindus-stop-eating-non-veg-because-someone-says-so-udit-raj-on-navratri-ban-639891.html New Delhi Sep 22 Senior Congress leader Udit Raj on Monday criticised the calls to ban the sale of nonvegetarian food and shut meat shops during Navratri terming such restrictions as unconstitutional and asserting that no authority can impose them on citizens Speaking to IANS Raj pointed out that several Hindus continue to consume nonvegetarian food during Navratri and highlighted practices within Hinduism where offerings include animal sacrificesHe also invoked the example of Goddess Kali to underline that traditions vary across communitiesDuring Navratri certain states and regions including parts of Uttar Pradesh and some areas in Delhi restrict or prohibit the sale of nonvegetarian food either through government directives or local municipal ordersThese curbs are often implemented to respect religious sentiments as many devotees observe a vegetarian or satvik diet during the nineday festivalReacting to these measures Raj described them as an attack on the Constitution and insisted that dietary practices are personal and cannot be regulated by political diktatsArticle 19 of the Constitution grants citizens complete freedom You cannot impose on anyone what they should or should not eat Every individual has the right to their choice If someone chooses not to eat meat they can abstain But will 100 per cent of Hindus stop eating meat just because someone says so Will they stop having chicken or mutton This is unconstitutional he saidHe further emphasised that animal sacrifice continues to be a part of several Hindu traditionsEven among Hindus there are practices like this Goddess Kali drank blood and animal sacrifices are offered during Durga Puja Many deities receive animal sacrifices and Hindus worship them These restrictions are all political and unconstitutional matters These are the same people who will eat nonveg in their homes but outside they will make it a big deal to polarise the issue he remarkedRaj reiterated that India functions under the Constitution not under personal interpretations of faithIndia is an independent country where no one can impose or force someone to follow a certain notion The country will work as per the Constitution and not their statements he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/will-hindus-stop-eating-non-veg-because-someone-says-so-udit-raj-on-navratri-ban-639891.html Mon, 22 Sep 2025 12:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/met-office-forecast-rains-in-run-up-to-durga-puja-festival-in-bengal-639968.html Kolkata Sep 22 As Durga Puja approaches the possibility of rain during the festival is increasing day by day the Met Office warned on Monday The Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkatas Alipore had already informed that there is a possibility of a lowpressure area forming in the Bay of Bengal two days before Durga Puja September 25 Due to this there is a high chance of rain during Durga Puja days starting from September 27 On Monday the Met Office said that there is a possibility of rough seas from Wednesday and issued a warning for fishermen They have been advised not to venture into the deep seaAccording to the Met Department four districts of south Bengal are likely to receive heavy rain in the next few days South 24 Parganas East Midnapore West Midnapore and Jhargram districts are likely to receive heavy rain on Monday and Tuesday Apart from this all the remaining districts in south Bengal including Kolkata will experience scattered rain from Monday till next Thursday Thunderstorms may occur in various places including KolkataThe possibility of rain increases as the festival approaches Meanwhile scattered light to moderate rains will continue in the runup to the festival in all districts of south Bengal a Met Department official saidHowever the intensity of rain will reduce in north Bengal from Tuesday onwardsThere may be scattered light rains at one or two places there However there is no warning of heavy rain in any of the eight districts in north Bengal The weather there will improve gradually later this weekMeanwhile the north Bay of Bengal off West Bengal and Odisha may experience stormy weather from ThursdayThe minimum temperature in Kolkata on Monday was 271 degrees Celsius 08 degrees above normal The maximum temperature in the city on Sunday was 332 degrees Celsius 04 degrees above normal IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/met-office-forecast-rains-in-run-up-to-durga-puja-festival-in-bengal-639968.html Mon, 22 Sep 2025 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/thousands-throng-river-ghats-in-bengal-to-offer-tarpan-on-mahalaya-639744.html Kolkata Sep 21 Thousands of people offered tarpan on the banks of the River Hooghly to pay obeisance to their forefathers on the occasion of Mahalaya which marks the beginning of the Durga puja festivities River traffic police kept a strict vigil along various ghats of the Hooghly to prevent any untoward incident Adequate security measures were taken at the 18 ghats in Kolkata where devotees offered tarpan Vehicular movements on the roads leading up to the ghats were also restricted police saidMahalaya is an auspicious day in the Hindu calendar marking the end of the Pitru Paksha ancestral worship period and the beginning of the Devi Paksha an auspicious fortnightlong period in the Hindu calendar that marks the beginning of Durga Puja celebrations starting with the Mahalaya observance signalling the ceremonial arrival of Goddess Durga for the annual Durga Puja festivalAlthough Durga Puja officially begins from Shasthi September 28 the festivities begin from MahalayaThe early morning rendition of Mahishasur Mardini a collection of shlokas and songs dedicated to Goddess Durga was aired on the All India Radio AIRMahishasur Mardini was first broadcast as a live programme on AIR in the early 1930s Since then it has become a Mahalaya morning ritualOn the occasion Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings to the people Wishing you all Shubho Mahalaya As the sacred days of Durga Puja draw near may our lives be filled with light and purpose May the divine blessings of Maa Durga bring unwavering strength lasting joy and wonderful health PM Modi said on XUnion Home Minister Amit Shah too extended his greetings on MahalayaShubho Mahalaya On the holy occasion of Mahalaya I extend my heartfelt greetings to all May the unbound affection of Maa Durga shower all the divine blessings of joy strength prosperity and good health on every home he wrote on XWest Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee released a Durga Puja song written and composed by her on her X handleWishing the people on Mahalaya she wrote Awake Durga awake bearer of ten weapons On the occasion of Tan Agomoni and Abahan I express my heartfelt Mahalaya greetings to all On this occasion I am sharing with all of you a new Puja song written and composed by meBharatiya Janata Party BJP leaders meanwhile offered tarpan at the Baghbazar ghat to all party workers who were killed in political violence in the state over the past few years State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya took a dip in the river Hooghly and offered prayers along with other party workers IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/thousands-throng-river-ghats-in-bengal-to-offer-tarpan-on-mahalaya-639744.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 12:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/met-department-predicts-rain-on-durga-puja-days-639769.html Kolkata Sep 21 The Meteorological Office on Sunday predicted rain ahead of Durga puja with possibility of thunderstorms officials said According to the Meteorological Department there is a cyclonic circulation in the North Andaman Sea and the adjacent Myanmar coastThis cyclone will move north and northwestwards and reach the North Bay of Bengal by MondayAt the same time a low pressure is likely to form in the Northeast Bay of Bengal off the Myanmar and Bangladesh coast by September 25This will turn into a deep depression in the next two to three days As a result there is a possibility of rain at the beginning of the Durga Puja There is a possibility of heavy rain in the coastal areas In that case heavy rains will begin from Chaturthi September 25 If the conditions remain the same the rains will increase from September 30 to October 2 which is Ashtami to Dashami the main Puja days a senior Meteorological Department official saidThere is a possibility of light to moderate rains with thundershowers in all districts of south Bengal on MondayThere is a warning of one to two mm heavy rains in South 24 Parganas East Midnapore and West Midnapore districts on MondayOn Tuesday there is a warning of heavy rain in South 24 Parganas East Midnapore and West Midnapore and some parts of Bankura districtsOn the other hand north Bengal will experience rain as wellThere is a possibility of rain with thunderstorm and lightning in all districts on SundayThere is a possibility of rain with thundershowers and lightning in all districts from Darjeeling to MaldaGusty winds with a speed of 30 to 40 kmph may also be seen along with the rainThe city of Kolkata too will witness light to moderate rain from Monday onwards which is likely to dampen the festive spiritChief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already asked Durga puja organisers to take precaution and make all necessary preparations in view of the inclement weather IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/met-department-predicts-rain-on-durga-puja-days-639769.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 16:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/imd-issues-yellow-alert-for-six-gujarat-districts-on-navratri-639836.html Ahmedabad Sep 21 As Navratri festivities begin across the country on Monday including in Gujarat where lakhs of devotees are preparing for the Garba celebrations unseasonal rain has dampened spirits and raised concerns for organisers and participants While scattered showers were reported on Sunday in several districts of south Gujarat the Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for Bharuch Narmada Surat Tapi Navsari and Valsad warning of heavy rainfall at isolated places on the first day of NavratriOn Sunday rainfall disrupted preparations in parts of the state with Hansot in Bharuch recording 15 inches in just eight hours between 6 am and 2 pmSimilar showers were reported in Navsari and Chikhli while sporadic rainfall also occurred in Kheda Anand Surat Tapi Vadodara and ValsadOrganisers say waterlogging at Garba venues has already created hurdles ahead of the ninenight festival even as sportspersons and devotees brace for further disruptions if weather forecasts hold trueMeanwhile addressing a gathering of cooperative institutions in Amreli on Sunday Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said The Prime Minister has pledged an Atmanirbhar Bharat and called upon citizens to support it He has said that whether it is chip or ship it must be manufactured in India It is the need of the hour to use Swadeshi products and give momentum to vocal for localWith Navratri beginning on Monday followed by Diwali CM Patel urged citizens to prioritise Indianmade goods during festive purchasesHe appealed to traders and shopkeepers to promote Swadeshi products and called for support to women selfhelp groups and Sakhi Mandals by buying their handicraftsThrough such efforts we can truly realise the resolve of prosperity through cooperation he addedNavratri in Gujarat one of the states most vibrant and widely celebrated festivals has gained global recognition with UNESCO acknowledging its cultural significanceThe nineday festival dedicated to Goddess Durga sees millions of devotees taking part in traditional Garba and Dandiya performances colourful processions and community rituals across Gujarat IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/imd-issues-yellow-alert-for-six-gujarat-districts-on-navratri-639836.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 23:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/may-our-lives-be-filled-with-light-and-purpose-pm-modi-wishes-people-on-mahalaya-639724.html New Delhi Sep 21 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted people on the occasion of Mahalaya which is observed before the start of Durga Puja He said on X Wishing you all Shubho Mahalaya As the sacred days of Durga Puja draw near may our lives be filled with light and purpose May the divine blessings of Maa Durga bring unwavering strength lasting joy and wonderful healthMahalaya is observed at the conclusion of Shradh or Pitru Paksha a 16day period during which Hindus honour their ancestors and signifies the commencement of Durga Puja festivitiesWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also took to social media to wish the people She wrote Awake Durga awake bearer of ten weaponsOn the occasion of Tan Agomoni and Abahan I offer my heartfelt Mahalaya greetings to all On this occasion I am sharing with all of you a new Puja song written and composed by me she said in her postMahalaya ushers in Devi Paksha a 10day celebration of the Goddess Durga that culminates in Durga Puja It signals the arrival of Goddess Durga to Earth to defeat the demon king Mahishasura It is an auspicious day that symbolises the triumph of good over evilIn West Bengal the day is famously marked by the predawn broadcast of Mahishasura Mardini a programme of hymns and chants that invokes the Goddess and listening to it is a cherished tradition for allThousands of people in West Bengal perform tarpan signifying the start of the festive season with Durga Puja The day commenced with people paying their respects to their ancestors on the banks of the Hooghly River and other water bodies throughout the stateFollowing Mahalaya preparations for Durga Puja begin in earnest especially in West Bengal with the countdown to the festival officially starting On Mahalaya sculptors typically paint the eyes of Devi Durga in a ritual known as Chokhhu Daan IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/may-our-lives-be-filled-with-light-and-purpose-pm-modi-wishes-people-on-mahalaya-639724.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 09:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bjp-slams-siddaramaiah-govt-for-hiking-service-fees-in-14-temples-of-karnataka-639584.html Bengaluru Sep 20 Karnataka BJP has slammed the Congressled Siddaramaiah government for hiking the service fees for devotees at 14 major temples in the state which come under the Muzrai Department Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka stated on Saturday I dont understand what kind of perverse joy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah gets by creating obstacles for Hindu temples festivals and celebrations And now by increasing the service fees in 14 major Muzrai temples across the state including famous Kukke Subrahmanya he has dealt another blow to HindusCM Siddaramaiah stubbornly insisted on having people of other religions who have no faith in goddess Chamundeshwari goddess Bhuvaneshwari or in the cultural symbols of turmeric and vermilion inaugurate the Dussehra festivities Ashoka statedBy citing the excuse of expensive passes he has made it difficult for common people to witness the Dussehra celebrations CM Siddaramaiah why do you harbour such hatred and contempt for Hindus In Rahul Gandhis Constitution book are Hindus considered secondclass citizens Ashoka questionedThe Muzrai Department has issued an order increasing service fees in 14 temples including the famous Kukke Subramanya Temple Melukote Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple Soutadka Mahaganapathi Temple Mandarthi Durga Parameshwari Temple and others The revised fees will come into effect from October 1Other major temples where service fees have been hiked include the Yoga Narasimhaswamy Temple Nandi Teertha and Mahaganapathi Temples in Bengaluru and the Vidurashwatha Narayanaswamy Temple in ChikkaballapuraHowever Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy has clarified that the decision to increase service fees was taken by the respective temple managements and the government order was issued based on their recommendationsAt the Kukke Subramanya Swamy Temple the fee for the popular Ashlesha Pooja and Nagara Pratishte rituals has been raised from Rs 400 to Rs 500 The fees for all other rituals have also been increased IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bjp-slams-siddaramaiah-govt-for-hiking-service-fees-in-14-temples-of-karnataka-639584.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/president-droupadi-murmu-performs-pind-daan-at-gayaji-639620.html Patna Sep 20 President Droupadi Murmu performed the sacred pind daan and shraaddh rituals for her ancestors at the Vishnupad Temple and Phalgu Akshayavat in the worldfamous Pitru Paksha Mela in Gayaji on Saturday This marks the first time in Indian history that a sitting President has performed pind daan a ritual believed to ensure salvation for the souls of departed forefathersThe President whose ancestral village is Upar Beda in Odishas Mayurganj region offered the rituals under the guidance of Rajesh Lal Katariar the keeper of ancestral records for families of Upar BedaDuring the occasion Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan Gayaji DM Shashank Shubhankar SSP Anand Kumar and other senior officers were presentSecurity in Gayaji was heightened for the occasion with heavy police deployment strict traffic control and constant surveillance along the Presidents routeEyewitnesses reported that the President carried out the rituals in strict accordance with traditional customs accompanied by senior administrative and religious officialsDuring the fortnightlong Pitru Paksha thousands of devotees from across India and the world visit Gayaji to perform pind daan for the peace of their ancestors soulsPresident Murmus participation not only enhanced the spiritual significance of this years mela but also drew national attention adding a moment of pride and reverence for Bihars religious heritagePresident Murmu arrived at Gaya International Airport around 11 am on a special Indian Air Force flight before travelling by road to the temple via the PatnaGayaDobhi fourlane highwayThe district administration and police had put in place multilayered security measures along the entire route from the airport to the temple with heavy deployment of forces and tight traffic control to ensure a smooth passageAccording to the route map President Murmu travelled from Gaya Airport via the DobhiGaya main road passing through Gate No 5 Bypass Ghughri Tad Bypass Narayani Bridge and Bengali Ashram before reaching Vishnupad Temple The return journey followed the same routeThe restrictions were in place during her visit to Domuhan to Sikaria Mor Gate No 5 to City Public School Chand Chaura Crossing Bengali Ashram and Ghughri Tad BypassNo vehicle movement was permitted during the presidents visitBarricading has been placed at multiple points along the convoy route and alternative transportation arrangements are being made for the public IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/president-droupadi-murmu-performs-pind-daan-at-gayaji-639620.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 15:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/cm-mamata-begins-durga-puja-inauguration-highlights-harassment-of-bengali-migrant-workers-639705.html Kolkata Sep 20 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday inaugurated several Durga puja mandaps and used the occasion to send the message of unity in diversity While inaugurating a Durga puja mandap in Kolkata Chief Minister Banerjee once again highlighted the issue of alleged harassment of Bengalispeaking migrant workers across the countryIn Bengal different communities celebrate the festival of Durga Puja together All of them come together on the occasion of Durga Puja which defines the unique spirit of Bengal Someone may call his mother Maa and another may say Amma But the love respect bonding remains the same the Chief Minister said after inaugurating the mandap at Sreebhumi Durga PujaI respect my mother tongue I also respect the mother tongues of other people They should also respect Bengali Bengalispeaking migrant workers should not be harassed in any way We must remain united against all conspiracies to divide us Otherwise the country will split One has to remember that Bengal is a part of India and we must be respectful about Bengal its culture songs and creative works she addedThe Chief Minister also urged people to stay safe in view of the inclement weather and asked people not to get wet in the rainWe have to be alert We are keeping a watch on the situation If there is rain in Jharkhand Bihar and our state gets affected Similarly if neighbouring states experience heavy rainfall it often results in floods here due to overflowing reservoirs Given Bengals geographic location we face such challenges Lets hope for a rainfree Durga Puja as lakhs of people eagerly await the festivities she saidThe Chief Minister told that she will inaugurate 3000 Durga pujas most of these virtually ahead of the fiveday festivalShe added that 17 songs written by her will be released on Mahalaya Sunday marking the beginning of Devi PakshaOn Saturday afternoon the Chief Minister also inaugurated the Hatibagan Durga Puja and the Tala Prottoy PujaI am not unveiling the deities that can be done only from Mahalaya marking the advent of Devi Paksha I am only inaugurating the pandals having beautiful interiors reflecting the heritage and aesthetics of Bengal she added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/cm-mamata-begins-durga-puja-inauguration-highlights-harassment-of-bengali-migrant-workers-639705.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 23:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/rashtra-and-ram-must-move-together-dhirendra-shastri-calls-for-bundelkhand-statehood-cow-protection-639379.html New Delhi Sep 19 The high priest of Bageshwar Dham Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri has voiced strong support for Bundelkhands statehood and urged the government to take immediate action on stray cattle demanding shelters for them Speaking to reporters in Chhatarpur Madhya Pradesh Pandit Dhirendra Shastri remarked If Bundelkhand were to become a separate state it would certainly bring great development progress and momentum to the region However for such a decision the country has its government and laws and wise people in authority will take the call accordinglyThe spiritual leader also expressed deep concern over the condition of cows in Madhya Pradesh and Bundelkhand calling it a matter of misfortune for Hindus and Indian society at largeThis is the greatest misfortune for Bundelkhand Madhya Pradesh and for Hindus that the cow whom we revere as mother is seen wandering in the streets he saidHe urged the government to build 510 large cowsheds per district to house stray cattle and prevent both societal inconvenience and religious sinIf each cowshed can house 40005000 cattle nearly 4000050000 cows could be accommodated This would clear the streets of cows provide them shelter and also prevent sin Shastri saidIn a strong message on national unity and patriotism he emphasised It is essential for Rashtra and Ram to move together It is the duty of every Indian to show patriotism We believe that the National Anthem should be sung in Indias temples churches mosques and shrines at least once a week so that we remain united in our duty towards the nation and keep patriotism alive in our heartsHe also extended best wishes to the Annapurna Ramlila Committee which is celebrating its 75th Amrit Mahotsav this yearAnnouncing a major upcoming religious event Shastri said From November 7 to 16 a padyatra will be held from Delhis Adya Katyayani Mata Mandir to Banke Bihari in Vrindavan Covering over 140 kms in 10 days this spiritual yatra will pass through Delhi Haryana and Uttar PradeshHe added that lakhs of devotees from across India including Bihar Jharkhand Maharashtra Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh are expected to join the yatra making it one of the largest spiritual gatherings of the year IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/rashtra-and-ram-must-move-together-dhirendra-shastri-calls-for-bundelkhand-statehood-cow-protection-639379.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 11:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-directs-states-uts-to-notify-rules-for-registration-of-sikh-marriages-through-anand-karaj-639243.html New Delhi Sep 18 The Supreme Court has directed all states and Union Territories UTs that have not yet notified rules under the Anand Marriage Act 1909 to do so within four months ensuring the timebound implementation of the law that provides for registration of Sikh marriages performed through Anand KarajIn its order a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta noted that while Parliament amended the Act in 2012 to enable state governments to frame rules for registration several states and UTs have not yet done so resulting in uneven access to a uniform statutory facilityThe Justice Vikram Nathled Bench was hearing a writ petition seeking directions for operationalising the statutory mechanism and ensuring that the rulemaking duty is discharged within a reasonable time so that access to certification and the attendant civil consequences are secured Highlighting the importance of registration the apex court said A marriage certificate enables proof of status for residence maintenance inheritance insurance succession and the enforcement of monogamy and it particularly safeguards the interests of women and children who depend on documentary proof to claim legal protectionsThe order cautioned that uneven access to registration across states and UTs produces unequal outcomes for similarly situated citizens and withholds the very evidentiary and administrative benefits that Parliament has conferred The Supreme Court while issuing a slew of directions to all states and UTs ordered that rules under Section 6 be framed and notified within four months Every respondent states and UTs that has not yet notified rules under Section 6 of the Act shall do so within four months from today The rules shall be published in the Official Gazette and laid before the State Legislature in terms of Section 64 of the Act it directednbspIn the interim the apex court ordered authorities to accept applications for registration of Anand Karaj marriages with immediate effect and until such rules are notified ensuring that no application for registration of an Anand Karaj marriage or for a certified extract shall be refused on the sole ground that rules under Section 6 of the Act have not yet been notified Further it directed the appointment of Secretarylevel nodal officers in each state and UT to monitor compliance and address grievances regarding the receipt and certification of Anand Karaj marriagesnbspThe Union government has been designated as the coordinating authority Within six months it must file a consolidated status report before the Supreme Court and publish a copy of the status report on the Union Ministry of Law and Justice websiteThe apex court issued specific directions for Goa and Sikkim directing interim facilitation under existing civil registration frameworks and asked the Centre to consider extending the Anand Marriage Act to these two states within four monthsnbspNo authority shall insist on an additional or duplicative registration under any other law once registration under the Act is granted in view of Section 65 the order clarified https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-directs-states-uts-to-notify-rules-for-registration-of-sikh-marriages-through-anand-karaj-639243.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-spent-rs-7037-crore-on-sabarimala-development-projects-worth-rs-1-000-crore-planned-639062.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 17 Kerala has spent Rs 7037 crore on various projects for the development of Sabarimala between 201617 and 202425 the Assembly was informed on Wednesday State Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan told the house that successive governments since 2016 have undertaken and completed several projects under the Sabarimala Master PlanBetween 202223 and 202425 the Sabarimala Master Plan HighLevel Committee had sought the release of Rs1839 crore from the state government and of this Rs 1569 crore has already been disbursedVasavan went on to point out that the government had approved the layout plan for the temples base camp at Nilakkal in 2020Since then layout plans for Sannidhanam the temple precincts Pampa and the trekking route have also been sanctioned Continuous government intervention has helped speed up works under the Master Plan he saidAccording to official estimates the first phase of development at Sannidhanam 20222027 is expected to cost Rs 60047 crore followed by Rs 10002 crore in the second phase 20282033 and Rs 7768 crore in the third phase 20342039In total the Sannidhanam development plan is pegged at Rs 77817 croreFor Pampa Rs 20748 crore has been earmarked Rs 18475 crore for the first phase 20222027 and Rs 2273 crore for the second phase 20282033The trekking route development is estimated at Rs 4797 crore spread across two phases 20222026Taken together the total projected expenditure for Sannidhanam Pampa and the trekking route stands at Rs 103362 croreBeyond the Master Plan budget the government has also spent Rs 11641 crore through the KIIFB to improve facilities for pilgrimsThis included the construction of rest houses at Kazhakkoottam Chengannur Chirangara Erumeli Nilakkal and ManiyankodeThe figures were disclosed in response to a question raised by MLAs P Anilkumar Eldhose P Kunnappilly and C R MaheshLocated in Keralas Pathanamthitta district the hill shrine of Sabarimala perched at 3000 feet in the Western Ghats is one of Indias most revered pilgrimage destinationsIt attracts millions of devotees annually with tradition requiring a 41day penance before a barefoot ascent from the banks of the Pampa River IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-spent-rs-7037-crore-on-sabarimala-development-projects-worth-rs-1-000-crore-planned-639062.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 18:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/former-ttd-chairman-alleges-act-of-sacrilege-in-tirupati-638893.html Tirupati Sep 17 Former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam TTD Chairman and YSR Congress Party leader Bhuma Karunakar Reddy has condemned what he called the shocking act of desecration at Alipiri where a sacred idol of Sri Maha Vishnu was found amidst filth liquor bottles and human waste He stated that this grave incident has deeply hurt the sentiments of devotees and reflects the complete failure of the current TTD Board under Chairman BR NaiduAccording to him the idol clearly bears the Shankha and Chakra the divine symbols of Sri Maha Vishnu and cannot be misrepresented as belonging to any other deity Attempts to explain it away as a discarded sculpture are baseless and irresponsible The incident highlights the collapse of TTDs surveillance and monitoring systems raising serious concerns over governance and accountabilityKarunakar Reddy in a statement emphasised that this is not an isolated occurrence but part of a series of blunders that have plagued TTD since the current chairman assumed charge Such repeated failures are eroding the sanctity of Tirumala and undermining the faith of millions of devoteesHe asserted that protecting Hindu Dharma is above politics and must remain the foremost duty of TTD He called upon Hindu organisations and society at large to rise against this insult to their faith and to demand accountability from those entrusted with safeguarding Tirumalas spiritual heritageHowever the state government through its factcheck wing clarified that the statue is not of Maha Vishnu Terming it as false propaganda the government stated that it is an incomplete statue of Lord Shani Due to a flaw in its creation a sculptor named Pattu Kannayya who carved statues here in the past left it there and the statue has been lying there for the past 10 yearsIt warned that posting or sharing such content on social media that hurts the sentiments of devotees will lead to legal actionHowever Karunakar Reddy stood his ground saying those who lack basic understanding of the Vaikhanasa Agama Shastra are spreading lies against him instead of addressing the truthHe revealed that when he exposed the sacrilege at Alipiri he was threatened with false criminal cases in an attempt to silence him Attempts to mislead devotees by claiming the idol was that of Shani are completely baseless he said pointing out that an idol adorned with Shankha and Chakra can only represent Sri Maha Vishnu whereas Shani is always depicted with a bow and arrowHe dismissed the explanation that the idol was a discarded sculpture of an artisan as irresponsible and insulting to the faith The reality he asserted is beyond doubtthis is Sri Maha Vishnus idol IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/former-ttd-chairman-alleges-act-of-sacrilege-in-tirupati-638893.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 00:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-seeks-statess-responses-on-pleas-against-anti-conversion-laws-638804.html New Delhi Sep 16 The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought responses from several state governments on pleas seeking a stay on their anticonversion laws A bench of Chief Justice of India CJI BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran sought responses within four weeks from the governments of Uttar Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Uttarakhand Chhattisgarh Gujarat Haryana and other states During the hearing senior advocate Chander Uday Singh appearing for the petitioner side urged the apex court to take up the matter urgently arguing that several state governments are amending anticonversion laws to make them more stringent Singh pointed out that Uttar Pradesh has amended its law to enhance punishment for unlawful religious conversion and introduced twin conditions similar to those under the PMLA Prevention of Money Laundering Act to make bail difficult He pointed out that the amended law permits third parties to file complaints leading to harassment of interfaith couples by vigilante mobs After hearing the submissions the CJI Gavailed Bench asked Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj to file the state governments response on the applications seeking a stay on the amendment in the laws It appointed advocates Srishti Agnihotri and Ruchira Goel as nodal counsel for the petitioners and respondents respectively to prepare the compilations of pleadings The apex court also detagged a plea filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyaya seeking a panIndia law against conversion through coercion and deceit The matter will be heard after six weeks The Supreme Court had earlier asked parties challenging anticonversion laws passed by several states to file a common petition for transferring the cases from the High Courts to it The Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh governments have filed separate petitions challenging the interim orders of the respective high courts staying certain provisions of their law on conversion IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-seeks-statess-responses-on-pleas-against-anti-conversion-laws-638804.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 15:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-advocate-urges-cji-take-suo-motu-cognisance-of-dharmasthala-burials-638889.html New Delhi Sep 16 A Supreme Court advocate on Tuesday urged Chief Justice of India CJI BR Gavai to take suomotu cognisance of the shocking revelations of mass burials in Karnatakas Dharmasthala and to place the ongoing Special Investigation Team SIT probe under the oversight of a retired apex court judge In a letter addressed to CJI Gavai advocate Rohit Pandey described the matter as one of extraordinary circumstances where visible human remains lie unexhumed due to pressure and witnesses are silencedThe matter came to light after sanitation worker CN Chinnayya alleged on July 3 that he had been forced to bury bodies of victims of heinous crimes over two decades He recorded his testimony before the police a magistrate and even filed an affidavit in the Supreme CourtFollowing his disclosures the SIT exhumed skeletal remains skulls and clothing items partially substantiating his claimsHowever Pandeys letter cautioned that the SIT is now facing obstructionDespite these findings it is publicly reported and widely covered in national media that the SIT is under pressure not to exhume further visible bodies the advocate wrote adding that such shocking paralysis in the face of undeniable human remains undermines the very foundations of the rule of lawThe letter also highlighted the intimidation of lawyers assisting victims familiesThe Karnataka Police outside the SIT is being pressed into service to harass and intimidate lawyers who are assisting victims in approaching the SIT Such actions constitute an unacceptable assault on the independence of the Bar and further demonstrate a breakdown of the rule of law in Karnataka it statedCalling for immediate judicial intervention advocate Pandey urged the apex court to ensure transparency in the SITs work protect witnesses and victims families and order the exhumation and forensic analysis of all visible remainsUrgent judicial intervention is the only safeguard to ensure that truth is not buried and the dignity of the law is upheld he stressed IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-advocate-urges-cji-take-suo-motu-cognisance-of-dharmasthala-burials-638889.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 23:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/stalin-terms-supreme-court-stay-on-key-waqf-act-amendments-victory-for-constitutional-rights-638674.html Chennai Sep 15 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President MK Stalin on Monday hailed the Supreme Courts interim order staying key provisions of the Union governments amended Waqf Act In a statement posted on X Stalin said the verdict was a historic affirmation that constitutional rights and religious freedoms cannot be trampled upon by arbitrary lawsThe apex courts ruling came in response to petitions filed by the DMK and other organisations challenging the amendments brought by the BJPled Union governmentIn his post Stalin said The Supreme Court has stayed the unconstitutional Waqf Act amendments imposed by the Union BJP government This is a huge victory for the DMKs consistent fight for the peoples struggle and for the constitutional rights of minorities Our faith in judicial protection of democracy and secularism has been reinforcedThe Supreme Court has stayed four major provisions in the Waqf Amendment Act which include the clause requiring a person to have followed Islam for five years before donating property as waqf and the power to seize waqf property merely on an allegation of state ownership pending proper inquiryIt has also stayed the authority granted to District Collectors to remove the waqf user status of properties with longstanding religious useThe apex court also stayed the provision permitting more than four nonMuslims in the Central Waqf Board and more than three in state Waqf Boards ensuring that Muslim representation remains a majorityThe DMK had opposed the amendments since their introduction in Parliament and passed a resolution in the Tamil Nadu Assembly urging their withdrawalStalin reiterated that the BJPs attempt was an abuse of power and contrary to the Constitution LHe held that the judgment strengthens peoples confidence that the Supreme Court will always stand as a guardian of democracy secularism and the fundamental rights of citizensLegal experts noted that the Supreme Courts intervention protected minority rights and upheld the autonomy of waqf institutions IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/stalin-terms-supreme-court-stay-on-key-waqf-act-amendments-victory-for-constitutional-rights-638674.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 17:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/lok-sabha-speaker-offers-prayers-at-tirumala-temple-638390.html Tirupati Sep 14 Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla offered prayers at Sri Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala in Andhra Pradeshs Tirupati district on Sunday Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam TTD Chairman BR Naidu and other officials welcomed the Speaker on his arrivalAfter the darshan the Speaker took the Vedic blessings from the priests in the Ranganayakula Mandapam TTD Chairman honoured the Speaker with a sacred shawl sesha vastram and presented him with prasadam and holy waterRajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Speaker Raghurama Krishnam Raju accompanied the Lok Sabha SpeakerOm Birla arrived at Tirumala on Saturday evening and had a night halt at Sri Krishna Rest House TTD Additional Executive Officer Ch Venkaiah Chowdary and other officials received the SpeakerSpeaker Om Birla along with Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate the first national conference of Parliamentary and Legislative committees on empowerment of women in Tirupati on SundayThe Lok Sabha Speaker will also inaugurate an Exhibition and release a Souvenir on the occasionDeputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Speaker of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Ayyanna Patrudu Deputy Speaker Raghurama Krishnam Raju Lok Sabha Womens Committee chairperson Daggubati Purandeswari and chairpersons of committees on the Empowerment of women in StateUT Legislatures will be presentOver 250 delegates from across the country will attend the twoday national conference whose theme is womens leadership for Viksit BharatAccording to Andhra Pradesh Legislative Secretary General S Prasanna Kumar the conference conceived by Lok Sabha Speaker will bring together women parliamentarians legislators and social activists working on womens empowerment on a single platform and help in brainstorming ideasRepresentatives of the Joint Committee on Womens Empowerment comprising 10 Lok Sabha members 20 Rajya Sabha members and members of similar panels in various states will discuss various aspects of womens empowerment IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/lok-sabha-speaker-offers-prayers-at-tirumala-temple-638390.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 10:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mauritius-pm-ramgoolam-offers-prayers-at-ram-temple-in-ayodhya-638054.html Ayodhya Sep 12 IANS The holy city of Ayodhya witnessed a very special moment when Mauritius Prime Minister Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam accompanied by his wife Veena Ramgoolam and a 30member delegation offered prayers at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple here on FridaynbspDr Ramgoolam became the second head of state after the Prime Minister of Bhutan to visit and worship Ram Lalla at the grand templenbspThe Mauritius Prime Minister arrived at Maharishi Valmiki International Airport around noon where Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath warmly received himnbspIn keeping with the tradition of Atithi Devo Bhava CM Yogi welcomed him with flowers a souvenir and a redcarpet reception accompanied by chanting of mantras KalashAarti and the sound of drums and conch shells that filled the atmosphere with spiritualityFrom the airport the highsecurity convoy proceeded directly to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple There Dr Ramgoolam and his wife performed aarti and prayed before Ram Lalla spending nearly half an hour in devotion They also observed the ongoing temple construction worknbspBowing his head the visiting leader sought Lord Rams blessings for the prosperity of his people and stronger ties between India and MauritiusnbspDuring the visit a twominute short film showcasing the grandeur craftsmanship and progress of the temple construction was screened for the delegation with detailed narration by CDO Krishna Kumar SinghLater CM Yogi presented Dr Ramgoolam with a model of the Ram temple while his wife Veena Ramgoolam was honoured with a traditional angavastranbspExpressing joy at visiting the sacred land of Ayodhya Dr Ramgoolam said he felt deeply connected with Lord Ram and termed the welcome unforgettablenbspCM Yogi described the visit as a living symbol of cultural unity between India and MauritiusHe noted that ties between the two countries extend beyond diplomacy to shared cultural and spiritual roots With a large Indianorigin population Mauritius continues to keep Ramayana traditions alive through festivals literature and daily cultural practicesnbspTight security was in place throughout the visit with police ATS teams and CCTV monitoring the route and temple premises https://dailyworld.in/religion/mauritius-pm-ramgoolam-offers-prayers-at-ram-temple-in-ayodhya-638054.html Fri, 12 Sep 2025 15:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/india-must-stand-with-qatar-distance-itself-from-israel-owaisi-637766.html Hyderabad Sep 10 AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday urged the Indian government to stand with Qatar and distance itself from Israel In a post on X Owaisi said that this is an opportunity for India to demonstrate an unequivocal and principled standOwaisi who tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that it was the Israeli government which attacked bombed and violated Qatars sovereigntyThe MP said that Israels genocidal government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu is a danger to global peace and stabilityOwaisi reminded Prime Minister Modi that 7 lakh Indians work in Qatar He also mentioned that in 202425 India exported goods worth 168 billion while Indias imports totalled 1247 billion He also stated that India is likely to finalise Terms of Reference ToR for the Free Trade Agreement FTA with QatarOwaisi who also posted his comments in Arabic and also tagged Amir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said India must stand with Qatar and distance itself from the global pariah state of Israel This is an opportunity for India to demonstrate an unequivocal amp principled stand JAI Hind Owaisi addedIn an earlier tweet the president of All India MajliseIttehadul Muslimeen AIMIM had termed as despicable the signing of a bilateral investment treaty with IsraelIt is despicable that the Modi govt has signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty with Israel at a time when Israel is overseeing genocide ethnic cleansing amp famine of Gaza AIMIM saidOwaisi who posted a clipping of the news with the photograph of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her Israeli counterpart Bezalel Smotrich signing the agreementThe MP wrote that the person seated next to Sitharaman believes that it is just and moral to starve Gazans Arrest warrant applications against him are pending with the ICC Supporting a genocidal government cannot be in the national interest said Owaisi IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/india-must-stand-with-qatar-distance-itself-from-israel-owaisi-637766.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-hc-clears-global-ayyappa-sangamam-637862.html Kochi Sep 11 The Kerala High Court on Thursday granted permission to the Travancore Devaswom Board to conduct the Global Ayyappa Sangamam while laying down stringent conditions to safeguard the sanctity of Sabarimala and the rights of ordinary devotees The court was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the event scheduled for September 20 with petitioners alleging that it was being organised by individuals who do not believe in Lord Ayyappa and had previously called for the eradication of Sanatan DharmaThey argued that hosting such a programme in the vicinity of religious institutions violated laws barring nonreligious functions near places of worship Concerns were also raised about alleged misuse of temple funds and the absence of true Ayyappa devotees those who undertake penance and follow rituals from the invitee list which was said to comprise largely political leadersWhile petitioners maintained that all sponsorship money raised in the name of Lord Ayyappa legally belongs to the deity and must be used solely for temple purposes the government countered that the Sangamam was neither unconstitutional nor in violation of Article 14 of the ConstitutionIt also stated that neither the state nor the Devaswom Board would spend public funds with expenses being met entirely through sponsorshipsDelivering its crucial order the High Court ruled that the Global Ayyappa Sangamam can go ahead but with clear safeguardsThe court directed that the sanctity of the holy Pampa must be preserved and that nothing harmful to nature should occurIt stressed that the rights of ordinary devotees must not be infringed and that participants in the Sangamam should not receive special privileges at SabarimalaImportantly the bench ordered the organisers to submit a detailed income and expenditure report within 45 days ensuring full financial transparencyThe verdict comes amid political sparring with the opposition Congressled UDF accusing the ruling CPIMled government of seeking mileage in the name of Sabarimala a charge the Left has rejected framing the summit as an initiative to unite believers against communalismBy making its approval conditional the High Court has attempted to strike a balance allowing the landmark event to proceed while upholding accountability environmental protection and the rights of pilgrims IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-hc-clears-global-ayyappa-sangamam-637862.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 17:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/dharmendra-pradhan-visits-baps-hindu-temple-in-abu-dhabi-637904.html Abu Dhabi Sep 11 Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan currently on a tour of the United Arab Emirates paid a visit to the BAPS Hindu temple on Thursday and was pleasantly surprised by its breathtaking beauty The Union Minister described the BAPS temple as an impossible miracle and showered praise on its stunning beauty creativity and inclusivenessHe also expressed deep respect for the selfless service of BAPS saints and Swaminarayan Sanstha for the civilisational achievement on foreign soilDharmendra Pradhan said that the temple stands as a beacon of Indias timeless values of harmony peace and spirituality on the global stage and also expressed deepest respect for the selfless seva of BAPS SwamisHe noted that the temple not only showcases extraordinary craftsmanship but also embodies the collective devotion and sacrifice of countless volunteers and devoteesHe further said that this Mandir will forever remain a symbol of Indias cultural pride and spiritual strength connecting hearts across nations and reminding the world of the enduring power of faith and service He also stated that the temple will serve as a source of inspiration for the younger generationThe Union Minister took to X to share the glimpses of his first visit to the temple and said that it was a matter of pride for a Jagannath devotee like him to visit the templeThe BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi is an architectural marvel The temple is an embodiment of Indias Shilpa Shastra and is adorned with intricate carvings Mahaprabhu Jagannaths Rath Yatra and the joyous procession are also depicted on the exterior walls These carvings celebrate the timeless spirit and culture of Odisha he wrote in a postThe spiritual values of Rath Yatra in the heart of UAE is a matter of great pride for every Jagannath devotee he addedThe BAPS Mandir is the first Hindu temple built in the Gulf nation Since its inauguration in February 2024 the temple has seen momentous gatherings of devotees and has recorded an astonishing 22 million visitors in the past year IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/dharmendra-pradhan-visits-baps-hindu-temple-in-abu-dhabi-637904.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/jamaat-tightens-grip-ahead-of-bangladesh-poll-pushes-sharia-agenda-637702.html Dhaka Sep 10 Elections in Bangladesh are slated to be held in February 2026 While the fairness of the elections with the Awami League being banned from contesting is in question it would still be a muchneeded exercise for the country In the runup to the elections there is a major push being made by the JamaateIslami to enforce strict rules while catering to a more Shariastyle of functioning There have been calls to implement Sharia law and turn Bangladesh into an Islamic State While these calls are made by radical groups such directives from the Jamaat are an extremely dangerous signIt is the Jamaat which is calling the shots in the interim government This indicates that orders are being passed officially The Jamaat has now urged government schools to put aside their plan of appointing dance teachers in primary schools It has instead instructed schools to appoint religious teachers to ensure that children grow up to be honest and responsible citizensMia Golam Parwar the general secretary of the Jamaat issued the order Appointing music and dance teachers instead of religious instructors is completely unacceptable Music or dance cannot be considered a compulsory subject for students If a family has a strong interest in such activities they can arrange private teachers themselves But religious education is essential for all communities he said in a statementThe Jamaat and other radical groups have repeatedly cited a decline in social and moral values Religious education fosters morality and values and this forms the foundation of virtuous behaviour and building a just and disciplined child He felt that at a time when the youth were facing a moral crisis it was wrong to appoint dance and music teachers There are similar rules in Taliban controlled Afghanistan as wellThere has been a lot of moral policing when it comes to women in Bangladesh It would however be interesting to see how the situation would be dealt with if at all if a BNP government with Khaleda Zia as the Prime Minister comes to powerThese issues were not allowed to be raised under the rule of Sheikh Hasina However following his ouster radical elements have upped the ante and there is a clear demand for the implementation of Sharia lawBangladesh watchers say that the way things are shaping up it appears that there is a solid push to make Bangladesh into an Islamic State The release of terrorists criminals and also the lifting of the ban on the Jamaat following Hasinas ouster only signal the direction in which the country is movingThese radical elements have targeted the minorities especially the Hindus following the August 2024 uprising by the students most of whom are attached to the Jamaats Islamic Chhatra Shibir In the first week of Sheikh Hasinas ouster there have been 200 attacks on the minorities This increased multifold over the next few weeksThe caretaker of the interim government Muhammad Yunus has promised that polls will be held in February 2026 India is watching the developments closely and would prefer that an elected government be in place Ties under Yunus have soured and India would want to have better relations with its neighbourThe elections too would be an interesting affair The Awami League has been banned from contesting This would mean that the BNP has the edge While all the poll pundits have said that the BNP would return to power it is not clear if it would be a landslide victoryIn the event of the BNP needing a coalition partner it has no option but to ally with the Jamaat as it had done in the past This would make the bilateral with India tricky as the Jamaat would have some cardsThe Jamaat is completely backed by the ISI and since the 1970s has worked together on a common agenda and that is to make the country an Islamic State and destabilise India IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/jamaat-tightens-grip-ahead-of-bangladesh-poll-pushes-sharia-agenda-637702.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 19:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-hc-seeks-clarity-on-govt-role-in-global-ayyappa-sangamam-637726.html Kochi Sept 10 The Kerala High Court on Wednesday heard a petition challenging the conduct of the Global Ayyappa Sangamam with the petitioner alleging that the event is being organised by individuals who do not believe in Lord Ayyappa and had earlier called for the eradication of Sanatana Dharma The Kerala government is set to host the Global Ayyappa Sangamam on September 20 an initiative aimed at uniting devotees and highlighting Sabarimalas spiritual and cultural significanceThe petitioner argued that holding such a programme in the vicinity of religious institutions violated existing laws that prohibit nonreligious functions near places of worshipHe further contended that funds collected for the event including sponsorship amounts legally belong to the deity and cannot be diverted for other purposesContesting the governments claim that it was a state initiative the petitioner said the Sangamam was being organised under the Travancore Devaswom Board and that money raised in its name could only be used for templerelated activities as upheld in earlier court rulingsThe petition also alleged that the name of Lord Ayyappa was being misusedAccording to the petitioner the invitees to the Sangamam are almost entirely political leaders while true Ayyappa devotees are those who undertake penance and follow the prescribed ritualsNot a single such devotee has been invited Then how can this be called an Ayyappa Sangamam he askedDuring the hearing the court asked the government to explain its role in the programIn its response the state maintained that the event was neither unconstitutional nor a violation of Article 14 of the ConstitutionHowever the bench observed that there was still no clarity on how the funds for the Sangamam were being mobilisedThe government informed the court that neither it nor the Travancore Devaswom Board would spend any money on the event and that all expenses would be met entirely through sponsorshipsThe court has sought further details and will continue to examine the matterIncidentally the Congressled United Democratic Front UDF opposition has accused the Pinarayi Vijayanled Left government of seeking political mileage in the name of Sabarimala while the ruling CPIM strongly defended the initiative as an effort to unite believers against communalism IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-hc-seeks-clarity-on-govt-role-in-global-ayyappa-sangamam-637726.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 21:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-hc-orders-return-of-gold-plated-panels-removed-from-sabarimala-temple-637732.html Kochi Sep 10 In a setback to the Travancore Devaswom Board TDB the Kerala High Court has ordered that the goldplated panels removed from the Dwarapalaka guardian sculptures at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum of Sabarimala and transported to Chennai must be brought back immediately The directive came while considering a petition on the removal of the goldplated sheets for repair workThe court visibly dissatisfied with the development came down heavily on the TDB noting that such actions had bypassed established judicial directionsAccording to a report filed by the Special Commissioner the removal of the gold plating was carried out without prior court approval violating earlier directives that all goldrelated works at the shrine should be executed only at the Sannidhanam and strictly under courtappointed supervisionThe Special Commissioner termed the lapse a serious breach of protocolThe development has triggered fresh controversy around temple administrationWhen the controversy surfaced on Tuesday TDB President PS Prashanth defended the move asserting that the decision was taken with the consent of the temple Thantri chief priestThe sculptures had visible tarnish scratches and even cracks on the legs Repairs were urgent before the upcoming Mandalam season The removal was carried out in the presence of the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner and Vigilance officials he saidThe controversy has also reignited debates on the economic value of aged goldSome argue that exposure to the elements enhances its worth raising suspicions that even if the same weight of gold is returned hidden financial benefits could accrueThis is not the first time Sabarimala has faced such scrutinyAllegations of irregularities had earlier surfaced when the temple roof was dismantled and replated with gold with critics questioning transparency in handling temple assetsWith the court now demanding the immediate return of the panels and scheduling further hearings the episode has once again put the TDBs decisionmaking under a sharp legal and public spotlight IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-hc-orders-return-of-gold-plated-panels-removed-from-sabarimala-temple-637732.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 21:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/nepal-uncertainty-continues-as-army-tries-to-stem-violence-637748.html New Delhi Sep 10 Nepal continued to witness widespread violence on Wednesday while uncertainty continued over the appointment of an interim government To stem further violence the Army has announced a nationwide curfew from 5 pm on Wednesday until 6 am Thursday permitting only essential services after coordination with local officialsOn a positive note some reports said that Gen Z volunteers in Kirtipur hit the streets early Wednesday morning for a cleanup drive It was part of the youths online call for a cleanup campaignLater in the day agitating youth terming the stir as Gen Z protest proposed the name of former chief justice Sushika Karki as the head of the countrys interim government in a virtual meeting on WednesdayThousands of youth protestors attended the meeting online according to reportsBefore that the name of Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah emerged as the Gen Z protestors choice Popularly known as Balen he is an engineerturnedrapperturnedpoliticianOther names doing the rounds are those of the Mayor of Dharan Harka Raj Rai alias Harka Sampang renowned engineer Kulman Ghising and former minister Sumana Shrestha among others according to Naagrik newspaperMeanwhile the parliament the Hilton Hotel the Supreme Court and several buildings housing government offices and political parties were ransacked and set on fireInmates were reported to have escaped from Rajbiraj prison in Saptari district bordering Bihar after setting fire inside the facility on Wednesday afternoonIn Parsa also near the Bihar border tension at Birgunj prison eased after an hourlong unrest on Wednesday said a Kathmandu Post report Inmates had attempted to escape by breaking a large hole in the southern wall of the facilityPrison chief Khemraj Bhusal told the newspaper that the situation was brought under control after hours of effort by security personnel Nepal Police Armed Police Force and the Nepali Army fired more than ten rounds of aerial shots and tear gas to disperse the unrest it addedProtesters also targeted media outlets torching the Kantipur TV media groups headquarters and vandalising other press propertiesReports indicate significant damage to public buildings and heritage sites raising concerns about longterm cultural and economic repercussions if order is not swiftly restoredKantipurs building was attacked today Tues and set on fire As a result our servers are down so we are posting all our reporting and updates on our social media platforms Thanks for supporting our work posted the Kathmandu Post on X formerly TwitterAccording to its update Nepals Ministry of Health and Population officials have confirmed that 30 people have died and 1033 others sustained injuries during the Gen Zled protests on Monday and TuesdayIncidentally a building of the Ministry designed by worldrenowned American architect Louis I Kahn was also damaged after protesters set it on fire on Tuesday it addedIndia has stepped up security at the borders and has advised its citizens in Nepal to avoid travel and stay indoorsViolence broke out on Monday with tens of thousands of youths taking to the streets in protest against the Oli governments ban on 26 social media platformsThe youth were posting messages on such handles alleging corruption nepotism and adverse economic conditions under the Oli government Though the ban was revoked it could not stem the violenceSince late on Tuesday the Nepal Army has been managing security including at Tribhuvan International Airport and Singha Durbar in the capital KathmanduBuilt in 1908 Singha Durbar Lions Court a palace in central Kathmandu houses buildings of the Nepali Government and several ministriesThe main building was destroyed in the ongoing Gen Z protests along with the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of MinistersFacing mounting unrest and political isolation Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli stepped down from office on Tuesday evening Since his departure the Himalayan country has continued without a government with the army currently in charge IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/nepal-uncertainty-continues-as-army-tries-to-stem-violence-637748.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 22:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pashupatinath-temple-closed-today-amid-rising-violent-protests-in-nepal-637542.html Kathmandu Sep 10 The historic Pashupatinath Temple one of Nepals most revered religious sites has been closed to visitors on Wednesday due to escalating violent protests across the country The Nepalese Army has been deployed to ensure security around the temple premises and maintain peaceThe temple closure comes amid nationwide antigovernment protests that turned violent on Monday led primarily by youth opposing recent government decisionsThe unrest escalated after Nepals Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday amid growing pressure Protesters targeted the residences of President Ramchandra Paudel and other top political leaders and vandalised the Parliament buildingAccording to official sources at least 22 people died and more than 500 were injured during clashes on Monday between protesters and security forces The clashes were triggered after the widespread demonstrations by the youth who called a ban on 26 social media platforms an attack on freedom of expressionFollowing the violence the government lifted a controversial ban on 26 social media platforms late Monday In addition Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and several other ministers resigned amid the crisisThe Nepalese Army began deploying troops late Tuesday in Kathmandu to control the situationIndia has increased vigilance along the Nepal border and advised its citizens in Nepal to avoid travel and remain indoorsPrime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security CCS to discuss the deteriorating situation He expressed deep anguish over the loss of young lives and stressed the importance of peace and stability in NepalMany young people have lost their lives The stability peace and prosperity of Nepal are of utmost importance to us I humbly appeal to all my brothers and sisters in Nepal to support peace PM Modi said in an X postFlights to and from the capital have been suspended and the Army has stepped in to maintain order IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pashupatinath-temple-closed-today-amid-rising-violent-protests-in-nepal-637542.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 09:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ktaka-ganesh-visarjan-violence-mega-immersion-event-in-maddur-town-amid-tight-security-637579.html Mandya Karnataka Sep 10 Following the incident of stone pelting during the Ganesh Visarjan procession on September 7 Hindu outfits have decided to organise a mega Ganesh idol immersion event on Wednesday As the BJP and JDS have extended their support to the event with top leaders participating the police department has made tight security arrangements throughout Maddur town especially in sensitive areas where minorities residePatrolling and marches have been conducted by police personnel since morning More than 2000 policemen have been deployed to ensure peace and maintain law and order in the town A tense situation has prevailed in Maddur town for three days following the Ganesh Visarjan violenceBJP State President and MLA BY Vijayendra Leaders of the Opposition R Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy along with other senior party leaders are participating in the event Following the directions of Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy the JDS party has also extended full support with its state leaders participatingBJP and JDS leaders will visit those injured in the stone pelting incident during the Ganesh Visarjan violence at hospitals and later participate in the immersion event They will also meet with the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police SP of Mandya districtMeanwhile the police have arrested 22 people in connection with the stone pelting incident and launched a hunt for seven more accused The process of identifying additional accused is ongoingThe organisers have decided to immerse 28 Ganesh idols at the same time They have planned a threekilometre procession culminating in the immersion of the idols in the Shimsha River The procession will begin from the IB Circle in Maddur town and BJP and JDS leaders will address the large gathering at the Ram Mandir Park areaTaking no chances IGP MB Boralingaiah is stationed in Maddur and monitoring the situation Five SPs four Additional SPs KSRP and DAR platoons have been deployed in Maddur town The Rapid Action Force RAF has also been called in and a total of 2000 policemen are in service The sale of liquor has been banned in the townMandya SP Mallikarjuna Baladandin stated that the investigation is ongoing in all dimensions Those who have escaped are being tracked and will be arrested soon Four more persons have been identified and a total of six cases have been registered in connection with the incidents that took place in the last two days The police will take the accused into judicial custody for further investigation and additional information IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ktaka-ganesh-visarjan-violence-mega-immersion-event-in-maddur-town-amid-tight-security-637579.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 12:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bjp-leader-sajal-ghoshs-durga-puja-committee-gets-another-notice-from-kolkata-police-637586.html Kolkata Sep 10 The Santosh Mitra Square Durga Puja committee led by BJP councillor Sajal Ghosh has received yet another letter from Kolkata Police the fourth so far The latest notice issued on Tuesday night by Muchipara police station lays down a series of restrictions on the construction and management of this years pavilion This time the theme of the Santosh Mitra Square puja committee is Operation SindoorIn the letter the police gave specific orders for the entry and exit points It has also been asked to install 60 CCTV cameras no hawkers will be allowed near the entry point and 250 experienced and trained volunteers will have to be keptSeveral restrictions have also been imposed on the light and sound show Additionally no advertisements will be allowed from in front of the Bank of India to the pavilion entranceSajal Ghosh expressed his anger after receiving this letter He said it was nothing but a political vendetta by the Trinamool Congress governmentWe are doing a good job with the pavilion I promise that no one will face any inconvenience while visiting our mandap However the police are obstructing the construction of the mandap They have put several restrictions They are deliberately sending letters to harass us This is nothing new They have done it earlier as well said GhoshThe Santosh Mitra Square puja committee was one of the first puja committees to reject a grant provided by the West Bengal governmentThis year Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to inaugurate the Santosh Mitra Durga puja However Ghosh said they are yet to receive a confirmation from the Union Home MinistryThey had created Ram Mandir as its puja theme in 2023 The Union Home Minister had inaugurated the puja last year and lauded Ghoshs effort to build the mandap as a replica of the temple in AyodhyaThis year the puja committee has unveiled Operation Sindoor as its theme Sources said Shah is likely to visit Kolkata on September 22 a day after Mahalaya which marks the first day of Devi Paksha the beginning of Durga Puja festivities in Bengal IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bjp-leader-sajal-ghoshs-durga-puja-committee-gets-another-notice-from-kolkata-police-637586.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 12:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-40-lakh-devotees-attend-maa-ambaji-mela-gujarat-cm-praises-arrangements-637444.html Ahmedabad Sep 9 More than 40 lakh devotees gathered at the Goddess Ambaji temple in Gujarats Banaskantha during a fair organised recently The large congregation of devotees also won the praise of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel as he lauded the efficient management of resources and manpower The Chief Minister expressed happiness over the successful organisation of Maa Ambaji mela and thanked the devotees temple trust and administration He said the Mahamela a confluence of power devotion and nature was successfully concluded with the blessings of Maa AmbajiTaking to his social media handle on X he wrote Like every year this year also the grand and divine Bhadravi Poonam Mahamela was organised successfully at Maa Ambaji Shaktipeeth The arrangements made to make the Mahamela a success were worth seeing More than 13500 trips were made by the State Transport Corporation using 1000 busesNotably more than 5000 police department personnel were deployed for security arrangements which included quick response teams bomb squads horsemounted police and watchtowersFirefighters were put on standby while surveillance was done through 535 CCTV cameras More than 3 lakh devotees were provided with small and big health facilities from treatment centresThe Chief Minister also praised the grit and resolve of sanitation workers for remaining on duty despite heavy showersHe informed that more than 2 crore devotees from across the country and the world enjoyed the darshan of Maa Amba through the online mediumA spectacular drone show and light show based on various themes and songs at the temple was enjoyed by lakhs of devoteesExtremely commendable work was also done through various service camps in which about 55 lakh devotees took advantage of free prasad he saidHe further said Organising such a big event successfully is truly commendable For this I heartily congratulate all the devotees Ambaji Mata Devasthan Trust administration charitable organisations and all the people directly and indirectly associated with this arrangement IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-40-lakh-devotees-attend-maa-ambaji-mela-gujarat-cm-praises-arrangements-637444.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 20:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/vp-polls-radhakrishnans-victory-shows-nda-success-in-garnering-wider-support-637466.html New Delhi Sep 9 The victory of National Democratic Alliance NDA candidate C P Radhakrishnan in the vicepresidential election comes as a reassurance that all is well within the ruling bloc It further underscores NDAs cohesiveness cements its parliamentary control and strengthens the Modi magic narrativeThe result has put to rest apprehensions of a possible split in votes among NDA constituents with opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance INDIA putting up Sudarshan Reddy in what was being seen as a South vs South choiceWhile Radhakrishnan hails from Tamil Nadu Reddy is from Andhra PradeshThe opposition alliance presumed it would help them drive a wedge among NDA partners with Chandrababu Naidus Telugu Desam Party TDP currently in power in Andhra PradeshThe primary constituent of NDA Bharatiya Janata Party BJP with 240 MPs in Lok Sabha is 32 seats short of a majority It thus has to lean on parties like the TDP 16 seats and Nitish Kumars Janata Dal United among othersIn fact Radhakrishnans victory was endorsed by parties as diverse as Andhras opposition YSR Congress Bihars Janata Dal U AIADMK of Tamil Nadu and Shiv Sena from MaharashtraIt reaffirms the NDAs capacity to maintain a sprawling coalition across regional and ideological linesAt the same time reliance on regional heavyweights for a vicepresidential win deepens mutual dependence BJP needs their support in the Rajya Sabha allies seek policy concessions at the CentreAs such Delhi may see more finely calibrated powerandpurse negotiations with coalition partners to sustain this multistate collaborationBut the outcome favours BJPs longterm ambition to gain ground in Tamil Nadu where assembly elections are expected next yearHailing from Tamil Nadu and having served twice as a Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore Radhakrishnans elevation delivers a powerful message to southern states traditionally sceptical of BJP hegemonyHis nomination by the BJP Presidential Board and unanimous NDA backing signal a bid to strengthen the partys foothold in the Dravidian heartlandIn Tamil Nadu where the BJP has struggled to break the regional party duopoly DMK vs AIADMK this choice offers local cadres a highprofile championElectors in the state would welcome a state representatives accession to Indias secondhighest officeThis symbolic boost could translate into improved candidate recruitment better campaign infrastructure and greater resonance with local issues as the party strategises for municipal and assembly elections in the next two yearsRadhakrishnans victory underlines the NDAs firm numerical advantage in both Houses of Parliament For the BJP this increases the bargaining power with smaller allies and reinforces the notion that legislative outcomes will largely reflect the ruling alliances preferencesAs ex officio Chairperson of Rajya Sabha the VicePresident presides over debates decides on procedural disputes and can influence the pace at which bills progress With Radhakrishnans political and administrative experience the NDA can expect a smoother path for contentious reformsA longtime Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh member and BJP veteran since his teens Radhakrishnan embodies the SanghParivar nexus that underpins much of the governments ideological thrustHis ascension signals continued RSS influence at the highest echelons of power reinforcing the BJPs narrative of cultural nationalismFor supporters this will foster policy consistency IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/vp-polls-radhakrishnans-victory-shows-nda-success-in-garnering-wider-support-637466.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 20:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/from-sri-lanka-bdesh-to-nepal-regime-changes-with-more-than-meets-the-eye-637474.html New Delhi Sep 9 The developments over the past 24 hours in neighbouring Nepal are nothing but unprecedented What was seen as a protest against the ban on social media led to the resignation of the Prime Minister and the President of the country The demonstrations largely led by Gen Z against corruption and nepotism turned violent and 22 lives were lost The Parliament was set on fire and this triggered the resignations of Prime Minister K P Oli and President Ram Chandra Poudel In a nutshell Nepal had its Bangladesh movement and it is now becoming amply clear that there is something larger at play Nepal watchers say that these protests are not just about a social media banThe region has seen regimes change overnight and this has led to the suspicion that something larger may be at play The Sri Lankan economic crisis led to a change in leadership The top leadership in the island nation had to flee the country as the protests got violentIn Pakistan one got to see the democratically elected government of Imran Khan being ousted However this was largely the doing of the Pakistan army Bangladesh too witnessed a similar development when a massive uprising by the students led to the ouster of a very strong leader Sheikh HasinaThere has been a pattern to these protests These protests began on social media and in no time turned into protests against corruption Like Hasina Oli and the Poudel are likely to leave the country They have been advised by the top security brass to leave the country as there is grave danger to their lives With the situation still extremely volatile in the wake of a former Prime Ministers wife being burnt to death by the protesters the army is likely to take over the country Former Nepal Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanals wife Rabi Laxmi Chitrakar passed away after sustaining injuries when their home in Dallu was set on fire amid the ongoing unrest This appears to be a clear pattern to target the leadership and enforce regime changeWhile the real reasons behind the protests are not clear questions are being asked if there are some foreign elements at play Officials say it is too early to tell and one would have to analyse the situation further before making any commentHowever there is a lot of traction about an external hand behind the unrest Despite the government lifting the ban the protests refused to die This makes it clear that there was more than just a ban on social media that turned into such a huge issueThe theories of a foreign hand at play in these protests are floating on social media Standard playbook seen dozens of times around the world young brainwashed people burning down Parliament and residences of top politicians leaders likely fleeing the country etc Now watch an American puppet sworn in as the new leader just like in Bangladesh Pakistan S L Kanthan a geopolitical expert said on his X handleEven after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina she had accused the US of orchestrating her removal from power She said that she had not allowed the US to set up an airbase at St Martins IslandThe events are quite similar to what one witnessed both in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in 2022 and 2024 respectively Both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh like Nepal witnessed sudden protests led by the youth leading to the ransacking of the top leaders homes Looting ransacking and relaxing at the homes of the top leaders were witnessed both in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh While Sheikh Hasina fled to India Gotabaya Rajapaksa was forced to flee to the Maldives Oli is likely to fly out to DubaiIf one takes the Nepal scenario there have been tensions simmering since 2008 Power has rotated between Oli Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda a fivetime Prime Minister and Sher Bahadur Deuba However there was one thing common among all these leaders and that was that all of them had been accused of corruption This has led to a lot of frustration among the youth who have complained of a lack of jobs and economic stagnation The situation has been quite fragile and hence it would not have been hard to engineer something of this magnitude Just a few weeks before the app ban a nepo kid campaign had begun in which the lavish lifestyles of the children of Nepalese politicians were questioned Nepal has been very unstable and has seen 14 governments mostly in a coalition in the last 17 years This had led to many stating that making Nepal a secular republic had failed and the monarchy should be restored IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/from-sri-lanka-bdesh-to-nepal-regime-changes-with-more-than-meets-the-eye-637474.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 21:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/master-plan-to-be-prepared-for-development-of-telanganas-two-major-temples-637242.html Hyderabad Sep 8 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday directed officials to finalise the master plan for Basara and Medaram temples to ensure all facilities for the devotees The Chief Minister also set a 100day deadline to complete the development works of the famous Medaram templeReviewing the development of the two big temples in the state the Chief Minister said that he will conduct a field visit to the Medaram temple this weekThe officials of the Endowment Department briefed the Chief Minister on the proposed master plan for the development of the two temples in the meetingReviewing the temple designs the CM suggested that the Medaram temple should be developed in a planned manner and provide every facility before the start of the Medaram Jatara in January 2026 which is expected to draw nearly 2 crore devotees The authorities were instructed to prepare plans to complete the development work of Medaram in 100 daysThe Chief Minister emphasised that natural stones should be used in the complete construction of the temple structures and develop ample parking facilities at the entry and exit points for the convenience of the devoteesThe officials were also ordered to prepare plans for the construction of check dams to store water from the Jampanna Vagu located at the Medaram temple for future needsMedaram in Mulugu district is famous for the Sammakka Sarakka Jatara billed as the largest tribal festival in Asia The biennial event draws tribal devotees from across the countryMaking some important suggestions to the expansion and development of the Basara Saraswati Temple the CM said that local sentiments should be respected during the construction of the holy places The opinions of the local experts and priests should also be taken into consideration for the Vastucompliant construction of the templesMinisters Konda Surekha Seethakka Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy Adluri Lakshman CM Principal Secretary Srinivasa Raju Endowment Department Principal Secretary Shailaja Ramayyar and senior officials participated in the review meeting IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/master-plan-to-be-prepared-for-development-of-telanganas-two-major-temples-637242.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/weather-office-forecasts-rain-in-west-bengal-during-durga-puja-637349.html Kolkata Sep 9 With another lowpressure area brewing over the Bay of Bengal the Meteorological Department here has forecast widespread rain in south Bengal during the Durga Puja festival Although Durga Puja will officially begin from Shasthi September 28 the festivities begin from Mahalaya September 21 which marks the end of Pitru Paksha and the beginning of Devi Paksha an auspicious fortnightlong period in the Hindu calendar that marks the beginning of Durga Puja celebrationsAccording to the weather office there is a possibility of rain during Durga Puja and in the runup to the festivalSeptember is the last full month of monsoon season in West Bengal The monsoon winds remain in the state till October 10 The second half of September on most occasions records massive rain in Bengal and Kolkata This year too the conditions are favourable for incessant rain which is likely to intensify after September 18 said a Meteorological Department officialThe rainfall in the runup and during the festivities may dampen the spirit of many enthusiastsThe weather in Bengal is humid and hot The sweltering heat is the reason for the increasing discomfort level However the situation will change from Wednesday onwards as the lowpressure area will result in moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal This will pave the way for more rain accompanied by thunderstormsThere is also a possibility of rain in north Bengal The rain will continue throughout the week in several districts in north Bengal including Darjeeling Jalpaiguri Cooch Behar and AlipurduarMeanwhile the maximum temperature in Kolkata was 34 degrees Celsius 15 degrees above normal The minimum temperature was 278 degrees Celsius 14 degrees above normal The relative humidity in the air was recorded at a maximum of 89 per cent and a minimum of 66 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/weather-office-forecasts-rain-in-west-bengal-during-durga-puja-637349.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 15:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/fresh-controversy-breaks-out-in-sabarimala-temple-as-gold-plating-removed-without-court-permission-637378.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 9 A fresh controversy has erupted at Sabarimala after the Special Commissioner informed the Kerala High Court that the gold plating on the Dwarapalaka sculptures flanking the sanctum sanctorum was removed and transported to Chennai without judicial approval According to the Commissioners report the High Court had earlier mandated that all goldrelated works at the shrine be undertaken only at the Sannidhanam and strictly under courtappointed supervisionThe deviation the report noted amounted to a serious lapse in protocolHowever the Travancore Devaswom Board President PS Prashanth defended the decision stating that the sheets were removed with the consent of the temple Thantri chief priest due to visible damage to the sculpturesThere was tarnish scratches and even cracks in the legs It was necessary to repair them before the Mandalam season The removal was done in the presence of the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner and Vigilance officials he clarifiedThe controversy has also revived old debates about the economic value of aged goldSome argue that gold exposed to open air undergoes elemental changes that enhance its worthCritics allege that even if the original sheets are replaced with the same weight of fresh gold there could be hidden financial benefitsThis is not the first time Sabarimala has faced such allegationsEarlier when the temple roof was dismantled and replated with gold questions were raised over transparencyThe current removal took place quietly after the Onam pujas during the closure of the temple further fuelling suspicionWith the fresh row now before the court scrutiny over the Devaswom Boards handling of temple assets is expected to intensify in the coming weeksLocated in the Western Ghats in Pathanamthitta district Sabarimala is one of Indias most sacred and frequently visited pilgrimage destinations drawing millions of devotees each yearSabarimala perched at an elevation of 3000 feet traditionally requires pilgrims to undergo a 41day penance followed by a barefoot ascent from the banks of the Pampa River IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/fresh-controversy-breaks-out-in-sabarimala-temple-as-gold-plating-removed-without-court-permission-637378.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 17:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/rajasthan-assembly-passes-anti-conversion-bill-lifer-for-forced-conversions-637412.html Jaipur Sep 9 The Rajasthan Assembly on Tuesday passed the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill 2025 amid uproar by Congress MLAs who boycotted the debate and continued protests inside the House Soon after the bills passage the proceedings were adjourned till Wednesday morning The state government said the bill aims to prohibit unlawful religious conversions through misrepresentation misinformation force undue influence coercion allurement online solicitation marriage or the pretext of marriage and introduces stringent penalties including life imprisonment and fines up to a crore of rupeesAccording to the provisions properties where mass conversions take place can be confiscated or demolished after investigation while buildings of organisations involved in such activities may be seized and demolished following an administrative inquiryThe bill also provides that marriages undertaken solely for religious conversion shall be declared void by the court and conversions carried out before or after such marriages will be considered unlawful a move the government has directly linked to socalled love jihadEven voluntary conversions will require prior approval with individuals mandated to apply to the Collector or ADM 90 days in advance while religious leaders officiating conversions must give notice 60 days beforehandPublic notices will be issued objections invited and conversions will be permitted only after hearings and clearance Any violation will invite imprisonment of seven to ten years along with fines up to Rs 3 lakh while organisations found guilty may face cancellation of registration and fines up to Rs 1 crore Those receiving funds from foreign or illegal institutions for unlawful conversions will be punished with rigorous imprisonment of ten to twenty years and fines not less than Rs 20 lakhIndividuals who convert will also have to appear before the Collector within ten days to establish their identity and provide complete details During the debate BJP MLA Gopal Sharma urged members who had converted to return to their original religion specifically naming Congress MLAs Rafiq Khan and Kagzi Amin KagziMeanwhile Congress abstained from the debate altogether choosing instead to raise slogans and protest against the governments approachChief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma defended the legislation and said that while the Constitution confers on individuals the right to profess practice and propagate their religion this right cannot be construed as a collective right to proselytiseHe said that in recent times gullible people have been converted by fraudulent or coercive means and therefore a law was necessary in Rajasthan which until now had no such statuteThe law related to the right to religious freedom already exists in various States of the country but there is no statute on the said subject in Rajasthan In view of the above it was decided to enact a law to provide for the prohibition of unlawful conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation misinformation force undue influence coercion allurement or by any fraudulent means or by marriage or pretext of marriage and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto said CMWith its passage Rajasthan has joined other states enforcing stringent anticonversion laws IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/rajasthan-assembly-passes-anti-conversion-bill-lifer-for-forced-conversions-637412.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 19:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-100-mobile-phones-several-gold-chains-stolen-during-lalbaugcha-raja-immersion-in-mumbai-637066.html Mumbai Sep 8 The immersion procession of Mumbais most celebrated Ganesh idol Lalbaugcha Raja was marred by a spate of thefts as miscreants took advantage of the massive crowds Amid the fervent devotion and festive spirit several devotees reported losing their mobile phones and gold chains to organised gangs of thievesLakhs of devotees had gathered for the grand immersion procession that began from Lalbaug and culminated at Girgaon Chowpatty after nearly 32 to 35 hours The massive crowd created opportunities for criminals to strike unnoticedAccording to the Mumbai Police over 100 mobile phone thefts were reported during the procession Long queues of aggrieved devotees were seen outside the Kalachowki police station to lodge complaintsSo far 10 official cases have been registered four stolen phones recovered and four accused arrested police saidIn addition at least seven cases of gold chain snatching were recorded Police have recovered two chains and detained 12 suspects in connection with these incidentsAccording to police investigation several gangs active every year during Ganesh immersion processions were behind the theftsMeanwhile Bhoiwada police also registered cases against individuals for illegally flying drones during the procession which is prohibited for security reasonsDespite heavy security deployment during Ganeshotsav the scale of thefts has raised serious concernsSenior police officers admitted that controlling organised gangs in such large gatherings remains a daunting taskHowever they assured that investigations are underway and more recoveries are expected in the coming daysThe police have appealed to citizens to remain vigilant avoid carrying valuables and secure their belongings while participating in large religious gatheringsThefts during the immersion of Lalbaugcha Raja not only dampened the festive spirit for many devotees but also posed a stiff challenge to Mumbai Police even as swift action in some cases offered partial relief IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-100-mobile-phones-several-gold-chains-stolen-during-lalbaugcha-raja-immersion-in-mumbai-637066.html Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pil-in-sc-seeks-national-committee-to-oversee-governance-of-temples-across-india-636995.html New Delhi Sep 7 The Akhil Bhartiya Mandir Parishad a trust dedicated to the welfare of the Hindu community has filed a public interest litigation PIL before the Supreme Court seeking the constitution of an AllIndia Management Committee to oversee the governance of temples across the country As per the plea templeswhether managed by the Centre state governments or private committeesare severely plagued by mismanagement maladministration of funds and poor upkeep It added that negligence in financial allocation and utilisation has undermined the sanctity and proper functioning of these sacred institutions and has hurt the sentiments of devotees who visit temples regularly in devotion to the Hindu Gods and GoddessesThe PIL filed through advocate Rakesh Dahiya claimed that safeguarding the religious identity and ensuring the welfare of the Hindu community is not merely an individual responsibility but a constitutional obligation upon the government in power Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution the petitioner argued that the government is bound to ensure that the religious sentiments of Hindus shall not be infringed upon whether by the State or by individuals from other religious groupsAs per the PIL the existing statutory frameworks have failed miserably in managing and maintaining our temples It prayed for the establishment of an AllIndia Management Committee with the mandate to oversee administration finances and devotee welfare at all temples across the countryIts goal would be to ensure transparency accountability and the welfare of temples while preserving their sanctity and religious significance the PIL stated It added that the committees aim should be to deliver a hasslefree and spiritually fulfilling experience for every devotee regardless of their social or economic backgroundThe PIL referred to a legal notice issued by the Akhil Bhartiya Mandir Parishad on October 3 2023 to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Management Committee in Ujjain after learning that the aforesaid committee is charging hefty amounts from devotees who visit the Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple Ujjain for Temple Visit and Aarti As a consequence these high charges have effectively restricted access to the temples religious services for the economically weaker sections of societyThe petition also listed past tragedies including the 2022 Vaishno Devi stampede and the fire incident during Holi celebrations at Ujjains Mahakaleshwar temple as evidence of gross negligence by temple committees It pointed to the Tirupati Laddu controversy as another instance of maladministration by the State Government which ultimately infringes the sentiments of followers and pilgrims The plea asserted that the formation of such a central committee would provide muchneeded relief to temples and ensure their governance is consistent with the ethos of Hinduism free from external interference and protected from mismanagementAs per the causelist published on the website of the apex court a Bench of Chief Justice of India CJI BR Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and Atul S Chandurkar will take up the matter for hearing on Monday September 8 IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pil-in-sc-seeks-national-committee-to-oversee-governance-of-temples-across-india-636995.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 18:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pakistan-has-more-mosques-than-schools-and-hospitals-637001.html New Delhi Sep 7 Pakistans firstever Economic Census since its independence in 1947 exposes the startling ground reality that the number of mosques is over two times the number of schools in the country which has very few factories or hospitals for a population of 250 million people most of whom live below the poverty line The census shows that there are over 600000 mosques and 36000 religious seminaries compared to just 269000 schools and 119000 hospitals This imbalance reflects deeper systemic issues that hinder educational access strain healthcare services and limit the countrys economic potentialThe lack of higher educational institutions is equally stark at the higher level with only 11568 colleges and 214 universities across the country which in turn reflects the poor quality of human capitalThe healthcare sector too is woefully inadequate with just one hospital available for every 2083 people in a country struggling with malnutrition and diseaseThe census shows 109 million individuals engaged in sectors like livestock rearing tailoring food packaging and online services reflecting the lack of formal employment opportunities Among these 56 million people rear livestock 419000 are involved in clothing stitching and 93000 offer online services indicating a population that is industrious but underservedThe census reveals 7143 million businesses employing 25344 million people Yet only 250000 of these are formally registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan which bares the informal nature of the underdeveloped economy Micro and small enterprises dominate the business ecosystem with 95 per cent of establishments employing fewer than ten people The services sector alone accounts for nearly 58 per cent of the workforce while production and manufacturing lag far behindThe census also exposes regional disparities in Pakistan with Punjab and Sindh ahead of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan in the number of economic establishments and social infrastructureThe findings were released by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal who while remarking that this was the first census pointed out that neighbouring countries have conducted multiple economic censuses over the decadesPakistans lack of action is also seen as a reflection of the strong sway that the military has over the governance of the country with its focus on prioritising defence expenditure to ensure its own survival IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pakistan-has-more-mosques-than-schools-and-hospitals-637001.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 19:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sikkim-cm-extends-wishes-to-people-on-auspicious-pang-lhabasol-festival-636919.html Gangtok Sep 7 Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Sunday extended warm greetings to the people of the state on the auspicious occasion of Pang Lhabsol one of Sikkims most significant festivals In his message Tamang described Pang Lhabsol as a unique festival that embodies both spiritual reverence and communal harmonyI extend my warmest greetings and best wishes to the people of Sikkim on the auspicious occasion of Pang Lhabsol the Chief Minister saidHe highlighted that the festival holds a special place in Sikkims cultural and spiritual traditions as it commemorates the consecration of Mount Khangchendzonga as the guardian deity of the state It also celebrates the historic bond of brotherhood between the Lepcha and Bhutia communities solemnised at Kabi LungchokThis great festival has earned a special place in our cultural and spiritual heritage It reminds us of the tradition of honouring Khangchendzonga Parbat as the guardian god of Sikkim and reflects the historical brotherhood relationship between the Lepcha and Bhotia communities Tamang saidThe Chief Minister prayed for the blessings of the revered guardian deity to guide the state on the path of peace unity and prosperityOn this sacred occasion I pray to our guardian deity to continue to bless Sikkim with peace unity and harmony May we be guided on the path of progress and prosperity and may our people be endowed with happiness abundance and wellbeing he addedPang Lhabsol which is unique to Sikkim is observed with elaborate rituals and cultural performances across the state The festival not only pays tribute to Mount Kangchenjunga but also reaffirms the commitment to preserving harmony among Sikkims diverse communitiesTraditional masked dances prayers and community feasts mark the celebrations which draw participation from all sections of societyThe Chief Ministers message underscored the festivals relevance in contemporary times as a reminder of unity and cultural prideI pray for continuous blessings from our guardian god to maintain peace unity and harmony in Sikkim Wishing our state progress prosperity and happiness I extend my best wishes on this great day Tamang said IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sikkim-cm-extends-wishes-to-people-on-auspicious-pang-lhabasol-festival-636919.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 10:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-ganesh-visarjan-begins-amid-tight-security-cm-reviews-statewide-preparations-636879.html Bhopal Sep 6 The immersion of Lord Ganesha idols commenced across Madhya Pradesh on Saturday marking the occasion of Anant Chaturdashi The farewell rituals began with special prayers and aarti followed by processions and immersion ceremonies at designated ghats and tanks In Bhopal six major ghats witnessed early morning immersions with large idols lowered using cranes and smaller ones placed in specially prepared tanks A total of 33 immersion points were set up across the city where devotees gathered with drums chants and slogans to bid farewell to Ganpati BappaSecurity was heightened across the state with police personnel deployed in large numbers CCTV surveillance divers and disaster response teams were stationed to ensure public safety The immersion process is expected to continue late into the nightChief Minister Mohan Yadav chaired a highlevel review meeting with senior police and administrative officials to assess preparedness District Collectors and Superintendents of Police joined the meeting virtually briefing the CM on arrangements in their respective regionsYadav instructed officials to remain on high alert especially in view of heavy rainfall and emphasised the need for swift flood relief measures The administration must stay vigilant and ensure safe immersion People should be relocated if necessary he saidThe Chief Minister also observed a live demonstration of disaster management protocols and urged officials to act with sensitivity and urgency in case of emergencies IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-ganesh-visarjan-begins-amid-tight-security-cm-reviews-statewide-preparations-636879.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 22:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-extends-greetings-on-milad-un-nabi-wishing-for-peace-well-being-of-society-636570.html New Delhi Sep 5 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday conveyed his greetings to the nation on MiladunNabi the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad expressing hopes for peace and the wellbeing of society Taking to social media platform X the Prime Minister posted Best wishes on the occasion of MiladunNabi May this sacred day bring with it peace and wellbeing in our society May the values of compassion service and justice always guide us Eid MubarakMiladunNabi also known as EideMilad or Mawlid is an important festival for Muslims worldwide commemorating the birth of the Prophet MuhammadUnion Minister Kiren Rijiju also extended his wishes on the occasionTaking to X he wrote Greetings on EidEMiladUnNabi May this Eid bring joy in everyones life and strengthen the bonds of unity amp togethernessJammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha also extended wishes writing in a post on X Greetings to all on the auspicious occasion of MiladunNabi The life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad inspire humanity to live a life of compassion and selflessness May his message guide us to righteous living and strengthen unity brotherhood amp peace in society Eid MubarakCongress President Mallikarjun Kharge also joined in greeting people In his post on X he said Eid MiladUnNabi Mubarak to everyone May this auspicious occasion usher in peace prosperity and compassion uniting everyone in a spirit of goodwillThe Prophet born in Mecca around 570 CE is remembered for his teachings of compassion equality and justice which continue to inspire millions worldwide This year the festivities began on Thursday September 4 and conclude on Friday coinciding with the 12th day of Rabi alAwwal the third month of the Islamic calendarMiladunNabi is observed with prayers religious gatherings and charitable activities It is seen as a time of reflection where followers revisit the Prophets message of kindness service to humanity and harmony The days significance extends beyond celebration it serves as a reminder of the enduring values of justice compassion and unity that Prophet Muhammad espoused IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-extends-greetings-on-milad-un-nabi-wishing-for-peace-well-being-of-society-636570.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 09:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/26-course-sadhya-on-plantain-leaf-is-the-star-of-thiru-onam-636573.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 5 As Kerala celebrates the iconic festival of Onam all eyes are on the majestic Onam Sadhya a 26course vegetarian feast that arrives not on porcelain but on a glossy green plantain leaf Shimmering with tradition this is the star of the day in all homes across Kerala irrespective of caste creed or religion On Thiru Onam the heart of Kerala beats in unison through flowers rituals games and most memorably through this Onam Sadhya The Sadhya is no ordinary mealIt is poetry composed in flavours colours and textures a culinary pageant that unfolds in courses each dish claiming its place with precisionThe very act of serving is ritualistic salt at the leafs corner crisp banana chips and sweet sharkara upperi to awaken the palate followed by pickles that sting and soothe in equal measureThen come the dishes in a rhythmic procession avial with its medley of vegetables bound in coconut olan mellow with ash gourd and cowpeas thoran bursting with spice and crunch pachadi with a sweettangy swirl and erissery earthy and comfortingEach is distinct yet together they harmonise like instruments in an orchestra creating a balance that is the essence of Keralas food philosophyRice is the canvas on which this grand artwork is paintedThe first round of rice is eaten with parippu and a drizzle of ghee golden and fragrant The second unfolds with sambar robust and hearty The third is rasam fiery and light before curd brings calmness to the leafAnd then comes the climax the payasam or rather payasamsFrom the caramel depths of ada pradhaman to the delicate sweetness of palada these desserts are liquid joy often served in generous abundanceWhat elevates the Sadhya beyond its flavours is its spirit It is eaten sitting side by side with no distinctions of rank or wealth an echo of the Onam legend when King Mahabalis reign was marked by equality and prosperityPreparing it too is an act of communityFamilies bustle in kitchens for days chopping grinding and stirring their laughter and stories blending with the aromas of roasting coconut and simmering jaggeryOn Thiru Onam as families gather around the spread the plantain leaf becomes more than a plate it becomes a canvas of culture memory and togethernessIn every spoonful lies the essence of Keralas greatest festival a feast as timeless as the spirit of Onam itselfYet with changing times the tradition of families labouring together in the kitchen to prepare the grand Sadhya has become a rarityToday it is caterers and restaurants that shoulder the task offering the full spread complete with the plantain leaf delivered to ones doorstep at the tap of a mobile screenConvenience however comes at a price What was once a lovingly homecooked feast now ranges anywhere from Rs 250 to as high as Rs 1000 for a single serving On the flip side is a plantain leaf on Thiru Onam day costs a record Rs 100 IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/26-course-sadhya-on-plantain-leaf-is-the-star-of-thiru-onam-636573.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 10:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/governor-cms-of-telugu-states-greet-people-on-milad-un-nabi-636584.html Hyderabad Sep 5 Governors and Chief Ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have greeted people on the occasion of Eid MiladunNabi the birthday of Prophet Muhammad Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma extended his warm greetings to the people of Telangana on the auspicious occasion of Eid MiladunNabiThe noble teachings of the Prophetof compassion tolerance harmony and universal brotherhoodcontinue to guide humanity towards peace and collective wellbeing His message finds true expression when we serve our fellow human beings with faith kindness trust and care the Governor said in his messageOn this sacred occasion let us reaffirm our commitment to unity peace harmony and prosperity in our society I convey my best wishes for the celebrations of Eid MiladunNabi in its true spirit he addedChief Minister A Revanth Reddy extended heartfelt greetings to the Muslim community on the occasion of MiladunNabiMuslims celebrate MiladunNabi as an auspicious day commemorating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad The Prophet conveyed the message of the Almighty to people to lead a life with peace love tolerance sacrifice and service the Chief Minister saidAndhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer extended his warm greetings to the Muslim brethren on the occasion of Eid MiladunNabi the birthday of Prophet Mohammad The life of the Prophet has been an inspiring saga of love brotherhood and virtue to the mankind The Prophets mission is fulfilled when we serve our fellowmen with faith trust care and compassion May the birthday of Prophet Mohammad usher in peace and goodwill amongst us all he saidChief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu greeted Muslims on Milad un Nabi MiladunNabi is celebrated in commemoration of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad who dispelled ignorance and instilled faith in humanity he said and wished that the occasion bring new light into the lives of Muslim brothersMiladunNabi inspires us to follow the principles preached by Prophet Muhammad who lived his life emphasizing values like righteousness honesty love and sacrifice May the sacred aspirations of honouring fellow beings and quenching their hunger continue Wishing once again that Muslim brothers stand in the forefront for that I extend my greetings for Milad unNabi he addedFormer Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy also greeted the people The teachings preached by Prophet Muhammad that even enemies should be forgiven and that everyone should possess love compassion and patience are always worthy of emulation On the occasion of MiladunNabi which is the birthday of Prophet Muhammad today I wish that his blessings be upon everyone and extend my greetings to all Muslim brothers and sisters said YS Jagan IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/governor-cms-of-telugu-states-greet-people-on-milad-un-nabi-636584.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 11:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/elaborate-security-arrangements-for-ganesh-nimajjanam-in-hyderabad-636591.html Hyderabad Sep 5 Massive security arrangements are in place for Ganesh Nimajjanam also known as Ganesh Visarjan in Hyderabad on Saturday About 30000 police personnel have been deployed for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the annual festivalThousands of idols will be immersed in Hussain Sagar Lake in the heart of the city and dozens of lakes and artificial ponds in and around the cityAuthorities have arranged cranes around Hussain Sagar for the immersion of idols brought from various places in and around the cityLakhs of devotees attend the annual procession called Shoba Yatra which brings the city to a complete halt marking the conclusion of the 11day Ganesh ChaturthiTraffic curbs have been imposed within the limits of all three police commissionerates Hyderabad Cyberabad and Rachakonda to ensure smooth conduct of the festivitiesThe main procession starts from Katta Maisamma temple at Balapur and it reaches Hussain Sagar after passing through the communally sensitive old city and Central HyderabadPolice will keep a tight vigil at the historic Mecca Masjid near Charminar to prevent any untoward incidentSeveral tributary processions joined the main procession billed as the biggest gathering for immersion after MumbaiThe government has declared a general holiday for all government offices and education institutions in and around the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad Rangareddy and MedchalMalkajgiri districtsUnion Home Minister Amit Shahs visit to participate in the main procession has been cancelled in view of his engagements in Delhi in connection with the VicePresidential electionHyderabad Police Commissioner C V Anand and other top officials will monitor the procession from the Integrated Command Control CentreSpecial attention is being paid to ensure the smooth completion of the Khairatabad and Balapur Ganesh processionsGreater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation GHMC has made arrangements for idol immersion across 20 major lakes in Greater Hyderabad along with 72 specially setup artificial pondsGHMC Commissioner RV Karnan said that 134 permanent cranes and 259 mobile cranes have been installed at various lakes Additionally 56187 temporary lights have been arrangedWith support from Hyderabad Police and Tourism Department nine boats Disaster Response Force teams and 200 trained swimmers have been deployed at Hussain Sagar Thirteen control rooms have also been set upGreater Hyderabad Mayor Gadwal Vijayalaxmi said 1500 sanitation workers were working round the clock to clear the debris from Hussain Sagar She said about one lakh idols were already immersed in Hussain Sagar during the last three daysA large number of vehicles carrying the idols were lined up along the roads leading to Hussain Sagar on FridayTransport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar who is in charge minister for Hyderabad on Friday reviewed the arrangements at Hussain Sagar He along with Greater Mayor Gadwal Vijayalaxmi and Hyderabad Collector Harichandana reviewed the arrangements relating to security electricity sanitation and water supplyAs the immersion is continuing for the last three days the minister directed officials to speed up the removal of debris from the lakeAccording to the minister 180 lakh idols have been immersed in the lakes in and around Hyderabad during the last three days About 50000 idols the majority of them big idols will be immersed on the last dayPolice have ordered the closure of toddy and wine shops including bars in restaurants excluding bars in star hotels and registered clubs for 24 hours from 6 am on September 6Police have imposed traffic restrictions on the route of the main procession from Balapur along with the processions from Secunderabad East Zone and Uppal area Dilsukhnagar Tarnaka Tolichowki Rethi bowli Mehdipatnam Tappachabutra and Asifnagar areasMovement of vehicles other than those carrying Ganesh Idols will be restricted and diverted at many points located along the main procession route and at other points adjoining the routes of other tributary processions All the side roads and lanes leading to the main procession route will be barricadedPeople coming from or going to the airport have been advised to use the PVNR Express Way or Outer Ring RoadHyderabad Police Commissioner said the devotees can also immerse the idols at baby ponds portable water tanks and excavation ponds IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/elaborate-security-arrangements-for-ganesh-nimajjanam-in-hyderabad-636591.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 13:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/telangana-cm-offers-puja-at-kharitabad-bada-ganesh-636607.html Hyderabad Sep 5 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy performed puja at Bada Ganesh at Khairatabad here on Friday a day ahead of Nimajjanam The Chief Minister participated in the puja along with Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar MLA D Nagender and othersSpeaking on the occasion the Chief Minister stated that the Kharitabad Ganapati celebrations have completed 71 yearsHe congratulated the Utsav Committee for the special recognition of the Khairatabad Ganesh celebration in the countryThe Chief Minister said his government was providing free electricity to the Ganesh pandal He claimed that this facility was never provided in any state or city in the countryHe said by supplying free electricity to Ganesh pandals the government has given an opportunity to the devotees to organise the celebrations with devotionRevanth Reddy also stated that the government organised the festivities in a smooth manner by ensuring coordination among various departmentsHe noted that by respecting all religions Hyderabad stands as a symbol of religious harmonyThe government has also made elaborate arrangements for Ganesh Nimajjanam at Tank Bund and other places He appealed to complete the immersion programme with devotion and attentionGanesh Chaturthi began on August 27 with religious fervour and gaiety The 11day festivities will conclude on Saturday September 6 with NimajjanamTelangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma performed the first puja of the famous Ganesh idol at Khairatabad on August 27The idol designed differently every year draws devotees from across the city and neighbouring districts This years idol titled Vishwashanti Mahashakti Ganapati drew massive crowdsThis year the organisers have installed a 69fttall and 28ftwide idol made of clay steel and rice huskThursday was the last day for people to have darshan of the idol the tallest in the Telugu statesAuthorities in coordination with the Utsav Committee on Friday began the arrangements for the immersion of the massive idol in Hussain Sagar Lake in the heart of the cityTransportation of the idol and its immersion in the lake is a huge challenge for the authorities IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/telangana-cm-offers-puja-at-kharitabad-bada-ganesh-636607.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 14:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/spewing-hatred-up-cleric-condemns-upcoming-halal-lifestyle-township-near-mumbai-636660.html New Delhi Sep 5 An upcoming housing society project in Neral about 100 km from Mumbai has evoked strong reactions from the netizens over its halal and exclusively Muslim character and also ignited a political firestorm Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi the leading Muslim cleric from Uttar Pradesh is the latest to condemn and call out the township project and its developers for promoting and selling halal lifestyle apparently to those belonging to a certain communityThe All India Muslim Jamaat AIMJ president decried the touting of the project as the one for likeminded people with a halal lifestyle in a promotional video and termed it a brazen act of spreading hatred and creating division in societyBy using such a word Halal an attempt is being made to send out a particular kind of message The builders and people involved in this are not working to unite society but rather to spread hatred and create division he saidHe also went to urged people to stay cautious and not fall into the trap of those igniting animosity among people and poisoning the minds in the garb of property businessNotably the housing project titled Sukoon Empire in Karjat is being marketed as a residential colony tailored to meet the needs of a specific community Its promotional video soon after landing on social media triggered anger and outrage with many raising serious objections to its religious characterIn the promotional video a woman is seen wearing a hijab and portraying the township as a haven for authentic community living for likeminded families and emphasising a safe halal environment for childrenPriyank Kanoongo member of the National Human Rights Commission NHRC took exception to the society and called it a nation within the nation while many leaders from the BJP and Shiv Sena frowned upon the open linkage of religion with residenceVHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal also reacted to the housing projectLabelling it a miniPakistan he said the Hindu society and Mother India have suffered many such wounds Now they can no longer be tolerated IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/spewing-hatred-up-cleric-condemns-upcoming-halal-lifestyle-township-near-mumbai-636660.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 17:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/isis-bangladesh-blueprint-jamaat-and-hefazat-push-country-towards-talibanisation-636510.html New Delhi Sep 4 The enforced regime change in Bangladesh was meant to take the country in the right direction However under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus almost everything including human rights and womens rights seems to be on a downward trajectory Until the COVID19 pandemic the country was making gains in terms of economic development Moreover the country had also offered social stability Yunus who has been labelled by many as a puppet of the JamaateIslami has fallen for the Pakistan trap Intelligence agencies had said that the ISI wants Bangladesh to return to the pre1971 eraIn a very short span of time that has been taking place There is scant regard for womens rights and the protection of the minorities is a foregone conclusion With radical Islamist groups controlled by the Jamaat calling the shots a Taliban styled moral policing is fast taking over Women who are dressed immodestly are being shamed in public There have been instances of women being assaulted for not dressing properlyOne of the groups that is leading the implementation of the Taliban styled regime is the HefazateIslam HeI It wants the women to be subdued and has been opposing all proposals that speak about womens rights The HeI has made it clear that men and women cannot be equal It has taken out protest marches opposing the reforms recommended by the Womens Affairs Reform CommissionThe reforms it has been opposing are the recommendation to criminalise marital rape ensure the equal rights of women regardless of their religion ethnicity and class provide for equal parental rights for women protect womens rights to inheritance increase womens parliamentary representation protect the rights of the sex workers build a gender based violence free society and empower women through education and skill developmentThe HeI has long pushed to Talibanise Bangladesh and ensure that women are not equal to men Owing allegiance to the ISI and Jamaat it has made its antiIndia stance clear In 2021 members of the HeI clashed with Awami League supporters who were trying to prevent a protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi They wanted to wave slippers at the Indian PM but clashes broke out with the thenruling party Awami League who tried to prevent the sameIndian agencies say that since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government the rise of the HeI has been rapid The outfit which had gradually turned moderate a few years back is now as radical as ever While the Yunus government has tried on some occasions to push for reforms the Jamaat has unleashed the HeI against the same While the HeI has denied any link with the Jamaat the allegation is that the outfits primary intention is to derail the International Crimes Tribunal for the war crimes committed in 1971The HeI appears to have a pattern and sends out confusing signals to the security agencies Maualana Habibur Rehman a madrasa principal of Sylhet and one of the organisers of the HeIs May 5 2013 protests had claimed that he met with Osama Bin Laden and members of the HarkatulJihad alIslami However some other HeI leaders have condemned AlQaeda and said that this outfit would never be successful in Bangladesh This could be a ploy on the part of the HeI to avoid scrutiny and get banned The HeI was formed in 2010 to oppose the Sheikh Hasina governments Womens development policy which promised equal rights to property for women Today with Hasina out of the picture the outfit is back to its demands This time however it has the complete backing of the Jamaat which calls the shots in the ruling dispensation With the return of these hardliners and the Yunus government unable to control them Bangladesh runs the risk of becoming a Talibanised state IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/isis-bangladesh-blueprint-jamaat-and-hefazat-push-country-towards-talibanisation-636510.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 20:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/delhi-jal-jhulni-ganpati-visarjan-celebrated-with-devotion-at-akshardham-temple-636191.html New Delhi Sep 3 The iconic Akshardham Temple in Delhi came alive with colours of devotion and festivity on Wednesday as it hosted the annual JalJhulni Ekadashi celebrations alongside the Ganpati Visarjan ceremony The twin events drew sadhus religious leaders and a large gathering of devotees who joined in rituals marked by grandeur and spiritual fervour JalJhulni Ekadashi a festival celebrated widely across North India holds a special place at Akshardham Temple where it is observed each year with traditional splendour In the divine presence of Dharmavatal Swami devotees witnessed rituals that combined ageold traditions with vibrant cultural expressionTo mark the occasion a large artificial lake was created in the temple auditorium The sacred idols of Lord AksharPurushottam were placed on a palanquin and carried in a ceremonial procession before being gently taken for a symbolic water ride The atmosphere was charged with devotion as the faithful performed several aartis and offered an array of delicious delicacies to the LordThe programme began early in the morning at 800 AM with a grand procession In his spiritual discourse Munivatsal Swami explained the essence of JalJhulni Ekadashi emphasising its significance as a moment of deep connection between the devotee and the divineAdding to the devotional fervour the temple choir filled the hall with soulful kirtans and bhajans creating an uplifting spiritual experienceThe celebrations also coincided with the immersion of Lord Ganeshas idol installed during Ganesh Chaturthi The ritual was performed with reverence marking the conclusion of festivities dedicated to the remover of obstacles and the patron of wisdom and new beginningsGanesh Chaturthi beyond its religious dimension also highlights cultural values bringing communities together inspiring artistry through idolmaking and spreading awareness about ecofriendly practices At Akshardham the immersion blended these traditions seamlessly with spiritual rituals reinforcing the festivals message of unity devotion and renewal IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/delhi-jal-jhulni-ganpati-visarjan-celebrated-with-devotion-at-akshardham-temple-636191.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 17:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/hm-amit-shah-to-participate-in-hyderabads-ganesh-nimajjanam-636288.html Hyderabad Sep 3 Union Home Minister Amit Shah will participate in Ganesh Nimajjanam festivities in Hyderabad on September 6 At Moazzam Jahi Market he will welcome Ganesh idols joining the annual procession organised by Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi He will also address the gathering on the occasionEvery year the Samithi invites leaders of the BJP RSS VHP and other Hindu organisations for the procession This is the first time that the Union Home Minister will be participating in the annual eventAccording to Telangana BJP Amit Shah will arrive in Hyderabad at 110 pm on September After landing at Begumpet Airport by the special aircraft he will reach the ITC Kakatiya Hotel where he will meet state BJP leadersHe will discuss the latest political situation in the state and review the partys preparedness for the upcoming local body elections in the state Issues relating to strengthening the party in Telangana are also likely to be discussed during the hourlong meetingThe Union Home Minister will see the photo exhibition to be organised by Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi on its journey of 46 years The event will be organised at the same venueAfter visiting the photo exhibition Amit Shah will virtually lay the foundation stone for the headquarters of the 28th battalion of Sashastra Seema Bal SSBAmit Shah will conclude his visit with the participation in Ganesh Nimajjanam festivities at Moazzam Jahi MarketEvery year Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi organises the Nimjjanam procession Thousands of idols installed in various parts of the city and outskirts join the centralised procession which passes through different areas to culminate at Hussain Sagar in the heart of the cityMeanwhile Hyderabad Police Commissioner C V Anand reviewed the security arrangements for the procession He stated that around 30000 police personnel are being deployed to ensure the Ganesh immersion procession is conducted peacefully across the cityCommissioner Anand along with GHMC Commissioner RV Karnan Rachakonda Police Commissioner Sudheer Babu Additional Commissioner Vikram Singh Mann HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath Hyderabad Traffic Joint Commissioner Joel Davis and Hyderabad District Collector Harichandan Dasari inspected the Balapur Ganesh immersion procession route IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/hm-amit-shah-to-participate-in-hyderabads-ganesh-nimajjanam-636288.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 23:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-police-deploy-ai-surveillance-for-pilgrim-safety-at-ambaji-temple-during-annual-fair-636138.html Ahmedabad Sep 3 With lakhs of devotees thronging the Ambaji temple during the annual Bhadarvi Punam fair Banaskantha police in Gujarat have turned to artificial intelligence AI to strengthen security and crowd management For the first time AIenabled surveillance is being used at Ambaji to track suspicious movements identify known offenders trace missing persons and monitor crowd density in real timeA smart control room has been set up to oversee live feeds from CCTV and AI cameras across key points in the temple town allowing police to act swiftly in case of untoward incidents Banaskantha Superintendent of Police Prashant Sumbe said the integration of AI with CCTV surveillance has enhanced safety for pilgrims The system matches faces with the State Crime Records Bureau to identify criminals and prevent unlawful activities It also helps estimate footfall inside the temple and regulate crowds accordingly he saidParking is being streamlined through the Show My Parking app he added Authorities have deployed multiple modern tools to support roundtheclock policing These include 12 peoplecounting cameras 12 AI cameras 20 solarbased AI cameras 90 bodyworn cameras vehiclemounted cameras and a crowd management system with microphones and speakersAll feeds are monitored at the police control room to keep tabs on potential threats Safety of the pilgrims is our top priority The use of advanced technology will make the security net even stronger SP Sumbe saidAmbaji located in Gujarats Banaskantha district holds deep political and social significance as one of the most revered Shakti Peeths in India The temple dedicated to Goddess Amba is not only a spiritual centre but also a symbol of cultural unity attracting devotees from Gujarat Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh and beyondHistorically Ambaji has been a site of resistance and faith with rulers and political leaders often invoking the deity to consolidate social and cultural identity Its economic relevance is also notable as the pilgrimage sustains livelihoods through tourism and trade while politically mass gatherings at Ambaji reflect the intersection of faith and governance where issues of infrastructure law and order and peoples faith converge making it a focal point in Gujarats sociopolitical landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-police-deploy-ai-surveillance-for-pilgrim-safety-at-ambaji-temple-during-annual-fair-636138.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 14:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/extraditing-sheikh-hasina-terrorists-plot-hostage-siege-at-indias-mission-in-dhaka--636038.html New Delhi Sep 2 An Intelligence Bureau alert has revealed that a major attack was being planned on the Indian High Commission in Dhaka The plot according to the information was being planned by Al Qaeda in the Subcontinent and the Jamaatul Ansar fil Hindal Sharqia These terror groups planned to lay siege to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and then hold the diplomats hostage The demand is to extradite Sheikh Hasina from India Since the fall of her government Sheikh Hasina has taken refuge in IndiaThis issue has been a thorn in the ties between the two countries Bangladesh has been demanding her extradition and has blamed this issue on the failing relations between the two nationsSecurity officials say that this plan could not have been planned by the two terror groups on their own There is clearly an ISI link to it Under Sheikh Hasina the ISI was kept at a distance This was an irritant for the JamaateIslami too as it is a proxy for the ISI and also a known IndiahaterUnder Sheikh Hasina ties with India were rock solid and this was proving to be a major irritant for the ISI and Jamaat With the regime change a lot has changed in Bangladesh and the ISI has been given a free hand in the country While the government under Sheikh Hasina did not give much importance to Pakistan there were a few in Bangladesh who were hand in glove with the ISI The ISI had with the help of its cronies managed to smuggle in arms and ammunition into Bangladesh since 2023 This suggests that there was a major plan on hand to destabilise the government and also hurt Indias interests The ISI has been trying for a long time to bring down the Sheikh Hasina government Back in 2014 too an attempt was made The Burdwan bust in West Bengal was a clear indicator of the same Cottage industries in large numbers were preparing bombs that were meant to be transported to Bangladesh The idea was to carry out a series of blasts across the country and then demand the resignation of Sheikh Hasina on moral grounds for failing to secure the nationTo plan an attack on the Indian mission in Dhaka serves the ISIs agenda perfectly Many of these terror groups remained underground under the regime of Sheikh Hasina An attack of this magnitude would keep these terror groups happy and they could cite the same to increase funding and recruitments The ISI since the regime change has been in overdrive mode in Bangladesh It has been setting up training camps It has even sent in terrorists of the JaisheMuhammad to train the Bangladeshi terrorists Indian officials say whatever the ISI may do has an India angle to it The primary agenda is to hurt India and building up terror groups in Bangladesh means the northeastern border remains highly volatile at all times like we see in the case of the Line of Control LoC The Jammat too toes the line of the ISI and having Hasina back and trying her is a political statement in Bangladesh Hence the idea of laying siege to the Indian High Commission and then demanding the extradition of Sheikh Hasina was a plan that the Jamaat readily agreed toWith the elections tentatively scheduled to be held in February next year Sheikh Hasina would be a major issue Hasinas Awami League has been banned from contesting the elections thus indicating it would be a onesided affair While the BNP is the frontrunner to win the elections it is clear that the Jamaat will continue to call the shots Upon the insistence of the ISI the Jamaat is hell bent on ensuring that Hasina is back in Bangladesh and tried This serves as both an election issue and the Jamaat and ISIs way of seeking revenge After all both parties failed to lift their heads under Hasinas regime in Bangladesh IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/extraditing-sheikh-hasina-terrorists-plot-hostage-siege-at-indias-mission-in-dhaka--636038.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 21:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/from-temple-to-touchscreen-haridwar-welcomes-ek-ishwar-app-for-virtual-puja-636060.html Haridwar Sep 2 Haridwar the ancient city known as the gateway to spiritual awakening has now embraced the digital era with the launch of the Ek Ishwar mobile app an initiative that blends ageold faith with modern technology The app was officially launched at the revered Siddhpeeth Dakshin Kali Temple by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Kailashanand Maharaj of the Niranjani Akhada Speaking to IANS Maharaj said the App was developed by Samriddhi Bajaj from Mumbai with the vision of making religious experiences more accessible to devotees across the globeThe purpose of Ek Ishwar is to bring darshan virtual aarti and spiritual experiences directly to the homes of devotees especially those who are unable to visit temples physically he saidThrough this App users will not only be able to watch live or recorded pujas and aartis but also participate virtually in the ritualsWorship through meditation and the mind is as meaningful as physical puja Kailashanand Maharaj emphasised This App will help people connect spiritually no matter where they areA unique feature of Ek Ishwar is its home delivery of prasad and puja samagri ritual items ensuring that every element of the offering remains pure and is prepared according to traditional customs The initiative aims to maintain the sanctity of rituals while making them accessible in the digital ageMaharaj added that the app would be rolled out nationwide in phases allowing millions of users to engage with Sanatan Dharma in a format that resonates with their digital lifestyleThis is a bridge between the spiritual heritage of India and the modern world he notedEk Ishwar is being hailed as a firstofitskind app that brings the temple experience into the palm of ones hand As India increasingly turns toward digital platforms this move signifies a powerful shift in how tradition and technology can coexist reinforcing that spirituality too can evolve with the times IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/from-temple-to-touchscreen-haridwar-welcomes-ek-ishwar-app-for-virtual-puja-636060.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 23:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mohan-bhagwat-arrives-in-jodhpur-to-attend-all-india-coordination-meeting-635800.html Jaipur Sep 1 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat reached Jodhpur on Monday for an eightday visit From the airport he went directly to the Adarsh Defence Sports Academy in Lal Sagar where he was welcomed with a traditional tilak Jodhpur is hosting the All India Coordination Meeting of the Sangh from 5 to 7 September 2025 National office bearers from 32 RSSinspired organisations will participate in this annual eventThe meeting is being held on the dates of Bhadrapada Shukla Trayodashi Chaturdashi and Purnima of Vikram Samvat 2082 Last year the coordination meeting was organised in Palakkad Kerala said Hardayal Verma Prant Sarsanghchalak Jodhpur Prant According to Sunil Ambekar Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of the RSS the participating organisations will present their assessments of the sociopolitical situation based on field experiencesThe discussions will cover key issues of national unity security and social harmony Efforts will also be made to strengthen mutual coordination among organisations The meeting will include a collective review of significant recent events along with presentations on ongoing projects achievements and future strategies Deliberations are also expected on the joint participation of various organisations in the upcoming Sangh Shatabdi RSS centenary programsRSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale all six coSarkaryavahs and senior RSS officials will take part Alongside them national presidents general secretaries and organisational heads of 32 Sanghinspired organisations including Rashtriya Sevika Samiti Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram Vishwa Hindu Parishad Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad Bharatiya Janata Party Bharatiya Kisan Sangh Vidya Bharati and Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh will also attendThese organisations working in diverse sectors of social life aim to bring constructive change through democratic methods while aligning with the Sanghs vision The Jodhpur meeting is expected to shape coordinated strategies for the coming year IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mohan-bhagwat-arrives-in-jodhpur-to-attend-all-india-coordination-meeting-635800.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 23:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/traffic-diversions-in-puducherry-tomorrow-for-ganesh-idol-immersion-procession-635244.html Puducherry Aug 30 The Puducherry Traffic Police have announced traffic diversions and vehiclefree zones on Sunday for Lord Ganeshs idol immersion procession In a statement the Superintendent of Police Traffic NorthEast said that as a continuation of the Vinayagar Chaturthi festival the immersion of idols in the sea will be heldIdols from different parts of Puducherry will assemble at Saram Avvai Thidal and then proceed in a procession through Kamaraj Salai Nehru Street MG Road Ajanta Junction Old Distillery and Beach Road for immersionThe idols from the Muthialpet side will be taken to Pattankadai Junction via Anna Salai while those from the Nellithope side will also reach Pattankadai Junction through Maraimalai Adigal Salai and Anna SalaiThe police said all heavy vehicles including town and route buses as well as light motor vehicles coming from Kalapet via Muthialpet towards the Puducherry New Bus Stand must take a diversion at Muthialpet Ezhaimaramman Koil Junction and proceed through Shivaji Statue Kokku Park Rajiv Gandhi Square Indira Gandhi Square and Nellithope before reaching the New Bus StandSimilarly heavy vehicles and light motor vehicles heading towards Bussy Street and Ambour Salai from Muthialpet towards Kalapet and Chennai must take a left turn at Venkata Subbha Reddiyar Statue and move via Maraimalai Adigal Salai Nellithope Indira Gandhi Square Rajiv Gandhi Square Kokku Park and Shivaji Statue to continue towards Kalapet and ChennaiTraffic movement will be prohibited in Kamaraj Salai from Lenin Street Junction to Pattankadai Junction from 12 noon until the completion of the processionFrom 3 pm vehicle entry will also be restricted along Anna Salai until the procession enters JN Street with diversions enforced at Anna45 Feet Road Junction and Odiansalai JunctionNo vehicles will be allowed along the procession route covering JN Street MG Road and SV Patel SalaiThe police have urged commuters to avoid these routes during the specified hours to prevent inconvenience and to cooperate with the authorities to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/traffic-diversions-in-puducherry-tomorrow-for-ganesh-idol-immersion-procession-635244.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 11:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/marathwada-marathas-must-be-declared-kunbis-says-jarange-patil-as-reservation-stalemate-continues--635337.html Mumbai Aug 30 The stalemate over the implementation of the Maratha reservation between activist Manoj Jarange Patil and the Maharashtra government continued on Saturday The talks between JarangePatil and the government delegation comprising Justice Sandeep Shinde failed to arrive at any agreement Justice Shinde told JarangePatil that the state government has given an inprinciple approval to implement the Hyderabad Gazette and the committee will now meet the Cabinet subcommittee to take the discussion further However JarangePatil insisted that the government must declare all Marathas of Marathwada as Kunbis and should be given reservationsHyderabad Gazette is an ordergazette issued by the then Hyderabad Nizamshahi government in 1918 At that time the Maratha community was in the minority in the Hyderabad state and it was noted that they were being neglected in power and jobs Therefore the Nizams government issued an order giving reservations some reservations in educational and job opportunities to the Maratha community under the name Hindu MarathaJarangePatil who has launched an indefinite fast demanding reservation to the Maratha community from the OBC quota said the Justice Shinde committee had already studied gazettes related to the issue for the past 13 months and now it was time for the panel to submit its report to pave the way for Marathas to get Kunbi status He has demanded that Marathas be recognised as Kunbis an agrarian caste included in the OBC category which will make them eligible for reservation in government jobs and educationMarathas in Marathwada must be declared as Kunbis and given the reservation The Hyderabad and Satara gazettes must be made into law for this JarangePatil said After meeting with the governmentappointed delegation comprising Justice Shinde the Konkan Divisional Commissioner and General Administration Department Secretary accompanied by other members of the Shinde Committee JarangePatil refused to withdraw the hunger strikeHe said that the government should have come to the discussion adding that the government is unnecessarily harassing the Shinde Committee pushing them forward We have told them that the Marathas and Kunbis in Marathwada are the same The documents of the Satara and Hyderabad States say the same We have requested that the cases against the protesters who were registered during the agitation for Maratha reservation be withdrawn he said He further demanded that the family members of those who sacrificed their lives in the agitation should be given government jobs and financial assistanceWe have told the government that it has been proven that Marathas and Kunbis in Marathwada and western Maharashtra are one Implement it They are saying that we will call a meeting of the state cabinet We had given 13 months for all this he said The proMaratha activist said that the government should issue a notification that Marathas and Kunbis are one and he will immediately withdraw the agitation Immediately implement the gazetteer of Satara and Hyderabad states we will not give even a minute for it But we will give two months for the gazetteer of Aundh and the Bombay Government he saidResponding to JarangePatils demand Justice Shinde said he wasnt authorised to give such a report It was the job of the backward class commission Shinde said Caste certificate is given to individuals and not the entire community he expressedJarangePatil also criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for deputing retired judge Sandeep Shinde to hold talks with him It is not Justice Shindes job to issue the government resolution declaring Marathas and Kunbis as the same It is an insult to the government Raj Bhavan and the state to send Justice Shinde here he notedThe Justice Shinde committee has been given a mandate to study the records of the former Hyderabad and Bombay states where Marathas are sometimes mentioned as Kunbis Initially appointed for the region of Marathwada its scope was later extended to cover the entire state IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/marathwada-marathas-must-be-declared-kunbis-says-jarange-patil-as-reservation-stalemate-continues--635337.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 18:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/two-years-after-jaranwala-attacks-pakistans-christians-still-await-justice-635190.html Karachi Aug 29 The Christian minority in Pakistan just 16 per cent of the population continues to endure systemic persecution and marginalisation a report cited on Friday Even two years after the deadly Jaranwala attack in Punjab province during which a mob incited by blasphemy allegations destroyed 26 churches and over 80 homes one of the worst antiChristian attack in Pakistans history not a single conviction has been secured writes Dimitra Staikou in news outlet Defence NetChristians seeking justice for the August 16 2023 attacks continue to face intimidation while Pakistans controversial blasphemy laws often weaponised through false accusations remain a tool of oppression the report saidRanked eighth on Open Doors 2025 World Watch List Pakistan remains one of the most difficult places in the world to live as a ChristianDespite the odds some Pakistanis have embraced Christianity but their numbers are dwindling as the country moves toward increasing religious homogenisation The threat to their safety is not abstract it is lived dailyThough executions are rare the mere accusation can provoke deadly mob violenceOn June 4 2025 an antiterrorism court in Faisalabad acquitted 10 individuals accused of torching a church and looting a Christian homeThe plaintiffs lawyer blamed police negligence and similar outcomes are expected in related cases Meanwhile Christian women and girlsespecially those poor or disabled face rising incidents of abduction rape and forced conversion often with impunityAmnesty International reports that of the 5213 suspects arrested in the Jaranwala riots only 380 were detained The rest were releasedA year later 228 were granted bail and 77 acquitted Despite promises of accountability the authorities failure has fostered a climate of impunity said Babu Ram Poudel Amnestys Deputy Regional Director for South AsiaOn August 16 2025 Christians gathered in Jaranwala to protest the lack of justice The Victims Committee condemned the governments inaction and warned of efforts to divide the communityWe are extremely disappointed said coordinator Lala Robin Daniel We call on all Christians to hold peaceful sitins and use social media to demand justiceSamson Salamat president of Rawadari Tehreek criticised both government officials and opportunistic individuals within the Christian communityEven the Punjab minister who calls minorities the jewel in the crown has not visited Jaranwala he lamentedOutside the Lahore Press Club activists Ghazala Shafique and Luke Victor demanded strict punishment for the perpetratorsJaranwala is a reminder of the deeprooted intolerance Christians face they said Michelle Chaudhry president of the Cecil and Iris Chaudhry Foundation emphasized the misuse of blasphemy lawsNo Christian would dare commit blasphemy she said But the failure of institutions to protect citizens has been laid bare We urge the government to deliver justice and fulfill its promises of rehabilitation and supportBlasphemy charges in Pakistan remain a volatile issue While death sentences are rarely executed the accusations themselves often incite violence The situation demands urgent international attentionA multipronged approach is essential reforming blasphemy laws ensuring judicial accountability and launching education campaigns to combat religious prejudice Empowering Christian communities especially women and children through economic and social support alongside international advocacy and grassroots mobilisation is vital for securing their future and dignity in Pakistan IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/two-years-after-jaranwala-attacks-pakistans-christians-still-await-justice-635190.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 23:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-cm-flags-off-grand-procession-during-siddhi-tap-parna-mahotsav-in-bhavnagar--635195.html Bhavnagar Gujarat Aug 29 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Friday flagged off a grand procession Varghoda of ascetics during the collective Parna Mahotsav of Siddhi Tap in Bhavnagar The ceremony was organised at the premises of Shree Bhavnagar Jain Shwetambar Murti Pujak Tapa Sangh in the presence of revered Jain Acharyas under whose blessings the Chaturmas festivities are currently underwayMore than 531 ascetics who had undertaken the rigorous Siddhi Tap concluded their fasting at the event The programme commenced with the chanting of the Navkar Mantra Chief Minister Patel unfurled the official flag and offered his respects to the ascetics before leading the departure of the religious procession from the Jain temple premisesAddressing the gathering the Chief Minister said Today I have been blessed with the opportunity to witness such a large congregation of ascetics In our culture it is believed that merely having a glimpse of ascetics brings spiritual upliftment The more we stay in the presence of saints and monks engaged in penance the greater the benefit we receive He extended his greetings to the devotees and conveyed Michhami Dukkadam to the entire Jain communityJain Acharyas showered blessings upon the Chief Minister while leaders of the Tapa Sangh felicitated him with traditional honoursUnion Minister of State Nimuben Bambhaniya Bhavnagar Mayor Bharat Barad MLAs Jitu Vaghani Sejal Pandya Shivaraj Gohil Standing Committee Chairman Raju Rabadiya Deputy Mayor Mona Parekh and several community leaders including Kumar Shah Digvijaysinh Gohil Kishor Gurmukhani Jayu Shah Manish Kanadia Himanshu Shah Sanjay Thar Piyush Doshi and Ramesh Shah were also present at the occasionThe Jain community in Gujarat though numerically smallestimated at less than 1 per cent of the states populationholds significant social cultural and economic influence Concentrated in cities like Ahmedabad Surat Bhavnagar and Palitana Jains are known for their contributions to trade diamond and textile industries real estate and finance making them one of the wealthiest communities in the stateTheir philanthropy is visible in the form of hospitals schools dharamshalas and the restoration of temples especially in sacred centres like Palitana revered as the worlds only hill entirely dedicated to Jain temples Beyond economics their emphasis on nonviolence vegetarianism and community welfare has shaped Gujarats cultural and dietary identity ensuring their relevance far beyond their numbers IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-cm-flags-off-grand-procession-during-siddhi-tap-parna-mahotsav-in-bhavnagar--635195.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 23:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mixed-reactions-sparked-by-rss-chiefs-statement-on-hindu-muslims-635060.html New Delhi Aug 29 RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwats recent remarks on Islam and religious harmony have triggered sharp and contrasting responses from political and community leaders While some have hailed his words as a progressive shift others have questioned the motive behind the timing calling it a narrative being pushed for political gainAndhra Pradesh Congress Vice President V Gurunadham reacting sharply said Now all of a sudden Mohan Bhagwat RSS chief of India is telling us that Muslims are also part of India and those who are not interested in Muslims are not Hindus This is nothing but a strategy between RSS and BJP On one side BJP leaders like PM Modi and Amit Shah are creating hatred between Hindus and Muslims and on the other side this narrative is being pushed for political gainOn the other hand Pyare Khan Chairman of the Maharashtra Minority Commission welcomed the RSS chiefs statement and praised its timingMohan Bhagwat ji has said something that builds the nation His remarks send a strong message to those who try to divide the country At a time when Muslims are celebrating the 1500th birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad this is a historic and powerful gesture he saidHe added Those who regularly make divisive statements about Muslims must learn from Bhagwat ji Only by including everyone can the nation move forwardWhile addressing a gathering on the third day of the centenary celebrations of RSS in Delhi on Thursday Bhagwat stated The RSS doesnt believe in attacking anyone including on religious lines Hindus are insecure due to a lack of confidence Those who think Islam will not remain are not guided by Hindu thought Hindu philosophy does not think this way No Hindu thinks there will be no Islam We are one nation firstHe also added that those who oppose the presence of Muslims in India are not following Hindu values a line that has since drawn widespread attention IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mixed-reactions-sparked-by-rss-chiefs-statement-on-hindu-muslims-635060.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 15:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/milad-un-nabi-procession-in-hyderabad-postponed-to-sep-14-635120.html Hyderabad Aug 29 The organisers of the MiladunNabi procession in Hyderabad have decided to defer it to September 14 in view of the Ganesh festivities Like last year the Markazi Milad Juloos Committee has come forward to postpone the processionMiladunNabi the birthday of Prophet Muhammad is scheduled to be celebrated on September 5 while the 11day Ganesh festivities conclude on September 6 with the immersion processionAIMIM President and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi party leader in Telangana Assembly Akbaruddin Owaisi along with Milad Juloos Committee leaders met Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on FridayAccording to the Chief Ministers Office they requested him to arrange illumination of historic mosques and dargahs and ensure free electricity supply on the occasion of MiladThe committee members also sought permission to organise processions across the state on September 14Milad and Ganesh festivities had also coincided last year On a request by the Chief Minister the Milad Committee had postponed the processionThe Committee had requested the Chief Minister to permit them to organise yearlong celebrations of the Prophets 1500th birthday in 2025 and he had said that the government would give permissions as per the rulesEvery year the Committee takes out a procession in the old city of Hyderabad to mark MiladFor the second year in a row Milad is coinciding with the Ganesh festivities The 11day Ganesh festival began on August 27Idols installed across the city are immersed in lakes in and around the city on different dates However the majority of the idols are immersed on the final day with a massive processionPolice have already made elaborate security arrangements for the festival About 30000 policemen will be deployed to maintain peace and ensure the smooth conduct of the immersion procession on September 7 IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/milad-un-nabi-procession-in-hyderabad-postponed-to-sep-14-635120.html Fri, 29 Aug 2025 17:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/two-minor-students-shot-dead-at-catholic-school-in-us-minneapolis-634661.html Washington Aug 27 At least two minor students were killed and 17 others injured as a gunman opened fire at morning Mass in a Catholic school in Minneapolis city of the US state of Minnesota on Monday reports said The gunman was said to have shot himself dead subsequently the BBC reported citing the Minneapolis policeThe attack happened at Annunciation Catholic School Police Chief Brian OHara said calling it a deliberate act of violence against children and worshippersThe deceased children were aged eight and 10According to the police the gunman who is yet to be identified was armed with a rifle shotgun and pistol and shot through the church windows and then turned a gun on himselfThe number of injured was pegged at 17 of which 14 were childrenThe BBC quoted Thomas Wyatt Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Hennepin Healthcare as saying seven critical patients were brought in and four needed surgery The patients were aged between six and 14 years old he addedEarlier police said two children were in critical conditionWyatt said that he could not give any individual patient information but at the moment theyre all aliveNoncritical patients were taken to other hospitals he said adding that he has no information on those victimsPolice chief OHara said the gunman ultimately took his own lifeOur hearts are broken for the families who have lost their children for the young lives fighting to recover and for the entire community that has been so deeply traumatised by this senseless attack he told the mediaMinneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said that there are no words that can capture the horror noting it was the first week of school they were in a churchMinnesota Governor Tim Walz said that he was briefed on the shootingThe BCA and State Patrol are on scene Im praying for our kids and teachers whose first week of school was marred by this horrific act of violence he said in a post on XPresident Donald Trump took to Truth Social to say hes been fully briefed on the Minneapolis shooting incidentThe FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene he wroteThe White House will continue to monitor this terrible situationPlease join me in praying for everyone involved he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/two-minor-students-shot-dead-at-catholic-school-in-us-minneapolis-634661.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/radicalisation-in-sri-lanka-a-brewing-storm-with-implications-for-india-634646.html New Delhi Aug 27 On April 21 2019 in Sri Lanka a series of bombs went off at four hotels and three Churches in which 269 people were killed The bombings were carried out by terrorists inspired by the ideology of the Islamic State The bombings showed how deeply radicalised a section of the society in Sri Lanka is Further any such activity in Sri Lanka has a direct bearing on India Investigations found that the bombings referred to as Easter Bombings were masterminded by Bahrain HashimWhen the police investigated the Coimbatore blasts case it was found that Hashim was in touch with those involved in the incident He had even visited Tamil Nadu several times and did long stints where he carried out radicalisation missionsRadicalisation and terrorism are not new in Sri Lanka When AlQaeda carried out the 911 attacks the Salafi Wahhabi Muslims in Sri Lanka rejoiced at the fall of the Twin Towers and the deaths of people The same people celebrated when the Buddha statues of Bamiyan were destroyed by the Taliban in AfghanistanAfter the Islamic State was announced by Abu Bakr alBaghdadi 42 Sri Lankans left for Syria and Iraq to join the outfit The leader of the JamaateIslamis student wing Sadiq Abdul Haq had also travelled to Syria where he received trainingUpon his return he teamed up with Hashim and vandalised images of Buddha Mother Mary and GaneshNow a new worry has emerged in Sri Lanka and this is not just a headache for the island nation but for India as well Protests have broken out against Israel and in support of HamasSince the events of October 9 2023 there have been over 20 proPalestinian protests People have come out with placards reading Stop the Genocide and Stop Israel TerrorismMany of these protests have been organised by the Dawatagaha Jumma Masjid Colombo There have been marches in solidarity with the people of Palestine In many parts of the world there have been calls to kill proIsraelis and the authorities worry that this could spill over into the streets of Sri Lanka as wellSuch protests and calls are usually spearheaded by the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas The movements organised have managed to radicalise a lot of people against Israel The worry is that the channels that Hamas has opened up worldwide through which it radicalises people The bigger worry is that Hamas does not expect peaceful protests It seeks blood and there could be many who may get carried away and carry out violenceGiven the history in Sri Lanka and a section of people that can get easily swayed the current situation is worrisomeThe authorities in India too have plenty to worry about owing to this situation The National Investigation Agency in a response to a court in Ernakulam had said that the accused in the Coimbatore blast were in touch with Hashim It was also found that Hashim had visited India in 2017 and had radicalised a large number of youth especially in Tamil Nadu Hashim was also instrumental in radicalising the youth into launching attacks against Hindu leaders in South IndiaGiven this history between modules in South India and Sri Lanka the situation in the island nation is being closely monitored India would not want a spillover from its neighbouring country onto its soil IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/radicalisation-in-sri-lanka-a-brewing-storm-with-implications-for-india-634646.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 21:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/tn-vinayaga-chaturthi-celebrated-with-devotion-and-festivity-634650.html Chennai Aug 27 Thousands of devotees across Tamil Nadu thronged temples and homes on Wednesday to celebrate Vinayaga Chaturthi with fervour and devotion The festival dedicated to Lord Vinayaga revered as the remover of obstacles and the harbinger of wisdom and prosperity saw prayers rituals and cultural activities taking place throughout the stateClay idols of the deity were installed in homes and at prominent public spots in Chennai and other citiesDevotees offered kozhukattai the traditional sweet dumpling made with jaggery and coconut as a symbolic offering to the Lord In several localities resident welfare associations and Hindu organisations erected giant elaborately decorated idols that became focal points of community gatherings and celebrationsThe festivities also carried a vibrant social dimension with music devotional songs and cultural performances adding colour to the occasionPolice and civic authorities had made elaborate arrangements to ensure security and the smooth conduct of events Thousands of personnel were deployed at key points and CCTV surveillance was stepped up in areas where large idols were installedThe celebrations will continue through the week culminating with the immersion of idols in the Bay of Bengal and other water bodiesAuthorities have appealed to the public to cooperate with safety measures and adhere to ecofriendly practices during the immersion process Leaders across the political spectrum extended their greetings on the occasionTamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi accompanied by his wife Laxmi and family members offered prayers at the Arulmigu Sri Varasithi Vinayagar Temple in ChennaiConveying his wishes the Governor said that Lord Vinayagas blessings would guide society through challenges and inspire love harmony and progressAIADMK general secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami greeted the people and expressed hopes that the festival would bring peace health and prosperity to allUnion Minister of State L Murugan took to social media to extend his wishes praying for joy and prosperity on this auspicious day Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalais successor Nainar Nagenthiran also conveyed festive greetings to devoteesAs the chants of Ganapathi Bappa Morya echoed across towns and villages Vinayaga Chaturthi once again reinforced its role as a festival of faith community spirit and cultural pride in Tamil Nadu IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/tn-vinayaga-chaturthi-celebrated-with-devotion-and-festivity-634650.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 22:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ganesh-chaturthi-celebrated-with-devotion-at-union-minister-nitin-gadkaris-residence-634651.html Nagpur Aug 27 Ganesh Chaturthi the auspicious festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha is being celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm across India Maintaining the same spirit Union Minister Nitin Gadkari welcomed Lord Ganesha into his Nagpur residence with traditional rituals and heartfelt devotion The festive atmosphere at the residence of the Union minister reflected the deep cultural and spiritual essence of the occasion Accompanied by his family members Nitin Gadkari performed the Ganesh Sthapana Bhajans were also sung by the members of the family with full religious fervour and enthusiasm The residence resonated with the chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya This created a spiritually uplifting ambience The minister along with other members of the family performed aarti of Lord GaneshaEvery year Nitin Gadkari celebrates Ganesh Utsav at his residence with grandeur and faith upholding a tradition that brings together devotion and culture The minister personally takes part in the prayers and aarti showing his reverence and belief in the teachings of Lord GaneshaFollowing the rituals Nitin Gadkari shared his thoughts on the significance of the festival He said Lord Ganesha is the deity of wisdom and knowledge In the times ahead knowledge will hold the greatest value in the world May Lord Ganesha bless us all with wisdom so that we can excel in the fields of science technology and knowledge It is through this path that our country can truly become selfreliantThere is no doubt that the Ministers views on this occasion reflected his vision for a knowledgeable and empowered India guided by the blessings of Lord Ganesha The celebration at his home served not just as a religious observance but also as a reminder of the values of intellect innovation and independence that Lord Ganesha symbolisesThe festival continues for several days and like every year devotees across the country seek the blessings of the Vighnaharta remover of obstacles with faith devotion and a hope for a prosperous future IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ganesh-chaturthi-celebrated-with-devotion-at-union-minister-nitin-gadkaris-residence-634651.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 22:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/chennai-police-permit-installation-of-1-519-vinayagar-idols-issue-guidelines-634469.html Chennai Aug 27 The Greater Chennai Police have granted permission for the installation of 1519 Vinayagar idols across the city for the Vinayaga Chaturthi celebrations on Friday A massive security arrangement has been put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the festivities and prevent any untoward incidentsPolice officials said that more than 16500 personnel supported by thousands of home guards will be deployed across the city Patrol vehicles will make frequent rounds near the idol installations and beat constables will be on alert throughout the dayOrganisers have been directed to appoint at least two volunteers at each site on a roundtheclock basis in addition to installing CCTV cameras to keep the area under surveillanceSenior officials including Additional Commissioners N Kannan South Pravesh Kumar North and G Karthikeyan Traffic held a meeting earlier this week with representatives of Hindu organisationsDuring the meeting the police laid out clear rules for the installation and immersion of idolsAmong the requirements organisers must secure permission from landowners and local civic authorities as well as obtain No Objection Certificates NOCs from the Fire Department and Tangedco Applications have to be submitted at the local police stations along with a written undertaking to abide by the conditionsThe authorities have fixed the maximum height of idols at 10 feet They also barred the installation of idols in sensitive areas such as near schools hospitals and places of worship to avoid disruptionUse of slogans or banners that could potentially incite communal tension has been strictly prohibitedIn a statement the police warned of severe action against those who flout the guidelines or attempt to cause public disturbance under the guise of celebrationWe are committed to ensuring that the festivities are held peacefully and public safety will remain our top priority a senior officer saidWith elaborate security measures close coordination with civic agencies and strict compliance requirements the police have urged organisers and the public to extend full cooperation so that the Vinayaga Chaturthi celebrations can be observed in a safe and harmonious manner IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/chennai-police-permit-installation-of-1-519-vinayagar-idols-issue-guidelines-634469.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 08:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ganesh-chaturthi-massive-crowd-at-lalbaugcha-raja-devotees-say-feels-like-heaven-634484.html New DelhiMumbai Aug 27 Ganesh Chaturthi the auspicious festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha was marked with great devotion and enthusiasm across India on Wednesday From Mumbai to Jaipur and Tamil Nadu devotees turned out in large numbers to offer prayers and seek blessingsIn Mumbai massive crowd gathered at the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple where aarti was performed amid chants of Ganpati Bappa MoryaThe temple witnessed an overwhelming turnout from early morning with devotees braving the crowd to catch a glimpse of the idolAt Lalbaugcha Raja one of the most revered Ganesh pandals in Mumbai the atmosphere was charged with faith and emotionDevotees from across the country arrived for darshan One devotee shared It feels like we have come to heaven This experience cannot be expressed in wordsAnother devotee added I have been in line since morning I visit every year to seek darshanIn Jaipur Rajasthan the Moti Dungri Ganesh Ji Temple saw an ocean of devotees pouring in since early hours The temple echoed with chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya as people came to offer prayers and celebrate the occasion with their families Security arrangements were tight to manage the crowdAdditional CP Rameshwar Singh informed Fourteen Additional DCPs have been deployed Around 800 head constables and constables have been assigned duties in three shifts with continuous rotation The arrangements are fully in placeThe temple premises were also fortified with multiple security checkpoints and barricades to ensure the smooth movement of devoteesMeanwhile in Tamil Nadu a unique celebration marked the festival where a massive 73kg laddu was prepared as an offering to Lord Vinayagar and placed at a local sweet shop drawing a large crowd eager to witness the spectacleThe celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi this year reflected a perfect blend of devotion tradition and community spirit as millions across the nation came together to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha the remover of obstacles IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ganesh-chaturthi-massive-crowd-at-lalbaugcha-raja-devotees-say-feels-like-heaven-634484.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 10:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/shivakumar-defends-chamundi-hills-not-exclusive-to-hindus-remark-says-bjp-creating-row-634517.html Bengaluru Aug 27 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president DK Shivakumar on Wednesday defended his controversial remark that Chamundi Hills is not the property of Hindus saying that creating a row over such issues was part of the BJPs ideology In a statement on X Shivakumar said Dusshera is our state festival and Chamundeshwari is our state deity She is the presiding deity of our land Those who worship her believe in her and respect her and is worshipped by people across all castes and religions Her darshan is the right of everyone The Mother belongs to all devotees and all children of this land she is not confined to any one group If someone worships her no one can say they are unwelcome This is the essence of my statement Creating controversy is the BJPs ideologyChamundi Hills is open to all faiths and communities Everyone goes there prays to the Goddess People from across the country and abroad come to witness the Dusshera our state festival Even our royal family descendants have given their approval and borne witness to it Dusshera belongs to people of every religion Shivakumar saidHe further underlined that religion should not be turned into politics even the Mother herself would not approve of thatResponding to criticism by the BJP leaders over Booker award winner Banu Mushtaq inaugurating Dusshera Shivakumar had on Tuesday said that Chamundi Hills is open to people of all religions People from every community visit Chamundi Hills and offer prayers to the Goddess It is not the property of Hindus aloneDusshera is inaugurated traditionally by offering floral tributes and conducting worship of goddess Chamundeshwari atop Chamundi HillsSlamming Shivakumar for his statement BJP State President and MLA BY Vijayendra had stated Mr Shivakumar do not try to use Chamundi Hills and the traditional Dusshera festival as an escape from the troubles you are facing within your own party You who once boasted of being a rock Shivakumar is known as bande meaning rock in state political corridors have already turned soft like clay If you provoke Mother Chamundi you will be reduced to ashes politically bewareIn every contest you and your Congress colleagues have been supporting insults to the Hindu religion and spreading falsehoods about Hindu religious centres Now you are attempting to defile the Hindu tradition of the Vijayadashami festival The time is not far when Mahishasuramardini the slayer of Mahishasura another name for goddess Chamundi will crush you Mother Chamundi belongs to her faithful devotees If you dare to meddle with her calamity awaits you Vijayendra warnedYaduveer Wadiyar BJP MP from Mysuru and royal scion stated Shivakumar has stated that Chamundi Hills is not the property of Hindus It is a shocking and ridiculous statement At a time when people are celebrating the Gowri and Ganesha festivals this statement intends to hurt Hindus Yes entry is open to all but that does not mean you impose secular values on temples IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/shivakumar-defends-chamundi-hills-not-exclusive-to-hindus-remark-says-bjp-creating-row-634517.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 12:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ambaji-maha-mela-from-sept-mounted-patrols-cctv-and-she-teams-for-devotee-safety-634542.html Ambaji Gujarat Aug 27 Preparations are on for the Bhadarvi Poonam Maha Mela 2025 scheduled to be held from September 1 to 7 at Ambaji one of the most revered centres of devotion and faith in Gujarat District officials and temple authorities shared details of the extensive arrangements being made to ensure a safe and memorable experience for lakhs of devotees expected to attend This year the mela will feature several special attractions and upgraded facilitiesThe administration has formed 29 districtlevel committees to oversee various aspects of the fairTo maintain cleanliness 1500 sanitation workers will be deployed in roundtheclock shifts with District Development Officers specially appointed to supervise the campaignArrangements cover every aspect of the pilgrimage including darshan management food stalls rest facilities parking security offering distribution footwear stands drinking water toilets and cleanlinessSuperintendent of Police Prashant Sumbe highlighted that security will be managed through a threetier system with 5000 police personnel deployed in two shiftsThe police will function not as a force but as a facilitator to ensure smooth darshan and peaceful movement of pilgrims he saidSecurity measures include mounted police patrols in hilly terrain specialised womens She Team units and continuous monitoring through CCTV networksAdding to the devotional fervour cultural attractions have also been plannedA twoday drone show will illuminate the skies above Ambaji while the temple complex will be adorned with decorative lighting and a public announcement systemThe temple administrator confirmed that four restaurants will remain open throughout the seven days to serve devotees in addition to the food stalls and prasad counters With its combination of spiritual significance strict security and modern attractions officials expressed confidence that Maha Mela 2025 will be one of the most memorable gatherings in recent years blending devotion with discipline and celebrationThe Ambaji Maha Mela held every year during Bhadarvi Purnima at the revered Ambaji temple in Gujarat is one of the most significant religious gatherings in western India Attracting lakhs of devotees from Gujarat Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh the fair is not only a symbol of deeprooted faith in Goddess Amba but also a celebration of culture music and traditionPilgrims walk for days to reach the temple showcasing the spirit of devotion and unity while the fair itself boosts local economy tourism and traditional craftsBeyond its religious importance the Ambaji Maha Mela represents a blend of spirituality heritage and community bonding IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ambaji-maha-mela-from-sept-mounted-patrols-cctv-and-she-teams-for-devotee-safety-634542.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/religious-fervour-marks-ganesh-chaturthi-across-karnataka-security-tight-in-sensitive-areas-634546.html Bengaluru Aug 27 Ganesh Chaturthi festival is being celebrated across Karnataka with great fervour From major cities to villages including the IT capital Bengaluru a festive mood is prevailing Devotees are queuing up before Ganesh temples across the state and historical temples are witnessing unusual rush since early Wednesday morning Ganesh Chaturthi is being marked with grandeur in Karnataka especially in Bengaluru Mysuru HubballiDharwad Mangaluru Udupi Kalaburagi and Shivamogga with both household celebrations and large community pandalsHomes have been decorated with mango leaves and flowers and families are performing special pujas Farmers and vendors selling banana plants plantain leaves and flowers are witnessing brisk businessSpecial pujas are being performed from early morning at the historic Dodda Ganesha Temple in Basavanagudi Bengaluru where hundreds of devotees are arriving for darshanThe Idagunji Maha Ganapathi Temple in Karwar and the Panchamukhi Ganapati Temple in Karkala Udupi district are also drawing heavy footfallIdols range from small clay figures in homes to massive ones in public pandals often adorned with flowers lights and elaborate decorations In the coastal districts of Udupi and Mangaluru Yakshagana performances and tableaux are adding a cultural flavour to the festivitiesThe Bengaluru civic agency has arranged immersion facilities at 41 lakes and water bodies along with 489 temporary mobile ponds across the city as many devotees immerse the idols on the same dayCivic bodies across the state are promoting the use of ecofriendly clay idols to prevent pollution caused by Plaster of Paris PoP idolsIn Hubballi arrangements have been made to install a Ganesha idol at Rani Chennamma Idgah MaidanHubballiDharwad Police Commissioner N Shashikumar stated that tight security measures are in place with more than 2000 police personnel deployed in the twin cities to ensure law and orderCCTVs have been installed at several locations in Hubballi and Dharwad People should celebrate Ganesha and Eid Milad festivals with devotion Strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to disturb peace he warnedTight security arrangements are also in place across coastal Karnataka particularly in the communallysensitive districts of Mangaluru and Udupi IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/religious-fervour-marks-ganesh-chaturthi-across-karnataka-security-tight-in-sensitive-areas-634546.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/10th-century-headless-buddha-idol-unearthed-in-tamil-nadus-pudukkottai-634550.html Chennai Aug 27 A headless Buddha idol dating back to the 10th century has been discovered on the banks of an irrigation tank at Avudaiyarkovil in Tamil Nadus Pudukkottai district The rare find was made on Tuesday by members of the Pudukkottai Archaeological Research Forum during a field surveyAccording to A Manikandan Founder of the Forum and researcher at the Department of Ancient Science Tamil University Thanjavur the discovery was part of a longrunning project to document historical monuments in Pudukkottai under the guidance of Forum President Karu RajendranThe idol was located at the Periya Kanmai irrigation tank on the mound of the Perumadai canal in AvudaiyarkovilCarved from black stone the sculpture was referred to by residents as Thalai Illa Saami headless deityVillagers believe that the idol has powers to bring rain when a clay head is placed on it during times of droughtManikandan explained that based on stylistic features the idol can be traced to the 10th centuryThe sculpture measures 48 centimetres in height and 38 centimetres in width It depicts the Buddha with a robe draped over the right shoulder and a cloth around the waistDistinct features include a broad chest wide shoulders three folds on the neck trivali and the right hand raised above the left palm in a traditional gestureResidents informed the researchers that the missing head was once seen in a nearby canal but it has not been recovered The team plans to continue explorations in the area to trace itHistorical references link Avudaiyarkovil and its surroundings to a flourishing Buddhist presence during the Chola periodAncient literature records that Buddhist scholar Buddhamitra who composed the grammar text Vīra Chozhiyam during the reign of Chola king Vira Rajendra hailed from Ponpathi ancient Ponpatri near AvudaiyarkovilRemains of a moat and fortlike structure associated with him can still be seen todayManikandan said the discovery adds to the growing evidence of Pudukkottais Buddhist heritage and underlines the need for further archaeological exploration in the region IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/10th-century-headless-buddha-idol-unearthed-in-tamil-nadus-pudukkottai-634550.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 14:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mumbai-lalbaug-sarvajanik-utsav-mandal-draws-inspiration-from-rameswaram-mythology-for-ganesh-chaturthi-idol-pandal-634566.html Mumbai Aug 27 The iconic Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal continues to uphold its 98yearold tradition with this years spectacular Ganesh idol inspired by the mythological story of Rameswaram Revered as the king of Ganesh Galli and affectionately known as the king of Mumbai the 22foottall idol captivates devotees with its unique theme drawn from the ancient Tamil legend Siddesh Korgaonkar Vice President of the Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal told IANS This years idol is inspired by the story where Lord Hanuman carries the body of Lord Shiva from Rameswaram The intricate design reflects a glimpse of Rameswarams sacred aura blending mythology with artistryThe idols grandeur continues the legacy of one of Mumbais oldest Ganesh idols symbolising faith culture and the citys rich heritage The theme resonates deeply with devotees connecting them to stories that transcend time and geographyGiven the expected massive turnout stringent security measures have been put in place Mumbai Police alongside private security personnel are vigilantly managing the crowd The entire pandal is monitored through CCTV cameras to ensure a peaceful and safe darshan experience for all visitorsGanesh Chaturthi also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the most celebrated festivals in India In 2025 this auspicious occasion falls on August 27 Traditionally the festival marks the birth of Lord Ganeshathe deity of wisdom knowledge and prosperity For the next generation of students Ganesh Chaturthi is more than just a religious celebration it is an opportunity to learn grow and embrace values that shape character and intellectGanesh Chaturthis importance lies in celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha the remover of obstacles god of wisdom and patron of new beginnings It fosters spiritual devotion family bonds and community unity historically serving as a platform to unite people during the Indian freedom movementThe festival emphasises spiritual growth prosperity and wisdom while also promoting environmental awareness now through ecofriendly practices like the use of clay idols instead of the Plaster of Paris ones used earlierGanesh Chaturthi one of Indias most vibrant and cherished festivals is dedicated to Lord Ganesha the elephantheaded deity revered as the god of wisdom prosperity and good fortune and the remover of obstacles IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mumbai-lalbaug-sarvajanik-utsav-mandal-draws-inspiration-from-rameswaram-mythology-for-ganesh-chaturthi-idol-pandal-634566.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mumbai-lalbaug-sarvajanik-utsav-mandal-draws-inspiration-from-rameswaram-mythology-for-ganesh-chaturthi-idol-pandal-634567.html Mumbai Aug 27 The iconic Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal continues to uphold its 98yearold tradition with this years spectacular Ganesh idol inspired by the mythological story of Rameswaram Revered as the king of Ganesh Galli and affectionately known as the king of Mumbai the 22foottall idol captivates devotees with its unique theme drawn from the ancient Tamil legend Siddesh Korgaonkar Vice President of the Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal told IANS This years idol is inspired by the story where Lord Hanuman carries the body of Lord Shiva from Rameswaram The intricate design reflects a glimpse of Rameswarams sacred aura blending mythology with artistryThe idols grandeur continues the legacy of one of Mumbais oldest Ganesh idols symbolising faith culture and the citys rich heritage The theme resonates deeply with devotees connecting them to stories that transcend time and geographyGiven the expected massive turnout stringent security measures have been put in place Mumbai Police alongside private security personnel are vigilantly managing the crowd The entire pandal is monitored through CCTV cameras to ensure a peaceful and safe darshan experience for all visitorsGanesh Chaturthi also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the most celebrated festivals in India In 2025 this auspicious occasion falls on August 27 Traditionally the festival marks the birth of Lord Ganeshathe deity of wisdom knowledge and prosperity For the next generation of students Ganesh Chaturthi is more than just a religious celebration it is an opportunity to learn grow and embrace values that shape character and intellectGanesh Chaturthis importance lies in celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha the remover of obstacles god of wisdom and patron of new beginnings It fosters spiritual devotion family bonds and community unity historically serving as a platform to unite people during the Indian freedom movementThe festival emphasises spiritual growth prosperity and wisdom while also promoting environmental awareness now through ecofriendly practices like the use of clay idols instead of the Plaster of Paris ones used earlierGanesh Chaturthi one of Indias most vibrant and cherished festivals is dedicated to Lord Ganesha the elephantheaded deity revered as the god of wisdom prosperity and good fortune and the remover of obstacles IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mumbai-lalbaug-sarvajanik-utsav-mandal-draws-inspiration-from-rameswaram-mythology-for-ganesh-chaturthi-idol-pandal-634567.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mumbai-artisans-craft-lalbaug-ke-raja-in-varanasi-create-magnificent-sheesh-mahal-pandal-634604.html Varanasi Aug 27 As Ganesh Chaturthi festivities sweep across the nation the holy city of Varanasi has added its own grandeur to the celebrations In the Bulanala area the Shri Kashi Maratha Ganesh Utsav Samiti has installed a majestic Ganesha idol bringing a slice of Mumbais iconic celebration to the ghats of Kashi This year the pandal has been designed as a magnificent sheesh mahal while the idol itself has been styled after the legendary Lalbaug Ke Raja of Mumbai What makes the occasion truly special is that the idol was crafted by artisans from Mumbai giving devotees in Varanasi the rare opportunity to witness the grandeur of Lalbaug Ke Raja without leaving their cityThe excitement among devotees is palpable Pandals and temples across Varanasi have been decked up with elaborate decorations devotional rituals and cultural programmes marking the celebrationOn the inaugural day devotees gathered in large numbers to offer prayers while the Samiti announced a series of cultural events to be held during the festivalNidhi Yadav a devotee added Today we are here to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi This is the only temple in Varanasi where both Riddhi and Siddhi are present together It feels divineAnother devotee Bhagwati Roy shared her excitement I feel truly blessed to be here The idol has been beautifully decorated and we expect huge crowds in the coming daysFor many the darshan itself is believed to bring prosperityIf you see the Ganesh idol only good will happen to you said Ashok ModanwalEven financial troubles are believed to end with Lord Ganeshas blessingsGanesh Chaturthi also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha revered as the god of wisdom knowledge prosperity and the remover of obstaclesTraditionally lasting ten days the festival is considered an auspicious period in Hindu astrology for worship and new beginnings Some traditions also believe the ten days represent ten forms of Lord Ganesha each symbolising distinct aspects of lifeThe festivities will conclude with Ganesh Visarjan on September 6 when devotees will carry idols in grand processions through the streets dancing and chanting Ganpati Bappa Morya before immersing them in the waters of the GangaGanesh Chaturthi celebrations were first popularised during the Maratha Empire by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who sought to promote devotion cultural unity and social harmony Today centuries later the festival continues to unite communities in faith joy and tradition IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mumbai-artisans-craft-lalbaug-ke-raja-in-varanasi-create-magnificent-sheesh-mahal-pandal-634604.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 18:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/chamundi-hills-govt-property-open-to-all-karnataka-dy-cm-shivakumar-doubles-down-on-not-exclusive-to-hindus-stand-634621.html Bengaluru Aug 27 Standing firm on his statement that Chamundi Hills is not exclusive to Hindus Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said that it was the governments property not private and was open to all Addressing reporters here Shivakumar said Many Christians and Muslims visit the Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hills and offer prayers I myself have gone to mosques churches and gurdwaras and prayed People from across the world visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar to pray This is Indian culture and ultimately this is the ConstitutionChamundi Hills is a government temple not private property and it is open to all Hinduism is my religion and I follow it staunchly But I also respect all religions I believe in humanity he saidHis onslaught came amid criticism by the BJP leaders over Booker award winner Banu Mushtaq being invited to inaugurate the historical Dusshera celebrations Shivakumar had then retorted that Chamundi Hill is open to people of all religions and that people from every community visit Chamundi Hill and offer prayers to the Goddess and it is not the property of Hindus aloneDusshera is inaugurated traditionally by offering floral tributes and conducting worship of goddess Chamundeshwari atop Chamundi HillsResponding to a question Shivakumar stated The royal family and our government together have called Goddess Chamundi Nada Devate the state deity From the beginning neither in the Hindu religion nor in the royal family has there been any rule that only Hindus should come to this temple Our Chamundeshwari deity blesses everyone Can we say only Hindus can enter and ban othersSome communities adopted Buddhism dont you want them to come Many became Christians and some became Muslims No matter their background this is about celebration We call Goddess Chamundeshwari the deity of the state People come from foreign countries too In the past kings invited foreign guests to Chamundi Hills and they also offered prayers hereAuthor Nisar Ahmad had also inaugurated the Dasara festival How can anyone say certain individuals shouldnt be allowed to reach Chamundi Hills Dasara is a cultural celebration with religious customs For water sun and god there is no discrimination Wont they allow us into churches mosques or Jain temples he askedThere is entry for everyone Are they saying no one should enter their places of worship Can we say that Chamundi Hills is government property not private property Shivakumar who is also the state Congress chief saidAbout criticism by royal scion and Mysuru BJP MP Yaduveer Wadiyar Shivakumar remarked that he had joined the BJP and forgotten history I am a Hindu Along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah I offered special prayers to Goddess Chamundeshwari and gave her a gift of Rs 2000 seeking blessings for the government to provide Rs 2000 assistance to every woman head of household in the state under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme The Goddess blessed us he saidAre we giving money only to one religion We are giving it to Parsis Sikhs Muslims everyone Our national flag and state flag cannot be branded based on caste creed or colour People from the Beary community speak better Kannada than us Can we prohibit them because they are Muslims he questionedYaduveers ancestors always invited every section of society Dasara prayers are offered by everyone and all participate The idol blesses all communities and she destroys all evil forces That is history he saidEveryone should have the opportunity prayer does not belong to any one of us Tell me in which Hindu temple are people of other religions not allowed Which church or gurdwara prohibits entry Shivakumar askedAttacking the BJP he asked How is this an attack on Hindus The way we follow Hindu rituals and religion will others be able to change itWhatever you do this is the BJPs political agenda to create controversy Why didnt the BJP shut down the Minority Department Why are they granting funds We have accepted their presence in the state and country Can we chase them out We cant do that The JDS is always fake I dont care about these leaders he saidHe further remarked that the BJPs proposed Dharmasthala Chalo Yatra in the first week of September is a political yatra and accused the party of spoiling the sanctity of the shrine IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/chamundi-hills-govt-property-open-to-all-karnataka-dy-cm-shivakumar-doubles-down-on-not-exclusive-to-hindus-stand-634621.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 19:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/govt-property-open-to-all-karnataka-dy-cm-shivakumar-doubles-down-on-chamundi-hills-non-exclusivity-stand-634623.html Bengaluru Aug 27 Standing firm on his statement that Chamundi Hills is not exclusive to Hindus Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said that it was the governments property not private and was open to all Addressing reporters here Shivakumar said Many Christians and Muslims visit the Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hills and offer prayers I myself have gone to mosques churches and gurdwaras and prayed People from across the world visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar to pray This is Indian culture and ultimately this is the ConstitutionChamundi Hills is a government temple not private property and it is open to all Hinduism is my religion and I follow it staunchly But I also respect all religions I believe in humanity he saidHis onslaught came amid criticism by the BJP leaders over Booker award winner Banu Mushtaq being invited to inaugurate the historical Dusshera celebrations Shivakumar had then retorted that Chamundi Hill is open to people of all religions and that people from every community visit Chamundi Hill and offer prayers to the Goddess and it is not the property of Hindus aloneDusshera is inaugurated traditionally by offering floral tributes and conducting worship of goddess Chamundeshwari atop Chamundi HillsResponding to a question Shivakumar stated The royal family and our government together have called Goddess Chamundi Nada Devate the state deity From the beginning neither in the Hindu religion nor in the royal family has there been any rule that only Hindus should come to this temple Our Chamundeshwari deity blesses everyone Can we say only Hindus can enter and ban othersSome communities adopted Buddhism dont you want them to come Many became Christians and some became Muslims No matter their background this is about celebration We call Goddess Chamundeshwari the deity of the state People come from foreign countries too In the past kings invited foreign guests to Chamundi Hills and they also offered prayers hereAuthor Nisar Ahmad had also inaugurated the Dasara festival How can anyone say certain individuals shouldnt be allowed to reach Chamundi Hills Dasara is a cultural celebration with religious customs For water sun and god there is no discrimination Wont they allow us into churches mosques or Jain temples he askedThere is entry for everyone Are they saying no one should enter their places of worship Can we say that Chamundi Hills is government property not private property Shivakumar who is also the state Congress chief saidAbout criticism by royal scion and Mysuru BJP MP Yaduveer Wadiyar Shivakumar remarked that he had joined the BJP and forgotten history I am a Hindu Along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah I offered special prayers to Goddess Chamundeshwari and gave her a gift of Rs 2000 seeking blessings for the government to provide Rs 2000 assistance to every woman head of household in the state under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme The Goddess blessed us he saidAre we giving money only to one religion We are giving it to Parsis Sikhs Muslims everyone Our national flag and state flag cannot be branded based on caste creed or colour People from the Beary community speak better Kannada than us Can we prohibit them because they are Muslims he questionedYaduveers ancestors always invited every section of society Dasara prayers are offered by everyone and all participate The idol blesses all communities and she destroys all evil forces That is history he saidEveryone should have the opportunity prayer does not belong to any one of us Tell me in which Hindu temple are people of other religions not allowed Which church or gurdwara prohibits entry Shivakumar askedAttacking the BJP he asked How is this an attack on Hindus The way we follow Hindu rituals and religion will others be able to change itWhatever you do this is the BJPs political agenda to create controversy Why didnt the BJP shut down the Minority Department Why are they granting funds We have accepted their presence in the state and country Can we chase them out We cant do that The JDS is always fake I dont care about these leaders he saidHe further remarked that the BJPs proposed Dharmasthala Chalo Yatra in the first week of September is a political yatra and accused the party of spoiling the sanctity of the shrine IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/govt-property-open-to-all-karnataka-dy-cm-shivakumar-doubles-down-on-chamundi-hills-non-exclusivity-stand-634623.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 19:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/now-congress-slams-global-ayyappa-summit-called-by-kerala-cm-vijayan-634375.html Thiruvananthapuram Aug 26 The upcoming Global Ayyappa Summit planned as part of the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Travancore Devaswom Board TDB has triggered a political storm in Kerala On Tuesday Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan accused the ruling CPIM of organising the event to appease majority communal sentimentsThe CPIM is using Sabarimalas name for majority appeasement This newfound devotion began only after its parliamentary poll defeat Now they are clinging to Lord Ayyappa making communalism their political weapon even moving in tandem with the Sangh Parivar Satheesan saidHe warned that the CPIMs move was like scratching ones head with fire adding that what happened to the Left in Bengal awaited them in KeralaWe know nothing about this socalled Ayyappa congregation he saidThe Global Ayyappa Summit is scheduled for September 20 on the banks of the sacred Pampa River near SabarimalaKerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the event conceived as one of the largest spiritual congregations in South IndiaDevaswom Minister VN Vasavan formally extended invitations to political leaders including the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin during a visit to ChennaiHowever Chief Minister Stalin later conveyed his inability to attend due to prior commitmentsInstead Tamil Nadu Ministers PK Sekarbabu and Palanivel Thiaga Rajan will represent the state government at the eventMeanwhile the BJP also sharpened its attackKerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar accused both Vijayan and Stalin of repeatedly insulting Sabarimala traditions and Hindu devoteesPinarayi Vijayan jailed and assaulted Ayyappa devotees while Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi have called Hindu faith a virus This Ayyappa event is nothing but an election drama Chandrasekhar wrote in a Facebook postHe added that the CPIM leaders could attend only if they apologised to Hindus and Ayyappa bhakts IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/now-congress-slams-global-ayyappa-summit-called-by-kerala-cm-vijayan-634375.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 18:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/tirumala-temple-to-be-closed-on-sep-7-due-to-lunar-eclipse-634440.html Tirupati Aug 26 The famous Sri Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradeshs Tirupati will remain closed on September 7 due to a lunar eclipse The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam TTD which manages the affairs of the hill shrine announced on Tuesday that the temple doors will be closed from 330 pm on September 7 till 3 am on September 8As per the tradition the TTD closes the temple six hours prior to a lunar eclipse it saidThe temple body said the doors will be reopened at 3 am on September 8 after performing Shuddi and Punyahavachanam programmes The darshan for devotees will resume at 6 am on September 8Arjita Sevas like Unjal Seva Arjitha Brahmotsavam Sahasra Deepapalankara Seva stand cancelled on September 7 on account of the lunar eclipseThe Annaprasadam distribution in various places in Tirumala including the main Annaprasadam Complex PAC2 VQC compartments and all other places will also be stopped from 3 pm onwards on September 7 However the Annaprasadam wing of TTD will distribute 30000 Annaprasadam packets of Pulihora among devotees at Rambhageecha PAC1 CRO Seva Sadan and ANC areasThe Annaprasadam activity will resume from 830 am onwards on September 8 for the devoteesThe TTD requested devotees to plan their pilgrimage to Tirumala accordingly to avoid any inconvenienceOther major temples in both the Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will also be shut on account of the lunar eclipse Its common for the temples to shut the doors during solar and lunar eclipses The authorities cancel darshan and all sevas and reopen the temples in the evening after purificationThe Srisailam temple in Andhra Pradeshs Nandyal district will also be closed for devotees The priests will shut the main doors after performing the pujaKanaka Durga temple at Vijayawada and the sun temple at Arasavalli in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh will also remain closed during the lunar eclipseIn Telangana the Saraswati temple at Basar and the Sri Raja Rajeswari temple at Vemulawada will also be shut due to the lunar eclipse IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/tirumala-temple-to-be-closed-on-sep-7-due-to-lunar-eclipse-634440.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 22:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/migrant-worker-from-bihar-attacked-for-wearing-saffron-towel-in-bengaluru-3-held-634230.html Bengaluru Aug 26 Karnataka Police have arrested three persons in connection with the assault on a migrant labourer for wearing a saffron towel on Tuesday The incident was reported from the Kalasipalya police station limits in BengaluruThe accused have been identified as 30yearold Tabrez a resident of Nagawara 35yearold Imran Khan a resident of Banashankari and 37yearold Azeej Khan a resident of Krishnappa Garden in Tilak NagarPolice stated that Tabrez works as a mechanic Imran Khan is a radium cutter and Azeej Khan is involved in the real estate businessThe victim has been identified as 26yearold Slinder Kumar hailing from BiharThe complaint in this regard was lodged by Kumars manager HarikrishnaThe accused have been booked under Sections 115 2 voluntarily causing hurt 302 intentionally wounding the religious feelings of another person by uttering words making gestures or placing objects in their sight 352 intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace and 3 5 acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention of the Bharatiya Nyay SanhitaAccording to the FIR the incident occurred on August 24 at about 930 pm When the complainant was monitoring loading and unloading work two unidentified persons approached one of the labourers Kumar and abused him for wearing a saffron towel and started pushing him aroundWhen Harikrishna rushed to help the victim and questioned the accused they allegedly abused and assaulted him as wellThey tore his shirt beat him and warned him against allowing workers to wear saffron towels One of the accused introduced himself as Bablu before leaving the spot the FIR readThe FIR said that the victims suffered minor injuriesDCP West S Girish said that the police had initially registered a NonCognizable Report NCR which was later converted into an FIRSources said that after the attack the victim approached Hindu organisations Activists subsequently visited the Kalasipalya police station and demanded justice for the victim and quick action against the accusedTejas Gowda a Hindu activist stated that it is unfortunate that the incident occurred in the Chikpet Assembly constituency in Bengaluru represented by BJP MLA Uday GarudacharThe Police Department should establish an outpost in the area and send out a clear message that those who come to earn their livelihood from north Indian states should be protected and their safety is ensured Tejas Gowda demandedFurther investigation is underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/migrant-worker-from-bihar-attacked-for-wearing-saffron-towel-in-bengaluru-3-held-634230.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 12:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-to-push-self-reliance-india-on-10-day-ganesh-chaturthi-festivity-declares-holiday-tomorrow-634290.html Bhopal Aug 26 After a long hiatus the Madhya Pradesh government has not only reinstated Ganesh Chaturthi as a public holiday but also aligned it with its ongoing SelfReliance campaign and Swadeshi Push In a move blending cultural reverence with nationalist sentiment the Madhya Pradesh cabinet has declared Ganesh Chaturthi a holiday of national importanceStates Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya announced the decision citing the festivals historical relevance to Indias freedom movement and its role in fostering social awarenessThe announcement marks a shift in how the festival is officially recognised no longer just a religious occasion but a civic symbol of cultural resilienceChief Minister Mohan Yadavs administration emphasised that the 10day Ganesh festival will be used to promote selfreliance and the Swadeshi ethosGanesh Chaturthi is not merely a celebration of devotion it is a symbol of Indias cultural resilience and its fight for independence said Vijayvargiya referencing the festivals roots are not known but its in anticolonial mobilisation during the late 19th century was initiated prominent antiColonial freedom fighter Lokamanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak in Maharashtra in the year 1893The government plans to encourage the use of Indianmade products throughout the festivities with a special focus on cottage industries Artisans and smallscale producers will be spotlighted and citizens will be urged to choose locally crafted environmentally friendly idols decorations and offeringsWe want every home celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi to reflect the spirit of Swadeshi India the minister addedSources in the state government revealed that artificial intelligence will also play a role in amplifying the campaign From digital outreach to identifying clusters of cottage industry producers AI tools will be deployed to map promote and connect local artisans with consumers across the stateThe initiative aims to blend tradition with technology ensuring that the economic benefits of the festival reach grassroots creatorsLooking ahead the government has announced plans to launch a broader Swadeshi movement during the upcoming Navratri festivities another major cultural event in the stateThe minister also said the campaign will extend beyond symbolic gestures with policy support for indigenous production and targeted incentives for local businessesThe holiday declaration and accompanying initiatives signal a culturalpolitical strategy that seeks to root governance in heritage while using festivals as platforms for economic and ideological messaging IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-to-push-self-reliance-india-on-10-day-ganesh-chaturthi-festivity-declares-holiday-tomorrow-634290.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/from-mumbai-2611-to-pahalgam-tourism-terror-and-turf-wars-fuel-isis-strategy-634156.html New Delhi Aug 25 When the Pahalgam attack took place it became amply clear that Pakistan wanted to disrupt tourism in Jammu and Kashmir and hurt its economy Post the abrogation of Article 370 JampK witnessed several positive changes and key among them was the thriving tourism industry While this was one of the main reasons the other was to address a massive rift between the JaisheMuhammad and LashkareTaiba Over the last year and a half there have been sharp differences between the two terror groups There have been ideological differences and also relating to the strategy in Jammu and KashmirBoth outfits focus largely on Jammu and Kashmir and a rift had broken out which the ISI wanted to fixThis is however not the first time that the ISI has targeted India with the intention of fixing internal rifts within the terror networks in Pakistan The same was done during the Mumbai 2611 attacks as wellThe plan to attack Mumbai was originally that of Ilyas Kashmir the head of AlQaedas 313 Brigade This was confirmed by David Headley with whom Kashmiri shared a good rapport The two would often discuss the Kashmir issue and during one such interaction the plan to attack came up The Mumbai attacks were part of Kashmiris larger plan to launch his ambitious GhazwaeHind projectThis was in fact confirmed by Kashmiri during an interview with the late Syed Saleem Shahzad who was then the chief of Asia Times Pakistan bureauAt around the same time the ISI was finding it hard to keep the JaisheMuhammad and LashkareTaiba cadres Both were insistent that they go and fight in Afghanistan At that time the Taliban was facing losses at the hands of the US forces and the cadres of both these groups felt that they needed to support the TalibanThe ISI however did not want either the LashkareTaiba or JaisheMuhammad to divert from Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India Hence it approached Kashmiri and told him to hand over the plan to the LashkareTaiba This acted as a diversionary tactic and the rift was sorted outThe Pahalgam attack too has a similar back story One of the goriest attacks was planned to settle a rift between the Lashkar and JaisheMuhammad The LashkareTaiba was unhappy that the ISI was giving the JaisheMuhammad preferential treatment in JampKIt was also giving the JaisheMuhammad terrorists a safe passage into India while not allowing the LashkareTaiba cadres to infiltrate from Pakistan The ISI wanted the LashkareTaiba to use its existing cadre already inside JampK to carry out attacksThe army too had been roped in to sort out the differences but it failed to make any impact The Lashkar would not settle for anything short of a massive attack and hence the outfit was commissioned to carry out the Pahalgam attack The understanding was that the LashkareTaiba would carry out the Pahalgam attack while the JaisheMuhammad would continue with its infiltrationsThis diversion and understanding were much needed for the ISI to ensure that its two biggest assets remain united The rift had become so bad that it was the terrorists of the JaisheMuhammad who killed Qari Abdul Rehman the chief financier of the LashkareTaiba and a relative of the outfits chief Hafiz SaeedWhile the rift may have been sorted out for now Indian agencies say that this would be shortlived The problem does not just begin and end with who is getting preferential treatment There are ideological differences as well The LashkareTaiba follows the Ahli Hadith formed by the 18thcentury ideologue Shah Waliullah Dehlavi while the JaisheMuhammad follows the Deobandi sect which is a revivalist movement within Sunni Islam IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/from-mumbai-2611-to-pahalgam-tourism-terror-and-turf-wars-fuel-isis-strategy-634156.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 22:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/saints-slam-swami-rambhadracharyas-indecent-remarks-on-premanand-maharaj--633949.html AyodhyaUjjain Aug 24 The Saint community has expressed displeasure over the remarks made by spiritual guru Swami Rambhadracharya on Premanand Maharaj Many prominent saints have criticised his statement calling it against the values of Sanatan DharmaDeveshcharya Maharaj of Siddhpeeth Hanumangarhi condemned the statement of Swami Rambhadracharya and said Such words are not in accordance with his position Swami Rambhadracharya is a highly revered saint and has the highest position in Sanatan Dharma The use of such language is absolutely inappropriate Restraint and decent behaviour is expected from saintsSimilarly Sitaram Das Maharaj described this comment as a sign of narrowmindedness He said Saint Premanand is an inspiration for millions of youth Swami Rambhadracharya should have avoided making such a statementHe further said that the duty of saints is to unite society not to create controversy Such things cannot be supported Saints should exercise restraint in their behaviour and speech so that the dignity of Sanatan Dharma is maintained he addedMahant Raju Das priest of Hanumangarhi temple also expressed his opinion on this issue He said Both Swami Rambhadracharya and Premanand Maharaj are great saints Such statements should be avoided as they give a wrong message to society I urge the saints to maintain mutual respect and harmonyMahant Rameshwar Das Maharaj president of Ujjain Akhara Parishad also termed this comment as inappropriate He said Saints should stay away from such comments Swami Rambhadracharyas statement is not in accordance with the dignity of Sanatan Dharma Instead of unnecessary statements I urge the saint community to give the message of unity and peace to the country and societyAt the same time Mahant Vishal Das Maharaj calling this matter an internal issue of the saints suggested that both the saints should sit together and resolve the dispute through talks He said Both are venerable If there is any difference of opinion it should be resolved amicablyJagadguru Rambhadracharyas critical statements challenging Premanand Maharajs knowledge and popularity sparked controversyRambhadracharya said I challenge Premanand ji to speak even one word of Sanskrit in front of me or explain the meaning of the Sanskrit shlokas I have said IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/saints-slam-swami-rambhadracharyas-indecent-remarks-on-premanand-maharaj--633949.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-to-hear-sambhal-shahi-jama-masjid-row-on-monday-633887.html New Delhi Aug 24 The Supreme Court is slated to hear the dispute over the Shahi Jama MasjidSri Harihar Temple in Uttar Pradeshs Sambhal on Monday As per the computerised case status a bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Atul S Chandurkar will resume hearing on August 25 the special leave petition SLP filed by the mosque committee against the Allahabad High Courts decision that had upheld a Chandousi court order for a survey of the disputed siteIn the previous hearing held on Friday the Justice Narasimhaled Bench directed both the Muslim and Hindu parties to maintain the status quo until the next hearingAs the Hindu side argued that another bench of the Supreme Court has held that an ASIprotected monument does not fall under the Places of Worship Act the bench asked advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain to place the said order on record and adjourned the hearingThe SLP filed by the mosque committee challenged the prima facie finding of the Allahabad High Court that the suit was not barred by the Places of Worship Act 1991 since it sought access to the disputed property under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958In its impugned order the Allahabad High Court dismissed the civil revision petition seeking a stay on the proceedings pending before the trial courtThe Shahi Jama Masjid has become the centre of a legal dispute after Hindu plaintiffs alleged that the mosque was built over a Hindu temple known as the Harihar Mandir In November last year violence had erupted in Sambhal during a courtordered survey of the Mughalera mosque resulting in the deaths of at least four peopleThe Supreme Court had earlier stayed the trial courts proceedings directing that no further steps be taken until the Allahabad High Court reviewed the mosque committees petition IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-to-hear-sambhal-shahi-jama-masjid-row-on-monday-633887.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 15:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/plight-of-pakistans-buddhists-and-crumbling-state-of-their-heritage-tell-story-of-abandonment-marginalisation-report-633942.html Naypyidaw Aug 24 Pakistan that once nurtured Buddhisms thriving civilisation has today turned into a stark reminder of neglect deterioration and cultural obliteration The plight of Buddhists and the crumbling state of their sacred heritage in Pakistan reflects the story of abandonment and marginalisation a report has said Pakistan home to the ancient Gandhara region where Buddhism thrived for centuries now stands as a paradox it carries the remnants of a worldrenowned Buddhist past while offering little space or dignity to its surviving Buddhist community As 2025 unfolds the plight of Pakistans Buddhists and the crumbling state of their sacred heritage tell a story not of reverence but of abandonment and marginalisation a report in Myanmarbased Mizzima saidThe Gandhara civilisation in what is now northern Pakistan was once a luminous chapter in Buddhist history Monasteries flourished in Taxila Swat and Peshawar and stupas towered above centres of commerce and education Pilgrims and academics from China also travelled to Gandhara for learning and to carry the knowledge back home The report said That world however lies buried under the sands of time dismantled by waves of conquest religious transformation and later systemic neglect While the ruins remain they are treated more as archaeological curiosities than living symbols of faithThe Buddhist community in Pakistan is almost invisible Estimates place their numbers in the low thousands scattered and often afraid to declare their faith openly Many practice in secrecy fearing social ostracism or outright persecution in a society where religious minorities struggle to secure even basic rights For decades Pakistans religious climate has been defined by intolerance and pressure on minorities from Hindus and Christians to Ahmadis and Sikhs Buddhists by virtue of their small numbers and lack of institutional backing have been left especially vulnerable What was once a vibrant community deeply interwoven with the subcontinents cultural fabric has withered into nearextinction surviving only as a silent remnant Sun Lee a pseudonym of a writer who covers Asia and geopolitical affairs wrote in the Mizzima reportAccounts from Buddhist families in Sindh and other areas of Pakistan demonstrate the deep insecurity faced by the community Many even hide their religious identity often posing as followers of other faiths to avoid harassment Social discrimination is exacerbated by economic exclusion as they get few opportunities and those who embrace their identity risk losing even the limited privileges they are offered Pakistan has consistently highlighted its historical richness by presenting Indus Valley relics and Mughal structures as symbols of its heritage However the Buddhist legacy has been marginalised in PakistanThe condition of Buddhists and their sacred spaces in Pakistan is not merely a matter of heritage preservation it is symptomatic of the broader intolerance that defines the states treatment of minorities When a community is reduced to invisibility and when the symbols of its history are left to decay the message is clear certain faiths are not welcome and certain pasts are not worth preserving In this light the plight of Buddhists in Pakistan is inseparable from the plight of other marginalised groups The erosion of Buddhist identity is one thread in a larger tapestry of exclusion that undermines pluralism and entrenches a monolithic narrative of nationhood the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/plight-of-pakistans-buddhists-and-crumbling-state-of-their-heritage-tell-story-of-abandonment-marginalisation-report-633942.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 22:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/one-village-one-ganesha-belagavis-nandgad-sets-inspiring-example-of-unity-633705.html Belagavi Aug 23 As Ganesh Chaturthi is almost here the city of Belagavi nestled at the confluence of Karnataka Maharashtra and Goa comes alive with vibrant celebrations In every nook and corner idols of Lord Ganesha adorn homes and public spaces alike Yet amid this sea of devotion one village stands out for its unique and heartwarming tradition One Village One Ganesha In the quaint village of Nandgad located in the Khanapur taluk of Belagavi district the entire community comes together each year to worship a single Ganesha idol Since 1944 this village has been upholding a tradition that promotes unity simplicity environment consciousness and communal harmony This year marks the 81st year of this inspiring practiceThe Ganesha idol installed in a central public space becomes the focal point of devotion for all villagers Hindus and Muslims alikeFor 11 days the village resonates with chants prayers and cultural performances culminating in the grand immersion ceremony Daily rituals include the Ganahoma pooja followed by community gatherings and cultural events that foster togetherness among people of all castes and religionsSpeaking to IANS a member of the Ganesha committee said We believe in unity above all For decades our village has celebrated with one idol not only to bring us closer but also to reduce unnecessary expenditure The message is simple We are oneAs the rest of the country prepares for Ganesh Chaturthi on August 27 this year Nandgad offers a powerful example of how tradition can also be a medium for social cohesionAcross India this festival also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav is observed with immense fervor marking the birth of Lord Ganesha The 10day celebration includes prayers offerings and community events with devotees seeking wisdom prosperity and success from the beloved elephantheaded deityFrom bustling city streets to serene village squares the essence of Ganesh Chaturthi remains the same devotion joy and a sense of togetherness Ganesh Chaturthi holds immense significance for Hindus They believe praying to Lord Ganesha can help one achieve wisdom success and good fortuneMoreover when starting any new work exam wedding or a new job devotees of Lord Ganesha pray to him seek his blessings and ask him to bless them with success IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/one-village-one-ganesha-belagavis-nandgad-sets-inspiring-example-of-unity-633705.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 12:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/complaint-filed-against-social-media-influencer-for-protocol-breach-during-reel-shoot-in-kerala-temple-633717.html Thrissur Kerala Aug 23 The temple authorities in Kerala on Saturday filed a formal police complaint against former Bigg Boss Malayalam contestant and social media influencer Jasmin Jaffar for allegedly violating temple protocol by filming a reel at the sacred temple pond The authorities of the famous Guruvayoor temple in north Kerala have lodged a complaint with the police against Jasmin Jaffar accusing her of filming and posting on Instagram a video of herself washing her feet at the temple pond an act forbidden within the sanctified grounds according to a local media reportThe temple authorities clarified that filming videos or reels at the temple pond is strictly forbidden without prior permissionThe area known as Rudratheertham holds immense religious significance as the location for the ritual bathing of the deity of Lord Krishna during the temple festivalsThe sanctity of this space must be maintained at all times the report said quoting a senior Devaswom official adding that photography and videography are banned to ensure decorumOfficials noted the complaint was formally submitted by the Devaswom administrator citing a growing trend of social media influencers using religious sites for content creation without respecting established protocolsThis incident follows previous controversies where individuals were reprimanded for filming inside the temple including a case where the Kerala High Court explicitly banned videography by vloggers in the temples forecourtIn April this year a case was registered against a singer Aloshi Adams and members of a temple advisory committee for singing revolutionary songs glorifying the ruling Communist Party of IndiaMarxist during a temple festival in KollamThe controversy arose during the Kadakkal Temple festival in Kollam on March 10 when the singer performed revolutionary songs including one about the late CPIM worker Puthukudi Pushpan a victim of the 1994 Koothuparamba police firing in Kannur district of the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/complaint-filed-against-social-media-influencer-for-protocol-breach-during-reel-shoot-in-kerala-temple-633717.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 13:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/modi-express-operates-from-mumbai-to-konkan-ahead-of-ganesh-mahotsav-passengers-get-tickets-quickly-633780.html Mumbai Aug 23 To ease travel during the festive rush of Ganesh Chaturthi a special train service has been launched from Mumbai to Konkan Popularly named the Modi Express the train began operations on Saturday offering timely relief to passengers struggling to secure tickets during the festival season Ganesh Chaturthi one of Maharashtras most celebrated festivals draws thousands of people from Mumbai and nearby cities back to their hometowns in the Konkan region With ticket demand usually skyrocketing the Modi Express has quickly become a muchwelcomed travel optionIANS interacted with several passengers travelling on the inaugural train serviceOne traveller expressed satisfaction saying Its a good initiative as it is very difficult to get tickets during the festival season The Narendra Modiled Union government has done a really great jobAnother passenger highlighted the convenience stating We are travelling on the Modi Express Earlier we had to wait a long time for tickets but with this we got them in just two days The arrangements look comfortable and food is also available on boardOn August 13 BJP leader and Maharashtra Minister Nitish Rane had announced on social media that two special trains dubbed Modi Express would run between Mumbai and Konkan for Ganesh Chaturthi This marks the 13th consecutive year of the initiative aimed at ensuring devotees can travel comfortably to their hometowns to celebrate GaneshotsavPassengers are urged to register their names with their respective mandal presidents to secure seats Minister Rane described the special trains as a gesture of gratitude to the people of Konkan especially those from Kankavali Devgad and Vaibhavwadi for their support to the BJP in recent electionsThe Modi Express trains have over the years become an integral part of festive travel for many families allowing them to reunite and celebrate together Beyond the convenience of transportation the initiative underscores the role of communitydriven efforts in making festivals more inclusive and joyousThis year Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated from August 27 to September 6 To meet the heavy rush special train services have been running since August 11 with frequencies being increased as the festival approachesGanesh Chaturthi holds immense cultural and spiritual significance Lord Ganesha revered as Vighnaharta and Mangalakarta is worshipped for good fortune happiness and protection While Maharashtra leads the grand celebrations states like Karnataka Gujarat Andhra Pradesh and Goa also observe the festival with devotion Indian communities abroad in the US UK Canada and Australia join in the festivities reflecting the global spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/modi-express-operates-from-mumbai-to-konkan-ahead-of-ganesh-mahotsav-passengers-get-tickets-quickly-633780.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 18:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/efforts-on-to-make-gaushalas-self-reliant-haryana-cm-633784.html Chandigarh Aug 23 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday said the state government is continuously working for the protection and welfare of cows He said that along with financial grants for fodder efforts are being made to make gaushalas selfreliant The Chief Minister was addressing a ceremony for the distribution of fodder grants to gaushalas at Shri Krishna Gaushala at Badopal in Fatehabad district He paid floral tributes to Shri Rajendranand Maharaj calling his life a source of inspiration and urged citizens to take inspiration from his life and carry forward social work On the occasion the Chief Minister handed over fodder grant cheques for Rs 72 crore to managers of 67 gaushalas in the district He said this year a total grant of Rs 8850 crore is being released for 605 gaushalas of the state He also announced Rs 21 lakh for the development of Badopal village and declared that the wildlife treatment centre in Badopal will be named after Shri Rajendranand Maharaj He announced that the six demands raised for the Fatehabad Assembly constituency will be fulfilled after checking the feasibility at the departmental level The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the past 11 years the doubleengine government has been working for the protection of the cow the Gita and the Ganga Along with financial aid for fodder gaushalas are also being supported to become selfreliant by providing machinery as per demand He said that in the past 10 and a half years fodder grants of Rs 35850 crore have been given Solar power plants have been installed in 330 gaushalas and the remaining gaushalas will soon get them The Chief Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented the Rashtriya Gokul Mission for the protection and promotion of indigenous cow breeds The Chief Minister said that till 2014 there were only 215 registered gaushalas in the state with 175 lakh cattle In the past 10 years the government has increased this number and currently there are 686 registered gaushalas where four lakh stray cattle are being taken care of In 201415 the budget for the Gau Seva Aayog was only Rs 2 crore which the present government has increased to Rs 595 crore For the rehabilitation of cattle 200 gaushalas have been given grants of Rs 10 lakh each for building sheds out of which 51 sheds have already been completed He said that 800 erickshaws will be given to gaushalas and the procurement process is underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/efforts-on-to-make-gaushalas-self-reliant-haryana-cm-633784.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 19:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ktaka-bjp-urges-cong-govt-to-allow-grand-ganesh-chaturthi-celebrations-633628.html Bengaluru Aug 22 The Karnataka BJP on Friday has demanded the Congressled state government that Hindus must be allowed to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi festivities in a grand manner Speaking to the media at Vidhana Soudha Leader of Opposition LoP in Legislative Council and senior BJP leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said that there should be one law for the entire state The government must allow Hindus to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in a grand and festive manner LoP Narayanaswamy added He warned that if different rules are framed for different communities with the intention of suppressing Hindus the Congress government itself will have to face the consequences He insisted that Hindus should be permitted to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with grandeur across the stateGanapati festival has been celebrated with grandeur for generations In Kalaburagi they call it the Republic of Kalaburagi where neither the state law nor the countrys law functions properly There should be one law and one policy for the state In Kalaburagi should Ganapati festivities be celebrated in silence Is it that Congress wants only a Silent Ganapati for Hindus he asked about the proposed ban on DJ music during the celebrations The Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Karnatakas Information Technology and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge hail from Kalaburagi Others are appeased and uplifted but Hindus are being suppressed by Congress Even in Mangaluru they have banned DJ music during the festival the LoP allegedThere are around 1300 sound system operators in Mangaluru providing livelihoods to nearly 6000 people But the police are harassing them by issuing warnings seizing their mike sets at 8 pm filing cases arresting them and sending them to jail Their families are being pushed onto the streets This is an unlawful act he chargedWhen members in the House raised the issue of not creating hurdles for Ganesh Chaturthi the government simply adjourned the session This is a cowardly government LoP Narayanaswamy said while hitting out at the Karnataka governmentOn the issue of internal reservation there is confusion and injustice The nomadic communities are protesting day and night The recommendations of the Nagamohan Das Committee the Sadashiva Commission and the Madhuswamy report have not been implemented Even the Supreme Courts suggestions have not been followed The government has divided the nomadic groups into three and pushed them onto the streets he allegedThis Congress government is not prepared to discuss any of these issues even the Chief Minister is evading responsibility he addedIf we question them they resort to character assassination They only criticise us but fail to give answers The Chief Minister is incapable of responding LoP Narayanaswamy saidLaw and order in the state has collapsed Rapes are happening murders are taking place Instead of addressing these the state government is busy passing Bills imposing taxes and levying cesses Yet even after all this the treasury is empty he remarkedOn the occasion Legislative Council Opposition Chief Whip N Ravikumar members Shashil Namoshi Bharathi Shetty Naveen KS DS Arun Pradeep Shettar Keshav Prasad S and Kishore Kumar Puttur were present IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ktaka-bjp-urges-cong-govt-to-allow-grand-ganesh-chaturthi-celebrations-633628.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 19:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/tamil-nadu-cm-stalin-invited-to-global-ayyappa-summit-in-kerala-633640.html ChennaiThiruvananthapuram Aug 22 Kerala Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan on Thursday formally extended an invitation to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to attend the Global Ayyappa Summit scheduled to be held on September 20 as part of the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Travancore Devaswom Board TDB The TDB oversees the functioning of all temples in the south Kerala districts which come under its remitThis includes the Sabarimala temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa located in the Pathanamthitta district amidst the Western Ghats and known for its strict traditions Lakhs of people visit the temple every year during the twomonthlong festival seasonThe minister accompanied by senior officials met Stalin at the Secretariat in Chennai to hand over the invitationPresent at the meeting were Tamil Nadu Devaswom Minister PK Sekar Babu Chief Secretary N Muruganandam and top Devasom officials from KeralaThe Global Ayyappa Summit conceptualised as the largest gathering of devotees in south India will bring together leaders religious representatives and stakeholders to deliberate on strengthening pilgrim welfare and upholding the traditions of Lord Ayyappas shrineThe twomonthlong festival season opens every year on the first day of November according to the Malayalam calendar and ends in the middle of JanuaryThe summit is set to take place on the banks of the Pampa River a sacred site associated with the annual Sabarimala pilgrimagePampa is a holy place for all pilgrims as they begin their trek to the temple located on top of the hill after taking the holy dip in the riverKerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the event while Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin has been invited as the chief guestWe will be inviting top leaders from all parties including the Chief Ministers from various states Union Ministers also will be invited besides religious leaders Vasavan said in ChennaiThe summit aims to promote interstate cooperation on pilgrim safety infrastructure development and cultural exchange while also highlighting the significance of Sabarimala as a symbol of faith and unity across southern statesBy organising the event in strict adherence to Ayyappa traditions the Travancore Devaswom Board hopes to reinforce Sabarimalas spiritual heritage while marking its 75 years of service to devoteesThe Global Ayyappa Summit is expected to draw thousands of participants making it a historic spiritual congregation for the region IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/tamil-nadu-cm-stalin-invited-to-global-ayyappa-summit-in-kerala-633640.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 20:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/allahabad-hc-to-hear-sri-krishna-janmabhoomishahi-idgah-dispute-today--633443.html New Delhi Aug 22 In a significant development in the longstanding Sri Krishna JanmabhoomiShahi Idgah land dispute the Allahabad High Court is set to resume hearing on Friday at 200 PM A singlejudge Bench led by Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra is presiding over the case which has seen multiple petitions filed over the years particularly since October 2023 when the court began detailed hearingsOne of the key updates in the case is the High Courts acceptance of Case No17 as a representative suit under Order 1 Rule 8 of the Civil Procedure Code CPC This provision allows one or more persons to file a case on behalf of a larger group with shared interestsBy granting this status the court has effectively prioritised Case No17 meaning it will now be heard first and the verdict could serve as a guiding outcome for related petitionsHowever this decision has not gone down well with all litigants especially those representing the temple side who have expressed dissatisfaction fearing that their individual arguments might not get due attentionThe case revolves around the ownership and use of land in Mathura where devotees claim the exact birthplace of Lord Krishna lies beneath the Shahi Idgah mosque located adjacent to the Katra Keshav Dev TempleThe Hindu sides claim that the Shahi Idgah Masjid was constructed atop the original birthplace of Lord Krishna The Muslim side firmly disputes this assertionOver the past few years a total of 18 petitions have been filed seeking the restoration and reconstruction of the temple as well as a permanent injunction against the continued use of the mosque on the disputed siteThe High Court is now expected to take a major procedural step by framing the issues in the matter an essential step before the trial beginsLegal experts suggest that the court appears to be following an approach similar to the Ayodhya Ram JanmabhoomiBabri Masjid case opting for a direct casecentric hearing instead of sending it back to a lower court IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/allahabad-hc-to-hear-sri-krishna-janmabhoomishahi-idgah-dispute-today--633443.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 08:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/eco-friendly-ganeshas-replace-pop-idols-in-gujarat-villages-green-festive-push-633219.html Sabarkantha Aug 20 With Ganesh Utsav around the corner a womens selfhelp group in Kukadia village of Idar Sabarkantha is gaining attention for crafting ecofriendly clay Ganesha idols offering a sustainable alternative to Plaster of Paris PoP idols that harm the environment The initiative started three years ago under the state governments women empowerment training programme has not only provided livelihood to the local women but is also emerging as a model for environmentally responsible celebrationIn 2021 the Gujarat government launched a training initiative in Kukadia village to promote selfreliance among women through pottery and claybased crafts From the first batch of 30 women 10 women have gone on to make clay Ganesha idols commercially The idols range from one to three feet in height and are handcrafted using natural clayOur goal was not just to earn but also to serve Mother Earth said Nayna Ben Prajapati a member of the womens groupUnlike PoP idols our clay idols dissolve completely in water without harming the soil or water bodies added Jagruti Prajapati another artisanPlaster of Paris idols take days to dissolve and often leave behind broken remnants in water bodies hurting both the environment and religious sentiments In contrast the clay idols dissolve within minutes and the leftover material can be reused in gardening or as compost promoting a circular use of natural resourcesI bought one of the clay Ganeshas this year I would never want to see a broken idol after visarjan again This is a respectful and environmentally safe option said Kirti Chauhan a local buyerThe idols made by the Kukadia Sakhi Mandal womens selfhelp group are now in demand across surrounding villages According to Kinjal Patel an official from DRDA Idar these women have shown how traditional art when merged with ecological responsibility can become a vehicle for both economic independence and cultural preservationWhat started as a governmentled training has turned into a microenterprise These women are now symbols of change and are contributing to both environmental protection and social upliftment she saidDespite the growing popularity most of India still uses PoP idols The women of Kukadia believe that ecofriendly Ganeshas should reach every household and that people must begin to celebrate with awarenessThe group hopes that their efforts will inspire more artisans buyers and organisers to choose sustainability without compromising on devotionWe want devotees to see that faith and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand said Nayna BenAs Ganesh Chaturthi approaches Kukadias ecofriendly idols offer not just a deity to worshipbut also a message to protect the very elements that sustain us IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/eco-friendly-ganeshas-replace-pop-idols-in-gujarat-villages-green-festive-push-633219.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/problems-will-not-be-solved-with-all-these-muslim-leaders-as-uttarakhand-house-passes-eight-bills-including-anti-conversion-law-633139.html Dehra Dun Aug 20 The Uttarakhand Assembly on Wednesday passed eight Bills including the muchdebated anticonversion Bill the Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Bill 2025 and a voteonaccount of Rs 5315 crore in a session marked by repeated adjournments drawing sharp criticism from Muslim religious leaders While the Congress raised a storm over deteriorating law and order Muslim leaders voiced concern saying that such legislative moves would not solve the underlying problems They emphasised the need for equal treatment of all communities and justice for every religionSpeaking to IANS Mufti Maulana Danish Qadri said We need to understand what religious conversion really is Today if someone converts to Hinduism they receive respect But if a Hindu Sikh or Christian wishes to embrace Islam out of free will why should there be any problem However if anyoneMuslim or Hinduis forced into conversion then it is certainly wrongReligion is a matter of individual choice If anyone forcibly converts another there should be equal punishment irrespective of the community To me this looks more like politics than principle Accepting any religion should remain a personal decision he addedMaulana Shahabuddin Razvi was equally criticalChief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has prepared a series of laws first bringing UCC then abolishing the Madrasa Board followed by the Minority Educational Institutions Bill and now the anticonversion Bill But the problem will not be solved with all these things True justice will come only when every religion is treated fairly Hindus and Muslims must be seen as equals without dividing the public along religious linesHe further cautioned that sowing division could have lasting consequences People will remember if hatred is spread and if communities are divided It would be better if leaders took an oath to ensure fairness and harmonyOn August 14 the Uttarakhand Cabinet had approved amendments to the anticonversion law to make it harsher with stringent provisions like punishment up to life imprisonment and heavy fines being added to the new billThe Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Amendment Bill2025 was approved in the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister DhamiAccording to the Bill apart from strict punishment for illegal religious conversion provisions such as a ban on propaganda through digital media and protection of victims have been added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/problems-will-not-be-solved-with-all-these-muslim-leaders-as-uttarakhand-house-passes-eight-bills-including-anti-conversion-law-633139.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 18:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/asim-munirs-existential-crisis-lies-bluster-and-narrative-battles-633189.html New Delhi Aug 20 Pakistans army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has done it again This time at an event in Belgium he boasted that India begged for a ceasefire during the recent IndiaPakistan conflict It is clear that the Pakistan Army chief has resorted to lies once again and the evidence presented by India tells a completely different story This is however not the first time that Munir has lied blatantly He has made similar claims in the United States as well as back in his own countryFormer Indian Army chief General V P Malik said that some army chiefs have a habit of indulging in bluff and blusterIn a post on X General Malik wrote Pakistani leaders particularly some Army Chiefs have always indulged in bluff and bluster I believe the right response is to remain alert respond on the ground when necessary and to continue building our comprehensive national power No need to join their daily theatricsThe latest remarks by Munir were made on August 11 at a closeddoor felicitation organised by the Overseas Pakistani Foundation at GrootBijgarden Castle near Brussels The event was attended by 500 members of the Pakistani community from across EuropeAbhinav Pandya founder of the Usasanas Foundation an Indian based foreign policy and security think tank told IANS that this is sheer desperation on the part of Munir One must recall that the Pakistan Army was facing challenges from multiple endsThe Balochistan National Army BLA TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP and the Taliban had inflicted severe losses on the Pakistan Army All this was happening at a time when Munir was in charge His image as well as that of his army had taken a massive beating and the very existence of the institution was being questioned Pandya saidMunir was at that time looking for a second term and the doldrums that his army was in made him the least favourite candidate for the job Moreover his own legacy was under question considering the losses the army faced Abhinav Pandya added If the army failed the very existence of Pakistan would have come under question he addedIn reality the claims made by Munir are all a bluff and part of a narrative battle The truth is that when India launched Operation Sindoor US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at 930 am on May 10 Rubio conveyed to Jaishankar that the Pakistanis were asking for a ceasefire The request by Pakistan was made after India hit the Nur Khan air base with BrahMos and SCALP missiles Jaishankar then conveyed to Rubio that any ceasefire request must be made from the Pakistan DGMO through the established channelsPandya adds that Pakistan realises that it cannot match India on the economic or military front Hence the conventional tactics are not going to work Moreover under strong leadership India has proven that it will not take Pakistans misadventure kindly The Pakistanis have now chosen the battle of narratives In this arena bluffs work and hence Munir chose to indulge in the same to salvage his image and that of his army he addedOn the question whether or not the Pakistanis are buying Munirs bluff Pandya says that it would be hard to tell There is hatred against the leadership which is corrupt but there is also a blind love for extremism Munir knows this and hence can sell the antiIndia narrative at a very high price and quickly he addsMoreover the Pakistani society does not comprise saints It is a heavily radicalised society and even if the army is not at the helm then the likes of Masood Azhar would he addsIndia has however maintained that Munirs remarks are part of a familiar Pakistani playbook The Ministry of External Affairs also called Munirs claims nuclear sabrerattlingOur attention has been drawn to remarks reportedly made by the Pakistani Chief of Army Staff while on a visit to the United States Nuclear sabrerattling is Pakistans stockintrade the MEA statement readMunir had tried to play this card but India called out the nuclear bluff during Operation Sindoor Even in the aftermath of this operation Munir had said in Washington that they are a nuclear state If we are going down we will take half the world down with us Munir had said according to media reports IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/asim-munirs-existential-crisis-lies-bluster-and-narrative-battles-633189.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 21:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/cable-car-service-at-palani-lord-murugan-temple-to-resume-tomorrow-632839.html Chennai Aug 19 The muchawaited cable car service at the renowned Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswamy temple in Palani will resume operations from Wednesday after being closed for its annual maintenance According to temple authorities a trial run of the service was successfully conducted on August 18To ensure safety weights of over 250 kilograms in the form of stones were placed inside the coaches to test the mechanical and operational efficiency of the rope car systemOfficials confirmed that all systems functioned without any glitches clearing the way for the resumption of serviceThis year the cable car service was suspended from July 15 for scheduled maintenance work during which devotees were advised to use alternative options such as the traditional 693 steps leading up to the hilltop shrine or the electrically operated winch trainDespite these alternatives the absence of the cable car was particularly felt by elderly devotees and families with young children for whom the rope car offers a safe and convenient mode of reaching the templeThe Palani Murugan temple is among the most significant pilgrimage centres in Tamil Nadu attracting thousands of devotees every dayWhile many continue to prefer climbing the steps as an act of devotion the rope car service operating daily from 7 am to 8 pm has become an essential facility especially for those unable to undertake the strenuous climbTemple officials noted that the annual maintenance is a crucial safety measure ensuring the rope car system remains reliable for the heavy pilgrim traffic it handles yearroundThe periodical inspection involves not only mechanical checks but also safety enhancements which are mandatory for the continued smooth functioning of the serviceWith the resumption of the cable car on Wednesday devotees will once again be able to avail themselves of the easier and quicker passage to the hilltop shrineAuthorities expect a sharp increase in usage in the coming days particularly as festival season approaches bringing a surge of pilgrims to the templeThe rope car facility has become a symbol of convenience blending with faith ensuring that devotees of all ages and physical conditions can experience the spiritual significance of visiting the sanctum of Lord Murugan without hindrance IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/cable-car-service-at-palani-lord-murugan-temple-to-resume-tomorrow-632839.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/madras-hc-refuses-to-grant-injunction-to-restrain-vijays-tvk-from-using-flag-632701.html Chennai Aug 18 The Madras High Court on Monday declined to grant an interim injunction restraining actor Vijays political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK from using its flag after a petition alleged infringement of trademark and copyright The application was filed by GB Pachaiyappan trustee of the Thondai Mandala Saandror Dharma Paribalana Sabai who claimed that TVKs flag closely resembled the trusts registered trademarkHe argued that both flags used a redyellowred colour scheme with three stripes and that the similarity could cause confusionThe trust said it had registered its flag in November 2023 and had been using it since contending that the design qualified as an artistic work entitled to protectionA bench of Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy however rejected the plea for interim relief with the judge pointing out that though both flags shared similar colours their overall features were differentThe trusts flag contained a circle with a fish a tiger a bow and arrow and the words Valarga ThalamuraiIn contrast the TVKs flag displayed an oval featuring two elephantsIt cannot be said that the defendants flag is a substantial copy the bench heldSenior advocate Vijay Narayan appearing for the TVK argued that neither the trust nor the party was engaged in trade or commerce and hence the Trademark Act did not apply He further contended that the trust had not shown any loss or that the TVK had made unjust gainsWhile acknowledging some similarity in colours he insisted that the overall look and style of the two flags were entirely different ruling out the possibility of confusionThe court also rejected the claim of passing off holding that the plaintiff had not proved the essential elements of goodwill misrepresentation and damage On copyright infringement it stressed that substantial copying must be established which was not the case hereConcluding that no case had been made for interim relief the court dismissed the application and adjourned the matter to September 22 for detailed consideration noting that its observations were only tentative at this stage IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/madras-hc-refuses-to-grant-injunction-to-restrain-vijays-tvk-from-using-flag-632701.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 20:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/president-murmu-extends-greetings-to-countrymen-on-shri-krishna-janmashtami-632246.html New Delhi Aug 16 President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday extended greetings to the countrymen on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami and called on everyone to follow the teachings of Lord Krishna to strengthen society Taking to X President Murmu posted Heartfelt greetings on Janmashtami Lord Shri Krishna has shown the entire humanity the path of following duties according to righteousness while remaining dedicated to the welfare of all beingsOn the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami let everyone resolve to follow the path shown by Lord Shri Krishna and strengthen society and the nation she addedEarlier in the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended warm greetings to the people across the country on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami and called it a sacred festival of faith joy and enthusiasmHeartfelt Janmashtami greetings to all countrymen May this sacred festival of faith joy and enthusiasm infuse new energy and zeal into your lives Jai Shri Krishna PM Modi said on the social media platform XShri Krishna Janmashtami is one of the most revered Hindu festivals celebrated every year to observe the birth anniversary of Lord KrishnaThe birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated annually with great enthusiasm and reverence on the Ashtami Tithi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada This festival is not only a religious occasion but also a symbol of the victory of love devotion and justiceThe auspicious occasion is marked by praying to Lord Krishna visiting temples to seek his blessings wearing new clothes observing fasts decorating homes and places of worship and making sweet dishes made of milk productsTemples across India are adorned with flower decorations and events are organised showcasing the revered tale of the birth of Lord Krishna and RaasleelaThe customs associated with Janmashtami include a festive celebration the reading and recitation of religious texts dancing and reenactments of Krishnas life as described in the Bhagavata PuranaAdditionally there are devotional singing sessions that continue until midnight which is the time of Krishnas birth Fasting is also a significant aspect of the observance Some people break their daylong fast at midnight with a festive meal IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/president-murmu-extends-greetings-to-countrymen-on-shri-krishna-janmashtami-632246.html Sat, 16 Aug 2025 17:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mass-grave-case-karnataka-bjp-launches-dharmasthala-chalo-campaign-632254.html Bengaluru Aug 16 BJPs Karnataka unit on Saturday launched the Dharmasthala Chalo campaign to counter the alleged conspiracy surrounding the mass grave case The BJP Yelahanka unit under the leadership of MLA SR Vishwanath commenced the campaign from the Nelamangala toll to Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala The event began with religious rituals and a convoy of hundreds of vehiclesThe yatra is being held to counter misinformation and by evening the participants are scheduled to have the darshan of Lord Manjunatha Swamy at DharmasthalaMLA SR Vishwanath State Milk Federation convener Belur Raghavendra Shetty prominent leaders party workers and supporters were presentSpeaking on the occasion MLA Vishwanath said We are undertaking the journey to Dharmasthala in 300 cars We welcome the Special Investigation Team SIT probe into the alleged mass grave case However the investigation is being systematically diverted by vested interests to defame and spread propaganda against the Hindu pilgrimage centreWe have launched the Dharmasthala Chalo campaign to counter and oppose the propaganda against Dharmasthala by YouTubers and sections of the media We will reach Dharmasthala by evening and offer prayers tonight On Sunday BJP State President and MLA BY Vijayendra Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and other prominent leaders will arrive in Dharmasthala and together we will have darshan and worship Lord Manjunatha he saidAbout 35 to 40 BJP MLAs will also join us tomorrow and together we will pray to God he addedThe Congressled Karnataka government and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar are now stating that what is happening about the Dharmasthala pilgrimage centre is a big conspiracy They have realised this only now but they should have made the statement much earlier MLA Vishwanath remarkedThe Congressled Karnataka government on Friday stated that action will be initiated against those carrying out propaganda against the Hindu pilgrimage centreResponding to media questions near the KPCC office Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated The government is considering taking action against those who have lied and spread misinformation in connection with the Dharmasthala case IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mass-grave-case-karnataka-bjp-launches-dharmasthala-chalo-campaign-632254.html Sat, 16 Aug 2025 17:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-janmashtami-celebration-to-begin-from-aug-14-631823.html Bhopal Aug 12 Chief Minister Mohan Yadavled Madhya Pradesh government has made an elaborate plan to celebrate the birthday of Lord Krishna which is celebrated as Janmastami falling on August 16 The celebration will start with traditional enthusiasm and fervour throughout the state from August 14 with cultural and devotional programs taking place to highlight the life teachings and social contributions of Lord Balram and Lord Krishna Statewide cultural and devotional programs will be held between August 14 and August 18 highlighting the life stories teachings and contributions of Lord Balram and Lord Krishna for the welfare of society There will be special events at selected temples across the state involving participation from educational institutions like universities colleges and schools along with local literary social and cultural bodies Key religious sites linked to Lord Krishnas life such as Sandipani Ashram in Ujjain Narayana Dham Amjhera Jamgarh and Janapav will host major events A special programme will also be held at the Chief Ministers residence in Bhopal A threeday special celebration programme ShriKrishna Parv will be organised at Sandipani Ashram in Ujjain where Lord Krishna attained education and wisdom Threeday event from August 16 and August 18 being organised by the states Cultural and Tourism Department will highlight the historical and religious significance of all sites related to Lord Krishna in the state the government said in a statement on Tuesday On the first day the programme will feature Krishna Leela by artists of Vishala Cultural Institution Ujjain a flute recital by Anupam Wankhede an Indorebased renowned artist On the second day August 17 performances will include Bareli folk dance by a group of artists who will be presenting Krishna Leela On the final day there will be the Thathiya folk dance by a group of artists from Betul and Ujjain IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-janmashtami-celebration-to-begin-from-aug-14-631823.html Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/make-har-ghar-tiranga-campaign-a-complete-success-tripura-cm--631828.html Imphal Aug 12 Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday urged all sections of people to join the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign to pay homage to those who give up their lives in the countrys freedom struggle Saha who on Tuesday led a mega Har Ghar Tiranga rally thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for calling for the observance of the campaign to pay respect to those who sacrifice their lives for Indias freedom He said that for the third time the Har Ghar Tiranga abhiyan was observed following the advice from the central government It is an exceptional occasion to pay respect to the freedom fighters Such campaigns also boost patriotism among the people especially among the young generation Saha said The Chief Minister appealed to common people students youths women farmers workers and government officials to observe the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign from August 13 to 15 as part of the 79th Independence Day celebrations Earlier hundreds of school students and youths joined a colourful rally to mark the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign The Chief Minister was accompanied by his cabinet colleagues Agartala Mayor Dipak Majumder and many important personalities and intellectuals Saha on Sunday and Monday also participated in the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign at his own assembly constituency Bordowali and adjoining Banamalipur assembly constituency In Manipurs capital Imphal around 1020 motorcyclists including 137 from the police on Tuesday participated in the Har Ghar Tiranga Bike rally covering a distance of around 33 km The rally which is part of the ensuing Independence Day celebrations was flagged off by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel and Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh from Hapta Kangjeibung area in Imphal Organised by the Manipur Police and the states Youth Affairs and Sports department the rally covering a distance of nearly 335 km ended at the Khongjom War Memorial complex Har Ghar Tiranga is a campaign August 2 to 15 started under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to bring the Tricolour home and to hoist it to mark Indias IndependenceThe idea behind the initiative was to invoke the feeling of patriotism in the hearts of the people and to promote awareness about the Indian national flag The Union Ministry of Culture is the nodal Ministry for the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/make-har-ghar-tiranga-campaign-a-complete-success-tripura-cm--631828.html Wed, 13 Aug 2025 01:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/after-lord-jagannath-temple-bengal-govt-to-build-durga-temple-631588.html Kolkata Aug 11 After Lord Jagannath temple at Digha in East Midnapore district of West Bengal the state government will set up a Durga temple in the state A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the State Cabinet on Thursday evening where it was also decided that the Durga temple will be christened as Durga AnganThe Durga Angan would be set up jointly by the State Tourism Department and West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation WBHIDCO The two bodies will jointly form a trust that will undertake the construction of the Durga Angan Power Minister Arup Biswas told media persons on Monday after the Cabinet meetingIncidentally WBHIDCO was also the implementing agency of the Lord Jagannath Temple at DighaHowever you will have to wait for some more days to know the place where Durga Angan will be set up The budget for the project is yet to be finalised First the venue of the construction will be finalised and only after that the other formalities will be worked out Biswas saidIncidentally the Lord Jagannath Temple at Digha had already been marred with controversies as the Opposition asked how the state government could spend public money from the state exchequer for construction of a religious structurePrecisely to avoid this controversy the temple was officially identified as Shree Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre in the records of the state governmentHowever controversies further broke out over using the word Dham in the name of the Digha structure Scholars clarified that as per Hindu religious belief barring the four temples at Badrinath Rameswaram Dwarka and Puri no other religious structure can be referred to as DhamControversies also surface over allegations that Prasad of the Digha temple were prepared in sweetmeat shops owned by nonHindus which had affected the Hindu religious sentimentsSince the beginning BJP had been vocal against sweets coming from nonHindu shops being distributed as Prasad of the Digha Jagannath temple IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/after-lord-jagannath-temple-bengal-govt-to-build-durga-temple-631588.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/fatehpur-vandalisation-issue-sparks-massive-uproar-in-up-assembly-631660.html Lucknow Aug 12 Proceedings in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly were disrupted on Tuesday as the Fatehpur tomb vandalism issue triggered heated exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches The Samajwadi Party SP demanded a discussion on the incident accusing the BJPled government of trying to disturb communal harmonyLeader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey alleged that a ruling party leader had called people to gather in Fatehpur a week earlier which he claimed led to the violenceParliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna denied any involvement of the government in the incident saying a case had been registered against 10 identified and several unidentified accusedAnyone tampering with the law will be punished through due judicial process he saidUnsatisfied with the response SP MLAs staged a dharna in the well of the House raising slogans However legislative work continued amid the protestsSpeaker Satish Mahana reprimanded MLA Pallavi Patel for recording videos of the protest and ordered her to delete them warning of action if they surfaced on social mediaTension flared up in Fatehpur on Monday after a centuriesold tomb outside a mausoleum was vandalised by a group of people claiming it had been built over a demolished Hindu temple They reportedly sought permission from the district administration to conduct prayers at the siteVideo clips circulating on social media showed some people vandalising parts of the mausoleum and hoisting saffron flags on itFollowing the unrest police deployed tight security around the site to prevent further escalation The administration is said to be investigating the matter though tensions remain highMeanwhile amid the uproar the House unanimously passed a resolution congratulating Indian astronaut IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on the success of the Axiom4 missionThe opposition also targeted the government over law and order citing statistics on murders molestation rapes and police excesses Khanna countered that convictions were being secured in as little as 22 days with no case taking more than 134 days He added that 12 forensic labs were operational in the state with three more under construction IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/fatehpur-vandalisation-issue-sparks-massive-uproar-in-up-assembly-631660.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 15:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bjp-demands-statement-by-ktaka-home-minister-on-dharmasthala-murders-to-end-rumours-631685.html Bengaluru Aug 12 The Karnataka BJP on Tuesday raised the issue of the Dharmasthala murders in the Assembly and urged Home Minister G Parameshwara to make a statement on the case to put an end to rumours circulating on social media and in society BJP MLA and state General Secretary V Sunil Kumar raising the matter during Zero Hour in the Legislative Assembly said that for the last 12 to 13 days developments have been taking place targeting the religious centre We welcome the Special Investigation Team SIT probe and have no objection to bringing out the truth However under the pretext of investigation attempts are being made to degrade and defame a Hindu religious centre he statedIf social media reports and statements are taken into consideration it is clear they are targeting Dharmasthala It is an attack on our faith and devotion We have information that even after 16 sites have been excavated as per the statements of the unidentified complainant nothing has been found he saidI urge the state government to put an end to these rumours In which direction is the SIT investigation heading Before the matter takes another turn information should be shared If the complainant makes claims authorities cannot go on digging hundreds of sites Action should be taken against those indulging in propaganda he urgedThe government should maintain the sanctity of the Dharmasthala pilgrimage centre The Home Minister should make a statement on the progress of the investigation How many more sites are you going to excavate Sunil Kumar askedResponding Home Minister G Parameshwara said that following a complaint and a demand from the local community on July 19 the SIT was formed and the investigation is in progress The probe should be completed within the given time frame It is not possible to excavate hundreds of sites After the investigation reaches a certain stage the SIT will submit a report and I will make a statement then he saidFormer Minister and BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar pointed out that Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao had said that the Mangaluru police were competent to conduct the probe and that the SIT was formed due to pressure from LeftistsClarifying Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said We are siding with no one We do not support either the Left or the right wing We want the truth to come outSpeaker UT Khader said he would allow a discussion on the case on Wednesday Home Minister Parameshwara reiterated that without an interim report he could not make a statementBJP MLA Sunil Kumar insisted that he should at least update the House on the progress of the investigation so farOn July 11 an unidentified complainant who claimed he had been forced to bury the bodies of women and girls raped and murdered in Dharmasthala appeared before a court in Mangaluru district and recorded his statement He requested that the bodies be exhumed in his presence and alleged that the victims bore clear signs of sexual assault According to him the bodies were found without clothing or undergarments and had injuries consistent with violent sexual abuseFollowing the claims an SIT was formedAfter the initial probe SIT Chief Mohanty stated that no significant material was recovered from the excavated sites However later reports indicated that a torn red blouse and a PAN card belonging to a woman named Lakshmi were recovered from the first burial siteIn addition the whistleblower reportedly submitted a skull allegedly recovered from one of the burial sites to the SITOn August 7 Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara confirmed that the SIT probing the alleged mass grave case has recovered a male skeleton and bones during the excavation and they have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory FSL IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bjp-demands-statement-by-ktaka-home-minister-on-dharmasthala-murders-to-end-rumours-631685.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 17:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ahead-of-krishna-janmashtami-muslim-artisans-prepare-brass-idols-of-laddu-gopal-in-aligarh-631687.html Aligarh Aug 12 Aligarh a city renowned for its locks and educational institutions is gaining recognition for a new craftidolmaking As the festival of Krishna Janmashtami approaches local artisans have been busy preparing idols of various Hindu deities What stands out this year much like earlier is the remarkable participation of Muslim artisans who are skillfully crafting brass idols of Laddu Gopal symbolising unity and communal harmony Idol trader Kapil Gupta shared insights into the thriving business ahead of the festivalKrishna Janmashtami is celebrated with great joy across the country Laddu Gopal is the most worshipped deity during this festival We have received numerous orders not only from within India but also from abroad Our idols are handmade and decorated meticulously he told IANSGupta added that the idol business in Aligarh has a legacy of over 100 years and the demand for Laddu Gopal idols keeps growing every yearHe also emphasised the diverse community involvement in this craftMuslim artisans and even Sikh craftsmen are actively engaged in this trade Since these idols are entirely handmade it requires skilled hands and dedication Muslim brothers contribute immensely to Hindu festivals by creating these beautiful idols People from all communities work together harmoniously Gupta notedOne such artisan Aqeel Khan who specialises in welding brass idols spoke about his experienceWith Janmashtami approaching I am preparing Laddu Gopal idols This is our livelihood Hindus and Muslims live together peacefully here and we take pride in this work Its a craft Ive been practicing for 25 years and my family including my children continues this tradition We feel great joy making these idols during the festival he saidKrishna Janmashtami a major Hindu festival marks the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna Also known as Krishna Janmotsava it holds profound religious and spiritual significance Celebrated nationwide with grandeur the festival falls on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada This year Janmashtami will be observed on August 16 2025 IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ahead-of-krishna-janmashtami-muslim-artisans-prepare-brass-idols-of-laddu-gopal-in-aligarh-631687.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 17:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/india-committed-to-welfare-of-the-world-mohan-bhagwat-631714.html Jaipur Aug 12 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat said on Tuesday that India is a country that gives the world the gift of dharma and works for the welfare of humanity Our Vedas hold all the scriptures and the penance of our sages has infused strength and vitality into the nation he saidBhagwat was addressing the Shri Siyapiya Milan Samaroh on the first death anniversary of Brahmalin Pujya Rewasa Peethadheeshwar Swami Raghavacharya Vedanti Maharaj at Shri Jankinath Bada Mandir Rewasa Dham Sikar on Tuesday He also unveiled a threefoothigh marble statue of Swami Raghavacharya and inaugurated the newly constructed Gurukul BhawanHighlighting Indias civilisational role Bhagwat said since ancient times Bharat has been showing the path of truth spirituality and humanity to the world There were times of prosperity and times of adversity yet this mission continued Whenever the world especially needs it India rises he said Reflecting on postindependence history he noted that many doubted Indias ability to uphold democracy yet it not only survived but also strengthenedIndia today is among the foremost democratic nations of the world he said Quoting spiritual anecdotes Bhagwat emphasised the oneness of all beings adding that this vision must be embraced as a national purpose Remembering Swami Raghavacharya he described him as a saint full of affection and belonging for all dedicated to Sanskrit and culture and free of discriminationSaints like Raghavacharya Maharaj live on through their work their penance and the traditions they establish he said expressing confidence that the Rewasa Peeth will continue to guide society with the same spirit of service and unity IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/india-committed-to-welfare-of-the-world-mohan-bhagwat-631714.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/tamil-lyricist-vairamuthus-comments-on-lord-ram-spark-political-row-in-tn-631716.html Chennai Aug 12 Celebrated Tamil lyricist and poet Vairamuthu has stirred controversy with his recent remarks on Lord Ram prompting sharp criticism from the Tamil Nadu BJP which has accused him of making antiHindu statements The row erupted after Vairamuthu while speaking at a function organised by the Kambar Kazhagam in Chennai reflected on an episode from the RamayanaHe referred to the incident in which Lord Ram shot Vaali from a concealed position a move often debated among scholarsWhen Lord Ram attacked Vaali from a hideout Valmiki Vaali and the entire world did not forgive him But poet Kamban who translated the Ramayana into Tamil forgave Lord Ram Vairamuthu saidExplaining Kambans interpretation he noted Kamban said that Lord Ram was out of his mind due to his separation from Goddess Sita According to IPC Section 84 a person who is out of his mind cannot be punished Kamban may not have known the law but he understood societyHis comments which linked the epics moral considerations to modern Indian Penal Code provisions drew immediate backlash from sections of the Hindu community and political opponentsTamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran was quick to condemn the remarks terming them antiHindu and accusing Vairamuthu of disrespecting a revered deityThis is an insult to Hindu faith Why has the DMK which claims to uphold secularism remained silent on such comments Why is there no condemnation from them he asked suggesting that the ruling partys inaction amounted to tacit approvalThe controversy has ignited fresh debate in Tamil Nadus politically sensitive religious discourseWhile Vairamuthus supporters argue that his remarks were a literary and historical analysis of Kambans interpretation critics see them as an affront to Hindu sentimentsThis is not the first time Vairamuthu a Sahitya Akademi and Padma Bhushan awardee has found himself in the middle of a public storm over his statements on religious or cultural subjectsHis earlier comments on Andal the revered Tamil saintpoet had also sparked widespread protests from Hindu groupsWith the BJP demanding an apology and the DMK yet to respond the issue is expected to remain in the political spotlight in the coming days further polarising public opinion ahead of the states festive season when Lord Ramrelated religious observances are common IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/tamil-lyricist-vairamuthus-comments-on-lord-ram-spark-political-row-in-tn-631716.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/rajasthan-cm-terms-partition-as-the-worlds-greatest-tragedy-631749.html Jaipur Aug 12 Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma termed the Partition as the worlds greatest human tragedy recalling that just before Independence over 10 lakh people were killed and lakhs of families were destroyed He was speaking in a seminar Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas a seminar organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party Jaipur City at Birla Auditorium He said that great leaders sacrificed everything for Indias freedom but the greed for power and appeasement politics led to the countrys divisionTrains from Pakistan used to arrive full of dead bodies showing the scale of Partitions horror Even today Hindus in Pakistan face injustice he saidSharma accused past governments of failing to grant citizenship to displaced persons from Pakistan and even refusing compensation for their lost propertyThe Congress which sacrificed lakhs for power today lectures us on unity The party that divided the nation can never unite it he statedPraising Prime Minister Narendra Modi he said that his government fulfilled the decadesold responsibility by granting citizenship to victims under the Citizenship Amendment Act CAA He also lauded Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh volunteers for serving refugees during Partition Programme State Convener Ashok Parnami recalled the suffering of those who fled Pakistan in 1947 including forced conversions and atrocities against women He thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah for ensuring justice to victims through the CAAThis day is not for political gain but to present historical truth and learn from it Parnami added He blamed the Congress and the Gandhi family for Partition calling it a political decision not a necessity If Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had been in power Partition could have been avoided he asserted adding that Hindus from Pakistan are hardworking citizens not refugeesProminent leaders including Deputy CM Diya Kumari Dr Premchand Bairwa former State President Arun Chaturvedi former Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore ministers MLAs and senior party officials attended the event which was conducted by former MLA Ramlal Sharma IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/rajasthan-cm-terms-partition-as-the-worlds-greatest-tragedy-631749.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 22:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/varanasi-kashi-vishwanath-temple-bans-plastic-move-welcomed-by-devotees-local-shopkeepers-631560.html Varanasi Aug 11 The use of plastic was completely prohibited in Varanasis iconic Kashi Vishwanath Temple on Monday The temple administration had been running a 10day awareness campaign ahead of the ban using digital electronic and print media to inform devotees and vendors at key points in the temple area including Godaulia and Maidagin In preparation the administration distributed bamboo baskets and metal pots to prasad shops encouraging ecofriendly alternatives The move has been warmly welcomed by both devotees and local shopkeepers who believe it will help preserve the sanctity and cleanliness of the sacred siteTalking to IANS Vishwa Bhushan Mishra Chief Executive Officer of Kashi Vishwanath Temple said We announced this decision in 2024 People were made aware of using bamboo baskets and other ecofriendly materials From today the ban is in effect and no one will be allowed to enter with plasticRajkumar Seth a shopkeeper praised the initiative Its a good step by the temple administration I thank them for this effort It will definitely help the environment We will now use steel and paper instead of plasticPradeep Singh a devotee echoed this sentiment It is good that plastic has been banned I request everyone to use paperAnother devotee Aditya added This is a wonderful initiative It will help the environment and I thank the temple administration for itBamboo baskets and steel pots were distributed as part of the launch marking a significant milestone in the Plastic Free Dham campaign This public awareness drive which began on July 12 aims to protect the environment and maintain cleanliness in and around the templeThe decision first announced in December 2024 targets pollution reduction and encourages sustainable practices among both devotees and vendors Under the ban plastic in all forms including wrappers carry bags and packaging for fruits flowers and puja offerings is strictly prohibited Even thin plastic films and polythene sheets commonly used in religious packaging will not be allowedThe initiative is part of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trusts broader environmental commitment aligned with the Uttar Pradesh governments push for sustainable practices at major pilgrimage sitesTo enforce the rules temple authorities have joined hands with local municipal bodies to set up checkpoints and deploy volunteers who will guide devotees Vendors are also being sensitised and provided with alternatives to plastic packagingThe Kashi Vishwanath Temple one of Hinduisms most revered shrines welcomes thousands of devotees each day The ban is expected to significantly cut the temples plastic waste and serve as a model for other religious institutions across India IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/varanasi-kashi-vishwanath-temple-bans-plastic-move-welcomed-by-devotees-local-shopkeepers-631560.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 21:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/tnpcb-issues-eco-friendly-guidelines-for-ganesh-chaturthi-celebrations-631346.html Chennai Aug 11 With Ganesh Chaturthi set to be celebrated across Tamil Nadu on August 27 the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board TNPCB has issued a set of guidelines urging devotees to opt for ecofriendly idols and to ensure that immersion activities do not pollute waterbodies In an official release the TNPCB emphasised that idols should be made entirely from natural biodegradable and ecofriendly raw materials avoiding any toxic or inorganic substancesThe use of traditional clay and mud has been recommended while materials such as Plaster of Paris PoP plastic and thermocol polystyrene have been strictly prohibitedThe board stated that only such ecofriendly idols will be permitted for safe immersion in designated waterbodiesTo maintain environmental integrity it has also specified that ornaments for the idols should be crafted using dried flower components and strawFor enhancing the idols appearance only natural tree resins may be used as a shining material The use of singleuse plastic and thermocol in any form shall not be permitted the statement read highlighting the importance of reducing nonbiodegradable waste during the festivalIn addition the TNPCB has banned the application of toxic and nonbiodegradable chemical dyes and oil paints on idols It advised against the use of enamel and synthetic dyebased paints instead encouraging artisans to adopt ecofriendly alternatives such as waterbased biodegradable and nontoxic natural dyes To further prevent pollution the board has instructed that idol immersion should be carried out only at locations specifically notified for each district by the respective district administrations These directions align with the guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB which aim to protect aquatic ecosystems from contamination during mass idol immersions Vinayaka Chaturthi one of Tamil Nadus most widely celebrated festivals often sees largescale installation and immersion of idols However in recent years environmentalists and civic authorities have raised concerns over the impact of nonbiodegradable materials and toxic paints on lakes rivers and coastal waters The TNPCBs move is expected to promote more sustainable celebrations while preserving traditional practices The board has appealed to the public idol makers and organisers of community celebrations to strictly follow the guidelines and contribute towards a cleaner and greener festival IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/tnpcb-issues-eco-friendly-guidelines-for-ganesh-chaturthi-celebrations-631346.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 08:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-woman-ends-life-after-alleged-pressure-from-lover-to-convert-to-islam-accused-in-custody-631413.html Kochi Aug 11 The local police at Kothamangalam in Kerala have taken into custody Ramees from Paravoor in connection with the suicide of 23yearold Sona Eldhose a Teachers Training Course student The womans mother on Monday said that her daughter Sona was in love with Ramees for a while and they were compelling her to change her religionShe was locked up and beaten last week after she resisted their attempts to take her to Ponnani for converting her They refused to heed her demand that she is willing to register marriage but not for conversion said the girls motherHe faces charges including abetment of suicide and physical assault after evidence emerged of alleged abuse and pressure to convert the woman Sona was found hanging in her home on SaturdayHer death note recovered by police on Sunday accuses Ramees of physical and mental harassment locking her in a room and forcing her to convert before marriageShe also alleged that Rameess family members and friends pressured her to change her religion stating that marriage would only be possible after conversion and that she must live in his family homePolice say they have secured proof from WhatsApp chats showing Ramees responding go ahead when Sona said she might take her own lifeInvestigators also claim to have evidence of Ramees assaulting her His family members are likely to be named as coaccusedAccording to the note and statements from Sonas family the relationship began during college and later turned abusiveThe couple had discussed marriage but Rameess relatives allegedly insisted on religious conversion warning that without it he would be ostracised from the mosqueSona initially agreed but delayed the process due to her fathers recent deathHer brother alleged that despite Rameess earlier arrest in an immoral trafficking case Sona forgave himRecently Ramees allegedly took her to his home under the pretext of visiting a friend confined her to a room and assaulted herHe also allegedly prepared a vehicle to take her to Ponnani for conversion but when she refused he told her to diePolice have confirmed Rameess employment as a temporary staff member at the Kochi AirportThe investigation is being led by Kothamangalam police with the case upgraded from unnatural death to abetment of suicide following the recovery of the death noteQuestioning of the accused is underwayThe case has drawn public attention for its serious allegations involving coercion abuse and religious pressure IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-woman-ends-life-after-alleged-pressure-from-lover-to-convert-to-islam-accused-in-custody-631413.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 13:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-cm-offers-prayers-at-hatkeshwar-mahadev-temple-in-vadnagar-631457.html Gandhinagar Aug 11 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel offered prayers at the historically significant Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple in Vadnagar North Gujarat on Monday With devotion he prayed for the nations and states continued development progress and for the health prosperity and peace of all citizens The Hatkeshwar Temple has been included in the Swadesh Darshan Yojana and the Heritage Circuit Project Under the temple complex development plan the first phase worth Rs 18 crore and the second phase worth Rs 422 crore funded by the Gujarat Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board have been completedThese works include the sanctum sanctorum assembly hall temple spire yajna hall and a welcome centre In addition the Gujarat Tourism Corporation recently introduced a light and sound show at the temple showcasing its historical and mythological significance at a cost of Rs 553 croreThe Chief Minister was accompanied by Health Minister Rishikesh Patel Mehsana District Panchayat President Trishaben Patel Tourism and Pilgrimage Department Secretary Rajendra Kumar Gujarat Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board Member Secretary Ramesh Merja senior leader Girish Rajgor MLA KK Patel District Collector SK Prajapati District Development Officer Dr Hasrat Jasmin Resident Additional Collector JK Jegoda and other officials from Vadnagar city and taluka administration along with trustees of the Hatkeshwar Mahadev TempleHe later posted on X On the third Monday of the sacred Shravana month I felt blessed by devoutly visiting the ancient and significant Hatkeshwar Mahadev temple located in Vadnagar North Gujarat I prayed to Hatkeshwar Dada for the continuous development of the nation and state as well as for the wellbeing prosperity and peace of all citizensThe Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple in Vadnagar is a revered Shaivite shrine with deep religious historical and cultural significance Believed to date back to the Solanki era it is a major pilgrimage site in North Gujarat especially during Shravan and Maha ShivratriVadnagar itself is historically prominent as the birthplace of Prime Minister Narendra Modi adding to the temples symbolic valueIts inclusion in the Swadesh Darshan Yojana and Heritage Circuit Project along with recent governmentfunded upgrades like a lightandsound show has positioned it as both a spiritual hub and a heritage tourism attraction boosting local pride and economic prospects IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-cm-offers-prayers-at-hatkeshwar-mahadev-temple-in-vadnagar-631457.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 15:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bsf-personnel-at-india-pak-border-along-rajasthan-celebrate-raksha-bandhan-631086.html Jaisalmer Aug 9 Border Security Force BSF personnel manning the IndiaPakistan border along Rajasthan in Jaisalmer celebrated Rakha Bandhan a festival that symbolises the deep bond between brothers and sisters The women personnel tied rakhis applied tilak and offered sweets to their colleagues and celebrated the festival with enthusiasmStaying far away from our families we celebrate the festival among ourselves and take pledges for the safety of our country and fellow colleagues one of the BSF personnel told IANSTalking to IANS BSFs Komal Sharma said that sweetmeats rasgullah jalebi besan ke laddu rakhis flowers and sandal powder for tilak were received by the headquartersAn elated Sharma said that it is her first Raksha Bandhan in the BSF and she is so happy that she is not missing her homeSharma went on to say that she has a brother at home but here she has so many brothers who will protect them as they protect the bordersAnother BSF personnel Sunali Gupta shared that she has not tied rakhi on her brothers hand for the past two years but is celebrating it here and guarding the border so that countrymen can celebrate the occasion at their homes peacefullyBSFs Neeraj Sharma extended heartiest greetings to the countrymen on the occasion of Raksha BandhanWe all have pledged here to safeguard the borders and for each others safety As it is impossible to celebrate festivals with our families we celebrate the occasion here so that nobody over here misses home Neeraj Sharma saidAnother BSF personnel Rahul Chauhan said We pledge for the safety of all our sisters as we safeguard our bordersRaksha Bandhan being celebrated across the country on the full moon day Purnima of the Hindu month of Sawan holds deep cultural and religious significanceThe festival is especially revered in Hindu tradition as a symbol of love trust and protection IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bsf-personnel-at-india-pak-border-along-rajasthan-celebrate-raksha-bandhan-631086.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 12:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/tn-cbi-suspects-false-complaint-behind-custodial-death-of-temple-guard-in-sivaganga-631153.html Chennai Aug 9 The Central Bureau of Investigation CBI suspects that the theft complaint which led to the custodial torture and death of a temple guard in Sivaganga district may have been fabricated Ajithkumar who worked as a guard at the Madappuram Kali temple near Thiruppuvanam died after allegedly being tortured in police custody He had been taken into custody following a complaint lodged by a woman named Nikitha who accused him of stealing her jewellery from her car The incident triggered widespread outrage across Tamil Nadu with demands for justice and accountability The case is being investigated by CBI Special Crimes Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohit Kumar from Delhi who began the probe on July 14 The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the CBI to submit its final investigation report by August 20 According to the revised FIR five members of a special police team allegedly assaulted Ajithkumar despite knowing the assault could prove fatal The officers are accused of using excessive force after Ajithkumar refused to confess to the alleged theft All five personnel have been questioned arrested and produced before the court and remanded in Madurai Central Prison until August 13 Fresh evidence uncovered by the CBI now casts serious doubt on the original theft allegation Investigators have found that Nikithas car never left the temple parking lot on the day she claimed her jewellery was stolen This finding directly contradicts her initial statement that the jewellery went missing after she had parked the vehicle elsewhere Officials have also noted several inconsistencies in Nikithas statements during questioning Based on these discrepancies the CBI suspects that her complaint may have been deliberately fabricated setting off a chain of events that ultimately led to Ajithkumars death in custody The custodial death has intensified public scrutiny of police procedures and the handling of theft allegations Rights activists and political parties have called for strict action against those responsible both for the alleged custodial torture and for any role in lodging a false complaint With the CBIs findings pointing towards a possible false theft report the case has taken a significant turn raising questions not only about police conduct but also about the circumstances that led to the fatal incident IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/tn-cbi-suspects-false-complaint-behind-custodial-death-of-temple-guard-in-sivaganga-631153.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 18:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/temple-tantri-asked-to-decide-on-opening-of-vault-b-of-sree-padmanabhaswamy-temple-630786.html Thiruvananthapuram Aug 7 After a gap of nearly five years the contentious issue of opening Vault B of Keralas famed Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple has resurfaced The matter came up for discussion at a joint meeting of the temples administrative and advisory committees held in the state capital on ThursdayThe issue was brought up by the state governments nominee who pointed out that since the Supreme Courts 2020 order no decision had been made regarding the opening of Vault BThe apex court had then declined to pass a directive on the matter and instead left the decision to the temples committees urging them to exercise their best judgment and discretionHowever during Thursdays meeting the representative of the temples tantri Chief Priest was absentAs a result the committees have now placed the responsibility on the tantri to take a call on the matter and communicate the decision at a later dateThe Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is globally renowned for its immense wealth with six vaults reportedly containing gold precious stones and priceless artefactsWhile five of these vaults have already been opened in the past Vault B often referred to as the secret vault remains unopened surrounded by myths mystery and concerns about structural and spiritual risksAdding to the intrigue a past report by former CampAG Vinod Rai appointed by the Supreme Court allegedly claimed that Vault B had been opened twice in the pasta claim strongly denied by the erstwhile Travancore Royal Family who once managed the templeThe family continues to maintain that Vault B has remained sealed and must be treated with reverenceThe Supreme Court had stepped into the matter back in 2011 following allegations by devotees of largescale financial irregularities in temple management particularly involving the gold reservesAn interim management committee was formed to oversee temple operations and in 2014 amicus curiae Gopal Subramaniam submitted a report highlighting serious concernsHistorically the Travancore royal family took charge of the temple after Maharajah Sree Anizham Thirunal dedicated the kingdom to the deity in 1750 declaring that the royals would rule as Padmanabha Dasa servants of Lord Padmanabha IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/temple-tantri-asked-to-decide-on-opening-of-vault-b-of-sree-padmanabhaswamy-temple-630786.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 23:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/either-apologise-or-sanatan-sanstha-slaps-rs-10-crore-defamation-notice-on-prithviraj-chavan-630704.html New Delhi Aug 7 Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan who sparked a political storm with his Sanatani terrorism barb has been served a legal notice by Sanatan Sanstha demanding that the Congress leader tenders an unconditional apology or face a defamation suit amounting to Rs 10 crores The defamation notice has been sent by Sanatan Sanstha Trustee Virendra Marathe who claimed that the Congress leader made highly objectionable and disparaging remarks against the worlds richest civilisation and asked him to make amends for the samePrithviraj Chavan while speaking to the press after the Malegaon blast verdict on Friday said that the saffron terror was not the apt word rather it should be called Sanatani terrorism or Hindu fundamentalism inviting strong rebuke from the BJPYou shouldnt use the term saffron terrorism If must say then say Sanatan terrorist or Hindu terrorist he said while sharing his governments attempts to ban one such Sanatan outfit when in powerIn the legal notice served by Sanatan Sanstha Prithviraj Chavan has been asked to tender a written apology within 15 days and also a promise not to make such profane remarks in the futureRamdas Kesarkar the legal counsel of Sanatan Sanstha said that Chavans statements were defamatory and demeaning and it hurted the religious sentiments of thousands of followers of Sanatan DharmaIf Chavan fails to acknowledge and address our demands we will take further legal action and will lodge a criminal complaint against him he saidThe organisation further called out Congress leaders double standards by questioning his alleged silence when the partys top leaders including P Chidambaram and Sushil Shinde coined a new term saffron terrorChavans reference to Sanatani terrorism in spite of saffron terror led to strong protests from the BJP as well as Shiv Sena with the latter holding demonstrations against former Maharashtra Chief Minister and demanding that he withdraw his statementSena workers had organised a sitin protest outside the Tilak Bhavan the Congress party office in Mumbai and demanded a public apology from ChavanIn the Malegaon verdict which came 17 years after an explosive device tied to a motorcycle went off near a mosque in Malegaon situated about 200 km from Mumbai killing six people and injuring hundredsThe special NIA court acquitted all seven accused including former BJP MP Pragya Thakur and Lieutenant Colonel Shrikant Purohit saying that the prosecution failed to prove its case IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/either-apologise-or-sanatan-sanstha-slaps-rs-10-crore-defamation-notice-on-prithviraj-chavan-630704.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 17:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/manipur-tribal-body-tim-meitei-groups-hold-meeting-to-discuss-peace-630543.html Imphal Aug 6 In an important development towards restoring peace in Manipur various Civil Society Organisations representing the Thadou tribe and Meitei community held a vital meeting in Imphal on Wednesday organisation sources said The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity COCOMI the Meitei community apex body All Manipur United Clubs Organisation AMUCO Federation of Civil Society Organisations FOCS Ima groups student leaders and Arambai Tenggol held the crucial meeting with the 13member delegation of Thadou Inpi Manipur TIM a tribal organisation After the firstever such meeting a leader of the TIM without elaborating on their discussions said that they discussed the peace process in Manipur A TIM statement said that historically and culturally there is no community known as Kuki indigenous to Manipur The term Kuki has foreign origins and those who adopt it today often do so to push a separatist and extremist ideology Many who currently identify as Kuki are suspected illegal immigrants having settled in Manipur in recent decades the statement said It said that over time church politics and religious affiliations have also played a significant role in misclassifying many members of the Thadou tribe as Kuki creating further confusion and undermining the true identity of the Thadou people This has become a threat not only to the Thadou tribe but also to the Meiteis MeiteiPangal other tribal communities and Manipurs unity as a whole the statement said adding that the point to remember is that Kuki is not an ethnic identity it is a political ideology Let us stand united in truth The path to lasting peace in Manipur begins with clarity of identity rejection of extremism and a renewed commitment to coexistence the TIM said Wednesdays meeting between TIM and Meitei CSOs in Imphal is the first consultation since the ethnic violence broke out in the state in May 2023 However TIM had previously held meetings with Meitei CSOs in Delhi Political observers felt that Wednesdays meeting could open a new chapter in the ethnic conflict resolution process led not only by political figures but by the collective will of the people through their civil and student bodies IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/manipur-tribal-body-tim-meitei-groups-hold-meeting-to-discuss-peace-630543.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 22:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ujjain-simhastha-melas-preparations-speed-up-says-mp-minister-630487.html Bhopal Aug 6 Madhya Pradesh Urban Affairs Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said on Wednesday that the preparations for traditional Simhastha mela 2028 in the religious city Ujjain has been speedup The Minister made this statement after attending a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav at his officeWith divine grace of Lord Mahakal the holy of city of Ujjain is moving towards a divine chapter Preparation for Simhastha has begun and the city has started adorning itself with devotion services and development Vijayvargiya said on social media platform XThe Minister told that decisions are being taken stepbystep keeping the safety of devotees as well as sadhus and sanyasis from all 18 Naga Akharas from across the countryHe said that the development works are being carried out in a swift mannerDuring the meeting detail discussions were held on progress of development works being carried out for Simhastha2028 in Ujjain and necessary instructions were issued to the officials he wrote on XIn a previous meeting held last month in Ujjain Chief Minister Yadav had directed that all work related to the Simhastha be completed by June 2027 and that monthly reviews be heldThe ongoing development works includes widening the roads and lanes of Ujjain which has seen a rising influx of devotees since the establishment of the Shri Mahakal LokThe Chief Minister had also stressed that walking distances should be minimised and evehicles be deployedDisaster and fire management are to be the top prioritiesSeven major routes leading to Ujjain city have been approved to be developed as four lanes and one major route as a sixlane roadThe Chief Minister has directed that work on these routes be expeditedUjjains Simhastha Mela is organised after a gap of 12 years and a large number of devotees during the monthlong festivalThe Madhya Pradesh government is expecting to receive nearly 15 crore pilgrims this timeIn 2016 during the last Simhastha 75 million people had been part of the monthlong gathering IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ujjain-simhastha-melas-preparations-speed-up-says-mp-minister-630487.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bengal-smuggler-arrested-along-indo-bdesh-border-gold-valued-at-rs-6268-lakh-seized--630518.html Kolkata Aug 6 The Border Security Force BSF arrested a smuggler and seized gold worth Rs 6268 lakh along the IndoBangladesh Border IBB in the North 24Parganas district of West Bengal This is the fourth gold seizure by the BSF along the IBB in the last few daysTroops of the Ghojadanga Border Outpost belonging to the 102 Bn BSF of South Bengal Frontier were acting on the basis of specific intelligence inputs of an attempt to smuggle gold from Bangladesh to India through the BSF duty point Around 630 am they spotted a man approaching on a bicycle with two buckets full of fish feed He was moving towards Kalupota The jawans stopped him for questioning and searched the buckets A sealed packet was found inside one of them a senior BSF official saidAccording to him the BSF jawans displayed marvellous alertness by reacting to the situation in record time The intelligence inputs were received by the company commander at 6 am and the troops were in position by 630 amAfter finding the packet the jawans informed the company commander who rushed to the spot The packet was opened and six pieces of gold of various sizes were found inside The man was immediately taken into custody and taken to the Ghojadanga BOP for questioning The man confessed that he had received the packet and was to deliver it to someone else He was to receive Rs 2000 for the job the official saidThe gold pieces weighed 60766 grams and their estimated price is Rs 6268620 the BSF has ascertained The smuggler along with the seized gold has been handed over to the concerned department for further legal processingIt has come to light that a network of local contacts was to be used to smuggle the gold to its ultimate destination The prompt action by the troops not only foiled the smuggling attempt but also traced many links of the entire network The matter is being investigated further the official saidHe praised the efforts of the BSFs intelligence network and the jawans and appealed to the border population to share information about gold smuggling through the Seema Sathi helpline number 14419 They can also send voice or text messages to the WhatsApp number 9903472227 Those providing credible information will be suitably rewarded he said and their identities will be kept a secret IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bengal-smuggler-arrested-along-indo-bdesh-border-gold-valued-at-rs-6268-lakh-seized--630518.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pakistan-continues-to-persecute-religious-minorities-using-blasphemy-laws-report-630522.html Islamabad Aug 6 Pakistan continues to persecute minorities through its controversial blasphemy laws particularly targetting the Christian community a report has detailed The pattern of religious intolerance and violence against minorities it said stems from Pakistans adoption of an Islamic Constitution in 1973 and provisions of Sharia law in its Civil Code as under the Pakistani constitution the right to free speech is limited to uphold the glory of Islam Pakistans notorious blasphemy laws are often used to target minority groups but Christians are disproportionately affected Indeed roughly a quarter of all blasphemy accusations target Christians who make up just 18 per cent of the population Blasphemy laws carry a death sentence While this is seldom carried out people accused of blasphemy are vulnerable to attack or murder by mobs In June 2024 an elderly man was killed by mob violence after being accused of desecrating the Quran wrote Brusselsbased European Conservative quoting a report of international advocacy group Open DoorsAccording to the report a 72yearold Christian in Pakistan named Anwar Kenneth was recently acquitted by the countrys Supreme Court after 23 years on death row over blasphemy chargesThe report stated that in July 2002 a Lahore court sentenced him to death after he was arrested in 2001 for sending letters deemed blasphemous towards IslamIn June 2025 following a hearing a threejudge bench of the Supreme Court announced that a person of unsound mind could not be held liable for such a crimeAddressing reporters defence counsel Rana Abdul Hameed said It is very unfortunate that an elderly man has languished in various prisons for over two decades despite his mental health conditionThe European Conservative highlighted another incident of violence against the Christian minority in Punjab province It mentioned that Pervaiz Masih was accused of writing blasphemous content which later triggered violent riots in the Jaranwala region in August 2023 Subsequently this year on April 18 he was handed the death penalty along with other severe punishmentsThe Jaranwala incident that destroyed at least 20 churches and forcibly displaced hundreds of Christians in August 2023 is just one illustration of violence resulting from the blasphemy laws the report detailedAccording to a report of the Centre for Social Justice CSJ a record 344 new blasphemy cases in Pakistan in 2024 exposed the rising abuse of the countrys blasphemy laws It stated that at least 10 individuals accused of blasphemy were extrajudicially killed by individuals or violent mobs in 2024The blatant weaponisation of blasphemy laws continued to enable persecution religious intolerance and widespread human rights violations the report stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pakistan-continues-to-persecute-religious-minorities-using-blasphemy-laws-report-630522.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/madras-hc-criticises-madurai-adheenams-remarks-linking-minor-accident-to-assassination-plot-630202.html Chennai Aug 5 In a sharp rebuke to sensational claims made by the Madurai Adheenam Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy of the Madras High Court on Tuesday asked whether the people of Tamil Nadu were so naive as to be provoked by unnecessary and inflammatory statements The judges remarks came during the hearing of a petition filed by ascetic Harihara Gnanasambanda Desigar seeking to quash a First Information Report FIR registered against him by the cyber crime wing of the Greater Chennai City Police The FIR was based on a complaint lodged by advocate R Rajendiran The Adheenam had alleged that a minor road accident involving his vehicle on May 2 during his travel from Madurai to Chennai was an assassination attempt and further claimed that the supposed attackers were wearing skull caps sporting beards and possibly linked to Pakistan Justice Chakravarthy took strong exception to such remarks Just because the occupants of the other car were Muslims the petitioner appears to have escalated the issue Are they not your brethren Are they also not as much Indian as you are he asked the Adheenams counsel Ramaswamy Meyyappan The judge was responding to Additional Public Prosecutor APP R Muniyapparaj who opposed the quashing of the FIR The APP argued that the Adheenams comments had triggered protests across Tamil Nadu and constituted cognisable offences The FIR filed on June 24 invoked several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS including Sections 192 provocation with intent to cause rioting 1961a promoting enmity between groups on religious grounds 3531b statements conducing to public mischief and 3532 making false statements to incite communal enmity During the hearing the court was shown CCTV footage of the incident which convinced the judge that it was the Adheenams vehicle that had been driven rashly Justice Chakravarthy observed that a major accident had been averted due to the presence of mind shown by the other driver who applied the brakes at the right moment Responding to the courts queries the Adheenams counsel contended that the ascetic was prompted to speak by media persons at a private event and that he had not named any specific religion He also said that the FIR was registered nearly two months after the alleged remarks While the APP insisted that multiple private complaints had also been filed against the Adheenam the judge expressed concern over police resources being diverted for such cases suggesting they could be better utilised for investigating serious crimes The court granted the police time until August 14 to file a counter affidavit in response to the FIR quash petition IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/madras-hc-criticises-madurai-adheenams-remarks-linking-minor-accident-to-assassination-plot-630202.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 17:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/voice-from-kashmir-beyond-silence-and-slogans-630223.html Srinagar Aug 5 Theres a father in Kashmir whose grief cannot be measured in words He once carried his son home not in his arms but zipped inside a body bag His son a casualty of a conflict he never understood was buried in the soil of their village But the mourning didnt end at the grave His sons death was repackaged politicised and paraded across platforms in the name of a cause that gave nothing back to the family it shatteredAsk that father what has changed since 2019 and he wont quote policy documents Hell speak of something deeper something lived A decade ago being Kashmiri outside the Valley came with a silent burden Whether in Delhi Bengaluru or Kochi introducing oneself wasnt just a formality it was a moment of hesitation Not overt suspicion but a subtle shift in gazeKashmir was not just a place it was a headline Curfews shutdowns stonepelting that was the image etched into the national psyche And it wasnt inaccurate It reflected the reality we lived inFor those born before the 2000s childhood in Kashmir was not coloured by festivals or playgrounds It was shaped by sirens shuttered schools and the acrid sting of tear gasPolitically Kashmir before 2019 was unlike any other Indian state Governance was never singular Alongside the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar there was another power centre the Hurriyat office in Rajbagh Some called it separatism Others more bluntly called it softline terrorism reported Global Kashmir on August 5 the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370Kashmiris known for their emotional depth and humility became easy prey for manipulation Both mainstream politicians and separatist leaders exploited public sentiment The latter while denouncing India and its institutions enjoyed state privileges government housing VIP access and security details They urged youth to pick up stones while their own children secured government jobs or settled abroadJournalist Shabnam Qayoom once exposed this duplicity in his work Ye Kis Ka Lahu Hai Kon Mara For that he was assaulted in a Srinagar restaurant just steps away from a police station No FIR was filed That silence spoke volumesIn this theatre of conflict it was never the elite sons of Gupkar Road who paid the price It was the children of ordinary Kashmiris of Lass Kaak Amm Kaak and Sull Kaak who bore the brunt Their voices were drowned out Those who spoke of peace were silenced or threatenedThe education system already weakened by the 1990s exodus of Kashmiri Pandits suffered further under the weight of endless hartals Of all the wounds conflict carved into Kashmirs soul none ran deeper than the one inflicted on education Schools shuttered lecture halls emptied and the rhythm of learning fell out of step with the rest of the countryGenerations of children lost irreplaceable years years that should have been spent mastering alphabets and equations not dodging curfews and chaos National exams became distant dreams and the Valleys brightest minds were dimmed not by lack of ability but by absence of opportunityLet it be said clearly Kashmiri youth have never lacked brilliance Their aptitude is undeniable What failed them was the ecosystem Their minds instead of being nurtured were manipulated Fed halftruths and incendiary slogans many were radicalised not for their own cause but for someone elses gain Whether through coercion fear or false promises their potential was rerouted into perilBut lets not dwell endlessly in the past The stories of loss could fill volumes For now lets turn the page to what followed August 5 2019Agree or disagree with the decision one thing is clear it shifted the axis of everyday life for the common Kashmiri Not overnight and not without friction but undeniably This isnt a celebration of perfection Kashmir isnt suddenly utopian But something has begun to stir A sense of movement A pulse of possibility And no I wont drown you in statistics Those are available on portals and dashboards What matters more is the lived experienceTake Gurez for instance On November 27 2023 it received gridconnected electricity for the first time Not because it was newly discovered nor because the terrain was insurmountable It happened because someone finally chose to actThe will long absent had arrivedConsider Srinagars flyovers Before 2019 the city had just one major overpass Jehangir Chowk to Rambagh conceived in 2009 and completed a decade later Today five flyovers stand tall built within five years two of which were pandemic years Thats not just construction Thats momentumThe SrinagarBaramulla highway once a symbol of bureaucratic inertia now nears completion Flyovers at Sangrama and Delina are functionalThe Waqf Board once untouched is now regulated Shop rents frozen since 2008 have been revised Teachers who once drew salaries without stepping into classrooms are now held accountable Offices open on time Public servants report to duty The culture of impunity is being replaced slowly but surely with a culture of responsibilityToday when a subsidy is announced it doesnt vanish into bureaucratic fog or get siphoned off by middlemen It lands directly in your bank account thanks to Direct Benefit Transfer Schemes arent just political catchphrases anymore theyre tangible Whether its housing food rations or scholarships they reach the people they were designed forTourism hasnt just revived its thriving Pahalgam Gulmarg Sonamarg once seasonal escapes are now yearround destinations Visitors come not just for selfies but for cinema Film crews once wary now return Film tourism is no longer a memory its a movementElectricity isnt a winter myth anymore Clean water flows into homes that once relied on long walks and heavy buckets Life once suspended between curfews and crackdowns has begun to feel livable And when elections were held people voted not in fear but in freedom No grenades No ghost booths That fear once etched into our evenings has fadedFor the first time in our history Kashmirs academic calendar has run uninterrupted for four straight years Thats not a footnote Thats a milestone And for families who cant afford to send their children to Delhi or Pune let alone abroad watching them walk into Amar Singh College or Womens College is no less than watching them enter Oxford or YaleWhat changed was the right to dream without being dragged into someone elses war What changed was dignity accountability and the freedom to imagine a future This wasnt a decision made in a distant Delhi office for headlines It was a correction bold overdue and rooted in the Haqq of Kashmiris Real Kashmiris The fruit vendors the farmers the village teachers The ones who lost sons The ones who never had a voice or power or VIP access This wasnt for the elite of Gupkar or the architects of unrestIt was for Lass Kaak Amm Kaak and Sull Kaak for you and for me August 5 wasnt just a date It was justice It was Azaadi from fear IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/voice-from-kashmir-beyond-silence-and-slogans-630223.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 18:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/jampk-from-constitutional-shift-to-developmental-surge-630262.html New Delhi Aug 5 Six years after the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A JampK stands transformed not just in its constitutional status but in its developmental trajectory The decision taken on August 5 2019 marked a watershed moment in Indias political history ending decades of special status and ushering in a new era of integration reform and revitalisation for the region What followed was not merely administrative reconfiguration but a concerted effort to reimagine Jammu and Kashmir as a dynamic contributor to Indias growth story One of the most striking changes has been the expansion of physical connectivityAllweather roads now traverse the mountainous terrain linking remote valleys to urban centres Railway lines have reached Srinagar and the Chenab Bridgenow the worlds tallest singlearch railway bridgesymbolises the regions integration with the national grid These infrastructural feats are more than engineering marvels they are lifelines of commerce mobility and inclusion The economic indicators reflect this momentumFor the fiscal year 202526 the Union Territorys budget allocation stands at Rs 41000 crore with Rs 9325 crore dedicated to policing and securityThe Economic Survey Report for 202425 projects an 1119 per cent rise in nominal Gross State Domestic Product GSDP reaching Rs 265 lakh crore Real GSDP is expected to touch Rs 145 lakh crore with a compound annual growth rate of 489 per cent over the past decadePer capita income is also on the rise estimated to grow by 106 per cent to Rs 154703 an indicator of improving livelihoods Sectoral contributions to the GDP reveal a balanced economic structure the primary sector contributes 20 per cent the secondary 183 per cent and the tertiary sector leads with 617 per centInvestment interest has surged with over 8500 applications proposing Rs 169 lakh crore in capital and employment opportunities for more than six lakh individualsLand allotments under the Industrial Policy 201626 and the Industrial Land Allotment Policy 202130 have facilitated industrial expansion with 213 nonlocals and 1751 locals receiving plots for economic activity Entrepreneurship has emerged as a cornerstone of this transformationThe Jammu Kashmir Konnect programme launched in January 2025 formalised a partnership between the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development InstituteThe Startup Policy has already registered 988 ventures and conducted 601 awareness programmes across 20 districts supported by incubators at IITJammu IIMJammu and NITSrinagar A Rs 250 crore venture capital fund has further catalysed innovation in agritech handicrafts and digital services a report published inThe Geostrata magazine said Agriculture and horticulture have also seen renewed focus The area under key horticulture crops has expanded by 10000 hectares and production has increased by 413 lakh metric tonnes The Holistic Agriculture Development Plan envisions fruit cultivation across 50000 hectares by 2047 aiming to boost rural incomes and diversify the agrarian economyLavender farming under the Aroma Mission and integration of mandis into the electronic National Agricultural Market eNAM have brought transparency and profitability to farmers Tourism long considered the backbone of Kashmirs economy has experienced a dramatic resurgenceIn 2024 tourism contributed 7 per cent to the Union Territorys GSDP amounting to Rs 18550 crore in nominal terms and Rs 10150 crore in real terms The government has allocated Rs 390 crore for tourism capital expenditure in 2026 with nontax revenue from the sector expected to double from Rs 50 crore in 2025 to Rs 100 crore in 2026The administrations tourism policy launched in 2020 aims to generate 50000 jobs annually and attract Rs 2000 crore in investment each yearIn 2024 a record 236 crore tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir Air connectivity has expanded significantly with Indian Airlines operating 4300 flights to Srinagar between April and June 2025 an increase of 12 per cent over 2024 and 21 per cent over 2023 Srinagars recognition as a UNESCO World Craft City and the successful hosting of the G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting have elevated the regions global profileGulmarg remains a major attraction with its Gondola ride drawing over 768 lakh visitors in 2024 and generating Rs 103 crore in revenue The ski resort has hosted four editions of the Khelo India Winter Games reinforcing its status as a premier destination for adventure tourismThe Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden also broke records welcoming over 671 lakh visitors in just 20 days after its opening in March 2025Srinagars first international marathon in October 2024 added another feather to the cap with 2005 participants and Rs 3926 lakh in registration fees Infrastructure development has been central to this transformationThe Valley is witnessing a highway renaissance with 47 projects spanning 810 km and Rs 41735 crore in investment reshaping its terrain The rollout of wayside amenities including EV charging stations and rest areas signals a futureready approach to mobilityRailway expansion including the electrification of the BaramullaSangaldan line and the inauguration of the BanihalSangaldan stretch has further enhanced connectivityEducation and healthcare have not lagged The IIM Jammu campus three IITs and dozens of Navodaya and Kendriya Vidyalayas reflect a commitment to nurturing talent AIIMS Jammu operational since August 2024 and the upcoming AIIMS Awantipora promise worldclass medical care within the ValleyUnder Ayushman BharatPMJAY SEHAT over 21 lakh golden cards have been issued providing free health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family per year Together these developments reflect a region in transition not just politically but economically and sociallyThe abrogation of Article 370 catalysed a shift from isolation to integration from stagnation to growth Jammu and Kashmir is no longer defined solely by its past it is shaping a future rooted in opportunity inclusion and resilienceFrom the quiet waters of Dal Lake to the heights of the Chenab Bridge the region now stands poised not just for development but for dignity and lasting peace IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/jampk-from-constitutional-shift-to-developmental-surge-630262.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 23:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mahayuti-will-win-bmc-polls-irrespective-of-uddhav-raj-alliance-claims-chhagan-bhujbal-630030.html Mumbai Aug 4 Veteran Nationalist Congress Party NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal claimed on Monday that the MahaYuti alliance will win the BMC elections irrespective of the coming together of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray Thackerays coming together will impact the elections in Mumbai Their seats will increase for sure However the MahaYuti will have no impact Irrespective of Thackerays joining hands the MahaYuti will have the highest number of seats he saidI have known both of them Raj and Uddhav since their childhood Their coming together means old Shiv Sena coming together remarked BhujbalChhagan Bhujbal began his political career with Shiv Sena and was one of the closest aides of Sena founder Late Bal ThackerayHe later joined the Congress and then the NCP when Sharad Pawar split the partyIn 2023 Bhujbal deserted Sharad Pawar and joined the Ajit Pawar factionIn July the estranged Thackeray brothers shared the stage for the first time in over two decades over the issue of making Hindi mandatory from grade oneShiv Sena UBT and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena are holding joint agitations as well as at various programs to oppose the governments moveRaj Thackeray went to Matoshree and greeted Uddhav Thackeray on his birthday on July 27 as wellOn August 3 Raj Thackeray shared a stage at the 78th anniversary program of Peasants and Workers Party PWP at Panvel along with Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay RautOn Monday Raj Thackeray while speaking at the party program reportedly advised his party workers to work by maintaining unityIf we two brothers referring to the reunion can come together after 20 years then why do you argue with each other Start preparations for the BMC elections with unity keeping aside internal differences Leave it to me to decide what to do with Shiv Sena UBT I will talk about the alliance at the right time wait for my further instructions Raj Thackeray told his workersMNS chief expressed that This time MNS will come to power 100 per cent in the municipal elections IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mahayuti-will-win-bmc-polls-irrespective-of-uddhav-raj-alliance-claims-chhagan-bhujbal-630030.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 21:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bhopal-bjp-mla-sabnani-slams-ncp-sps-awhad-over-remarks-on-sanatan-dharma-629939.html Bhopal Aug 4 BJP MLA from Bhopal Bhagwandas Sabnani on Monday strongly criticised Nationalist Congress PartySharad Pawar NCPSP MLA Jitendra Awhad for his controversial remarks on Sanatan Dharma Sabnani a firsttime legislator from Bhopals SouthWest Assembly constituency and the partys state general secretary organisation said Awhads comments stem from a superficial understanding of Hindu philosophy and traditionsI believe Awhad has no real knowledge of Sanatan Dharma Had he studied it properly he wouldnt have made such a statement One must read and understand it before commenting Sabnani said reacting to Awhads remarksThe BJP leader said the intention behind such statements was more important than the statements themselvesThose who make derogatory remarks about Sanatan Dharma or Hindutva reflect a narrow mindset Sanatan Dharma is deeply rooted and resilient it wont be affected by such remarks But we must ask whose narrative are they trying to push who stands to benefit from it and what is their real agenda Awhad should withdraw his statement and offer a public apology Sabnani told IANSAwhads remarks made in Mumbai on Sunday triggered political outrage across the country Speaking to the media while reacting to the verdict in the Malegaon blast case where all seven accused including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur were acquitted Awhad said Sanatan Dharma has ruined IndiaHe went on to claim There was never any religion called Sanatan Dharma We are followers of Hindu Dharma It was this socalled Sanatan Dharma that denied Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj his coronation defamed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and its followers even attempted to assassinate Jyotirao PhuleHis statements drew sharp criticism from various quarters including BJP MP Medha Kulkarni and Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC who condemned Awhad for what they called an attack on Indias spiritual and cultural foundation IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bhopal-bjp-mla-sabnani-slams-ncp-sps-awhad-over-remarks-on-sanatan-dharma-629939.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 14:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-cm-prays-for-progress-in-bharuchs-stambheshwar-mahadev-shrine-629962.html Ahmedabad Aug 4 In the auspicious month of Shrawan Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Monday offered prayers and performed rituals at the ancient pilgrimage site of Stambheshwar Mahadev in Bharuch district To enhance the convenience of the pilgrims visiting this holy site the Gujarat Sacred Pilgrimage Development Board has invested Rs 2 crore to create facilities including a multipurpose hall paved walkways and benches for seatingThe Chief Minister inaugurated the commencement of the development and completion ceremonies of various projects in Bharuch district by visiting the Stambheshwar Mahadev temple He prayed to Lord Bholenath for the welfare of all and the continuous progress of the nation and the stateDuring his visit he engaged with devotees present at the temple and participated in the distribution of prasad to the pilgrimsSituated near Kamboi village in Jambusar taluka of Bharuch where the Mahi river meets the sea the ancient Stambheshwar Mahadev temple is uniquely positioned at the confluence of the river and the seaThe temples Shiva Lingam is naturally bathed twice daily by the rising tides of the seaJoining the Chief Minister during this visit were MLA DK Swami former minister Chhatrasinh Mori senior officials as well as Mahant Vidyanandji Maharaj and other saints of the Stambheshwar Mahadev templeMeanwhile the Gujarat government has undertaken a largescale effort to develop and modernize shrines and holy places across the state aiming to strengthen religious tourism preserve heritage and improve facilities for devoteesOne of the most ambitious projects is the Rs 1632 crore master plan to transform Ambaji into a model temple town This includes the construction of a Shakti Corridor linking the main temple with sacred Gabbar Hill as well as enhancements such as ropeways Mansarovar Lake and event plazasIn addition over Rs 857 crore has been allocated to upgrade 163 secondary pilgrimage sites across districts like Dwarka Bahucharaji Pavagadh Porbandar and Siddhpur Of these development work has begun at 76 locations and 57 projects have already been completed IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-cm-prays-for-progress-in-bharuchs-stambheshwar-mahadev-shrine-629962.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 16:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/start-up-surge-and-heritage-pride-define-kashmirs-post-370-transformation-629995.html Srinagar Aug 4 Six years after the abrogation of Article 370 Jammu and Kashmir is undergoing a multidimensional transformation that defies its turbulent past From startup acceleration to cultural revival the region is scripting a new narrative one rooted in economic inclusion infrastructural modernisation and civic empowerment At the heart of this shift is the Jammu and Kashmir Startup Policy 202427 launched by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at the Avinya Startup Summit in March 2024 The policy aims to establish 2000 startups by 2027 with 837 ventures already registered including 302 led by womenA Rs 250 crore venture capital fund with an initial infusion of Rs 25 crore from the UT administration has been announced to catalyse innovation in agritech handicrafts and digital servicesKashmirs handicraft industry long burdened by counterfeit imports and market isolation is experiencing a digital renaissance Platforms like Kashmir Box have enabled artisans to reach global audiencesRecent crackdowns on fake GItagged goods including carpets and pashmina shawls have restored consumer trust with traders demanding stricter enforcement and public verification mechanismsBusinesses are thriving with renewed interest in traditional crafts such as Pashmina Sozni embroidery and walnut wood carving many of which now carry GI certificationInfrastructure development under the Srinagar Smart City Project approved in 2017 and overseen by Srinagar Smart City Limited SSCL has redefined urban life through smart roads sanitation upgrades and digital governance toolsTourism has surged with houseboat owners and heritage guides reporting record bookings aided by enhanced connectivity and the beautification of riverfronts like the Jhelum Bund where a Rs 6802 crore Detailed Project Report DPR was approved for embankment restoration and ghat illuminationSince 2019 the region has received investment proposals worth Rs 163 lakh crore with over 8300 applications submitted spanning sectors from hospitality to horticulture However actual investments stand at Rs 10516 crore as of early 2025In rural Kashmir agritech startups such as Qul Fruitwall founded by Khuram Mir are modernising agriculture with IoTbased soil monitoring droneassisted crop management and digital supply chainsQul recently secured Rs 60 crore in global institutional funding and serves over 5000 farmers The new domicile law introduced in 2020 has granted certificates to over 25000 individuals enabling access to land rights government jobs and welfare schemesEducational reforms are also underway Kashmiri has been introduced as a compulsory subject in schools up to Class 10 though implementation gaps remain due to a shortage of trained teachersMeanwhile the University of Kashmir has expanded its offerings in regional literature and cultural studies including interdisciplinary research through the Institute of Kashmir Studies and the Centre of Central Asian StudiesTogether these developments suggest that Kashmirs postabrogation journey is not merely political it is profoundly social economic and cultural IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/start-up-surge-and-heritage-pride-define-kashmirs-post-370-transformation-629995.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 18:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pakistan-occupied-kashmir-a-region-in-crisis-amid-exploitation-repression-630014.html New Delhi Aug 4 While Jammu amp Kashmir under Indian administration has witnessed significant strides in infrastructure education and democratic participation Pakistanoccupied Kashmir PoK continues to languish under systemic neglect repression and exploitation A growing chorus of voices including legal scholars and diaspora activists is questioning the legality of Pakistans control over GilgitBaltistan citing the UN Resolution 47 1948 and the absence of a formal accessionThe European Foundation for South Asian Studies EFSAS and the Human Rights Council of Balochistan have repeatedly called for international scrutiny of the deteriorating conditions in PoK Human rights violations in PoK have reached alarming levelsThe Human Rights Commission of Pakistan HRCP and Amnesty International have documented the discovery of mass graves in areas like Kotli and Mirpur suggesting extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearancesAccording to UNICEF Pakistan 40 per cent of girls in rural PoK are married before the age of 18 while UNODC reports estimate that 200300 women are trafficked annually for sexual exploitationPolitical dissent is routinely met with arrests torture and intimidation as noted in Freedom Houses 2024 report which ranks PoK as Not Free The socioeconomic landscape is equally grimIn May 2024 massive protests erupted in Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot over electricity price hikes exposing deep frustration over service failures PoK has one hospital per 150000 people and rural health facilities are severely underresourcedA 2023 report by WaterAid Pakistan found that over 50 per cent of the population lacks access to clean drinking water contributing to 3000 annual deaths from waterborne diseases with 90 per cent of water sources deemed unsafePakistans military establishment has been accused of exploiting PoKs natural resources The Mangla Dam built in 1967 displaced over 100000 residents yet 80 per cent of its electricity is diverted to Pakistans national grid with no revenue share for PoK according to Pakistans National Electric Power Regulatory Authority NEPRAThe NeelumJhelum Hydropower Project completed in 2018 at a cost of 35 billion has failed to deliver electricity locally and has caused environmental degradation including soil erosion and aquatic ecosystem collapse as reported by Pakistans Ministry of Climate ChangeRich mineral deposits in the region are extracted by private firms with military backing leaving locals impoverished Investigations by some journals have highlighted how these operations bypass local consent and environmental safeguardsAdding to the geopolitical complexity is the unresolved issue of Kalats forced accession to Pakistan in 1948 Historical records including those from British Indias Foreign Office archives and scholarly accounts by Inayatullah Baloch suggest that the Khan of Kalat was coerced into signing the Instrument of Accession triggering decades of insurgency in BalochistanThis revived narrative challenges Pakistans claims over disputed territories and exposes its colonialstyle governanceAs Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorism in Jammu amp Kashmir documented in UN Security Council briefings and Indian Ministry of External Affairs dossiers the contrast between the two regions becomes increasingly starkWhile India invests in democratic institutions and development PoK remains a cautionary tale of repression exploitation and broken promisesThe international community must take note and act IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pakistan-occupied-kashmir-a-region-in-crisis-amid-exploitation-repression-630014.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 19:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sudhakar-chaturvedi-acquitted-in-malegaon-blast-case-honoured-by-rashtra-pratham-629708.html New Delhi Aug 2 After years of mental social and legal persecution devout patriot Sudhakar Chaturvedi was honoured in a grand ceremony organised by Rashtra Pratham on Saturday The event took place near Sativali Lake at Gram Devi Temple in Vasai East drawing enthusiastic participation from a large number of local citizensThe programme commenced with a celebratory welcome for Chaturvedi marked by loud firecrackersChief organiser and founder of Rashtra Pratham Shivkumar Pandey paid tribute to Chaturvedis unwavering commitment to truth courage and relentless struggle over the years presenting him with a special honourRecalling the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case speakers at the event highlighted how the thenCongress government allegedly coined the term Hindu Terrorism to falsely implicate innocent individualsFigures like Col Shrikant Purohit Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Sudhakar Chaturvedi were not only arrested but also subjected to prolonged legal harassment through fabricated evidence and politically driven narrativesThe recent verdict by the Special NIA Court which acquitted all accused has now confirmed what many believed all along that the entire case was part of a political conspiracy aimed at tarnishing the image of the Hindu communityDescribing the judgment as a victory of truth and justice the organisers called it a strong rebuttal to divisive forces who in their agendadriven narratives misused terms like Saffron Terror to attack Indias cultural identityAttendees at the ceremony took a collective pledge to remain united and raise their voices against any such injustice in the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sudhakar-chaturvedi-acquitted-in-malegaon-blast-case-honoured-by-rashtra-pratham-629708.html Sun, 03 Aug 2025 00:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/amarnath-yatra-suspended-from-today-a-week-before-scheduled-end-629727.html New Delhi Aug 3 The annual Amarnath Yatra has been suspended from Sunday nearly a week ahead of its scheduled conclusion on August 9 which was to coincide with the festival of Raksha Bandhan Authorities cited persistent adverse weather conditions and the deteriorating condition of the Yatra tracks as the main reasons behind the early closureThe pilgrimage had already been temporarily halted three days ago due to heavy rainfall in the regionOn Saturday officials announced that the Yatra would not resume from either of the two traditional routes Baltal or Pahalgam due to the unsafe condition of the tracks and the need for urgent repair workAccording to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri the terrain has been severely affected by recent downpours rendering the route unsafe for pilgrims He stated that both routes required immediate repair and maintenance and continuing the Yatra while deploying men and machinery for those repairs was not feasibleDespite the premature conclusion around four lakh pilgrims managed to visit the revered cave shrine this year according to figures from the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board However officials acknowledged that the number of pilgrims had sharply declined in the past week likely due to weatherrelated disruptionsSecurity for this years Yatra was heightened significantly in the wake of a major terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 The government deployed over 600 additional paramilitary companies in addition to existing forces making it one of the most heavily guarded pilgrimages in the countryPilgrims were moved in tightly monitored convoys from Jammu to the twin base camps and civilian movement was halted during convoy hours along the SrinagarJammu National HighwayThe Amarnath Yatra which traces its roots to the discovery of the cave in the 1850s by a Muslim shepherd named Bota Malik has historically been seen as a symbol of Kashmirs syncretic cultureUntil 2005 the Malik family was responsible for organising the pilgrimage before the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board took over However recent years have seen reduced interaction between yatris and the local population as stringent security arrangements have confined most pilgrims within heavily guarded enclosures Residents note that only those directly involved in the Yatra such as pony handlers and palanquin bearers still maintain regular contact with the pilgrims IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/amarnath-yatra-suspended-from-today-a-week-before-scheduled-end-629727.html Sun, 03 Aug 2025 07:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/assam-crackdown-on-illegal-settlers-meghalaya-village-heads-asked-to-remain-vigilant-629546.html Shillong August 1 In response to the ongoing crackdown on illegal settlers by the Assam government the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council KHADC on Friday issued a strong advisory to traditional village heads urging heightened vigilance along the interstate boundary According to KHADC officials the directive comes amid growing concerns over possible crossborder movement into Meghalaya as a result of the Assam governments intensified action against unauthorised settlers Citing media reports the Council warned that individuals fleeing eviction or legal action in Assam may attempt to enter and settle in villages under the KHADCs jurisdiction particularly those located along the border In a circular issued to all Hima the traditional tribal administrative units the KHADC instructed them to alert their respective Dorbar Shnong and Dorbar Raid village councils and regional councils to remain on high alert They have been directed to closely monitor their areas and prevent any nonindigenous or unauthorised individuals from entering or settling without proper documentation or permission The circular further stressed that any suspicious or unauthorised movement must be reported immediately to the nearest police station or state authority for necessary action The KHADC underscored the importance of maintaining demographic and cultural integrity especially in border villages that are more vulnerable to infiltration The Council takes this issue seriously especially given the sensitivity of border regions Cooperation between traditional institutions and state authorities is essential to prevent illegal encroachments and ensure the safety and security of local residents an official from the KHADC said The move is seen as part of a broader effort by the autonomous council to safeguard indigenous land rights and maintain law and order amid evolving interstate dynamics This latest advisory comes even as tensions occasionally flare along the AssamMeghalaya border making coordination between traditional bodies and government institutions more crucial than ever IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/assam-crackdown-on-illegal-settlers-meghalaya-village-heads-asked-to-remain-vigilant-629546.html Sat, 02 Aug 2025 00:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/two-kerala-nuns-walk-out-of-chhattisgarh-jail-after-eight-days-629655.html RaipurKochi Aug 2 After spending eight days in jail two Kerala nuns walked out of Central Jail in Durg Chhattisgarh at 340 pm on Saturday hours after a special NIA court in Bilaspur granted them bail in a case involving charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion Both of them looked tired but had smiles on their faces when they emerged from the jail and hugged their colleaguesAmong those who were waiting outside were Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar lawmakers from Kerala including Jose K Mani John Brittas Santhosh Kumar Roji M John Anwar Sadath Chandy Oommen and a few colleagues of the two nunsState BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said this bail could have happened three days ago if there had been no political dramaThanks to PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah and the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Early this week Church higherups got in touch with me seeking help and then I had said things would be done and it has happened said ChandrasekharDue to bail conditions the nuns did not speak to the waiting mediaThe two nuns were escorted in a car by their close relatives who had travelled from Kerala and were going to a nearby schoolEarlier in the day Sister Preeti Mary and Sister Vandana Francis both members of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate a congregation under the SyroMalabar Church in Alappuzha district got bail after they were directed to submit a bond of Rs 50000 each along with two suretiesThey have also been ordered to surrender their passports not to influence the witnesses besides having to report to the local police station in Chhattisgarh once every two weeksTheir ordeal began on July 26 when the two who were working at a hospital in Agra were escorting three women from Narayanpur district in Chhattisgarh to Agra for employment as kitchen helpers in a convent They were stopped at a railway station by Bajrang Dal activists who alleged forced religious conversion and human traffickingActing on the activists complaint police arrested the nuns and a man named Sukhman Mandavi accusing them of human trafficking and attempted religiousMandavi also walked out freeThe two nuns are expected to travel to Kerala first to meet their families before returning to their duties IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/two-kerala-nuns-walk-out-of-chhattisgarh-jail-after-eight-days-629655.html Sat, 02 Aug 2025 17:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-ujjain-gears-up-for-lord-mahakals-shahi-savari-on-last-shravan-somvar--629679.html Bhopal Aug 2 The religious city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh is gearing up for the 4th Shahi Savari of Lord Mahakal which will be observed on the last Shravan Somvar on August 4 The city administration is also providing tight security and other facilities have also been put in place as scores of pilgrims are expected to visit Ujjain to offer prayers to Lord Mahakal the 12th Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva On the auspicious occasion the fourth traditional Savari procession of Lord Mahakal will be carried out in a spiritual atmosphere vibrant devotion and the city will be filled with saffron colour amid chants of Har Har MahadevA total of six Shahi Savaris will be carried out three processions have already been carried out on the previous three Mondays of Shravan monthThe August 4th Shahi Savaris would last in the month of Shravan and more processions will be carried out in the month of Bhadrapada sixth month of the Hindu religious calendar on August 11 and 18 During the Shahi Savaris Mahakaleshwar is carried through the city in a royal procession The practice is a centuriesold tradition The procession begins after the ritual worship of Lord Chandramouleshwar inside the temples Sabha Mandap These processions showcase different divine forms of Lord Shiva riding various vahanas celestial vehicles representing different powers and blessings Participating in or even witnessing this sacred event is believed to bring spiritual merit inner strength and divine protection The last procession was carried out on the 3rd Shrvan Somvar on July 28 Lord Mahakal ventured out among his devotees in a divine trio of forms as Chandramouleshwar in a palki palanquin as Manmahesh seated on an elephant and as ShivTandav on the Garuda Rath blessing the city and symbolically learning about the wellbeing of his people During the second Somvar the performance of eight cultural groups of Tribals from Maharashtra Gujarat Haryana Chhattisgarh Odisha and Madhya Pradesh was presentedTo ensure the safety of people and better preparation during the procession Ujjain collector Roshan Kumar Singh had already declared a holiday on every Monday between July 14 to August 18 IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-ujjain-gears-up-for-lord-mahakals-shahi-savari-on-last-shravan-somvar--629679.html Sat, 02 Aug 2025 19:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/nuns-arrest-kerala-bjp-begins-damage-control-meets-cbci-president-629379.html RaipurKochi Aug 1 A week after two Keralabased nuns were arrested and remain in jail in Chhattisgarh the Kerala unit of the BJP on Friday launched a damage control exercise State BJP president and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar met with Archbishop Andrews Thazhath the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India CBCI to discuss the issueEmerging from the meeting Archbishop Thazhath said the Church had conveyed its deep concern over the continued detention of the two nuns who he asserted had done nothing wrongOne of the nuns has been working in the region for over three decades primarily serving leprosy patients Their arrest has shocked us We have urged Rajeev Chandrasekhar to ensure their immediate release Thazhath told reportersHe added that Chandrasekhar was the first political leader to reach out to the Church following the arrests and that Congress leaders had also visited and expressed solidarityWe seek only justice After todays meeting we are hopeful especially since Rajeev conveyed that both Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are aware of the matter and have assured support We also raised concerns about the increasing insecurity faced by our missionaries working outside Kerala he saidSpeaking to the media later Chandrasekhar said that both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister had assured him two days ago that justice would be servedIts now clear that the Chhattisgarh government will not oppose the bail plea This is a legal matter and should be allowed to follow due process Some are trying to politicise it but thats not necessary he saidHe added that the BJP was extending help not for political gain but out of principle There has clearly been a misunderstanding It must be noted however that issues like conversion and trafficking are sensitiveChandrasekhar left for Delhi soon after the meeting reportedly to follow up with Amit Shah and other senior leaders to expedite a resolutionMeanwhile in Chhattisgarh hectic efforts are underway to secure the release of the nuns On Friday morning three Congress MPs Kodikunnil Suresh Anto Antony and Dean Kuriakose arrived in the state joined by two former CPIM MPs from Kerala PK Sreemathi and CS Sujatha They are expected to meet the detained nunsThe two arrested Sister Preeti Mary and Sister Vandana Francis belong to the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate a congregation under the SyroMalabar Church in Alappuzha district They had been working at a hospital in AgraOn July 26 while accompanying three women from Chhattisgarhs Narayanpur district to Agra for jobs as kitchen helpers in a convent the nuns and a man named Sukhman Mandavi were intercepted at a railway station by Bajrang Dal activistsBased on their complaint the police arrested the nuns on charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion A local court subsequently remanded them to judicial custody IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/nuns-arrest-kerala-bjp-begins-damage-control-meets-cbci-president-629379.html Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mizoram-begins-collecting-biometric-data-of-myanmar-bangladeshi-refugees-629261.html Aizawl July 31 Following the direction of the Ministry of Home Affairs MHA the Mizoram government started the process to collect biometrics and biographic data of Myanmar and Bangladeshi refugees taking shelter in the northeastern state after fleeing from their countries officials said here on Thursday An official of the Mizoram Home Department said that the Champhai and Lunglei district administrations started the biometric data collection for Myanmar and Bangladesh refugees on Thursday He said that the Serchhip district administration in central Mizoram on Wednesday first launched the biometric enrolment drive for the refugees The process of recording biometric and biographic data of Myanmar and Bangladeshi refugees on the Foreigners Identification Portal and Biometric Enrolment for displaced persons from Myanmar and Bangladeshi nationals would be done in all 11 districts of Mizoram Champhai district is home to 13586 refugees while Lunglei hosts around 2000 refugees According to the official the MHA would bear the cost of expenditure of the biometrics and biographic data collection the Mizoram government however has already sanctioned Rs 38 lakh to initiate the process The Mizoram government has recently provided vigorous training to the districtlevel officials to collect biometrics and biographic data of Myanmar and Bangladeshi refugees taking shelter in the state which shares 510 km and 318 km unfenced international borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh respectively As per the Mizoram government record around 33000 refugees from Myanmar and over 2370 refugees from Bangladesh are currently taking shelter in the Northeastern state After a military coup in Myanmar in February 2021 refugees including women and children from the neighbouring country started coming to Mizoram seeking shelter and now their numbers have increased to around 33000 The Bangladeshi Bawm community tribals from Chittagong Hill Tracts CHT have also been staying in Mizoram for over two years after they fled from their country due to ethnic troubles following the Bangladesh Army launched a crackdown on the tribals The MHA had earlier asked both the Manipur and Mizoram governments to capture biographic and biometric details of illegal migrants in the two states and complete the process at the earliest Over 4650 people including women and children from Myanmar earlier this month fled to Mizoram and taken shelter in three locations of Champhai district following a series of armed clashes between the Chin National Defence Force CNDF and Chinland Defence Force CDF both antimilitary ethnic groups who were engaged in fierce gun battles between June 28 and July 5 over control of the territory However as the situation along the IndiaMyanmar border is relatively calm now majority of the newly arrived Myanmar refugees have returned to their villages in the neighbouring country The Myanmar refugees mostly Chin tribes and have almost full ethnic and cultural similarity with the majority Mizos of Mizoram now sheltered in camps and relatives houses in 11 districts in the northeastern state Also the Bawm also known as Bawmzo are a small ethnic group primarily residing in the CHT of Bangladesh and they have almost full ethnic and cultural resemblance with the majority Mizos of Mizoram Myanmars Chin state shares 510 km of mountainous borders with six Mizoram districts Champhai Siaha Lawngtlai Hnahthial Saitual and Serchhip Mizorams three districts Mamit Lunglei and Lawngtlai share a 318 kmlong border with Bangladesh IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mizoram-begins-collecting-biometric-data-of-myanmar-bangladeshi-refugees-629261.html Thu, 31 Jul 2025 17:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/varanasi-muslim-women-craft-operation-sindoor-themed-rakhis-for-pm-modi-ahead-of-raksha-bandhan-629039.html Varanasi July 30 As Raksha Bandhan is almost here sisters across the nation are busy preparing rakhis for their brothers In a heartwarming and symbolic gesture Muslim women in Varanasi on Wednesday have created special rakhis themed around Operation Sindoor and sent them to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express gratitude and solidarity Under the banner of the Muslim Women Foundation both Muslim and Hindu women came together to handcraft these unique rakhis blending tradition with national pride This is not the first time such a gesture has been madefor several years Muslim women have been sending rakhis to PM Modi However this years theme carries a deeper message as the women dedicated their creations to the success of Operation Sindoor and the historic abolition of Triple TalaqAlong with the rakhis the women also sent a heartfelt thankyou letter to the Prime Minister appreciating his efforts to uplift Muslim women and protect their dignity They believe these initiatives have given them a renewed sense of identity respect and empowerment in societySpeaking to IANS Nazneen Ansari a member of the Muslim Women Foundation said We are making these rakhis for PM Modi to thank him for the success of Operation Sindoor Only a brother understands the value of a sisters sindoor vermilion His firm response to Pakistan through Operation Sindoor showed that strength We also thank him for removing Triple Talaqhe didnt care about votebank politicsNajma Parveen another member of the Muslim Women Foundation said I want to thank PM Modi for what he has done for Muslim womenfrom abolishing Triple Talaq to Operation Sindoor These steps have changed our livesKhursida Bano another member said Theres an atmosphere of joy here as we prepare rakhis for PM Modi The way he freed us from Triple Talaq was lifechanging We are equally grateful for Operation SindoorRaksha Bandhan or Rakhi is a beloved Hindu festival that celebrates the sacred bond between brothers and sisters It symbolises love trust and the promise of lifelong protection This year Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on August 9 IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/varanasi-muslim-women-craft-operation-sindoor-themed-rakhis-for-pm-modi-ahead-of-raksha-bandhan-629039.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 18:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ambaji-set-to-become-model-temple-town-under-rs-1-632-crore-master-plan-628852.html Gandhinagar July 29 The Gujarat government has approved the implementation of Rs 1632 crore master plan to transform Ambaji one of Indias most revered Shaktipeeths into a benchmark model temple town The project to be executed in two phases aims to integrate spirituality with modern infrastructure while preserving the sanctity and environmental integrity of the sacred siteAt the heart of the plan is the construction of a Shakti Corridor linking Ambaji Mandir with Gabbar Hill believed to be the site where Goddess Satis heart fell This corridor will feature an interactive spiritual pathway immersive galleries and mythological murals to enrich the pilgrim experience The development includes expansion of Chachar Chowk by three times its current size beautification of sacred lakes and upgraded access routes to enhance crowd flow and safetyDesigned with a 50year vision the plan focuses on the redevelopment of existing facilities the construction of multilevel parking pilgrim accommodations underpasses and the creation of zones like Divya Darshan Plaza Shakti Chowk and event plazas for festivals and Garba celebrationsA major highlight is the integration of techenabled infrastructure for safe and accessible navigation across temple complexes The first phase costing around Rs 950 crore will begin soon with primary works including the Shakti Corridor a lightandsoundequipped Gabbar Arrival Plaza and other core amenities The second phase with an investment of 682 crore will focus on developing Gabbar temple premises Mansarovar surroundings and the Sati Sarovar zoneThe master plan envisions Ambaji not just as a religious site but as a spiritually immersive destination of global standards with sustainability and heritage conservation at its coreThe Ambaji Temple located in the Danta taluka of Gujarats Banaskantha district is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas and holds immense significance in Hindu mythologyLegend has it that the heart of Goddess Sati fell here when Lord Shiva carried her body in grief Unlike most temples there is no idol in the sanctum instead a sacred Shree Yantra carved on a natural rock is worshipped symbolising the divine feminine energy IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ambaji-set-to-become-model-temple-town-under-rs-1-632-crore-master-plan-628852.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/amarnath-yatra-2025-number-of-pilgrims-likely-to-cross-four-lakh-mark-628877.html Srinagar July 30 With over 393 lakh devotees having darshan so far during the ongoing Amarnath Yatra the figure is likely to cross four lakh within the next two days On Wednesday another batch of 1339 Yatris left for the Valley from Jammu The first escorted convoy of 16 vehicles carrying 328 Yatris left at 328 am for Baltal base camp while the second escorted convoy of 42 vehicles carrying 1017 Yatris left at 348 am for Pahalgam base campIn addition to this many devotees are arriving directly for the Yatra who avail of onthespot registration to undertake the journey to the two base campsRegistration is available at both the base camps for those arriving directly The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board SASB which manages the affairs of the Yatra has been facilitating the pilgrims to undertake the pilgrimage without facing hardshipsOn the Nag Panchami occasion on Tuesday Chhari Pujan was performed at the Amareshwar Temple inside the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar The prayer was led by the sole custodian of Lord Shivas holy mace Chhari Mubarak Mahant Swami Deependra Giri accompanied by Sadhus from across the country It is the journey of the Chhari Mubarak that determines the landmarks of the Amarnath Yatra It will start its final journey towards the cave shrine from the Amareshwar temple in Srinagar on August 4 and will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9 marking the official conclusion of the YatraThe Yatra involves high altitude trek in the Himalayas as the cave shrine is situated 3888 metres above sea levelThe cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon Devotees believe the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord ShivaThe Yatra this year is being held under tight security watch following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack Due to security reasons no helicopter services are available to the Yatris this year A heavy ring of multitier security comprising the Army the BSF SSB CRPF and the JampK Police has been deployed to secure the YatraThe Army has deployed 8000 specially trained commandos to augment the existing number of security men deployed on Yatra duties IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/amarnath-yatra-2025-number-of-pilgrims-likely-to-cross-four-lakh-mark-628877.html Wed, 30 Jul 2025 09:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/transforming-young-lives-through-eternal-culture-baps-begins-sanskrit-learning-initiative-628801.html New Delhi July 29 In a world filled with distractions and entertainment overload inculcating cultural values in children is both a challenge and necessity The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha has started a oneofitskind initiative for the holistic development of childrenGuided by the divine vision of Mahant Swami Maharaj the BAPS has been steadfastly nurturing moral spiritual and intellectual growth in children and adultsUnder the guidance of Mahant Swami Maharaj BAPS has launched a largescale Sanskrit learning initiative aimed at preserving our eternal values and language This initiative has received an overwhelming response from across the world Over 37000 children have registered with a targeted milestone of enabling 10000 children to begin learning Sanskrit by this DiwaliIn Mumbai alone 1000 children have already embarked on their Sanskrit learning journey and 400 of them have completed their course The remaining are on track to complete it by the next DiwaliChildren ranging from three to 14 years of age are actively involved in memorising and reciting these Sanskrit versesThis Sanskrit Shloka Mukhapath Abhiyan focused on memorising 315 verses from the Satsang Diksha granth a sacred scripture written by Mahant Swami Maharaj himselfIn such a fastpaced and materialdriven era it is truly inspiring to witness thousands of children embracing Sanskrit our ancient and divine language as a medium to connect with their rootsThis remarkable movement is not only about language but about cultivating discipline devotion memory and inner strengthChild psychiatrist Shreyasetu Swami stated that such achievements are the result of the collective dedication of hundreds of saints volunteers and carefully crafted educational programmes initiated by BAPSThis initiative is not merely an educational campaign it is a cultural revolution By embracing Sanskrit children are not only preserving language but building character memory and focus he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/transforming-young-lives-through-eternal-culture-baps-begins-sanskrit-learning-initiative-628801.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 19:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/after-protests-kerala-lawmakers-meet-arrested-nuns-in-jail-628802.html ChhattisgarhThiruvananthapuram July 29 A delegation consisting of five lawmakers delegated by the All India Congress Committee AICC on Tuesday met the two arrested nuns currently housed in a jail in Chhattisgarh Permission was first denied to the delegation while the Kerala BJP General Secretary Anoop Antony was given permission without any problemsIt was only after the intervention of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel that the AICC delegation got the permission to meet the two nunsOn Tuesday a lower court in Chhattisgarh rejected the bail plea of the two nuns and the church is now approaching a Sessions Court on WednesdayThe nuns Preeti Mary and Vandana Francis posted with the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate a congregation under the SyroMalabar Church in Alappuzha district were working at a hospital in AgraOn August 26 the two nuns and the man identified as Sukhman Mandavi were accompanying three women from Chhattisgarhs Narayanpur district to Uttar Pradeshs Agra where they had been offered jobs as kitchen helpers at a ConventWhile they were waiting at the Chhattisgarh railway station they were stopped by Bajrang Dal activists and the police also arrived at the spotBoth the nuns and the man were taken into custody and later produced before a local court which sent them to judicial custodyThe lawmakers included Lok Sabha members Benny Behanan Congress NK Premachandran Revolutionary Socialist Party Francis George Kerala Congress and Saptagiri S Ulaka Congress and Roji M John CongressThe brother of the arrested nun Preeti was also in the delegationSpeaking to the media soon after meeting the two distraught nuns RSP legislator Premachandran said that they are rattled by what happened to them and continue to be in a state of shockIts now crystal clear that the two sisters had no malafide intentions They are residing in two different places and they met at the railway station in Chhattisgarh It was at the railway station that angry Bajarang Dal activists started abusing them he addedThese Bajrang Dal activists searched the bags of the sisters and also the three women A sum of Rs 2000 was recovered from one woman and the Bajrang Dal activists was angrily asking if the money was given by the nuns Premachandran saidCongress legislator Behanan said that all the narratives that were floated at the time of arrest of the nuns has fallen flatFirst they said the three young women are minors which was proved false as they had their identity cards and also their Aadhar card Then it was said the women was forcefully taken away which has been denied by their parents he addedBiju brother of Sister Preeti said that he came all the way from Kerala just to see her and report to our aged parents that I met herIt was a really emotional meeting and we both broke into tears Biju said and added now we feel a bit relieved as we are now seeing to seek bailWhat has upset the AICC delegation was despite they being lawmakers they did not get any desired respect while a BJP leader from Kerala Anoop Antony was given the permissionWe will submit a report to the AICC on the pitiful condition of the two nuns who never did any wrong and we will again raise this issue in the Parliament on Wednesday Behanan addedEarlier on Tuesday as a face saving measure Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar cleared the air about the arrest by saying there was a miscommunicationIts now clear that neither trafficking nor religious conversion has taken place There was a miscommunication in the incident We the BJP will stand with the nuns till they get justice If required I myself will reach Chhattisgarh I have had contacts with the Home Minister there Chandrasekhar told the media in DelhiOn Wednesday various churches in Kerala are holding a protest in the way how the constitutional rights of the nuns was violated and they were put in jail IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/after-protests-kerala-lawmakers-meet-arrested-nuns-in-jail-628802.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 19:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-383-lakh-perform-amarnath-yatra-in-25-days-thousands-more-head-to-shrine-628566.html Srinagar July 29 Over 383 lakh pilgrims have so far undertaken the ongoing Amarnath Yatra with 12 days left for the annual Himalayan pilgrimage to end This years Amarnath Yatra has seen a heavy rush of enthusiastic devotees to the holy cave shrine in a highly secured peaceful and smooth environmentOfficials said another batch of 1490 Yatris left Jammu in two escorted convoys for Kashmir on TuesdayOf these the first convoy of 16 vehicles carrying 327 pilgrims left at 325 am for Baltal base camp while the second convoy of 45 vehicles carrying 1163 Yatris left at 357 am for Pahalgam base campThe Chhari Pujan of Lord Shivas holy mace Chhari Mubarak is being celebrated in Amareshwar Temple in Srinagar on this day on Nag PanchamiThe final journey of the Chhari Mubarak towards the holy cave shrine will start on August 4 The Chhari Mubarak is traditionally housed inside the Amareshwar Temple at the Dashnami Akhara Building in the Budshah Chowk area of Srinagar city It is the journey of the Chhari Mubarak that determines the landmarks of the Amarnath YatraIt will start its final journey towards the cave shrine from the Amareshwar temple in Srinagar on August 4 and will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9 marking the official conclusion of the YatraDuring its journey from its seat to the holy cave shrine traditional Puja will be held en route at Pampore Bijbehara Mattan and Pahalgam before the Chhari Mubarak arrives at its final destination the holy cave shrineAuthorities have made extensive multitier security arrangements for this years Amarnath Yatra as this takes place after the cowardly attack of April 22 in which Pakistanbacked terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them based on faith in the Baisaran meadow of PahalgamAn additional 180 companies of CAPFs have been brought in to augment the existing strength of the Army BSF CRPF SSB and the local police The Army has deployed over 8000 special commandos to secure the passage of the pilgrims this yearThe Yatra started on July 3 and will end after 38 days on August 9 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha BandhanYatris approach the holy cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas either from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route Those using the Pahalgam route pass through Chandanwari Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach the cave shrine covering a distance of 46 km on foot This trek takes a pilgrim four days to get to the cave shrine And those using the shorter Baltal route have to trek 14 km to reach the cave shrine and return to the base camp the same day after having darshanNo helicopter services are available to Yatris this year due to security reasonsThe cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-383-lakh-perform-amarnath-yatra-in-25-days-thousands-more-head-to-shrine-628566.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 08:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/canadian-mp-submits-notice-of-motion-for-protecting-religious-freedom-628616.html Ottawa July 29 Canadian MP Jamil Jivani has submitted a notice of motion to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage calling for the protection of the freedom to worship without fear of violence or criminal intimidation The motion submitted on Monday called upon the Standing Committee to acknowledge that religious communities in Canada have faced increasing violence and criminal intimidation since 2021 and mentioned incidents involving attacks on Hindu Temples churches mosques and synagoguesAdditional security measures and legal protections are needed to stop criminals from targeting religious communities and attacking the freedom to worship in Canada Jivani saidThe motion called upon the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage to recognise that protecting the freedom to worship without fear of violence or criminal intimidation is a fundamental part of Canadian Heritage and acknowledge that religious communities in Canada have faced increasing violence and criminal intimidation since 2021It said over 100 churches were burnt down or desecrated Hindu temples targeted by violent protestors Jewish schools and synagogues targeted by fire bombings and shootings and mosques targeted by assaults and vandalismThe motion asked the Standing Committee to study threats to the freedom to worship without fear of violence or criminal intimidation in Canada since 2021 consider the impact of bubble zone laws for places of worship and the impact of increasing the criminal penalty for arson and other crimes targeting places of worshipJivani urged the committee to conduct a study on threats to the freedom to worship in Canada since 2021The motion called for considering the impact of bubble zone laws for places of worship and increasing the criminal penalty for arson and other crimes targeting places of worshipIt also sought two meetings on the issue and a report of its findings be submitted to the House of CommonsIn April the Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Surrey was defaced with proKhalistan graffiti in what is now the third reported act of vandalism at the same siteIn November last year a protest by Khalistani extremists near the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton escalated into violence with attendees of the temple reportedly attackedEarlier a Hindu temple in Windsor suffered defacement with antiIndia graffiti sparking widespread condemnation and calls for action from both Canadian and Indian officialsEarlier incidents in Mississauga and Brampton saw temples similarly targeted drawing strong reactions from the Indian community in Canada IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/canadian-mp-submits-notice-of-motion-for-protecting-religious-freedom-628616.html Tue, 29 Jul 2025 15:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ukhand-cm-asks-officials-to-maintain-adequate-arrangements-at-temples-amid-high-devotee-turnout-628491.html Dehradun July 28 IANS Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday instructed officials to maintain adequate arrangements at key temples in the state witnessing a huge influx of devotees and also asked them to scale up the facilities in case of any exigencynbspThe instructions were issued by the Chief Minister during a highlevel meeting of concerned departments at the state secretariat on MondaynbspThe religious places which are witnessing huge turnouts of devotees include Mansa Devi in Haridwar Chandi Devi Temple Kainchi Dham in Nainital Jageshwar Temple in Almora Neelkanth Mahadev Temple in Pauri and other famous templesOver the next few days they will see increased attention and monitoring from the government authoritiesnbspCM Pushkar Dhami said that crowd management devotee registration widening of walkways and stairs removal of encroachment and availability of all other basic facilities should be ensured in these temples so that the devotees get a smooth and safe darshan experiencenbspHe directed that a committee be formed under the chairmanship of the commissioners of both divisions The District Magistrates of the respective districts Senior Superintendents of Police Vice Presidents of Development Authorities and representatives of implementing agencies would be included as members in this committeeCM Dhami while emphasising the planned development of the Mansa Devi temple complex and other major temple complexes said that the darshan system should be strengthened wellorganised and made smooth for the devoteesnbspHe said that the registration of devotees should be made mandatory and an effective system for crowd control must be brought in to avoid any inconvenience to other devoteesnbspThe guidelines to regulate pilgrims flow assume significance in the wake of the stampede in Haridwars Mansa Devi temple on Sunday which left eight devotees deadApart from this the Chief Minister also issued instructions to make the conversion law stricter in the statenbspCM Dhami said that Uttarakhand is a border state as well as the holy land of Sanatan Dharma and any attempt to change the demography should be strictly stopped He said that the police should keep an eye on such suspicious activitiesnbspCM Dhami also told the officials that the Operation Kalanemi has been successful in curbing antisocial elements and called for taking the drive forward https://dailyworld.in/religion/ukhand-cm-asks-officials-to-maintain-adequate-arrangements-at-temples-amid-high-devotee-turnout-628491.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 17:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/german-chancellor-urges-ceasefire-humanitarian-aid-for-gaza-628316.html Berlin July 27 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday expressing concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza According to a statement from the German government during the phone conversation Merz urged an immediate ceasefire and called for urgently needed humanitarian aid to reach the starving civilians in Gaza swiftly safely and at the required scale Xinhua news agency reportedGermany will decide on its efforts to improve the situation in the coming days in consultation with its E3 partners France and Britain as well as the United States and Arab nations the statement saidOn Thursday French President Macron announced that France will move to recognise the state of Palestine in September as theurgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and rescue the civilian populationWe must finally build the State of Palestine ensure its viability and enable it by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel to contribute to the security of all in the Middle East he wrote on social mediaWhile France would be the most significant European power to recognise a Palestinian state several countries have announced plans to recognise statehood for the Palestinians since Israel launched a bombardment of Gaza nearly two years ago in response to the Hamas attacksSenior Palestinian Authority official Hussein alSheikh welcomed the move saying it reflects Frances commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian peoples rights to selfdetermination and the establishment of our independent stateHamas hailed Macrons pledge as a positive step in the right direction toward doing justice to our oppressed Palestinian people and supporting their legitimate right to selfdeterminationWe call on all countries of the world especially European nations and those that have not yet recognised the State of Palestine to follow Frances lead it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/german-chancellor-urges-ceasefire-humanitarian-aid-for-gaza-628316.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/3rd-sawan-somwar-massive-turnout-of-devotees-at-kashi-vishwanath-and-other-lord-shiva-temples-628349.html New Delhi July 28 Devotees across the country thronged Lord Shiva temples with deep devotion and enthusiasm on the third Sawan Somwar offering Jalabhishek and prayers From Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi to Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain devotees visited the Lord Shiva temple in hordes to pay obeisance The religious fervour resonated among the devotees as they visited temples to offer prayers At the Kashi Vishwanath Temple the sanctum was adorned with vibrant flowers A grand Mangla Aarti was performed early in the morning and thousands of devotees gathered to witness the divine decoration of Baba Vishwanath after offering sacred waterVaranasi DM Satyendra Kumar and Kashi Vishwanath Temple CEO Vishwa Bhushan Mishra were seen showering flowers on the Kanwariyas waiting in long queues for darshanThe third Monday of Sawan witnessed a significant rise in the number of devotees said Mishra Since Sawan begins 15 days later in South India today marked the first Monday for many devotees from the South Anticipating this we arranged advance barricading German hangars medical help desks and distribution of ORS and glucoseACP Ishan Soni confirmed that highlevel security including drone surveillance had been put in place A stakeholder approach was adopted with coordination from local markets and service providers to ensure smooth arrangements he addedA devotee shared We have been waiting since morning The crowd is huge but the spiritual atmosphere and the sight of Baba Vishwanath are truly divineA priest at the temple highlighted the religious importance of the site stating There are two sacred Shivlings here Dashashwamedh Mahadev and Brahmeshwar Mahadev Kanwariyas first offered water to Mahadev before heading to Baba VishwanathSimilar scenes were witnessed at Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain where thousands of devotees gathered for Bhasma Aarti and Jalabhishek Devotional chants and the sound of bells echoed through the templeIn Prayagraj crowds lined the Triveni Sangam taking holy dips before offering prayers at nearby Shiva templesTeerth Purohit Gopal Das remarked After taking dips at the Sangam devotees receive special blessings through their offerings to Lord ShivaIn Mubarakpur devotees thronged the local Shiva temple since early morning while in Ayodhya SP Chakrapani Tripathi said Since 3 am devotees have been performing Jalabhishek at Kshireshwar Nath and Nageshwar Nath temples with sacred Saryu water All arrangements are in place IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/3rd-sawan-somwar-massive-turnout-of-devotees-at-kashi-vishwanath-and-other-lord-shiva-temples-628349.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 11:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/instagram-threats-and-a-15-year-racket-how-chhangur-baba-lured-women-into-forced-conversions-628359.html Bengaluru July 28 The arrest of Maulana Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba in connection with a religious conversion racket has exposed how deeply this problem is rooted Baba was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Anti Terrorist Squad after it was found that he ran a massive conversion racket and minted money in crores Preliminary investigations showed that Chhangur Baba and his associates were involved in illegal conversion activities only in UP However as the probe progressed it was found that Baba and his aides were involved in similar activities in Uttarakhand as wellThe probe has found that Chhangur Baba and his associates had set up a huge network whereby women would be trapped and then converted They used social media platforms such as Instagram to post religious content through which these women would be brainwashedThese issues came to light following the arrest of Abdul Rehman from Dehradun and Abu Taleb from Muzaffarnagar They allegedly trapped two women through posts on social mediaDuring their questioning they revealed that they would first establish casual contact with young women Over time the women would be exposed to religious content and this is when the propaganda and brainwashing would beginThe accused would mostly target vulnerable women who have financial constraints or family problems These accused would offer them emotional support and also promise them financial benefits However all this was subject to the condition that they would convertOne of the accused in the case Abdul Rehman is said to have been involved in this racket for a long time He has been living in Dehradun for nearly ten years and operated under the name Rupendra YadavDuring interrogation of the accused it was found that a love jihad wing was being headed by one Rashid a resident of Balrampur in UP He was entrusted with running this wing The men working under him were tasked with identifying vulnerable women and then getting them to convertThe police learnt that the specific targets were the Scheduled Castes vulnerable Hindu women and girls and the economically backward Some of the victims trapped had health issues and they were promised that once they converted their health issues would be goneWith the busting of this racket more women have been approaching the police seeking actionEarlier this month a man from Uttar Pradesh accused Chhangur Baba of brainwashing him He told the police that he was threatened that his two daughters would be killed if he did not convert The complainant Jyotirgmay Rai 35 said that he had married a woman called Ishita through an Arya Samaj ceremony He later realised that her real name was AfreenHe said that they have two daughters and after the marriage of the second one he was being pressured to convertThis case does not restrict itself to India alone The Enforcement Directorate is probing the massive money trail The case that has been registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA says that this syndicate has received funds to the tune of Rs 106 crore mainly from the Middle EastThis gang has been in operation for nearly 15 years now and may have converted hundreds of people the police suspectThe UP ATS during its probe found that the syndicate headed by Chhangur Baba and his associate Neetu alias Nasreen operated 40 different bank accounts The money coming in from abroad would be deposited in these accountsThe UP administration has started demolishing the illegally procured properties by this syndicate The money coming in from abroad was used to purchase these properties IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/instagram-threats-and-a-15-year-racket-how-chhangur-baba-lured-women-into-forced-conversions-628359.html Mon, 28 Jul 2025 12:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/more-yatris-opting-for-on-spot-registration-to-perform-amarnath-yatra-628190.html Srinagar July 27 More Yatris are arriving directly in Kashmir to undertake the ongoing Amarnath Yatra as compared to the number of devotees starting their journey in escorted convoys from Jammu Officials said more than twice the number of Yatris arriving in escorted convoys from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu are arriving directly for onthespot registration at the two base camps and the transit camps in KashmirIn fact the Yatris arriving directly and opting for onthespot registration mostly undertake air travel This largely augments the number preferring to travel by road from Jammu to the two base camps Today another batch of 2197 Yatris left Jammu in two escorted convoys for the Valley The first convoy of 39 vehicles carrying 573 Yatris left at 331 am for the Baltal base camp Second escorted convoy of 62 vehicles carrying 1624 Yatris left at 401 am for Pahalgam bare camp officials saidLord Shivas holy mace the Chhari Mubarak is traditionally housed inside the Amareshwar Temple at the Dashnami Akhara Building in the Budshah Chowk area of Srinagar city It is the journey of the Chhari Mubarak that determines the landmarks of the Amarnath YatraBhumi Pujan of Chhari Mubarak was performed at Pahalgam on July 10 The Chhari Mubarak was taken to Pahalgam by a group of seers led by the sole custodian of the Chhari Mubarak Mahant Swami Deependra Giri from its seat in Srinagar to PahalgamIn Pahalgam the Chhari Mubarak was taken to the Gauri Shankar temple where the Bhumi Pujan was held The Chhari Mubarak was then taken back to its seat at the Dashnami Akhara buildingIt will start its final journey towards the cave shrine from the Amareshwar temple in Srinagar on August 4 and will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9 marking the official conclusion of the YatraDuring its journey from its seat to the holy cave shrine traditional Puja will be held en route at Pampore Bijbehara Mattan and Pahalgam before the Chhari Mubarak arrives at its final destination the holy cave shrineAuthorities have made extensive multitier security arrangements for this years Amarnath Yatra as this takes place after the cowardly attack of April 22 in which Pakistanbacked terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them based on faith in the Baisaran meadow of PahalgamAn additional 180 companies of CAPFs have been brought in to augment the existing strength of the Army BSF CRPF SSB and the local policeThe Army has deployed over 8000 special commandos to secure the passage of the pilgrims this yearYatra started on July 3 and will end after 38 days on August 9 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha BandhanYatris approach the holy cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas either from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal routeThose using the Pahalgam route pass through Chandanwari Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach the cave shrine covering a distance of 46 km on footThis trek takes a pilgrim four days to get to the cave shrine And those using the shorter Baltal route have to trek 14 km to reach the cave shrine and return to the base camp the same day after having darshanNo helicopter services are available to Yatris this year due to security reasonsThe cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/more-yatris-opting-for-on-spot-registration-to-perform-amarnath-yatra-628190.html Sun, 27 Jul 2025 09:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/amarnath-yatra-proceeds-peacefully-amp-smoothly-over-36-lakh-had-darshan-in-22-days-628073.html Srinagar July 26 The annual Amarnath Yatra 2025 is proceeding peacefully and smoothly since it started on July 3 as more than 36 lakh devotees had Darshan during the last 22 days officials said on Saturday Officials added that the ongoing Amarnath Yatra is proceeding peacefully and smoothly as more than 36 lakh had Darshan inside the holy cave shrine during the last 22 daysA fresh batch of 2324 Yatris left for the Valley in two escorted convoys on Saturday from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri NiwasOf these the first escorted convoy of 34 vehicles carrying 741 Yatris left at 325 am for Baltal base camp and the second escorted convoy of 58 vehicles carrying 1583 Yatris left at 345 am for Pahalgam base camp officials saidThe Chhari Mubarak Lord Shivas holy mace was taken for the traditional Puja to SharikaBhawani temple atop the Hari Parvat hillock in Srinagar on FridayThe Chhari Mubarak will be taken from its seat at the Amareshwar Temple in Dashnami Akhara building in Srinagar to the holy cave shrine on August 4 by its sole custodian Mahant Swami Deependra GiriThe procession of the Chhari Mubarak will include Sadhus and devotees who will perform customary Puja en route at Pampore Bijbehara Mattan and Pahalgam before the holy mace arrives at the cave shrine on August 9Authorities have made extensive multitier security arrangements for this years Amarnath Yatra as this takes place after the cowardly attack of April 22 in which Pakistanbacked terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them based on faith in the Baisaran meadow of PahalgamAdditional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces have been brought in to augment the existing strength of the Army BSF CRPF SSB and the local policeThe Army has deployed more than 8000 special Commandos to secure the passage of the pilgrims this yearThe Yatra started on July 3 and will end after 38 days on August 9 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha BandhanYatris approach the holy cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas either from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal routeThose using the Pahalgam route pass through Chandanwari Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach the cave shrine covering a distance of 46 km on footThis trek takes a pilgrim four days to get to the cave shrine And those using the shorter Baltal route have to trek 14 km to reach the cave shrine and return to the base camp the same day after having darshanNo helicopter services are available to Yatris this year due to security reasonsThe cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moonDevotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/amarnath-yatra-proceeds-peacefully-amp-smoothly-over-36-lakh-had-darshan-in-22-days-628073.html Sat, 26 Jul 2025 07:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-352-lakh-perform-amarnath-yatra-in-21-days-627879.html Srinagar July 25 More than 352 lakh devotees performed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra so far as another batch of 2896 pilgrims left Jammu for the Valley on Friday officials said Officials added that the number of Yatris performing the Shri Amarnath ji Yatra during the last 21 days since it started on July 3 has crossed the expected figure of 350 lakhAnother batch of 2896 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu on Friday in two escorted convoys for the two base campsFirst escorted convoy of 42 vehicles carrying 790 Yatris left at 330 am for Baltal base camp while the second convoy of 75 vehicles carrying 2106 Yatris left at 418 am for Pahalgam base camp officials saidChhari Mubarak Lord Shivas Holy Mace was taken to the historic Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar for customary Puja on Thursday by a group of Sadhus led by Mahant Deependra GiriThe Puja at Shankaracharya Temple is held each year on the occasion of HaryaliAmavasya Shravan Amavasya as per the ageold customsOn Friday the Chhari Mubarak will be taken to the Sharika Bhawani Temple atop the Hari Parvat hillock in Srinagar for customary PujaChhari Mubarak will start its final journey towards the cave shrine from Dashnami Akhara temple in Srinagar on August 4 and will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9 marking the official conclusion of the YatraAuthorities have made extensive multitier security arrangements for this years Amarnath Yatra as this takes place after the cowardly attack of April 22 in which Pakistanbacked terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them based on faith in the Baisaran meadow of PahalgamAdditional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces have been brought in to augment the existing strength of the Army BSF CRPF SSB and the local policeThe Army has deployed more than 8000 special commandos to secure the passage of the pilgrims this yearThe Yatra started on July 3 and will end after 38 days on August 9 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha BandhanDevotees approach the holy cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas either from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal routeThose using the Pahalgam route pass through Chandanwari Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach the cave shrine covering a distance of 46 km on foot This trek takes a pilgrim four days to get to the cave shrineThose using the shorter Baltal route have to trek 14 km to reach the cave shrine and return to the base camp the same day after having darshanNo helicopter services are available to Yatris this year due to security reasonsThe cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moonDevotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-352-lakh-perform-amarnath-yatra-in-21-days-627879.html Fri, 25 Jul 2025 07:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bjp-demands-probe-into-canadian-priests-mysterious-death-in-chennais-loyola-college-627724.html Chennai July 24 Tamil Nadu BJP State Media Spokesperson ANS Prasad has called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the mysterious death of a Canadian priest at Loyola College in Chennai In a press statement Prasad expressed shock over the death of 55yearold Father Omala a Canadian national who had been serving at the church located within the Loyola College campus in NungambakkamReports indicate that the priest died under mysterious circumstances a few days ago he saidFather Omalas family members who arrived in Chennai from Canada upon receiving the news have reportedly raised suspicions about the circumstances surrounding his deathFollowing this a postmortem examination was conducted at the Government Kilpauk Medical College and HospitalPrasad questioned the lack of formal reporting by the college administration to the police If a foreign national dies suddenly the institution employing the individual is dutybound to file a complaint with the local police It is unclear whether the Loyola College administration lodged such a complaint or whether a proper investigation was initiated based on it The Chennai City Police must clarify this he saidRaising broader concerns the BJP leader urged the Tamil Nadu government to initiate a comprehensive audit of foreign missionaries working in churches across the stateThe government must assess whether these foreign missionaries are also engaging in religious conversions in addition to their official duties Their financial sources should also be thoroughly investigated he statede further alleged that Father Omalas body which was kept in a freezer was only removed for autopsy after the family raised doubts about the cause of deathThis raises several troubling questions he saidPrasad called on the Tamil Nadu Home Secretary and the Director General of Police DGP to pay immediate attention to the case and ensure a transparent investigation He also urged the police department to issue clear guidelines and if necessary recommended that the case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI given the international dimension involvedThe truth must come out and justice must be served Prasad asserted IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bjp-demands-probe-into-canadian-priests-mysterious-death-in-chennais-loyola-college-627724.html Thu, 24 Jul 2025 13:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/nine-young-devotees-from-six-different-countries-including-us-undertake-amarnath-yatra-627822.html New Delhi July 24 In a remarkable fusion of faith and global spirituality nine young devotees from six different countries including the US Germany and Canada undertook the sacred Amarnath Yatra embracing the challenging Himalayan pilgrimage with devotion and wonder The Department of Information amp Public Relations Jammu and Kashmir shared the news on social media platform X stating 9 young foreign devotees from 6 countries including the US and Germany undertook the sacred ShriAmarnathJiYatra via the Baltal route a beautiful blend of global faith and spiritual harmony in the HimalayasOne young devotee from Canada described her spiritual experience as overwhelming and transformativeI am here in Kashmir experiencing its rich biodiversity and spiritual energy The moment I stepped into the Amarnath cave I was in tears there was a deep sense of peace The entire world is connected through the energies of ShivShakti This cave is special its where Lord Shiv revealed the secret of immortality to Parvati The trek was tough but absolutely worth it I urge everyone regardless of where they are from to come and experience this once in a lifetime he saidAnother pilgrim echoed the sentiment adding It was a truly wonderful experience We felt safe supported and spiritually uplifted We will definitely returnSince this years Amarnath Yatra started on July 3 more than 342 lakh Yatris have had Darshan so far while a fresh batch of 3500 pilgrims started their journey from Jammu towards the two base campsOfficials said that more than 342 lakh Yatris have performed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra during the last 21 days as the huge rush of pilgrims continues unabatedThe officially expected figure of 350 lakh Yatris performing the Yatra this year is likely to be crossed on Thursday only while 17 days are still left for the conclusion of this years YatraThe Yatra has been going on peacefully smoothly and this has encouraged the devotees to come in record numbers As more than 342 lakh had Darshan in the last 21 days we had another batch of 3500 Yatris who left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the Valley on ThursdayOf these the first escorted convoy of 45 vehicles carrying 832 Yatris left for Baltal base camp at 325 am while the second convoy of 95 vehicles carrying 2668 Yatris to Pahalgam base camp left at 401 am an official saidThe Bhumi Pujan of Chhari Mubarak Lord Shivas Holy Abode was performed at Pahalgam on July 10The Chhari Mubarak was then taken back to its seat at the Dashnami Akhara buildingIt will start its final journey towards the cave shrine from Dashnami Akhara temple in Srinagar on August 4 and will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9 marking the official conclusion of the YatraAuthorities have made extensive multitier security arrangements for this years Amarnath Yatra as this takes place after the cowardly attack of April 22 in which Pakistanbacked terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them based on faith in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/nine-young-devotees-from-six-different-countries-including-us-undertake-amarnath-yatra-627822.html Thu, 24 Jul 2025 21:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/india-boosts-buddhist-ties-with-asean-through-tourism-sacred-relics-exhibitions-627840.html New Delhi July 24 India has significantly deepened its cultural and spiritual ties with Southeast Asia through a series of highprofile initiatives centred around Buddhist heritage and tourism Over the past two years the government has facilitated two major expositions of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha The first held in Thailand from February 22 to March 19 2024 showcased relics of Buddha and his disciples across four venues drawing over 4 million devotees Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply The second the minister said hosted in Vietnam from May 2 to June 2 2025 featured relics from Nagarjunakonda Andhra Pradesh displayed at nine locations during Vesak celebrations attracting an estimated 18 million visitorsThese efforts have not only reinforced Indias civilisational bonds with Buddhistmajority nations but also advanced cultural diplomacy under the ASEANIndia cooperation framework said the minister in the reply India is currently supporting a feasibility study for the development of an ASEAN Cultural Heritage List and has committed 5 million US dollars from the ASEANIndia fund to support the ASEANIndia Year of Tourism in 2025 The annual ASEANIndia Tourism Ministers Meeting continues to serve as a platform for dialogue and collaboration he said In a further gesture of spiritual outreach a highlevel Thai delegation visited Gujarat in June 2025 accompanied by Indian representatives Under the MekongGanga Cooperation Plan of Action the Ministry of External Affairs organised a nineday familiarisation trip to Buddhist sites for 50 participants from Cambodia Lao PDR Thailand Myanmar and Vietnam The tour conducted in coordination with the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar aimed to promote Indias Buddhist circuit and foster peopletopeople connections The upcoming International Tourism Mart in Sikkim will include business networking between Northeast Indian stakeholders and global buyers including ASEAN nations While tourism development is primarily the responsibility of state governments and UT union territories administrations the Ministry of Tourism complements these efforts through central schemes such as Swadesh Darshan Swadesh Darshan 20 ChallengeBased Destination Development CBDD and PRASHAD These schemes provide financial assistance for infrastructure development subject to project proposals and fund availability Additionally under the Special Assistance to states for Capital Investment SASCI the central government has extended support for tourism projects including those focused on Buddhist heritage informed the minister IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/india-boosts-buddhist-ties-with-asean-through-tourism-sacred-relics-exhibitions-627840.html Thu, 24 Jul 2025 23:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-342-pilgrims-had-darshan-in-21-days-amarnath-yatra-to-cross-officially-expected-35-lakh-mark-today-627665.html Srinagar July 24 Since this years Amarnath Yatra started on July 3 more than 342 lakh Yatris had Darshan so far while a fresh batch of 3500 pilgrims started their journey on Thursday from Jammu towards the two base camps officials said Officials said that more than 342 Yatris have performed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra during the last 21 days as the huge rush of pilgrims continues unabatedThe officially expected figure of 350 lakh Yatris performing the Yatra this year is likely to be crossed on Thursday only while 17 days are still left for the conclusion of this years YatraThe Yatra has been going on peacefully smoothly and this has encouraged the devotees to come in record numbers As more than 342 lakh had Darshan in last 21 days we had another batch of 3500 Yatris who left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the Valley on ThursdayOf these the first escorted convoy of 45 vehicles carrying 832 Yatris left for Baltal base camp at 325 am while the second convoy of 95 vehicles carrying 2668 Yatris to Pahalgam base camp left at 401 am officials saidThe Bhumi Pujan of Chhari Mubarak Lord Shivas Holy Abode was performed at Pahalgam on July 10The Chhari Mubarak was then taken back to its seat at the Dashnami Akhara buildingIt will start its final journey towards the cave shrine from Dashnami Akhara temple in Srinagar on August 4 and will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9 marking the official conclusion of the YatraAuthorities have made extensive multitier security arrangements for this years Amarnath Yatra as this takes place after the cowardly attack of April 22 in which Pakistanbacked terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them based on faith in the Baisaran meadow of PahalgamAdditional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces have been brought in to augment the existing strength of the Army BSF CRPF SSB and the local policeThe Army has deployed more than 8000 special Commandos to secure the passage of the pilgrims this yearThe Yatra started on July 3 and will end after 38 days on August 9 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha BandhanYatris approach the holy cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas either from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal routeThose using the Pahalgam route pass through Chandanwari Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach the cave shrine covering a distance of 46 km on footThis trek takes a pilgrim four days to get to the cave shrineThose using the shorter Baltal route have to trek 14 km to reach the cave shrine and return to the base camp the same day after having darshanNo helicopter services are available to Yatris this year due to security reasonsThe cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moonDevotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-342-pilgrims-had-darshan-in-21-days-amarnath-yatra-to-cross-officially-expected-35-lakh-mark-today-627665.html Thu, 24 Jul 2025 07:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/unabated-rush-of-devotees-continues-over-331-lakh-perform-amarnath-yatra-in-20-days-627471.html Srinagar July 23 The number of devotees performing the Amarnath Yatra has crossed 331 lakh in 20 days as the rush of pilgrims continued unabated on Wednesday Officials stated that over the last 20 days since it began on July 3 more than 331 lakh yatris have had darshan inside the holy cave shrineAnother batch of 2837 yatris left Jammu city in two escorted convoys of 118 vehicles First convoy of 49 vehicles carrying 1036 pilgrims left at 325 am for Baltal base camp Second escorted convoy of 69 vehicles carrying 1801 yatris to Pahalgam base camp left at 358 am officials saidThe huge rush of yatris continues unabated as more devotees arrive directly as compared to those coming in escorted convoys Yatris arriving directly do onthespot registration to reach the cave shrineBhumi Pujan of Chhari Mubarak Lord Shivas Holy was performed at Pahalgam on July 10The Chhari Mubarak was taken to Pahalgam by a group of seers led by the sole custodian of the Chhari Mubarak Mahant Swami Deependra Giri from its seat at the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar to PahalgamIn Pahalgam the Chhari Mubarak was taken to the Gauri Shankar temple where the Bhumi Pujan was held The Chhari Mubarak was then taken back to its seat at the Dashnami Akhara building It will start its final journey towards the cave shrine from Dashnami Akhara temple in Srinagar on August 4 and will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9 marking the official conclusion of the YatraThe yatra is taking place under extensive multitier security arrangements as it comes after the cowardly attack of April 22 in which Pakistanbacked terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them on religious bases in the Baisaran meadow of PahalgamAn additional 180 companies of CAPFs are deployed to augment the existing strength of the Army BSF CRPF SSB and the local police The Army has deployed over 8000 special commandos to secure the passage of the pilgrims this yearYatra started on July 3 and will end after 38 days on August 9 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha BandhanYatris approach the holy cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas either from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal routeThose using the Pahalgam route pass through Chandanwari Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach the cave shrine covering a distance of 46 km on foot This trek takes a pilgrim four days to get to the cave shrine And those using the shorter Baltal route have to trek 14 km to reach the cave shrine and return to the base camp the same day after having darshanNo helicopter services are available to Yatris this year due to security reasonsThe cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/unabated-rush-of-devotees-continues-over-331-lakh-perform-amarnath-yatra-in-20-days-627471.html Wed, 23 Jul 2025 08:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/four-kanwariyas-killed-in-mp-cm-announces-rs-4-lakh-ex-gratia-for-families-of-deceased-627532.html Gwalior July 23 Four Kanwariyas were killed in a road accident on the AgraMumbai National Highway near Sheetla Mata Mandir Gate in Gwalior Madhya Pradesh The pilgrims part of a 13member group returning from Bhadavna after collecting holy water for Jalabhishek were walking along the roadside when a speeding car lost control and rammed into themAccording to preliminary police reports the accident occurred around 1 am when the cars tyre burst causing it to veer off the Shivpuri Link Road and crush the devotees before overturning into roadside bushesThe term Kanwariya refers to a devotee who participates in the Kanwar Yatra a pilgrimage undertaken by followers of Lord ShivaThe word is derived from Kanwar or Kavad a bamboo pole with two pots attached which the devotees carry on their shoulders to fetch holy water from the Ganges or other sacred sourcesThree Kanwariyas died on the spot while one succumbed to injuries at Jaya Arogya Hospital JAH Two others remain in critical condition police officials saidA total of six persons were hit by the car three died on the spot one died in hospital during treatment and the remaining two are currently undergoing treatment with their condition reported as criticalIn a statement posted on his X handle Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed deep sorrow over the loss and announced Rs 4 lakh in financial assistance to the next of kin of each deceasedI pray to Baba Mahakal to grant peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved families the message readCity Superintendent of Police Heena Khan confirmed that the vehicle was found abandoned at the scene with no occupants insideAuthorities have identified the cars owner and are actively searching for those who were inside at the time of the crashThe deceased have been identified as residents of Simaria Panchayat Ghatigaon with three belonging to the same familyThe group had been walking back to their village located about 35 km from the accident site when tragedy struckEmergency teams from Kampu Janakganj Jhansi Road and Madhoganj police stations responded swiftly pulling victims from a roadside ditch and transporting them to the trauma centreThe incident has cast a pall of gloom over the ongoing Kanwar Yatra a sacred pilgrimage observed during the holy Shravan monthThe accident has reignited concerns about road safety during religious processions especially on highspeed highwaysPolice presence has been increased in the area to maintain order and prevent further incidents IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/four-kanwariyas-killed-in-mp-cm-announces-rs-4-lakh-ex-gratia-for-families-of-deceased-627532.html Wed, 23 Jul 2025 14:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/no-harm-in-displaying-qr-codes-in-front-of-eateries-st-hasan-supports-scs-order-for-kanwar-yatra-627578.html Lucknow July 23 Former Samajwadi Party MP ST Hasan on Wednesday welcomed Supreme Courts order for all the hotel owners along the Kanwar Yatra route to display licences and the registration certificate stating that there is no harm in doing so In its order the Justice MM Sundreshled Bench said that all the hotel owners shall comply with the mandate of displaying the license and registration certification as required under the existing lawThe apex court clarified that it has not gone into the merits of the plea which contended that the directive to display the QR codes is a breach of privacy rights and has a discriminatory and stigmatising effectReacting to this Hasan told IANS I have always been saying that one should not do business by hiding their name Islam does not permit deceiving anyone Our faith is that the One who created us is the same One who provides sustenanceHe stated that the directive aims to make consumers aware of which shop their food is coming from and there shouldnt be any issues with thatThe QR code only indicates whose goods they are There is no issue with that The situation in this state and country has become such that politics has greatly increased hatred which causes harm to Muslims Vandalism occurs problems are created and later the cases that are filed are registered against Muslims not against those who commit violence he saidStressing that Islam only teaches honesty and truth Hasan said We should now speak and live in a way that we present our truth we present ourselves with utmost honesty This is what our religion and faith teachAhead of the holy month of Shravan when Kanwar Yatra begins the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand state governments have issued an advisory mandating the display of a QR code that allows pilgrims to access ownership details of the shopkeepers to make sure that there is no adulteration in the food that the Kanwariyas will buy IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/no-harm-in-displaying-qr-codes-in-front-of-eateries-st-hasan-supports-scs-order-for-kanwar-yatra-627578.html Wed, 23 Jul 2025 17:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/amarnath-yatra-sees-huge-rush-of-pilgrims-321-lakh-had-darshan-in-19-days-627324.html Srinagar July 22 Over 321 lakh devotees have undertaken the ongoing Amarnath Yatra in the last 19 days since it commenced on July 3 as another batch of 3536 pilgrims left Jammu for Kashmir on Tuesday Officials said A fresh batch of 3536 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu today in two escorted convoys for the Valley The first convoy of 48 vehicles carrying 1250 Yatris left at 333 am for Baltal base camp while the second convoy of 84 vehicles carrying 2286 Yatris left at 406 am for Pahalgam base campThere is a huge rush of yatris as thousands of pilgrims daily report from different parts of the country at twin base camps to undertake the Yatra the officials saidBhumi Pujan of Chhari Mubarak Lord Shivas Holy was performed at Pahalgam on July 10 The Chhari Mubarak was taken to Pahalgam by a group of seers led by the sole custodian of the Chhari Mubarak Mahant Swami Deependra Giri from its seat at the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar to Pahalgam In Pahalgam the Chhari Mubarak was taken to the Gauri Shankar temple where the Bhumi Pujan was heldThe Chhari Mubarak was then taken back to its seat at the Dashnami Akhara building It will start its final journey towards the cave shrine from Dashnami Akhara temple in Srinagar on August 4 and will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9 marking the official conclusion of the YatraAuthorities have made extensive multitier security arrangements for this years Amarnath Yatra as this takes place after the cowardly attack of April 22 in which Pakistanbacked terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them based on faith in the Baisaran meadow of PahalgamAdditional 180 companies of CAPFs have been brought in to augment the existing strength of the Army BSF CRPF SSB and the local police The Army has deployed over 8000 special commandos to secure the passage of the pilgrims this yearYatra started on July 3 and will end after 38 days on August 9 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha BandhanYatris approach the holy cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas either from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route Those using the Pahalgam route pass through Chandanwari Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach the cave shrine covering a distance of 46 km on foot This trek takes a pilgrim four days to get to the cave shrine And those using the shorter Baltal route have to trek 14 km to reach the cave shrine and return to the base camp the same day after having darshanNo helicopter services are available to Yatris this year due to security reasonsThe cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/amarnath-yatra-sees-huge-rush-of-pilgrims-321-lakh-had-darshan-in-19-days-627324.html Tue, 22 Jul 2025 23:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/true-spirituality-inner-transformation-not-outer-display-627161.html In todays world of spiritual branding and instant enlightenment its essential to ask what is true spiritual growthTrue spirituality goes beyond robes rituals and miraculous claims It reveals itself in everyday lifethrough nurturing relationships honest work and rising above egodriven impulses Many seek spirituality to escape suffering but the authentic path draws us deeper into life embracing both its joys and hardshipsnbspSpirituality is not a magic wand to remove suffering instantly It is a slow inner journeyrealising primordial Nothingness before creation evolving through lifes challenges recognising the roots of suffering within seeing through worldly illusions and ultimately returning to inner emptiness with awareness This journey restores compassion innocence courage and natural joythe effortless expression of pure aware energyScience and spirituality are not in conflict Science studies the outer world spirituality explores the inner world Both value direct experience but spirituality reaches dimensions beyond material understandingnbspSpiritual maturity never appears as superiority It upholds justice with clarity and compassion Even if certain powers emerge they must not fuel the ego History shows even enlightened mastersBuddha Mahavira Jesus Mohammedcould not end suffering in the world because real spirituality focuses on transforming the self not fixing the world through miraclesMany fall into premature preaching after early glimpses of bliss leading to rigid beliefs Unless one deeply realises Nothingness teaching can mislead rather than upliftnbspTrue maturity means inner evolution while actively participating in society Despite its flaws society offers space for coexistence As more people awaken to their essence social harmony increases Real spiritual growth shows in calmness fairness and efficiencyCreation manifests through two fundamental energiesmasculine and feminine iqk and Lh vkZukjhoj They are not opposites but complementary expressions of one existence The highest spiritual maturity reflects in a natural unbiased harmony when men and women interactfree from inner bias superiority or tensionnbspReal spirituality blossoms quietlythrough simple conscious livingwhere peace and joy arise from the silentnbspdepths within https://dailyworld.in/religion/true-spirituality-inner-transformation-not-outer-display-627161.html Sun, 20 Jul 2025 17:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kanwar-yatra-cm-yogi-showers-flower-petals-on-shiva-devotees-says-miscreants-trying-to-defame-it--627163.html MeerutLucknow July 20 IANS Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday extended heartfelt welcome to the devotees of Lord Shiva taking part in the sacred Kanwar Yatra across western Uttar Pradesh and showered flower petals on themnbspDemonstrating respect for their faith and dedication the Chief Minister showered flowers on the Kanwariyas on the streets of Meerut while paying similar tribute from a helicopter in other districtsnbspLater in a press conference in Meerut the Chief Minister sent out a warning of sorts to the miscreants attempting to defame the Yatra or compromise with its sanctityHe said that some motivated elements with malicious intent are attempting to defame this holy journey especially through social media He said that such people will be identified and strict action taken against themnbspI extend heartfelt greetings to all devotees in this auspicious month of Sawan CM Yogi said nbspLakhs of Lord Shiva bhakts from across the country are collecting holy waters of the Ganga from Haridwar to perform Jalabhishek at revered temples like Baba Aughadnath Pura Mahadev and Dudheshwarnath It is heartening to see enthusiastic participation from people of all age groups youth women children and the elderly creating a beautiful expression of social harmony he saidThe Chief Minister underscored that while most devotees uphold the sanctity of the Yatra some antisocial elements are conspiring to malign itnbspIt is the responsibility of every Kanwar Sangh and every Shiv bhakt to expose such elements and immediately inform the authorities The entire Yatra route is under CCTV surveillance and once the Yatra concludes strict action will be taken against those identified Their posters will also be displayed publicly he statednbspHighlighting the extensive preparations made for the smooth conduct of the Yatra CM Yogi said that the government along with the administration voluntary organizations and religious institutions has ensured comprehensive arrangements for the comfort and safety of the devoteesFrom pandals and welcome camps to provisions for drinking water first aid and rest areas every effort has been made to make this Yatra hasslefree he saidnbspThe Chief Minister also urged devotees to maintain cleanliness during the pilgrimagenbspDo not litter roads intersections or public places The dignity of this sacred journey must be preserved Shiv bhakts should walk with a spirit of public welfare and remain mindful of not causing inconvenience to others he appealednbspTaking a swipe at previous governments CM Yogi remarked that before 2017 such sacred pilgrimages were neither supported nor respected they were obstructednbspToday with a government that values and protects faith it is the collective duty of all devotees to carry forward this tradition with peace and respect he said https://dailyworld.in/religion/kanwar-yatra-cm-yogi-showers-flower-petals-on-shiva-devotees-says-miscreants-trying-to-defame-it--627163.html Sun, 20 Jul 2025 17:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/amarnath-yatra-proceeds-smoothly-over-273-lakh-had-darshan-so-far-627097.html Srinagar July 19 The annual Amarnath Yatra is proceeding smoothly and peacefully as over 273 lakh pilgrims have had darshan in the last 16 days with another batch of 6365 Yatris leaving Jammu on Saturday for the Valley Officials said since the Yatra started on July 3 so far over 273 lakh Yatris had darshan inside the holy cave shrineA fresh batch of 6365 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas on Canal Road Jammu for the Valley today in two escorted convoysThe first escorted convoy of 92 vehicles left at 325 AM carrying 2851 Yatris to Baltal base camp while the second escorted convoy of 119 vehicles left at 353 AM carrying 3514 pilgrims to Pahalgam base camp officials saidSo far 13 pilgrims have died during the Yatra due to natural causes including high altitude sickness causing cardiovascular failureBhumi Pujan of Chhari Mubarak Lord Shivas Holy Mace was performed at Pahalgam on July 10 The Chhari Mubarak was taken to Pahalgam by a group of seers led by the sole custodian of the Chhari Mubarak Mahant Swami Deependra Giri from its seat at the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar to PahalgamIn Pahalgam the Chhari Mubarak was taken to the Gauri Shankar temple where the Bhumi Pujan was heldThe Chhari Mubarak was then taken back to its seat at the Dashnami Akhara building It will start its final journey towards the cave shrine from Dashnami Akhara temple in Srinagar on August 4 and will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9 marking the official conclusion of the YatraAuthorities have made extensive multitier security arrangements for this years Amarnath Yatra as this takes place after the cowardly attack of April 22 in which Pakistanbacked terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them based on faith in the Baisaran meadow of PahalgamAn additional 180 companies of CAPFs have been brought in to augment the existing strength of the Army BSF CRPF SSB and the local policeThis year the Yatra started on July 3 and will end after 38 days on August 9 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha BandhanYatris approach the holy cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas either from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal routeThose using the Pahalgam route pass through Chandanwari Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach the cave shrine covering a distance of 46 kms on foot This trek takes a pilgrim four days to get to the cave shrine And those using the shorter Baltal route have to trek 14 km to reach the cave shrine and return to the base camp the same day after having darshanNo helicopter services are available to Yatris this year due to security reasonsThe cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/amarnath-yatra-proceeds-smoothly-over-273-lakh-had-darshan-so-far-627097.html Sat, 19 Jul 2025 09:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ajmer-dargah-temple-claim-hearing-postponed-next-date-set-for-august-30-627132.html Jaipur July 19 The hearing on the claim related to a Shiva temple within the Ajmer Dargah premises was postponed on Saturday The civil court has now scheduled the next hearing for August 30 In anticipation of the proceedings additional police force was deployed at the court premises alongside the Civil Lines Police Station Advocate Yogendra Ojha stated that the hearing was deferred due to the judicial officer being on leave and judicial staff observing a mass leaveHe added that earlier applications submitted by the Dargah Committee and the Minority Affairs Department have been officially presented and will be debated in the next hearingThe petition was filed by Vishnu Gupta National President of Hindu Sena and a resident of Delhi He approached the court seeking uninterrupted worship at the Sankat Mochan Shiva Temple which he claims exists within the Dargah premises of Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan ChishtiLawyers representing the Dargah Committee and the Archaeological Survey of India ASI submitted separate applications stating that Gupta failed to follow the required legal procedures before filing the case Gupta asserts that he possesses the ancient Sanskrit text Prithviraj Vijay written in 1250 AD which details the historical presence of a Shiva temple in AjmerHe has announced plans to present the book in court along with its Hindi translation He also cited the Places of Worship Act arguing that Ajmer Dargah does not fall under its purview as it is categorised as an authorised religious place in legal termsHe added that Supreme Court lawyer Varun Kumar Sena has previously argued on this law and will present supporting evidence in court Following safety concerns Gupta has been provided police protection under the directions of SP Vandita RanaThe civil court accepted Guptas petition on November 27 2024 and issued notices to the Ministry of Minority Affairs Dargah Committee Ajmer and ASI Subsequently several parties including the Anjuman Committee Dargah Diwan Ghulam Dastagir Ajmer A Imran Bangalore and Raj Jain Hoshiarpur Punjab filed applications seeking to become parties in the caseAs of January 24 two hearings have been held In his petition Gupta also referenced the 1911 book Ajmer Historical and Descriptive by retired judge Harbilas Sarda which claims that debris from a temple was used in the construction of the Dargah It further asserts that a Jain temple once stood in the sanctum sanctorum and surrounding premises IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ajmer-dargah-temple-claim-hearing-postponed-next-date-set-for-august-30-627132.html Sat, 19 Jul 2025 15:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/dalit-youth-kidnapped-after-being-stripped-naked-ashok-gehlot--626873.html Jaipur July 17 A disturbing incident surfaced in Rajasthans Alwar district where a Dalit youth was reportedly kidnapped stripped naked and filmed with the video later sent to his family The shocking crime has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the states law and order situation under the Bhajan Lal Sharma governmentFormer Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Leader of Opposition and Alwar MLA Tika Ram Jully have strongly condemned the incident calling it a grim reflection of the current administrations failureAddressing the media an emotional Ashok Gehlot said I am deeply saddened today I have never seen such a horrifying video in my life A Dalit youth was kidnapped stripped completely taken from Alwar to Bundi and a video of him was sent to his family It is so terrifying that one cannot bear to watch itGehlot added This incident shows the deteriorating state of law and order If such crimes can happen within just one and a half years of governance what lies ahead in the next five years It is not just a law and order issue but a matter of humanity and public concern The government must act immediatelyLeader of Opposition Jully also slammed the state government stating The law and order in Rajasthan has collapsed This incident is not isolated in another case from Alwar a youth died in police custody under suspicious circumstances which is equally alarmingJully called upon Union Home Minister Amit Shah who was recently in Jaipur to take note of the incident and seek answers from Chief Minister Sharma Such incidents are becoming routine across districts This is clear evidence of the failure of governance he said Both leaders have demanded strict and immediate action from the government to ensure justice and restore public confidence in law enforcement IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/dalit-youth-kidnapped-after-being-stripped-naked-ashok-gehlot--626873.html Fri, 18 Jul 2025 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mumbai-ed-raids-bandra-mahim-properties-of-chhangur-babas-aide-626786.html Mumbai July 17 The ED investigators on Thursday scanned and seized bank accounts property documents and digital records at Bandra and Mahim properties of Chhangur Babas financial associate Shahzad Sheikh in Mumbai The operation was a part of a probe into money laundering through shell companies linked to members of an alleged multistate religious conversion racket headed by spiritual leader Jamaluddin Shah also known as Chhangur BabasThe searches in Mumbai follow indications that Chhangur Baba received funds including donations from Saudi Arabia Dubai and Nepal The illegal transactions involved up to almost Rs 200300 croreMembers of Chhangur Babas network reportedly travelled to Islamic countries nearly forty times and opened over 40 bank accounts linked to shell organisationsThe search conducted at dawn in Mahim was conducted at Rizvi Heights in the presence of Sheikh suspected of offering hawala services to handle funds of the controversial spiritual leaderDuring Thursdays operation Sheikh was questioned about the funds received in his bank account and their intended useThe ED suspects that Sheikh received the funds for unlawful activities including religious conversions and the disruption of public orderThe searches in Mahim were specifically in connection with Rs one crore transferred to Sheikhs bank accounts from Chhangur Babas accounts by the spiritual leaders associate Naveen Ghanshyam RohraAs security guards of the highrise building Rizvi Heights stood guard at the entrance of the building the ED officials carried out searches for several hours in the upscale neighbourhoodThe mobile phone records and bank account transactions of Sheikh were also scanned by ED investigators said sourcesThe multicity ED operations on Thursday were aimed at finding out if the spiritual leaders outfit was being used as a front to conduct a hawala racket under the garb of donations for promoting religious activitiesOn Thursday apart from Mumbai 12 locations in Uttar Pradeshs Balrampur were also searched by the ED in connection with money laundering linked to the alleged religious conversion racketDuring the searches at the 14 locations the ED reportedly recovered a substantial quantity of land documents luxury vehicles gold and unaccounted cashChangur Baba was apprehended by the Uttar Pradesh AntiTerrorism Squad ATS in Madhpur village of Balrampur district after evading capture for several months He was sent to judicial custody after his police remand ended on ThursdayInvestigators continue to pursue the remaining suspects including individuals identified as Mehboob Pinky Harijan Hazira Shankar Sagir and a person claiming to be a journalist Amen Rizvi IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mumbai-ed-raids-bandra-mahim-properties-of-chhangur-babas-aide-626786.html Thu, 17 Jul 2025 17:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-251-lakh-yatris-performed-ongoing-amarnath-yatra-in-15-days-626798.html Srinagar July 17 As Yatris were allowed to move from the two base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam towards the Amarnath cave shrine as weather improved on Thursday more than 251 lakh had Darshan during the first 15 days since the Yatra started on July 3 Due to bad weather the Yatra had been momentarily suspended on Thursday but as the weather improved Yatris were allowed to move towards the cave shrine from the two base camps of Baltal and Nunwan PahalgamOfficials said the Yatra continues to draw thousands of devotees from across the country and abroadOfficials added that a total of 5110 pilgrims had darshan till 2 pm on Thursday bringing the total number of Yatris who performed the Yatra during the first 15 days to more than 251 lakhThis years Yatra which marks a profound spiritual journey for countless devotees has seen an overwhelming response with people from all walks of life taking part in the pilgrimage to seek the blessings of Lord ShivaThe 15day mark reflects a steady and wellmanaged flow of Yatris with authorities ensuring their comfort safety and spiritual fulfillmentPilgrims have expressed deep satisfaction over the arrangements made by the administration including sanitation healthcare food transportation and security measuresMany pilgrims have praised the dedicated services of the Shrine Board security forces volunteers and various government departments involved in managing the YatraDespite tough terrain and unpredictable weather conditions in the Himalayas the Yatra is progressing smoothly The authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and are prepared to handle any emergent challenges officials saidWith several more weeks to go before the conclusion of the pilgrimage officials expect the number of pilgrims to rise significantly reaffirming Shri Amarnathji Yatras status as one of Indias most respected journey of faith IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-251-lakh-yatris-performed-ongoing-amarnath-yatra-in-15-days-626798.html Thu, 17 Jul 2025 17:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-certificates-obtained-through-conversion-will-be-cancelled-maha-cm-626837.html Mumbai July 17 The Supreme Court has given a clear verdict on November 26 2024 that only Hindus Buddhists and Sikhs can get the benefit of reservation for Scheduled Castes SC and other religions are not eligible In line with this Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed the Legislative Council on Thursday that the certificates of Scheduled Castes obtained after conversion will be cancelled Responding to the issue raised by members Amit Gorkhe Chitra Wagh Praveen Darekar Uma Khapre and Shrikant Bhartiya the Chief Minister said that giving Scheduled Caste certificates to those who convert to Christianity is not in accordance with the Constitution The Supreme Court decision also states that if someone is not a Hindu Sikh or Buddhist they will not get Scheduled Caste status he addedHe said that if people of other religions have obtained Scheduled Caste certificates in a wrong manner then in such cases the certificates of the concerned persons will be cancelled and if they have obtained benefits like jobs elections through it then the benefits obtained will also be recoveredAt the same time he also clarified that the state government is ready to take strict action against those who convert people through fraud pressure or bait He also stated that the report of the committee headed by the state Director General of Police in this regard has been received and legal provisions will be made based on thatNo action will be taken against any religious institution solely on the basis of religion but if a complaint is received an investigation will be conducted and action will be taken if found guilty Moreover certificates obtained by people known as crypto Christians who have converted secretly and presented themselves as Hindus are also becoming a challenge The authorities have been given the power to verify the authenticity of such cases and cancel their validity based on spot visits and complaints said the Chief MinisterHe also assured the House that while there is no ban on voluntary conversion the state government will take strict action against fraudulent conversions IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-certificates-obtained-through-conversion-will-be-cancelled-maha-cm-626837.html Thu, 17 Jul 2025 20:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-234-lakh-perform-amarnath-yatra-peacefully-another-batch-leaves-for-kashmir-626440.html Srinagar July 16 Another batch of 6064 pilgrims left for Kashmir from Jammu on Wednesday to perform the ongoing Amarnath Yatra as over 234 lakh had darshan during the last 13 days Officials said over 234 lakh Yatris have so far performed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra since it started on July 3Another batch of 6064 yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas Jammu in two escorted convoys for the Valley today First escorted convoy of 95 vehicles carrying 2471 yatris left at 330 am for Baltal base camp while the second escorted convoy of 139 vehicles carrying 3593 yatris left at 407 am for Nunwan Pahalgam base camp officials saidThe weather office has forecast widespread light to moderate rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hoursBhumi Pujan of Chhari Mubarak Lord Shivas Holy Mace was performed at Pahalgam on July 10 The Chhari Mubarak was taken to Pahalgam by a group of seers led by the sole custodian of the Chhari Mubarak Mahant Swami Deependra Giri from its seat at the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar to PahalgamChhari Mubarak was then taken back to its seat at the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar It will leave Dashnami Akhara on August 4 after performing various rituals at the historic Shankaracharya and Hari Parbat temples in Srinagar by its sole custodian Mahant Deependra Giri Ji and SadhusEn route to the holy cave the Chhari Mubarak will perform puja in a traditional way at various temples at Durga Nag Pampore Awantipora Bijbehara Mattan Ganeshpora and PahalgamThe Chhari Mubarak will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9 marking the official conclusion of the YatraAuthorities have made extensive multitier security arrangements for this years Amarnath Yatra as this takes place after the cowardly attack of April 22 in which Pakistanbacked terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them on the basis of faith in the Baisaran meadow of PahalgamAn additional 180 companies of CAPFs have been brought in to augment the existing strength of the Army BSF CRPF SSB and the local policeThe Army has rolled out Operation SHIVA 2025 deploying more than 8500 troops alongside advanced surveillance and combat technologyAll the transit camps en route to the two base camps and the entire route from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu to the cave shrine are secured by the security forcesThis year the Yatra started on July 3 and will end after 38 days on August 9 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha BandhanYatris approach the holy cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas either from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal routeThose using the Pahalgam route pass through Chandanwari Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach the cave shrine covering a distance of 46 km on foot This trek takes a pilgrim four days to reach the cave shrine Those using the shorter Baltal route trek 14 km to reach the cave shrine and return to the base camp the same day after performing the YatraNo helicopter services are available to Yatris this year due to security reasons IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-234-lakh-perform-amarnath-yatra-peacefully-another-batch-leaves-for-kashmir-626440.html Wed, 16 Jul 2025 08:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/cong-shares-social-media-post-comparing-namaz-and-kanwar-yatra-sparks-political-row-626579.html Bhopal July 16 A photograph with title Ek Desh Do Kanoon one nation two laws was shared from the Congress official social media account With Congress that has sparked a political controversy in Madhya Pradesh The Congress social media post has two photographs one that shows Kanwar Yatra while another part shows people from the Muslim community offering namaz prayer on the roadside The background of Kanwar Yatra has a saffron background while the portion of the photograph showing Muslims offering namaz has green background and a policeman is kicking one of the Muslims offering namaz on the roadside The photograph showing Muslims offering namaz is from New Delhi as the background signboard showing direction on road also mentioned Tis Hazari This alleged controversial photograph initially shared from the Congress social media account was also shared by veteran Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh The BJP missed no opportunity to target Digvijaya Singh accusing him of being antiHindu Senior BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Minister Vishvas Sarang was quick to respond on this issue He hit out at Digvijaya Singh alleging that the Congress leader has often questioned Hindu religion and festivals In a video message Minister Sarang called Digvijaya Singh a Maulana and said the veteran Congress leader was the originator of word Hindu Aatankwad The Minister alleged that Digvijaya Singh wants to create a controversy over the Kanwar Yatra undertaken by the Hindus across the state Digvijaya Singh is one who has always targeted Hindu religion and festivals He has shown his affection for Pakistan and a particular community which is why he is known as Maulana Digvijaya Singh Sarang said The BJP leader also said that Digvijaya Singh has disrespected the holy Kanwar Yatra and he should apologies for his controversial social media post Digvijaya Singh was yet to make any comment on the BJPs allegation IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/cong-shares-social-media-post-comparing-namaz-and-kanwar-yatra-sparks-political-row-626579.html Wed, 16 Jul 2025 17:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-cong-shares-social-media-post-comparing-namaz-and-kanwar-yatra-sparks-political-row-626580.html Bhopal July 16 A photograph with title Ek Desh Do Kanoon one nation two laws was shared from the Congress official social media account With Congress that has sparked a political controversy in Madhya Pradesh The Congress social media post has two photographs one that shows Kanwar Yatra while another part shows people from the Muslim community offering namaz prayer on the roadsideThe background of Kanwar Yatra has a saffron background while the portion of the photograph showing Muslims offering namaz has green background and a policeman is kicking one of the Muslims offering namaz on the roadsideThe photograph showing Muslims offering namaz is from New Delhi as the background signboard showing direction on road also mentioned Tis HazariThis alleged controversial photograph initially shared from the Congress social media account was also shared by veteran Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya SinghThe BJP missed no opportunity to target Digvijaya Singh accusing him of being antiHinduSenior BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Minister Vishvas Sarang was quick to respond on this issueHe hit out at Digvijaya Singh alleging that the Congress leader has often questioned Hindu religion and festivalsIn a video message Minister Sarang called Digvijaya Singh a Maulana and said the veteran Congress leader was the originator of word Hindu AatankwadThe Minister alleged that Digvijaya Singh wants to create a controversy over the Kanwar Yatra undertaken by the Hindus across the stateDigvijaya Singh is one who has always targeted Hindu religion and festivals He has shown his affection for Pakistan and a particular community which is why he is known as Maulana Digvijaya Singh Sarang saidThe BJP leader also said that Digvijaya Singh has disrespected the holy Kanwar Yatra and he should apologies for his controversial social media postDigvijaya Singh was yet to make any comment on the BJPs allegation IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-cong-shares-social-media-post-comparing-namaz-and-kanwar-yatra-sparks-political-row-626580.html Wed, 16 Jul 2025 17:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sawan-devotion-kanwar-yatra-sparks-surge-in-demand-for-religious-items-626225.html New Delhi July 15 The sacred month of Sawan revered as auspicious especially for devotees of Lord Shiva is being celebrated with deep devotion and vibrant rituals across India With the onset of the Kanwar Yatra markets are witnessing a sharp rise in the demand for religious items With the rising number of Kanwariyas the demand for kanwars decorative items rudraksha beads tridents trishuls damrus and Kanwariya outfits has also surged Markets in Prayagraj Uttar Pradesh are bustling and vendors are reporting a significant increase in salesA local woman shopkeeper while arranging items at her stall shared her experience Business is good this time The demand for items is very high Since the Kanwar Yatra began the crowd has increased The ghats built by PM Modi and CM Yogi are unmatched no leader has ever built such facilitiesTo manage the influx and ensure public safety the Uttar Pradesh Police have ramped up securityAs per the guidelines issued by Director General of Police DGP Rajiv Krishna deployments include 587 gazetted officers 2040 Inspectors 13520 SubInspectors 39965 Head Constables and Constables 1486 women SubInspectors 8541 women constables and Head ConstablesSpecial arrangements have also been made for 247 patrolling with UP112 vehicles actively mobilisedSafety guidelines for the Kanwar Yatra mandate that devotees walk only on the left side of highways and that food and rest camps be established at least 20 feet away from the roadsAuthorities have warned against overspeeding and reckless driving and have rolled out enhanced safety measures especially for women KanwariyasIn addition to safeguarding public health and ensuring fairness food quality inspections are underwayMeanwhile in Delhi the Kanwar Yatra is now in full swing Devotees from Rajasthan and other states have started arriving in Delhi carrying Ganga jal from Haridwar and Braj Ghat The atmosphere is charged with spiritual fervour and Bol Bam chants echo through the airTo ensure smooth passage and safety the Delhi Police have deployed more than 3000 police personnel and paramilitary forces along the Kanwar routes Special focus is being placed on cleanliness and law enforcementWhenever garbage is spotted police are photographing it and immediately notifying the municipal authorities for prompt cleanupIn addition the Delhi government has set up welcoming gates along the route to greet Kanwariyas and offer essential support These gates provide water medical aid and resting facilities IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sawan-devotion-kanwar-yatra-sparks-surge-in-demand-for-religious-items-626225.html Tue, 15 Jul 2025 10:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/punjab-assembly-refers-anti-sacrilege-bill-to-select-panel-report-in-6-months-626332.html Chandigarh July 15 IANS After three hours of intense debate of allegations and counter allegations the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday unanimously decided to refer the highly emotive Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill of 2025 to a select committee for consultation with all stakeholdersnbspOn the suggestion of both the treasury and the opposition benches Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan said the select committee would gather public opinion on the Bill and return with recommendations within six monthsEarlier the Chief Minister proposed a fourmonth timeline The Bill proposes stringent penalties for sacrilegerelated offences prescribing a minimum sentence of 10 years extendable to life imprisonment along with fines ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakhnbspThe holy scriptures referred to in the Bill are Guru Granth Sahib or extracts thereof the Bhagavad Gita the Quran and the BiblenbspThis is the third attempt by the Assembly to enact a Bill on sacrilege issuesIn 2016 and 2018 the SADBJP government and later the Congress government respectively passed the Bills in the AssemblynbspOn both occasions the Bills were returned by the President without assentnbspIntroducing the Bill in the House on Tuesday Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that this is an emotive and critical issue that concerns every PunjabinbspHe emphasised that the matter has grave repercussions not only in the present but also for future generationsnbspCM Mann said stringent punishment for this unpardonable offence is the need of the hour to serve as a deterrent to criminalsThe Chief Minister has reiterated that Punjab is a sacred land of great gurus saints and seers who have shown the path of mutual love and tolerance However he lamented that certain antiPunjab forces have been attempting to destroy the states social fabric by orchestrating sacrilegious acts of holy granths since 2016nbspThe Chief Minister has said the government had consulted leading legal experts to draft robust legislation that prevents offenders from evading severe consequences including the sternest punishment for such heinous crimes Reaffirming his governments dedication to justice he asserted that every individual involved in these sacrilegious acts whether directly or indirectly would face exemplary punishment https://dailyworld.in/religion/punjab-assembly-refers-anti-sacrilege-bill-to-select-panel-report-in-6-months-626332.html Tue, 15 Jul 2025 16:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/operation-kalnemi-over-300-fake-babas-nabbed-in-uttarakhand-626378.html Haldwani July 15 In a sweeping crackdown on imposters exploiting religious sentiments Uttarakhand Police on Tuesday has taken action against more than 300 fake babas under Operation Kalnemi across the Kumaon division The initiative launched under the directive of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami aims to weed out fraudulent spiritual figures misguiding the public in the name of faithSpeaking to IANS Inspector General IG Kumaon Riddhim Agarwal confirmed that the operation was conducted across all six districts of the Kumaon region where over 300 individuals posing as saints babas or spiritual guides were identified Action has been initiated through FIRs challans and preventive detentionsThese individuals were exploiting peoples faith through superstition deceit and false claims of divine powers Agarwal told IANSThey had no valid identity proof or documentation to support their credentials During the campaign suspects were taken into custody their backgrounds verified and necessary legal action was takenAgarwal further added that all police stations and outposts across Kumaon have been instructed to remain vigilant and continue the crackdown against suspicious figures masquerading as spiritual leadersThe operation is inspired by the mythological figure Kalnemi a demon who appeared as a saint to mislead people Drawing from this allegory CM Pushkar Singh Dhami launched Operation Kalnemi on July 10 calling it a necessary move to protect the image of Sanatan DharmaJust as the demon Kalnemi used disguise to deceive many such Kalnemis exist in todays society who are misusing religion to commit crimes CM Dhami had said while launching the initiativeThis is an effort to protect peoples faith and ensure that only true spiritual guides lead our communitiesThe move comes at a time when Uttarakhand is witnessing increased religious activity due to the ongoing pilgrimage season With sacred towns like Haridwar Rishikesh and Kedarnath drawing large crowds the government aims to ensure the safety and sanctity of these gatheringsThe campaign has received widespread support from across the political spectrumBJP national spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi praised the move emphasising the need to end religious exploitationConversion through money deception or coercion must be strictly monitored and curbed he saidBJP MP Praveen Khandelwal echoed the sentiment stating With the rise in awareness about Sanatan Dharma many fake babas are trying to take advantage I commend CM Dhami for protecting the integrity of our saintly traditionsBJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain also voiced his supportMany fake people are looting innocent believers with false promises and miracles This campaign will help unmask them he toldInterestingly even Opposition parties backed the initiative albeit with pointed remarksShiv Sena UBT spokesperson Anand Dubey welcomed the crackdown but urged the CM to look inwardCatching fake babas is commendable but CM Dhami must also identify the Kalnemis within his own party who are corrupt and creating social unrest he remarked IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/operation-kalnemi-over-300-fake-babas-nabbed-in-uttarakhand-626378.html Tue, 15 Jul 2025 20:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kailash-mansarovar-yatra-pilgrims-share-spiritually-fulfilling-experiences-625991.html Gangtok 14 July The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via the Nathu La route is receiving widespread praise for its arrangements and execution being recognised as a spiritually enriching experience by both pilgrims and officials Rajendra Chettri Chief Executive Officer of the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation STDC termed the ongoing Yatra a resounding success citing highly positive feedback from pilgrimsChettri informed that the fourth batch has completed the sacred Yatra and is en route to Lhasa Meanwhile the fifth batch is currently stationed at Sherathang preparing for the crossover into TibetThe SDTC CEO said that he will visit Nathu La on Monday to personally oversee arrangements for the fifth batchs movement into the Tibetan sideThe Yatris are extremely happy with the facilities provided by STDC Chettri shared adding that at any given point two batches remain in the Tibetan region one entering and one returningHe noted that apart from the first group which had 36 pilgrims most batches consist of 4548 Yatris and are accompanied by two Liaison Officers deputed by the Ministry of External Affairs MEAThe final batch will depart on August 7 cross into Tibet on August 12 and return to India by August 23 and all pilgrims are expected to head home by August 24Highlighting the progress since the last Yatra held in 2019 Chettri stated that the arrangements have improved significantly particularly in terms of hygiene and accommodationStressing the cooperation with China for the Yatra he said Even the Chinese authorities have been welcoming and supportive this yearPilgrims too describe the journey as deeply transformative They also expressed their gratitude to the administration and the concerned authorities who made the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage possibleA female pilgrim who undertook the Yatra with her husband shared her emotional experience stating It is by the grace of God that we were chosen for this Yatra Everything was managed so well that at no point did we feel any discomfort The welcome was overwhelming as Yogi ji himself greeted us and offered gifts marking a divine start to our journeyDescribing the Yatra to Mount Kailash as deeply spiritual she said Even now I get goosebumps recalling the moment I am grateful to everyone the Indian and Chinese authorities and the thousands working behind the scenes Our journey was not only smooth but truly divineRavi Verma a pilgrim from Pune called the experience both physically and spiritually upliftingDespite the long trek and the high altitude I didnt feel any of my usual knee or muscle pains That itself felt miraculous he saidHe detailed his journey through Yamadwar Deraphuk and Dolma Pass one of the toughest segments of the YatraEven Dolma Pass with its low oxygen and steep climb felt safe and manageable Collecting water from Gaurikund was a special moment he saidVerma also shared that his parents completed the Yatra on foot in 1997 walking nearly 500 kilometres Their commitment inspired me While I covered only 40 kilometres the experience was equally divine I believe all my success in life is a blessing from Mount KailashAnother pilgrim Devendra Tiwari from Bhopal described the Yatra as smooth and fulfilling He commended the discipline of fellow pilgrims and thanked the Government of India MEA ITBP and STDC for their coordinationNot even rain or clouds came in our way We completed darshan and puja peacefully I truly feel blessed he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kailash-mansarovar-yatra-pilgrims-share-spiritually-fulfilling-experiences-625991.html Mon, 14 Jul 2025 09:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/tripura-cm-lays-foundation-stone-for-park-on-51-shakti-peethas-625929.html Agartala July 13 Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday laid the foundation stone of an ambitious Rs 9770 crore project to set up a 51Shakti Peethas Park at Banduar in Tripura to boost spiritual heritage The Chief Minister accompanied by Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy Tourism and Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury and other leaders took part in the foundation stone laying ceremony and Bhumi PujanTourism Minister Chowdhury said that the worlds biggest Nataraja statue would be installed and replicas of 51 Shakti Peethas would be set up in the proposed park These 51 Shakti Peethas now exist across Bangladesh Pakistan Nepal Sri Lanka besides different parts of India The Minister said that the Tripura government with the financial assistance from the Union Tourism Ministry undertook the ambitious Rs 9770 crore project to set up a 51Shakti Peethas Park at Banduar nearly 68 km south of Agartala The proposed park has a religious significance as Banduar is just four km away from the 524yearold Tripura Sundari temple one of the 51 Shakti Peethas worshipped by the Hindus in southern Tripuras Gomati district of Udaipur town According to a Tourism Department official to develop and protect the spiritual heritage the Union Tourism Ministry has recently approved Rs 9770 crore to set up the 51Shakti Peethas Park The proposed 51Shakti Peethas Park site at Banduar is a quiet village in the Gomati district surrounded by lush greenery and a serene environment The area also offers a tranquil setting Under the PRASHAD Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive scheme and Asian Development Bank funding various tourism projects including ecotourism worth Rs 350 crore are being implemented in Tripura the official said Chief Minister Saha earlier said that to make the tourist destinations in the state more attractive for the tourists he has urged the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region DoNER to provide necessary financial assistance for the commissioning of a seaplane service at Narikelkunja in Dumboor lake in Gomati district He recently raised the proposal during the second meeting of the highlevel task force constituted by the DoNER Ministry under the convenorship of the Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for the promotion of tourism in the northeastern region Dumboor Lake is a water body located 115 km south of Agartala The beautiful lake is on the confluence of rivers Raima and Sarma Boating facilities are available in Dumboor Lake In one of the islands Narkel Kunja has been developed which is one of the best tourist destinations in Tripura IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/tripura-cm-lays-foundation-stone-for-park-on-51-shakti-peethas-625929.html Sun, 13 Jul 2025 18:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/tamil-nadu-bjp-alleges-misuse-of-temple-funds-625953.html Chennai July 13 The Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP on Sunday demanded that Chief Minister MK Stalin release a white paper detailing the lands and properties under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments HRampCE Department Senior BJP leader and spokesperson ANS Prasad in a statement on Saturday alleged lack of transparency in the management of temple assets and called for immediate corrective measures to prevent what he termed as plunder of temple wealthThe demand comes amid controversy over the state governments use of temple funds for constructing educational institutionsBJP leader Prasad said that the issue has highlighted the DMK governments failure to clearly define its policies regarding temple resourcesHe referred to recent remarks by the Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami who questioned the rationale behind using temple funds instead of government allocations for building collegesThe question is simple and valid why not use government funds for such infrastructure BJP leader Prasad saidBuilding schools and colleges requires not just capital investment but a sustainable financial model for recurring expenses like salaries maintenance and utilities Relying solely on temple funds without longterm planning is not viableThe BJP leader also criticised the DMK government for allegedly distorting Palaniswamis stanceClaiming that he is against educational development is a gross misrepresentation His concerns are about funding strategy not education itself he saidHighlighting the vast land and property holdings of temples under the HRampCE Department BJP leader Prasad added that leasing or renting them at market value could generate significant revenue which in turn could be used for education healthcare and other community servicesInstead of doing that the DMK government is using temple properties for government offices without paying fair rent he allegedHe accused the state government of pursuing shortterm political gains at the cost of longterm benefits for the Hindu communityA white paper would bring muchneeded transparency and accountability It should include details of all temple lands outstanding rent arrears and the revenue potential if these were leased at market rates BJP leader Prasad saidHe also emphasised that if temple funds are used to build educational institutions those institutions should include Hindu religious education including devotional hymns like Thevaram Thiruvasagam and Divya PrabandhamThis would align with the expectations of devotees and ensure temple contributions are used in accordance with their spiritual purposeBJP leader Prasad concluded by urging the Tamil Nadu government to prioritise proper asset management and revenue generation over politicised decisions adding that only a transparent and accountable policy would ensure that temple wealth truly serves the community IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/tamil-nadu-bjp-alleges-misuse-of-temple-funds-625953.html Sun, 13 Jul 2025 21:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-182-lakh-perform-amarnath-yatra-in-10-days-625866.html Srinagar July 13 During the last 10 days over 182 lakh Yatris have performed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra as another batch of 7049 pilgrims left for Kashmir from Jammu on Sunday Officials said that since the Yatra started on July 3 so far over 182 lakh pilgrims had darshan inside the holy cave shrineWe expect the figure to cross two lakh today as the Yatra is proceeding smoothly and peacefully Another batch of 7049 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escorted convoys for the Valley today First escorted convoy of 138 vehicles carrying 2891 Yatris left at 330 am for Baltal base camp while the second escorted convoy of 148 vehicles carrying 4158 Yatris left at 420 am for Nunwan Pahalgam base camp officials saidBhumi Pujan of Chhari Mubarak Lord Shivas Holy Mace was performed at Pahalgam on Thursday The Chhari Mubarak was taken to Pahalgam by a group of sadhus led by the sole custodian of the Chhari Mubarak Mahant Swami Deependra Giri from its seat at the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar to PahalgamIn Pahalgam the Chhari Mubarak was taken to the Gauri Shankar temple where the Bhumi Pujan was held The Chhari Mubarak will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9 when the Yatra will officially concludeAuthorities have made extensive multitier security arrangements for this years Amarnath Yatra as this takes place after the cowardly attack of April 22 in which Pakistanbacked terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them on the basis of faith in the Baisaran meadow of PahalgamAn additional 180 companies of CAPFs have been brought in to augment the existing strength of the Army BSF CRPF SSB and the local policeThe Army has rolled out Operation SHIVA 2025 deploying more than 8500 troops alongside advanced surveillance and combat technology The Army said that a largescale operation launched in coordination with the civil administration and CAPFs is designed to provide a multilayered security grid along both the Baltal and Pahalgam routesThe Army said that as part of the extensive deployment a dedicated counterUAS Unmanned Aerial System grid featuring over 50 CUAS and EW Electronic Warfare systems has been positioned to counter dronebased threatsLive surveillance via UAVs drones and PTZ camera feeds is actively monitoring yatra convoys and the holy cave Engineer task forces have been mobilised for infrastructure tasks like bridge laying track widening and landslide mitigation The operation also includes over 150 doctors and paramedics two Advanced Dressing Stations nine Medical Aid Posts a 100bed hospital and 26 oxygen booths backed by 2 lakh litres of oxygen adding that Signal companies EME technical detachments and Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads have also been deployed the Army saidAll the transit camps en route to the two base camps and the entire route from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu to the cave shrine are secured by the security forcesThis year the Yatra started on July 3 and will end after 38 days on August 9 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha BandhanYatris approach the holy cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas either from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal routeThose using the Pahalgam route pass through Chandanwari Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach the cave shrine covering a distance of 46 km on foot This trek takes a pilgrim four days to reach the cave shrine And those using the shorter Baltal route have to trek 14 km to reach the cave shrine and return to the base camp the same day after performing the YatraNo helicopter services are available to Yatris this year due to security reasonsThe cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva The Amarnath Yatra is one of the holiest religious pilgrimages for Hindu devotees as legend says Lord Shiva narrated the secrets of eternal life and immortality to Mata Parvati inside this cave IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-182-lakh-perform-amarnath-yatra-in-10-days-625866.html Sun, 13 Jul 2025 08:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/lashkar-bonalu-telangana-cm-offers-silk-robes-to-goddess-ujjaini-mahankali-625910.html Hyderabad July 13 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy offered silk robes to Goddess Ujjaini Mahankali in Secunderabad on Sunday on the occasion of Lashkar Bonalu The Chief Minister along with Endowments Minister Konda Surekha and some other Cabinet colleagues participated in the festival which symbolises the unique culture of TelanganaThe festivities began amid traditional fanfare and gaiety with thousands of devotees offering prayers at the Ujjaini Mahankali templeMinister Surekha presented Bonam to the deity Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy Adluri Laxman CMs advisor Vem Narender Reddy MP Anil Kumar Yadav MLAs and other leaders participated in the celebrationsThe Chief Minister presented the silk robes to the deity on behalf of the state government and participated in a special pujaUnion Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy and his wife also had darshan of Goddess Ujjaini Mahankali He said he prayed for the good health prosperity and happiness of the devoteesWomen devotees offered Bonam containing cooked rice jaggery curd and neem leaves to Goddess MahankaliThe temple and streets around it wore a festive look as the women clad in their best participated in various cultural programmesAuthorities made elaborate arrangements for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the celebrations Separate queues were formed for women devoteesThe festival will conclude on Monday with the famous Rangam where predictions about the states future will be made by an unmarried woman followed by the Ghatam procession This will be followed by a procession of a caparisoned elephant carrying a portrait of the deity Smeared with turmeric and vermilion the potharajus dance to rhythmic drum beats in the procession that will pass through various areasAshada Bonalu is a festival held in the month of Ashada according to the Hindu calendar celebrating Goddess Mahankali Devotees especially women make offerings in the form of food in specially decorated potsDuring the festival people also hold rangam or forecasting the future organise processions and cultural eventsBonalu in Secunderabad or Lashkar Bonalu as it is called is the second phase of the nearly monthlong traditional festival in the twin cities of Hyderabad and SecunderabadThe festival began at the Jagadambika Temple on the Golconda FortThe festivities at Sri Simhavahini Mahankali temple in Lal Darwaza and Sri Akkanna Madanna Mahankali temple in Haribowli in the old city of Hyderabad will be held next SundayIt is commonly believed that the festival was first celebrated over 150 years ago following a major cholera outbreak People believed that the epidemic was due to the anger of Goddess Mahankali and began offering Bonalu to placate herAfter the formation of Telangana in 2014 the then TRS government had declared Bonalu as the state festival IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/lashkar-bonalu-telangana-cm-offers-silk-robes-to-goddess-ujjaini-mahankali-625910.html Sun, 13 Jul 2025 15:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/1-608-unauthorised-horns-removed-in-mumbai-city-maha-cm--625708.html Mumbai July 11 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday that unauthorised horns have been removed from all religious places in Mumbai as police have removed a total of 1608 horns This entire operation was carried out peacefully without any tension claimed the Chief Minister to reply to a calling attention motion moved by BJP legislator Sudhir Mungantiwar and othersThe Chief Minister said that as of today horns from 3367 religious places have been removed in the state Now half of the fine for the horns installed without permission will be given to the complainant If horns are installed without permission anywhere in the state again the responsibility will be fixed on the officer of the concerned police station in that area he saidThe Chief Minister said that playing any kind of musical instrument will be banned in the forest area adding that clear instructions have been given to the Forest Department and police administration for thisSpecial flying squads will be formed under the offices of all police commissioners to prevent noise pollution and they will take immediate action against horn players A standard operating procedure has been implemented for action against horn players Widespread awareness is being created to prevent noise pollution he addedMeanwhile the Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal to another calling attention motion moved by BJP legislator Manda Mhatre said that a policy has been formulated regarding regularisation eviction or relocation of unauthorised religious places in the stateThe minister said that as per the circular issued by the Urban Development Department on November 5 2016 clear guidelines have been issued for action against unauthorised religious places Subject to these instructions the Municipal Corporations across the state have been directed to take action against unauthorised religious places within their jurisdiction according to their categories she added Minister Misal said that unauthorised religious places have been categorised Places that can be regularised before 2009 are included in category A places that can be evicted before or after are included in category B and places that can be relocated before are included in category CShe said that the state government has formed statelevel districtlevel and municipallevel committees to take action according to these categories She pointed out that decisions regarding regularisation eviction or relocation of religious places are being taken after hearing the objections and suggestions received by the municipallevel committees Due to this no unilateral action is taken against any religious place claimed the minister IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/1-608-unauthorised-horns-removed-in-mumbai-city-maha-cm--625708.html Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/in-9-days-163-lakh-perform-ongoing-amarnath-yatra-625758.html Srinagar July 12 During the 9 days since it started on July 3 so far 163 lakh Yatris have performed the Amarnath Yatra even as another batch of 6639 pilgrims left for Kashmir from Jammu on Saturday Officials said that since the Yatra started on July 3 so far 163 lakh pilgrims had darshan inside the holy cave shrineAnother batch of 6639 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escorted convoys for the Valley todayFirst escorted convoy of 116 vehicles carrying 2337 Yatris left at 250 AM for Baltal base camp while the second escorted convoy of 161 vehicles carrying 4302 Yatris left at 355 AM for Nunwan Pahalgam base camp officials saidBhumi Pujan of Chhari Mubarak Lord Shivas Holy Mace was performed at Pahalgam on ThursdayThe Chhari Mubarak was taken to Pahalgam by a group of sadhus led by the sole custodian of the Chhari Mubarak Mahant Swami Deependra Giri from its seat at the Dashnami Akhara Building in Srinagar to PahalgamIn Pahalgam the Chhari Mubarak was taken to the Gauri Shankar temple where the Bhumi Pujan was heldThe Chhari Mubarak will reach the holy cave shrine on August 9 when the Yatra will officially concludeAuthorities have made extensive multitier security arrangements for this years Amarnath Yatra as this takes place after the cowardly attack of April 22 in which Pakistanbacked terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them on the basis of faith in the Baisaran meadow of PahalgamAn additional 180 companies of CAPFs have been brought in to augment the existing strength of the Army BSF CRPF SSB and the local policeMeanwhile the Army has rolled out Operation SHIVA 2025 deploying more than 8500 troops alongside advanced surveillance and combat technologyThe Army said that a largescale operation launched in coordination with the civil administration and CAPFs is designed to provide a multilayered security grid along both the Baltal and Pahalgam routesThe Army said that as part of the extensive deployment a dedicated counterUAS Unmanned Aerial System grid featuring over 50 CUAS and EW Electronic Warfare systems has been positioned to counter dronebased threatsLive surveillance via UAVs drones and PTZ camera feeds is actively monitoring yatra convoys and the holy cave Engineer task forces have been mobilised for infrastructure tasks like bridge laying track widening and landslide mitigationThe operation also includes over 150 doctors and paramedics two Advanced Dressing Stations nine Medical Aid Posts a 100bed hospital and 26 oxygen booths backed by 2 lakh litres of oxygen adding that Signal companies EME technical detachments and Bomb Detection amp Disposal Squads have also been deployedAll the transit camps en route to the two base camps and the entire route from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu to the cave shrine are secured by the security forcesThis year the Yatra started on July 3 and will end after 38 days on August 9 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha BandhanYatris approach the holy cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas either from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal routeThose using the Pahalgam route pass through Chandanwari Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach the cave shrine covering a distance of 46 km on footThis trek takes a pilgrim four days to reach the cave shrine And those using the shorter Baltal route have to trek 14 km to reach the cave shrine and return to the base camp the same day after performing the YatraNo helicopter services are available to Yatris this year due to security reasonsThe cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord ShivaThe Amarnath Yatra is one of the holiest religious pilgrimages for Hindu devotees as legend says Lord Shiva narrated the secrets of eternal life and immortality to Mata Parvati inside this cave IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/in-9-days-163-lakh-perform-ongoing-amarnath-yatra-625758.html Sat, 12 Jul 2025 12:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/its-not-easy-to-challenge-pm-modi-many-have-tried-but-failed-swami-avimukteshwaranand-saraswati-625844.html Mumbai July 12 Jagadguru Shankaracharya Maharaj Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati addressed several pressing national political and global issues on Saturday Commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modis position in Indian politics the Shankaracharya told IANS It is not easy to challenge PM Modi Many are trying but so far no one has been able to shake him He stands firm where he is and no one has managed to displace him from that positionWhen asked about Rahul Gandhis role in national politics and his efforts to counter PM Modi he said Rahul Gandhi is indeed trying to challenge PM Modi But challenging him is not easy People are making efforts yet PM Modi remains unshaken He stands with strength and no one has been able to move him from his placeRegarding PM Modis influence on the global stage Swami Avimukteshwaranand remarked It is a matter of analysis how powerful he is in global politics What we can see here is that he is the most powerful figure within his party He makes the rules he wants and everyone is expected to follow them Even if we havent seen international politics firsthand we can see clearly within the country that no one in his party is more powerful than himSpeaking about the demand for a Nobel Prize for Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal he notedAt least the person who made the demand said it honestly These days most people speak in hushed tones but he expressed his opinion openly that takes courage Awards like these arent granted randomly you have to apply gather recommendations and even push for them at a government level If someone is openly admitting to doing this that shows honesty Others make similar efforts behind the scenes at least this one came to lightIn response to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadavs recent remarks on Dhirendra Shastri Swami Avimukteshwaranand saidIf Akhilesh Yadav says that money is taken under the table perhaps that happens but we have no such information And let me ask which politician or party doesnt take money Doesnt Akhilesh Yadav or his party accept money Every political party takes donations from the public but there is no audit of it nor does the public have the right to know how much was collected and from whom At least Baba Bageshwar did not hide what he received thats a form of honesty tooAddressing reports of religious conversions in Uttar Pradesh he saidReligious conversion is a serious issue and must be dealt with strictly Converting someone through deception is a crime After conversion what exactly changes in ones life Has poverty been eradicated have illnesses disappeared or have worries vanished If not then what was the purpose There should be a registration process for conversions prior notice should be given to district authorities and both sides should be represented by experts during dialogue so that the truth is revealed and no one is misledOn the recent shooting incident at comedian Kapil Sharmas cafe in Canada the Shankaracharya commentedThis is all due to politics Artists should limit themselves to their art When they develop ties with politicians and publicise it the opposing side finds reasons to target them Such situations should be avoided A true artist should remain immersed in their art and stay away from politics IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/its-not-easy-to-challenge-pm-modi-many-have-tried-but-failed-swami-avimukteshwaranand-saraswati-625844.html Sat, 12 Jul 2025 22:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/army-launches-operation-shiva-for-safe-and-secure-amarnath-yatra-in-kashmir-625665.html New Delhi July 11 The Indian Army has launched Operation SHIVA 2025 a highintensity annual security operation aimed at ensuring the safe and uninterrupted conduct of the Shri Amarnath Yatra officials said This years operation assumes added significance in the wake of elevated threats posed by Pakistanbacked proxy elements following Operation SindoorCarried out in close coordination with the Civil Administration and Central Armed Police Forces CAPFs the operation seeks to establish a robust security framework along both the northern and southern routes of the YatraAs part of the enhanced security arrangement for 2025 more than 8500 troops have been deployed backed by a comprehensive array of technological tools and operational measuresA multilayered counterterrorism grid preventive security deployments and corridor protection strategies have been institutedAdditionally the Army is providing extensive support to civil authorities particularly in areas of disaster response and emergency reliefAccording to the Army the key deployments and capabilities include a dedicated counterunmanned aerial system CUAS grid equipped with more than 50 CUAS and electronic warfare systems to neutralise potential drone threatsContinuous unmanned aerial vehicle surveillance missions and live monitoring of both Yatra routes and the holy cave to maintain realtime situational awarenessThe deployment of engineer task forces to undertake bridge construction track widening and disaster mitigation operationsThe Army told on Friday that medical support includes more than 150 doctors and medical personnel two advance dressing stations nine medical aid posts a 100bed hospital and 26 oxygen booths collectively stocked with 200000 litres of oxygen are parts of their preparationsDedicated signal companies for uninterrupted communication Electronics and Mechanical engineers detachments for technical support and bomb detection and disposal squads for threat neutralisation have also been deployedProvision of emergency rations for more than 25000 individuals supported by Quick Reaction Teams tent cities water points and essential plant equipment such as bulldozers and excavators are also in placeThe Indian Army helicopters remain on standby to respond to any contingency situations swiftlyThe Army is also leveraging advanced surveillance tools including highresolution Pantiltzoom cameras and live drone feeds to track the movement of Yatra convoys between Jammu and the holy Amarnath caveThis realtime monitoring allows for early threat detection and ensures prompt actionThe operation is further reinforced through multiagency coordination ensuring seamless information sharing and unified response across the security spectrumAccording to the Army the Operation SHIVA 2025 underscores the Indian Armys steadfast commitment to safeguarding the sacred pilgrimage and ensuring a safe smooth and spiritually enriching journey for all devotees IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/army-launches-operation-shiva-for-safe-and-secure-amarnath-yatra-in-kashmir-625665.html Fri, 11 Jul 2025 18:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/first-day-of-sawan-devotees-throng-temples-in-kashi-haridwar-625577.html New Delhi July 11 The sacred month of Sawan began on Friday with an overwhelming display of devotion across major pilgrimage sites as thousands of Lord Shiva devotees lined up to offer prayers and perform jal abhishek at temples At the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi the day started with the Mangala Aarti followed by the opening of the temple gates for public darshan Devotees filled with enthusiasm formed long but orderly queues eager to seek the blessings of Baba VishwanathToday is the first day of Sawan and the darshan went very well The arrangements and facilities are excellent The government has done a great job and the cleanliness is very good Everyone entered in an orderly manner said a devotee outside the templeAnother devotee added The arrangements are excellentUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath extended his wishes on the social media platform X writing originally in Hindi Heartfelt greetings to all devotees and residents of the state on the auspicious month of Sawan dedicated to the worship of Lord Bholenath May Mahadev the God of gods bless the entire universe OM namah shivayMeanwhile the holy Kanwar Yatra also commenced today with pilgrims setting out from ancient Shiva temples across the state of Uttar Pradesh In Prayagraj a large number of devotees gathered at the Dashashwamedh Ghat to collect the sacred Ganga water believed to fulfil wishes when offered to Lord ShivaIn Devbhoomi Haridwar a spiritual wave of Shiva devotion swept across the city Pilgrims from far and wide thronged Har Ki Pauri from the early hours taking holy dips in the Ganga and filling their pots with Gangajal before proceeding to their destinations The chants of Har Har Mahadev echoed across the ghats infusing the air with spiritual fervourThe administration ensured robust arrangements Police forces were stationed at key points while medical camps refreshment stalls and resting areas were set up for the comfort of pilgrims The energy and faith of kanwariyas in Haridwar turned the city into a vibrant symbol of devotion service and spirituality on the very first day of Sawan IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/first-day-of-sawan-devotees-throng-temples-in-kashi-haridwar-625577.html Fri, 11 Jul 2025 16:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mirwaiz-umar-farooq-placed-under-house-arrest-in-jampks-srinagar-625634.html Srinagar July 11 Senior religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said on Friday that the authorities have not allowed him to go to the Jama Masjid to deliver his weekly sermon Disallowed to go to Jama Masjid today put under house arrest fearing the mention of the martyrs of 13th July 1931 in my Friday sermon The sacrifice of these martyrs and all the martyrs since is etched in the collective memory of Kashmir and can not be undone by restrictions and bansHe further said No living nation can forget the supreme sacrifice of life of its martyrs against tyranny and injustice It is my appeal to the authorities to remove the restrictions and allow people to peacefully pay homage to the martyrs of 13th July Inshallah if allowed as per our tradition we will visit the martyrs graveyard on July 13th after Zuhr prayers and pay homage to the revered martyrs Mirwaiz Umar said on XMirwaiz Umar was referring to July 13 which was observed as Martyrs Day in JampK before the abrogation of Article 370 It was a day to remember the death of protesters who stormed the Srinagar central jail on this day in 1931 against the in camera trial of Abul Qadeer a Pathan butler of a British officer who had delivered a speech asking people to rise against the autocratic rule of Dogra Maharaja Hari Singh Twentytwo protesters were killed in the firing by the prison guards and after Independence in 1947 this day was observed as Martyrs Day by the Jammu and Kashmir governmentThe Union Home Ministry has banned the Awami Action Committee headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq as an unlawful organisation stoking separatist passions in KashmirAwami Action Committee was formed in 1963 by the late Mirwaiz Maulana Mohammad Farooq the father of Mirwaiz Umar during the holy Relic agitation in Kashmir Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was killed by terrorists in his city outskirts Nigeen residence in 1990After the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of JampK into two UTs law and order became the direct responsibility of the Union Home MinistryAlmost all separatist leaders were arrested and are being investigated for stoking terrorism through their speeches and getting funds to sustain terrorism from across the border This includes the JKLF Hizbul Mujahideen JamaateIslami Awami League and othersAfter August 5 2019 no antiIndia protests stone pelting and arson of public property have taken place in KashmirAlthough terrorism still exists in JampK its levels have been brought down significantly by the security forces and the local police so that the common citizen can carry on their daily routine of life without protest shutdowns curfews or Bandhs called by the separatists IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mirwaiz-umar-farooq-placed-under-house-arrest-in-jampks-srinagar-625634.html Fri, 11 Jul 2025 17:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/rss-leader-indresh-kumar-backs-muslim-womans-battle-against-waqf-land-mafia-625479.html New Delhi July 10 A stark reflection of institutional neglect and religious coercion the struggle of Shamim Bano a Muslim woman from Ujjain fighting to reclaim her ancestral land has sparked national outrage Her voice amplified by the Muslim Rashtriya Manch and its mentor and a prominent Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS leader and Pracharak Indresh Kumar exposes a deeper crisis within religious institutions Indresh Kumar warned The Waqf system was meant to serve the poor and voiceless it must not become a vehicle for land grabs The idea that any Maulana or officer is above the law must be crushed Bano the legal heir to a 4000 square foot property registered under her grandfather Mohammad Hafizs name in 1935 is now battling what she describes as a forceful and fraudulent takeover Despite holding airtight documentation including registered deeds mutation records and tax receipts she finds herself being muscled out of 1800 square feet of her land now illegally claimed under a fictitious religious structure dubbed Masjid Khair The claims on Banos property are anchored not in faith but in fraud A forged donation deed allegedly bearing fake signatures has been presented to justify the encroachment No mosque ever existed on the disputed land There were no prayers no Waqf documentation just threats covered in religious rhetoric Bano has endured intimidation from Maulanas and local power brokers weaponising religious sentiments with declarations such as speaking against a mosque is haram to silence her resistance What began as a legal property dispute has now evolved into a national concern Banos plea found a powerful ally in Shalini Ali National Convener of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch who brought the matter to the attention of Indresh Kumar the Manchs guiding force Indresh Kumar emphasised that this fight transcends one womans ordeal its a stand against systemic exploitation under religious camouflage He pledged fullscale legal administrative and social support stating that no woman will have to fight alone again The role of the Waqf Board is drawing sharp scrutiny Despite multiple complaints and rising public outrage it remains eerily silent on the matter prompting allegations of complicity and corruption Many are now asking whether it has turned into a Waqf Mafia Board Shalini Alis unflinching support has transformed Banos case into a symbol of resistance No woman can be stripped of her constitutional rights in the name of religion The Manch stands beside every woman fighting for her existence she declared Adding fuel to the fire is the set of demands now put forth by Shamim Bano to the government First she is calling for a judicial and forensic investigation into the forged donation deed and the immediate arrest of those responsible Second she seeks protection for herself and her family citing credible threats to her life Third she demands swift administrative action against the illegal encroachment and construction Lastly she calls for an independent investigation into the role of the Waqf Board and the punishment of any officials found guilty This is not just a matter of one womans land it is about the awakening of an oppressed Muslim society that despite having documents is forced to remain silent in the name of religion Banos struggle is a warning if action is not taken today this fire will spread to every street tomorrow IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/rss-leader-indresh-kumar-backs-muslim-womans-battle-against-waqf-land-mafia-625479.html Thu, 10 Jul 2025 18:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/haryana-cm-visits-divya-jyoti-jagriti-sansthan-takes-part-in-guru-purnima-625503.html Chandigarh July 10 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday visited the Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan in Nur Mahal near Punjabs Jalandhar city and took part in Guru Purnima Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu accompanied Chief Minister Saini The Chief Minister bowed to the portrait of Ashutosh Ji head of Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan and took his blessings He expressed his heartfelt greetings to all devotees Speaking on the occasion CM Saini said This sacred day gives us an opportunity to express gratitude to the great Gurus who by bestowing the light of knowledge taught us the right way to liveThe Chief Minister also visited the Kamdhenu Gaushala located in the premises of the Sansthan took part in Gau Poojan and also performed Gau Seva He also visited Baba Mohan Dass Ashram in Jalandhar and paid his respects to Baba Mohan Dass Maharaj He said It is a matter of great happiness that today we are all gathered here to celebrate Guru Purnima I have been associated with Guruji for a long time and have been taking his blessings every yearToday we also have to take a pledge and this pledge is that we all must plant a tree under Ek Ped Maa ke Naam campaign The environment around us is getting polluted and we are increasingly getting dependent on airconditioners So it is important that we must plant trees as per the teachings of our gurus and saints This will also help us dealing with climate changeLater the Chief Minister also visited Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Jalandhar and paid obeisance there During the visit Chief Minister Saini took blessings and expressed his reverence for the teachings of Guru Ravidas whose message of equality peace and social harmony continues to inspire generations IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/haryana-cm-visits-divya-jyoti-jagriti-sansthan-takes-part-in-guru-purnima-625503.html Thu, 10 Jul 2025 21:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/shravan-2025-festive-spirit-grips-varanasi-markets-mahakal-t-shirts-in-high-demand-625507.html Varanasi July 10 With Shravan one of the holiest and most revered months in Hinduism beginning Friday the festive spirit has gripped the city as well as the markets which are buzzing with activity and witnessing high footfalls for purchasing clothes and merchandise seeped in spirituality There is heightened activity in the markets with devotees making a beeline to buy customized saffron clothes with Lord Shiva images and prints inscribed on themDalmandi considered as one of the biggest textile markets for Purvanchal is witnessing high demand for Tshirts and Kurtas with Mahadev and Mahakal designs Devotees are flocking to these outlets in large numbers to buy the customized and fashionable clothesSaffron Tshirts with Mahadev and Mahakal written on them and images of Lord Shiva stamped are luring lots of Kanwariyas at these outletsMahakal Tshirts in particular have emerged as the hot seller this season Also the Tshirts tailored for children with pictures of childish form of Lord Shiva are drawing the attention of many devotees Many youths as well as adults are buying these Tshirts in large numbersAccording to shopkeepers the Kanwariyas faith in Lord Shiva and the desire for fashionable clothes have given impetus to the Shravan festival this season They claim that there has been a consistent rise in scale of Kanwar yatra over the yearsAccording to wholesale trader Sandeep Kesari the sales have gone up by almost five times as compared to last yearNot only people from Purvanchal region but a large number of orders are also being received from Madhya Pradesh Chhattisgarh Bihar and neighboring country Nepal he told IANSWe have been in the business for the past 2530 years In the past few years the number of Kanwariyas have increased due to enhancement in amenities and facilities along the Kanwar route he saidHe added that the Mahakal Tshirts and Kurta are in high demand Not just the devotees but also the traders from other states and even Nepal are buying these clothing from us and taking back to their citiesOther traders said that the demand is so high that they are struggling to deliver it on timeThe confluence of fashion with devotion to Lord Shiva in the month of Sawan has given a different shade to the markets they saidShravan dedicated to Lord Shiva is considered as the most holy and pious month of the year During the entire month devotees across the country observe rituals prayers and fast with devotion IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/shravan-2025-festive-spirit-grips-varanasi-markets-mahakal-t-shirts-in-high-demand-625507.html Thu, 10 Jul 2025 21:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/apostolic-church-president-writes-to-bilawal-bhutto-highlighting-atrocities-by-ppp-leaders-625305.html Islamabad July 9 The President of the Apostolic Church Pakistan Afrahim Roshan on Wednesday wrote a letter to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party PPP making an urgent appeal for protection and justice over harassment false police complaint and threats against the Christian minority family by PPP leaders A false FIR No 3592025 PS Clifton Karachi was registered against my sons Mathew Markas and Johnathan falsely accusing them of fraud of up to Rs 32 million and theft of a Toyota Corolla BRK373 a vehicle lawfully registered in our name the letter mentionedWhen we approached the court for justice instead of receiving protection we were physically attacked Zahid Hussain Soomro Advocate and General Secretary of the Peoples Lawyers Forum PPP District South Karachi fulfilled his earlier threats by organising a group of over 20 lawyers to physically assault me and my sons in the court premises it addedRoshan revealed that they were previously warned by the PPP leader who said Next time you come to court we will break your legsWe were beaten humiliated and forced to flee The police were present and witnessed the attack We immediately informed the honourable judge who directed us to file an application However to this day no action has been taken and up till now my sons are in jail custody This attack was not only physical it was an attack on our dignity our humanity and our belief in the justice system he statedRoshan highlighted that they tried to resolve the matter amicably during a meeting held in the office of Arshid Naqvi President of the Peoples Lawyers Forum Karachi Division but Zahid Soomros aggressive and disrespectful behaviour made any resolution impossibleDespite our loyalty to Pakistan and our consistent prayers for its leadership armed forces and national peace we are being treated as if we have no rights as if being a minority means being invisible vulnerable and unworthy of protection he assertedNo meaningful steps have been taken to investigate the injustices weve faced or to ensure our protection This neglect makes us feel that we are being treated differently perhaps because we are a minority It deeply hurts to feel that our voices are ignored simply because we lack power It feels as though justice is reserved only for the powerful while those of us with less influence are left to suffer in silence Roshan emphasisedThe President of the Church requested immediate police protection for his family and legal representatives a transparent and impartial investigation into the false FIR and the assault and legal action against Advocate Zahid Soomro and all those involved in threatening and attacking them Additionally he urged immediate return of the two vehicles of the family and a public reaffirmation from PPP leadership that minority rights are not just slogans they are real actionable protectionsEarlier this year the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in a report titled Under Siege Freedom of Religion or Belief in 202324 revealed that freedom of religion or belief remains under constant threat in Pakistan with religiously motivated violence and discrimination increasing yearly The report cited an increasing trend of mobled attacks on the homes of families belonging to religious minorities as well as their places of worship IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/apostolic-church-president-writes-to-bilawal-bhutto-highlighting-atrocities-by-ppp-leaders-625305.html Thu, 10 Jul 2025 00:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-wishes-countrymen-as-nation-celebrates-guru-purnima-625334.html New Delhi July 10 Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended heartfelt greetings on Thursday on the occasion of Guru Purnima a festival dedicated to expressing reverence for spiritual and academic mentors The day deeply rooted in Indian tradition honours the pivotal role played by gurus in guiding individuals from ignorance to enlightenmentTaking to X PM Modi wrote Best wishes to everyone on the special occasion of Guru PurnimaUnion Home Minister Amit Shah also greeted citizens on the auspicious day highlighting the enduring significance of the gurudisciple bond in Indian cultureOn the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima I pay my respects to all teachers In Indian culture the gurudisciple relationship is not only a medium of education and initiation but also a lifelong guide he wrote on XThroughout our history gurus have always worked to instil moral values knowledge conduct culture and a sense of loyalty towards the motherland in their disciples On this occasion I extend my best wishes to all teachers contributing to nationbuilding Shah addedUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also extended his greetings and reflected on the spiritual importance of the dayBy the grace of the Guru the disciple progresses from ignorance to selfrealisation from darkness to light he posted on XWith heartfelt reverence we honour the great Gurus who shape the disciples personality with values service and truth connecting them to the highest ideals of life on the sacred occasion of Guru Purnima he addedCM Yogi also paid tribute at the samadhis of his revered gurus Mahant Avaidyanath and Mahant DigvijaynathCelebrated by Hindus Sikhs Buddhists and Jains Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima marking the birth anniversary of sage Veda Vyasa the author of the Mahabharata and compiler of the VedasAcross the country the day is being observed with spiritual activities including Guru puja prayers and teachings Devotees are visiting temples to offer their prayers and express gratitude to their spiritual and academic mentors for their guidance and wisdom IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-wishes-countrymen-as-nation-celebrates-guru-purnima-625334.html Thu, 10 Jul 2025 08:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/people-across-the-nation-throng-temples-in-large-numbers-on-guru-purnima-625337.html New Delhi July 10 People across India thronged temples and ashrams on Thursday to celebrate Guru Purnima a sacred occasion dedicated to honouring spiritual and academic mentors Marked by deep reverence and spiritual fervour the day holds a special place in Indian tradition for acknowledging the guiding light of gurus in ones journey from ignorance to enlightenmentObserved by Hindus Sikhs Buddhists and Jains Guru Purnima is also known as Vyasa Purnima commemorating the birth anniversary of sage Veda Vyasa who authored the Mahabharata and compiled the VedasIn Ayodhya an overwhelming display of faith was witnessed at the Saryu Ghats where lakhs of devotees gathered since dawn to take a holy dipThe spiritual city echoed with chants and prayers as followers after bathing in the sacred river visited their gurus for blessings and performed rituals in line with the ancient gurudisciple traditionVaranasi too witnessed a sea of devotees visiting revered places like Aghor Peeth Keenaram Ashram Long queues stretched through the city as people bowed at the feet of their gurus and prayed for spiritual growthToday is the day of Guru Purnima it is a very good day for us It feels like a festival said a devotee to IANSAnother visitor expressed We are here to offer our prayers to Baba Keenaram I wish that Guru Ji bestows his blessings on everyoneAfter taking a holy dip I prayed for Guru Jis blessings The arrangements here are wonderful I feel very happy to be here with my family another devotee sharedIn Maharashtra massive crowds were seen at the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple The Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust organised a threeday Guru Purnima festival with the main day drawing thousandsCEO Goraksh Gadilkar extended greetings to all Sai devotees and said the event is being conducted with utmost devotionPurohit Gopal Das reflected on the spiritual essence of the day saying Today is Guru Purnima a day that celebrates the glory of the Guru The Guru shows the path to reach GodIn Prayagraj devotees took holy dips at the Triveni Sangam and later visited temples and monasteries to seek blessings from saints and spiritual leadersThis is Purnima and it is especially significant as Guru Purnima a day dedicated to the Guru who connects us to Brahma to God imparts divine knowledge and shows us the right path said one devoteeAnother devotee told IANS I took a holy dip in the River Ganga and sought blessings of the Goddess Now we will proceed to seek the blessings of the saints and seersGuru Purnima continues to resonate as a symbol of the sacred relationship between the Guru and the disciple observed with devotion prayer and expressions of gratitude across India IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/people-across-the-nation-throng-temples-in-large-numbers-on-guru-purnima-625337.html Thu, 10 Jul 2025 09:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/amarnath-yatra-over-128-lakh-perform-pilgrimage-fresh-batch-of-7-307-leaves-for-kashmir-625345.html Srinagar July 10 Over 128 lakh pilgrims performed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra during the last seven days as another batch of 7307 pilgrims left for Kashmir from Jammu on Thursday The batch of 7307 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escorted convoys for the Valley First escorted convoy of 137 vehicles carrying 3081 Yatris left at 315 am for Baltal base camp while the second escorted convoy of 147 vehicles carrying 4226 Yatris left at 358 am for Nunwan Pahalgam base camp officials saidOfficials of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board SASB which manages the affairs of the annual pilgrimage said that in addition to the number of Yatris coming to the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu many Yatris are reporting directly at Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam for onspot registration to join the YatraThe Meteorological MeT office has forecast rain in JampK during the next 12 hours with isolated intense showersthunderstorms at some places during this period especially in the Jammu divisionAuthorities have made unprecedented security arrangements for this years Yatra as this takes place after the cowardly attack of April 22 in which Pakistanbacked terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them on the basis of faith in Baisaran meadow of PahalgamAn additional 180 companies of CAPFs have been brought in to augment the existing strength of the army BSF CRPF SSB and the local police All the transit camps en route to the two base camps and the entire route from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu to the cave shrine are secured by the security forcesLocals have extended complete cooperation to this years Amarnath Yatra as they have always done in the past Locals from Srinagar city travelled 30 km to Nuner village on the BaltalSrinagar road on July 6 to serve cold drinks and pure drinking water to Yatris returning after performing the Yatra The acceptance of the hospitality extended by the locals was as spontaneous and genuine as the response the Yatris showed in accepting the hospitality with gratitudeThis year the Yatra started on July 3 and will end after 38 days on August 9 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivalsYatris approach the holy cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas either from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal routeThose using the Pahalgam route pass through Chandanwari Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach the cave shrine covering a distance of 46 km on foot This trek takes a pilgrim four days to reach the cave shrine And those using the shorter Baltal route trek 14 km to reach the cave shrine and return to the base camp the same day after performing the YatraNo helicopter services are available to Yatris this year because of security reasonsThe cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/amarnath-yatra-over-128-lakh-perform-pilgrimage-fresh-batch-of-7-307-leaves-for-kashmir-625345.html Thu, 10 Jul 2025 09:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/amarnath-yatra-2025-crosses-111-lakh-mark-in-six-days-625113.html Srinagar July 9 Over 111 lakh pilgrims have so far performed the Amarnath Yatra during the last six days as another batch of 7579 pilgrims left for Kashmir from Jammu on Wednesday Officials said that since the Yatra started on July 3 over 111 lakh pilgrims had darshan inside the holy cave shrineAnother batch of 7579 Yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two escorted convoys for the Valley today First escorted convoy of 133 vehicles carrying 3031 Yatris left at 325 am for Baltal base camp while the second escorted convoy of 169 vehicles carrying 4548 Yatris left at 340 am for Nunwan Pahalgam base camp officials saidOfficials of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board SASB which manages the affairs of the annual pilgrimage said that in addition to the number of Yatris coming to the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu many Yatris are reporting directly at Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam for onspot registration to join the YatraThe Meteorological MeT office has forecast rain in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours with isolated intense showersthunderstorms at some places during this periodAuthorities have left no stone unturned in providing a multitier cover to this years Amarnath Yatra as this takes place after the cowardly attack of April 22 in which Pakistanbacked terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them on the basis of faith in the Baisaran meadow of PahalgamAn additional 180 companies of CAPFs have been brought in to augment the existing strength of the Army BSF CRPF SSB and the local police All the transit camps en route to the two base camps and the entire route from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu to the cave shrine are secured by the security forcesLocals have extended complete cooperation to this years Amarnath Yatra as they have always done in the past They were the first to welcome the first batch of Yatris with garlands and placards as the pilgrims crossed the Navyug Tunnel to enter the Valley at QazigundOn July 6 locals from Srinagar city travelled 30 km to Nuner village on the BaltalSrinagar road to serve cold drinks and pure drinking water to Yatris returning after performing the Yatra The acceptance of the hospitality extended by the locals was as spontaneous and genuine as the response the Yatris showed in accepting the hospitality with gratitudeThis year the Yatra started on July 3 and will end after 38 days on August 9 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivalsYatris approach the holy cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas either from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route Those using the Pahalgam route pass through Chandanwari Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach the cave shrine covering a distance of 46 km on foot This trek takes a pilgrim four days to reach the cave shrineThose using the shorter Baltal route trek 14 km to reach the cave shrine and return to the base camp the same day after performing the YatraNo helicopter services are available to Yatris this year because of security reasons IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/amarnath-yatra-2025-crosses-111-lakh-mark-in-six-days-625113.html Wed, 09 Jul 2025 09:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/india-gears-up-for-first-ever-digital-census-in-2027-with-caste-data-self-enumeration-features-624897.html New Delhi July 7 India is set to conduct its 16th national Census in 2027 marking a historic shift as the country embraces a fully digital enumeration process for the first time The Registrar General and Census Commissioner under the Ministry of Home Affairs MHA announced the development on X The Ministry officially notified its intent to conduct Census 2027 through a Gazette notification issued on June 16 2025 All states and Union Territories have been instructed to republish the notification in their respective gazettes and appoint nodal officers to oversee preparations Data will be collected using mobile applications compatible with Android and iOS devices available in English Hindi and regional languages Enumerators and supervisors will use their own smartphones to input data which will be transmitted directly to a central server reducing processing time and improving accuracy The Census will be conducted in two distinct phases The first phase the Housing Listing and Housing Census HLO will begin in April 2026 The second phase Population Enumeration PE will follow in early 2027 The reference date for most of the country is set at 0000 hours on March 1 2027 while for snowbound and remote areas such as Ladakh Jammu and Kashmir Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand it will be October 1 2026 To ensure consistency in data collection administrative boundaries across India will be frozen from January 1 2026 to March 31 2027 This measure is intended to prevent duplication or omission due to jurisdictional changes Census 2027 will also include caste enumeration for the first time since 1931 offering deeper insights into Indias social composition Additionally citizens will have the option of selfenumeration through a dedicated web portal available during both phases This is part of a broader digital transformation aimed at enhancing accessibility transparency and efficiency To support the exercise a threetier training system has been established comprising National Trainers Master Trainers and Field Trainers Approximately 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors will be trained under this structure A nationwide publicity campaign will accompany the rollout focusing on inclusive participation lastmile engagement and timely dissemination of accurate information With Indias population now exceeding 146 billion the 2027 Census is expected to play a crucial role in shaping future policies welfare schemes and electoral boundaries IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/india-gears-up-for-first-ever-digital-census-in-2027-with-caste-data-self-enumeration-features-624897.html Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/lewd-remarks-on-religion-madras-hc-refuses-to-close-suo-motu-case-against-former-tn-minister-ponmudi-624988.html Chennai July 8 The Madras High Court on Tuesday decided to keep pending its suo motu case against former Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K Ponmudi who allegedly made lewd and derogatory remarks involving the religious symbols of Hindu sects the Shaivites and the Vaishnavites The remarks were reportedly made by Ponmudi during a meeting organised by the Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam TPDK on April 8The former minister narrated a controversial anecdote involving a prostitute who asked a man if he was a Shaivite or a Vaishnavite before stating her rates based on sexual positionsThe comments sparked widespread outrage and led to his removal from the post of DMK Deputy General SecretaryDespite the Tamil Nadu Police closing over 120 complaints filed in the matter the High Court bench of Justice P Velmurugan expressed concern over the states handling of the issue making it clear that the court could not remain a silent spectator to such incidents and emphasised that freedom of speech under Article 19 of the Constitution is not absoluteNowadays all politicians all persons making public speeches think Article 19 gives them absolute rights that the sky is the limit But there are reasonable restrictions There are several sects and religious communities in this country Public figures must act responsibly This is a democratic country not a monarchy Justice Velmurugan observed sharply during the hearingRepresenting the state government Advocate General PS Raman informed the court that the police had decided not to register FIRs after conducting preliminary inquiries concluding that Ponmudi merely repeated an old anecdoteHowever the judge questioned the basis of such a conclusion during a preliminary inquiry stage The police cannot write a judgment during a preliminary inquiry They cannot say it is not hate speech at that stage Can they say only the original speaker can be punished not the one who repeats it he askedThe court also directed that all complainants must be properly informed about the closure of their cases If any complainant later alleges that they were not informed the court warned it would take stern action against the stateJustice Velmurugan also stated that the court would closely monitor the developments especially if the complainants choose to escalate the matter to higher police authorities Let them invoke Meanwhile we will keep the case pending and see what happens The court wants to vigilantly watch he saidThe matter has been adjourned to August 1 for further hearing IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/lewd-remarks-on-religion-madras-hc-refuses-to-close-suo-motu-case-against-former-tn-minister-ponmudi-624988.html Tue, 08 Jul 2025 15:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/criminal-action-to-be-taken-for-unauthorised-religious-places-on-forest-land-maha-minister-625052.html Mumbai July 8 Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik on Tuesday announced that criminal cases will be filed against those building religious places by encroaching on forest lands in the state In a reply to a question by BJP member Pravin Datke during a discussion on the calling attention motion the minister admitted that the government has received complaints about unauthorised religious places constructed by encroaching on forest lands He assured the house that the information regarding encroachment on forest lands will be collected in the next two months and after investigating the cases criminal cases will be filed against them and further action will be takenMinister Naik said Action will be taken against the institutions that encroach on forest lands and construct religious places as well as against the individuals who carry out the construction Action will be taken against the officials who do not take action or cooperate in such unauthorised constructionsMeanwhile Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said that the state government is contemplating giving development works by the Public Works Department to womens cooperative societies In a reply to a calling attention motion moved by NCP legislator Prakash Solanke the Chief Minister said that as per the decision of the Public Works Department in the state development works worth up to Rs 10 lakh are allocated to labour cooperative societies educated unemployed engineers and qualified registered regular contractors The government has permitted to registration of womens cooperative societies The government is also considering allocating such work to womens cooperative societies in the futureThe Chief Minister said that a committee of public representatives will be formed to bring more transparency to the allocation of development works As per the recommendations made by this committee consistency and transparency will be brought to the allocation of workIn response to lakhs of suggestions Water Resources Minister Godavari and Krishna Basin Development Corporation Radhakrishna VikhePatil said that Majalgaon Irrigation Department has a total of 66 projects including 6 medium 53 small and 7 Kolhapuritype dams Through this the management of 87 thousand 993 irrigation areas is handled by this department The Executive Engineer of this department approved the procurement list of 148 essential works worth less than Rs 10 lakh Instructions will be given to submit the inquiry report on the allocation of works within 15 days Appropriate action will be taken after the report said Minister Patil IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/criminal-action-to-be-taken-for-unauthorised-religious-places-on-forest-land-maha-minister-625052.html Tue, 08 Jul 2025 21:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/andhra-ttd-suspends-aeo-for-attending-church-prayers-625080.html Tirupati July 8 Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam TTD has suspended Assistant Executive Officer A Rajasekhar Babu for attending church prayers TTD which manages the affairs of Sri Venkateshwara Swamy temple said on Tuesday that the official was suspended on charges of following another religious faithThe temple body took action after it came to its notice that Rajasekhar Babu was attending local church prayers every Sunday in his hometown Puttur in Tirupati districtIt is nothing but a violation of TTD norms as he has not followed the code of conduct of the TTD as an employee of the organisation and has acted irresponsibly as an employee representing a Hindu religious organisation the TTD said in a statementIn this context after examining the report submitted by the TTD Vigilance Department and other evidence departmental action was initiated against him as per the rules and he was suspended with immediate effect it addedIn February TTD initiated disciplinary action against 18 employees for practising nonHindu religious customs and traditions The action came after new TTD Board Chairman B R Naidu announced that only Hindus should work at the institutions run by the temple bodyThe employees who were found to be participating in nonHindu religious activities include six teachers at various educational institutes run by itThe action was also initiated against a deputy executive officer Welfare an assistant executive officer an assistant technical officer electrical a hostel worker two electricians and two nurses TTD had issued an order that these employees should not be posted at any place in Tirumala any temple under TTD or for any religious programmerelated work It was also decided that if they were working in such places they should be transferred immediatelyThe 18 employees were barred from participating in the religious functions of TTD They were directed not to participate in any religious programmes of TTDThese employees were found to be participating and practising nonHindu religious traditions even though they had taken the oath before Lord Venkateshwara stating that they would follow the Hindu dharma and Hindu traditions only in compliance with Rule 9 vi issued in GO No 1060 of the Revenue Department Endowments on October 24 1989 IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/andhra-ttd-suspends-aeo-for-attending-church-prayers-625080.html Tue, 08 Jul 2025 23:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/after-ngt-nudge-tn-govt-to-install-steel-mesh-around-kapaleeswarar-temple-tank-624749.html Chennai July 7 Acting on directions from the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal NGT the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments HRampCE Department has announced that a steel mesh will be installed around the Kapaleeswarar Temple tank in Mylapore to prevent waste from entering the sacred water body The move comes as part of a broader initiative by the NGT to safeguard temple tanks across Tamil Nadu many of which are struggling with pollution and neglect The tribunal had earlier taken suo motu cognizance of the deteriorating condition of these heritage waterbodies and specifically directed the HRampCE Department to improve water quality through measures such as installing surface aeration systems In response the HRampCE submitted a report to the tribunal noting that waste continues to enter the Kapaleeswarar tank despite the presence of a sixfoottall iron fence Items such as puffed rice plastic packaging and other refuse are often blown into the tank by the wind or offered by devotees particularly along the eastern boundary To address this the department has proposed installing a fine steel mesh atop the eastern iron grill to act as a protective barrier Daily cleaning and monitoring by temple staff will also be intensified to maintain cleanliness around the tank Additionally due to declining water levels since early June access to the tank has been restricted by temple authorities However devotees are still permitted to offer rituals from the steps leading to the Kaariya Mandapam the midlevel pavilion The Kapaleeswarar Temple tank which holds both religious and ecological significance has become a focal point in discussions around urban water conservation and temple tank revival Environmentalists have welcomed the NGTs intervention and called for similar actions across the state Experts emphasise that protecting such waterbodies requires not just physical infrastructure but also greater public awareness and strict enforcement against littering and pollution The mesh installation is expected to be completed in the coming weeks marking a small yet significant step in restoring the health and sanctity of this historic tank IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/after-ngt-nudge-tn-govt-to-install-steel-mesh-around-kapaleeswarar-temple-tank-624749.html Mon, 07 Jul 2025 09:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/v-p-jagdeep-dhankhar-offers-prayers-at-guruvayoor-temple-in-kerala-624833.html Guruvayoor Kerala July 7 After a weatherinduced delay Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar finally offered prayers at the famed Sree Krishna temple here on Monday afternoon Grateful for the blessed opportunity to have darshan at the Guruvayur Temple in Kerala and seek the divine blessings of Lord Krishna Truly surcharged and filled with deep reverence by the spiritual atmosphere in the sacred premises Offered prayers for the peace prosperity and wellbeing of our great nation and all its citizens May Lord Krishnas eternal grace illuminate our path towards a stronger more united India the VicePresident of Indias X handle saidOriginally scheduled to visit the temple around 9 am along with his wife Dr Sudesh Dhankhar the Vice Presidents plans were disrupted when his helicopter from Kochi was unable to land at the college ground near the temple due to bad weatherThe chopper had to return to Kochi and Dhankhar proceeded to attend a scheduled programme at the National University of Advanced Legal Studies NUALS where he interacted with students and facultyThe event at NUALS focused on contemporary legal education constitutional values and the role of youth in strengthening democratic institutionsFollowing the programme and lunch the weather cleared and Dhankhars chopper successfully landed at the college ground near the temple He then drove straight to the Sree Krishna temple and offered prayersThe temple authorities had made elaborate arrangements for the highprofile visit with certain areas cordoned off to facilitate the brief window available before the temples afternoon closure at 2 pmThe Vice President had arrived in Kochi on Sunday afternoon and stayed overnight at the Southern Naval Command guest house In view of his visit the Kochi City Police had imposed traffic restrictions from 2 pm on Sunday and additional curbs from 8 am to 1 pm on Monday along National Highway 544 and parts of KalamasseryHe is scheduled to return from Kochi later in the day IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/v-p-jagdeep-dhankhar-offers-prayers-at-guruvayoor-temple-in-kerala-624833.html Mon, 07 Jul 2025 17:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-five-policemen-injured-during-muharram-procession-bjp-demands-action-624834.html Bhopal July 7 Madhya Pradesh BJP condemned violence during the Muharram procession in Ujjain wherein at least five police personnel were injured The incident allegedly occurred after the procession attempted to take a prohibited route deviating from the fixed path agreed upon with district authorities Cops resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd to bring the situation under control Senior BJP leader and Minister Vishwas Sarang responding to the incident said that the constitution allows every religion to flourish but at the same time it also says that law and order should not be disrupted Ujjains incident is condemnable and police will take action against those who were involved in violence Permission was granted to carry the Muharram procession not to create violence Police had earmarked the route for the procession but they resisted and indulged in violence State Cooperation Minister Sarang told IANS Another BJP MLA from Bhopal Rameshwar Sharma who often presents himself as a hardcore Hindutva leader claimed that Ujjains incident was a preplanned violence and tough action should be taken against those who attacked police personnel Chief Minister Mohan Yadavs government will not tolerate violence and those who were involved in the Ujjain incident will be punished They will be punished in a way that they will not be able to eat roti for a few days Sharma added A video of the incident surfaced on social media shows the crowd forcefully trying to enter in prohibited route even when the police barricades were put up Police had to use force to disperse the unruly crowd several people fled the area including those carrying the tazia a symbolic replica of Imam Hussains mausoleum abandoning the ceremonial horse at the scene Following the incident Ujjain district police have registered a case against as many as 16 people including one organiser for disturbing law and orderWe are also trying to identify others with the help of CCTV footage obtained from the location a senior police officer said In Bhopal and several other parts of the state the Muharram procession was carried out with over a thousand tazias moved through various parts of the city There was no report of violence except in Ujjain on Saturday In Bhopal the main procession began at Fatehgarh while others originated from locations including Iranian Imambara Qaziq Camp Mangalwara near Bhopal Railway Station and various neighbourhoods like Bhanpur Karond Gandhi Nagar Arif Nagar Chola and JP Nagar A special Majlis also took place at the Sunni Sakalani Jama Masjid in Ashoka Garden where prayers for peace were offered for three days IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-five-policemen-injured-during-muharram-procession-bjp-demands-action-624834.html Mon, 07 Jul 2025 17:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/tripura-tmp-stages-protest-rally-demanding-deportation-of-infiltrators--624880.html Agartala July 7 Ruling BJP ally Tipra Motha Party TMP on Monday organised a rally demanding the pushback of illegal migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar Led by TMP senior leader and partys legislator Ranjit Debbarma several hundred party workers carrying the Tricolour took part in the rally which went around the capital city Participants raised slogans demanding strict implementation of the orders from the Ministry of Home Affairs MHA concerning the identification detention and deportation of illegal migrants Debbarma launched a sharp critique against the BJPled government of Chief Minister Manik Saha accusing it of prioritising votebank politics over national security The tribal leader noted that the BJPruled states like Assam and Gujarat had taken firm steps against illegal infiltrators Debabrma and the participants in the rally congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for issuing orders to all states to push back the infiltrators into their countries TMP supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma said on Sunday that they would soon meet with the Union Home Minister in New Delhi to urge him to take drastic steps against infiltrators Debbarma a former royal scion said that illegal infiltrators would jeopardise the socioeconomic and customary aspects of the states indigenous people especially the tribals The Government should take stringent steps to prevent the illegal infiltrators from entering India Those already illegally staying in Tripura and other states must be pushed back immediately the TMP chief told IANSHe said that the situation in Bangladesh continues to remain volatile due to the internal violence that began there in JuneJuly last year especially after the fall of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinaled Awami League government on August 5 2024 Meanwhile the TMP a tribalbased party launched a widespread antiinfiltration campaign across Tripura last month The partys senior leader and Forest and Environment Minister Animesh Debbama had said that no infiltrators would be allowed to stay in Tripura Government should deport those infiltrators who came to Tripura after March 1971 Debbarma said Chief Minister Manik Saha earlier said that infiltrators from Bangladesh also realised that Tripura is not a safe zone for them adding that all security agencies are on a high alert to prevent illegal infiltrators from entering India After the trouble began in Bangladesh security forces maintained a close vigil along the border to foil any kind of infiltration bid CM Saha who also holds the Home portfolio had told the media The Chief Minister recently held meetings with the senior security officials of different agencies including BSF and requested the officials in the state to maintain close coordination among them to deal with the borderrelated issues Tripura which has an 856 km border with Bangladesh is surrounded on three sides by the neighbouring country making the northeastern state very vulnerable and sensitive to crossborder migration issues and other crimes Except for some patches most of the frontier had been fenced to prevent smuggling transborder crimes and crossborder illegal movements by infiltrators and inimical elements IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/tripura-tmp-stages-protest-rally-demanding-deportation-of-infiltrators--624880.html Mon, 07 Jul 2025 21:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/rss-bats-for-mother-tongue-education-warns-against-emergency-era-constitutional-violations-624889.html New Delhi July 7 Senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS functionaries Sunil Ambekar and Anil Agarwal addressed a joint press conference on Monday where they spoke at length about the organisations initiatives in Manipur its position on constitutional values language and its centenaryyear roadmap for nationwide outreach and social transformation On the ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur Ambekar stated that RSS volunteers were working actively on the ground to support peace efforts and build communication bridges between the Meitei and other affected communities Our karyakartas are continuously engaged in efforts to bring stability and encourage dialogue among the people While progress is visible it will take time before complete normalcy returns he saidThe RSS leadership emphasised that inclusive outreach efforts are underway to connect with various social and regional groups They said that people from border and remote regions have shown enthusiastic participation indicating a growing level of public trust and a stronger grassroots presenceTouching upon the contentious issues of socialism and secularism in the Constitution the RSS recalled the Emergency era as a moment of significant constitutional compromise Ambekar said It was a time when democratic principles were effectively suspended and constitutional changes were made without the consent or backing of the people The younger generation needs to understand how easily democracy can be undermined when there are no checks on authorityOn the ongoing language debate Ambekar clarified that the RSS views all Indian languages as national and deserving of equal respect We believe that people should communicate in the language commonly spoken in their area and that children should begin their education in their mother tongue or regional language he saidIn response to criticism and past attempts to ban the RSS the leaders asserted that such efforts were neither accepted by the public nor supported by law Whenever efforts were made to impose a ban there was either a legal intervention or significant public resistance because those moves lacked both credibility and legitimacy the leaders notedThe RSS is pushing ahead with its Panch Parivartan initiative a fivepoint agenda that focuses on economic selfreliance holistic personal development valuebased living improved social welfare and inclusive growth This framework they said will guide the organisations mission in the leadup to its centenary yearOne of the key focus areas will be expanding intellectual engagement The Sangh plans to hold districtlevel discussions with scholars thinkers and public figures across all 924 Sanghorganised districts to facilitate deeper ideological conversationsAs part of its mass contact campaign the RSS will organise over one lakh Hindu Sammelans across 58000 mandals and 44000 bastis across the country aiming to reinforce grassroots connections and promote cultural unityAmbekar also shared data on the organisations training efforts noting that more than 100 Sangh Prashikshan Vargs were held last summer Of these 75 camps were focused on volunteers under the age of 40 involving 17609 participants in total including those trained at the Nagpur headquarters Moreover 8813 students participated in Sangh Shiksha Vargs and 4270 individuals aged between 40 and 60 received training underlining the Sanghs growing engagement across age groups IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/rss-bats-for-mother-tongue-education-warns-against-emergency-era-constitutional-violations-624889.html Mon, 07 Jul 2025 23:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bibi-ka-alam-procession-underway-in-hyderabad-amid-tight-security-624664.html Hyderabad July 6 The historic BibikaAlam procession was underway in the old city of Hyderabad amid tight security as solemnity and mourning marked YaumeAshura on Sunday Thousands of people were participating in the procession which started from Bibi Ka Alawa in a traditional mannerThe procession passes through various parts of the old city before concluding at Chaderghat on the banks of the Musi River after sunsetThe Bibi ka Alam was carried on a caparisoned elephant brought from Karnataka The elephant Lakshmi stopped at a couple of places leading to a slowdown of the processionThe procession will pass through Sheikh Faiz Kaman Yakutpura Darwaza Etebar Chowk Charminar Gulzar Houz Panjeshah Mani Mir Alam Purani Haveli and DarulshifaThe organisers arranged the elephant belonging to the Sri Karibasaveshwara Mutt in Karnataka after the Telangana Forest Department refused to allow an elephant earlier identified by organisers in Delhi citing animal welfare concerns and transport regulationsYaumeAshura or 10th day of Muharram the first month of the Islamic calendar is observed in memory of the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammeds grandson Imam Hussain and his followers at the battle of KarbalaThe goldanddiamondstudded alam or standard is believed to contain a piece of wooden plank on which Bibi Fatima Zehra daughter of Prophet Mohammed was given the final ablutionThe alam was installed over 430 years ago during the Qutub Shahi dynasty and the practice of carrying it on an elephant has been continuing since thenFor several years the elephants from the Nehru Zoological Park were used for the annual procession However after the courts refused permission for the use of captive elephants for religious processions the organisers have been bringing elephants from other statesLast year an elephant belonging to the Shri Jagadguru Panchacharya Mandir Trust in Karnataka was brought for the processionGroups of selfflagellating mourners were leading the procession Blood oozed out from the heads and chests of barechested Shia mourners who flagellated themselves with sharpedged objectsAmid cries of Ya Hussain and recitation of marsiya elegies and nohakhwani poems expressing sorrow barefoot youths using knives bladeencrusted chains and other sharpedged weapons inflicted injuries on themselves to show solidarity with the sufferings of the martyrs Others were seen crying and beating their chestsThe police made elaborate security arrangements and deployed around 2000 personnel Policemen on horses were seen piloting the procession Traffic was diverted at a few points for the annual processionTop government officials the Hyderabad Police Commissioner leaders of different political parties and family members of Nizam ruler of erstwhile Hyderabad State offered dhattis en route the processionThe Sunni Muslims observed the day by fasting and holding meetings to remember the sacrifices of Imam Hussain and his followers who were martyred in 61 Hijri or 681 CE at Karbala in presentday IraqThe fasting is observed on two days ninth and 10th or the 10th and 11th Muharram IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bibi-ka-alam-procession-underway-in-hyderabad-amid-tight-security-624664.html Sun, 06 Jul 2025 19:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/syama-prasad-mookerjee-symbolised-unwavering-commitment-to-indias-integrity-arunachal-guv--624667.html ItanagarImphal July 6 Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt General KT Parnaik Retd said on Sunday that Syama Prasad Mookerjee was a shining example of unwavering commitment to Indias integrity cultural pride and democratic values Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla highlighted Mookerjees immense contributions to nationbuilding Addressing the commemoration of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Mookerjee in Itanagar the Arunachal Pradesh Governor passionately addressed the youth of the northeastern state declaring them the torchbearers of Mookerjees vision He affirmed that their strength is in their talent and capacity to dream big for their community state and country The Governor urged the youth of the state to embrace deep pride in their traditional heritage art culture land and languages while simultaneously showing equal courage in excelling across science sports technology innovation and entrepreneurship Lt Gen Parnaik said that Mookerjee was far more than a political figure He was a visionary an esteemed educationist and a courageous nationbuilder driven by a profound belief in One India Great India He founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951 laying the ideological groundwork for national unity and integrity at a time when the country was still healing from partition The Governor recounted Mookerjees unwavering opposition to Article 370 and his powerful call for One Country One Head One Flag One Constitution in 1953 a stance that marked a pivotal moment in Indian political history He noted that this very dream of equality national integration and constitutional unity was realised under the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah with the abrogation of Article 370 and the full integration of Jammu and Kashmir into the Indian Union Recalling the pivotal role of Mookerjee in the Constituent Assembly the Governor said that he persistently advocated for minority rights and the preservation of regional languages to ensure a Constitution acceptable and applicable to all communities In Imphal Manipur Governor Bhalla on the occasion described Mookerjee as a towering figure in the history of modern India a distinguished patriot freedom fighter visionary leader and an intellectual of remarkable stature As one of the key architects of independent India Mookerjee played a significant role in shaping the countrys political and educational landscape the Governor said He was also a strong advocate for national integration and worked tirelessly to uphold the unity and integrity of the nation The Governor also recalled Mookerjees pivotal role in the integration of Jammu and Kashmir His firm stance was encapsulated in his wellknown statement Ek deshmein do Vidhan do Nishan do Pradhan nahichalenge reflecting his unwavering commitment to the principle of one nation one constitution Bhalla appealed to everyone to remember and draw inspiration from Mookerjees legacy of selfless service unwavering commitment to national unity and fearless pursuit of constitutional integrity IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/syama-prasad-mookerjee-symbolised-unwavering-commitment-to-indias-integrity-arunachal-guv--624667.html Sun, 06 Jul 2025 20:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bibi-ka-alam-passes-off-peacefully-in-hyderabad--624694.html Hyderabad July 6 The historic BibikaAlam procession passed off peacefully in the old city of Hyderabad amid tight security as solemnity and mourning marked YaumeAshura on Sunday Thousands of people participated in the procession which started from Bibi Ka Alawa in a traditional manner and concluded at Chaderghat on the banks of the Musi River after passing through various parts of the old cityThe procession passed through Sheikh Faiz Kaman Yakutpura Darwaza Etebar Chowk Charminar Gulzar Houz Panjeshah Mani Mir Alam Purani Haveli and DarulshifaThe Bibi ka Alam was carried on a caparisoned elephant brought from KarnatakaThe organisers arranged the elephant belonging to the Sri Karibasaveshwara Mutt in Karnataka after the Telangana Forest Department refused to allow an elephant earlier identified by organisers in Delhi citing animal welfare concerns and transport regulationsYaumeAshura or the 10th day of Muharram the first month of the Islamic calendar is observed in memory of the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammeds grandson Imam Hussain and his followers at the battle of KarbalaThe goldanddiamondstudded alam or standard is believed to contain a piece of wooden plank on which Bibi Fatima Zehra daughter of Prophet Mohammed was given the final ablutionThe alam was installed over 430 years ago during the Qutub Shahi dynasty and the practice of carrying the alam on an elephant has been continuing since thenFor several years elephants from the Nehru Zoological Park were used for the annual procession However after the courts refused permission for the use of captive elephants for religious processions the organisers have been bringing elephants from other statesLast year an elephant belonging to the Shri Jagadguru Panchacharya Mandir Trust in Karnataka was brought for the processionGroups of selfflagellating mourners were leading the procession Blood oozed out from the heads and chests of barechested Shia mourners who flagellated themselves with sharpedged objectsAmid cries of Ya Hussain and recitation of marsiya elegies and nohakhwani poems expressing sorrow barefoot youths using knives bladeencrusted chains and other sharpedged weapons inflicted injuries on themselves to show solidarity with the sufferings of the martyrs Others were seen crying and beating their chestsThe police made elaborate security arrangements with the deployment of over 3000 personnel Policemen on horses were seen piloting the procession Traffic was diverted at a few points for the annual processionTop government officials Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand leaders of different political parties and family members of Nizam ruler of the erstwhile Hyderabad State offered dhattis en route to the processionThe Police Commissioner personally supervised the security arrangements from the historic Charminar He provided timely instructions to all officers to ensure the procession proceeded smoothlyOn behalf of the Hyderabad City Police Anand offered Dhattis to the alam at CharminarOver 3000 police personnel provided robust security for the Bibi Ka Alam procession Thanks to proactive planning and all necessary measures taken the Bibi Ka Alam procession concluded peacefully without any untoward incidents the police chief saidThe Sunni Muslims observed the day by fasting and holding meetings to remember the sacrifices of Imam Hussain and his followers who were martyred in 61 Hijri or 681 CE at Karbala in presentday IraqThe fasting is observed on two days the ninth and 10th or the 10th and 11th Muharram IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bibi-ka-alam-passes-off-peacefully-in-hyderabad--624694.html Sun, 06 Jul 2025 22:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/us-secretary-rubio-extends-wishes-to-dalai-lama-on-90th-birthday-624612.html Dharamsala July 6 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has extended best wishes to the Dalai Lama who turned 90 on Sunday The US remains firmly committed to promoting respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Tibetans We support efforts to preserve Tibetans distinct linguistic cultural and religious heritage including their ability to freely choose and venerate religious leaders without interference the US Department of State said in a statement The 14th Dalai Lama the Voice for the Voiceless aims to live for more decades Ahead of his 90th birthday the Nobel Peace Laureate also confirmed that he will have a successor putting to rest speculation over whether the 600yearold institution will end when he dies Meanwhile in celebration of the extraordinary occasion of the Dalai Lama turning 90 the democraticallyelected Central Tibetan Administration CTA the representative of Tibetan people both in and outside Tibet that is based in this north Indian hill station has declared that July 2025 to July 2026 will be observed The Year of CompassionThe initiative celebrates the Dalai Lama not only as a spiritual leader but also as a global advocate for peace compassion secular ethics interfaith harmony among others In a birthdayeve message the Dalai Lama said As for myself I will continue to focus on my commitments of promoting human values religious harmony drawing attention to the ancient Indian wisdom which explains the workings of mind and emotions and Tibetan culture and heritage which has so much potential to contribute to the world through its emphasis on peace of mind and compassion I develop determination and courage in my daily life through the teachings of the Buddha and Indian masters such as Shantideva whose following aspiration I strive to upholdThe Dalai Lama who fled Tibet in March 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule believes in a middleway approach meaning greater autonomy for Tibet rather than outright independence The Tibetan monk lives in exile in McLeodganj a small and quaint hill station on the suburbs of Dharamsala in the northern Indian Himalayas IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/us-secretary-rubio-extends-wishes-to-dalai-lama-on-90th-birthday-624612.html Sun, 06 Jul 2025 08:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/25-amarnath-pilgrims-sustain-minor-injuries-in-jampk-road-accident-624485.html Jammu July 5 Twentyfive Amarnath Yatra pilgrims sustained minor injuries on Saturday as four buses collided with each other in Jammu and Kashmirs Ramban district Officials stated that one of the bus drivers of the Amarnath Yatra convoy lost control of the vehicle reportedly due to a brake failureThis led to the collision between four buses in the convoy near Chandrakote Yatri Langar on the JammuSrinagar highway in Ramban district the officials addedPolice and Health Department rescue teams responded promptly and the injured were shifted to the Ramban district hospitalDeputy Commissioner Ramban Ilyas Khan visited the Ramban district hospital and enquired about the condition of the injuredThe Deputy Commissioner said 25 pilgrims sustained minor injuries when four vehicles in the Yatra convoy collided with each otherThe Deputy Commissioner said all the injured are being discharged after first aidAlternate transport arrangements have been made so that the injured passengers can continue their journey after discharge from the hospital the officials saidSince the 38daylong Yatra started on July 3 over 26800 pilgrims have performed the Yatra in two daysAnother batch of 6979 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas for Kashmir on Saturday in two escorted convoys of 312 vehiclesUnprecedented security arrangements have been made for this years Yatra as it takes place after the April 22 terror attack in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam in which Pakistanbacked LashkareTaiba LeT terrorists killed 26 civilians after segregating them based on faithAn additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed to augment the existing strength of the Army Border Security Force Sashastra Seema Bal Central Reserve Police Force and the local police to provide a secure passage to the pilgrimsThe entire motorable road from Jammu to the two base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam as well as both treks from the base camps to the holy cave shrine are guarded 247 by security forces IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/25-amarnath-pilgrims-sustain-minor-injuries-in-jampk-road-accident-624485.html Sat, 05 Jul 2025 10:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/world-famous-mudiya-mela-in-govardhan-from-tomorrow-cleanliness-campaign-launched-624536.html Govardhan UP July 5 As the worldfamous Mudiya Mela will kick off in Uttar Pradeshs Govardhan on Sunday authorities have launched a cleanliness campaign Over 2 crore pilgrims are expected to reach Govardhan for the mela and perform ParikramaThe cleanliness campaign led by District Magistrate CP Singh started on Saturday and focussed on cleanliness in key areas including Parikrama Marg Daanghati temple and Giriraj jiDM Singh swept the land near the Govardhan temple spreading the message of cleanlinessAs per the directions of the Uttar Pradesh government efforts are being made to provide pilgrims with proper facilities and clean surroundings he saidThe District Magistrate said people use polythene bags and indulge in littering as they dont care about cleanliness but now as prior warnings have been given strict action will be taken against violatorsThe DM pointed out that maintaining cleanliness in the area was the responsibility of the temple management but as it failed our team and locals of Govardhan are carrying out the cleanliness driveHighlighting the importance of cleanliness DM Singh said We aim to clean the entire Parikrama margHe also shared that notices have been issued to those shops which have encroached on public land The cleanliness campaign was made successful with the efforts of Govardhan SDM Neelam Srivastava Govardhan Tehsil and PanchayatFor the unversed Mudiya Mela is observed in remembrance of Sanatan Goswami the principal disciple of Lord Chaitanya MahaprabhuLegends have it that when Sanatan Goswami passed away his disciples did parikrama of the Govardhan after tonsuring their heads Since then this tradition has been followedNotably the 468yearold tradition continues to draw a sea of devoteesThe devotees perform a 21kmlong Parikrama of GovardhanThe belief with the yatra is that it bestows peace and prosperity on the devotees IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/world-famous-mudiya-mela-in-govardhan-from-tomorrow-cleanliness-campaign-launched-624536.html Sat, 05 Jul 2025 15:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kashi-vishwanath-temple-gears-up-for-sawan-rush-15-crore-devotees-expected-624554.html Varanasi July 5 With the auspicious month of Sawan set to begin on July 11 preparations at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple are in full swing Anticipating an overwhelming turnout the temple administration estimates that 15 crore devotees may visit Kashi this year to seek blessings from Baba Vishwanath Last year the temple witnessed over one crore devotees performing Jalabhishek a ritual offering of water to Lord Shiva This year the number is expected to soar even higher and to accommodate the spiritual influx extensive arrangements have been made by both the temple and district administrationsTo manage the crowds zigzag barricading has been put in place for a smooth and safe darshan experience Carpets have been laid across the premises to prevent devotees from walking on the heated temple floor Facilities like ORS solution first aid drinking water and mobile toilets have been strategically arranged throughout the areaKashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas in Hinduism holds immense spiritual significance Devotees from across India and abroad travel to Varanasi during Sawan to offer water and perform rituals in reverence to Lord Shiva The city transforms into a sea of devotion as chants of Har Har Mahadev echo through its ghats and lanesSpeaking to IANS Vishwa Bhushan Mishra CEO of the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple said Our SOP for crowd control during Sawan has been implemented Endtoend barricading has been arranged and German hangers have been installed to shelter devotees from the sun and rain Health desks have been set up at five different points to offer emergency careHe added Were distributing biscuits flour chocolate toffees ORS glucose jaggery and water to help devotees stay energised Our health centre is also operational 247 Special arrangements like gold cards have been introduced for children senior citizens differentlyabled and physically challenged individuals to ensure they have a safe and comfortable darshanIn addition to onground arrangements digital broadcasting of temple rituals has also been initiatedAartis are being streamed live through a dedicated web link shared with the Smart City project Devotees can watch the live broadcasts from LED screens installed across Varanasi or online from the comfort of their homes Mishra saidAdding a spiritual and celebratory touch flower showersa tradition at the templewill continue this year to welcome and bless the devoteesIssuing a word of caution the CEO urged restraint and prioritisation of healthThe number of devotees shouldnt become a recordmaking contest We urge those who are physically unfit to avoid the crowd and instead seek blessings through our live YouTube broadcast or visit during less crowded days he concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kashi-vishwanath-temple-gears-up-for-sawan-rush-15-crore-devotees-expected-624554.html Sat, 05 Jul 2025 18:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/an-emotive-issue-punjab-to-make-law-on-sacrilege-624581.html Chandigarh July 5 The Aam Aadmi Party AAP government in Punjab will convene a special twoday session of the Legislative Assembly next week to enact a law on sacrilege an emotive issue that remains a hot political issue ahead of every poll A government spokesperson said the law against sacrilege would be passed in the Vidhan Sabha special session on July 1011 to prevent a repeat of such incidents in the futureFor a long time there has been a demand for making a law against sacrilege in Punjab The Mann government will fulfil the demand of the people said the spokespersonThe incident of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib that caught nationwide attention took place in Behbal Kalan village of Faridkot district in 2015 and the subsequent police firing on protesters that claimed two lives was raked up by the Congress against the SADBJP combine government in the 2017 assembly pollsEven in 2022 polls in which the current state government came at the helm the incidents continued to rock the states political sphere as successive governments are under fire for failing to deliver justice in the casesIn the runup to the last assembly polls Justice Ranjit Singh retd who headed the commission into the alleged incidents of sacrilege and the subsequent police firing placed then Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal the Shiromani Akali Dal SAD patriarch and then DGP Sumedh Singh Saini in the dockAlso he castigated the Sirsabased Dera Sacha Sauda whose chief and selfstyled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is currently serving a 20year jail sentence for raping two of his disciples and a life term for a journalists killing for the incident of sacrilegeJustice Singh made these comments during the release of his 423page book The Sacrilege based on his inquiry when he was heading the current Congress government set up commissionThe judicial commission was mandated to inquire into nearly 160 cases of sacrilege Responding to the governments decision to make a law on sacrilege the Aam Aadmi Party AAP on Saturday hit back at statements made by Akali leaders over the special session of the Assembly to enact a law on sacrilegeThe party accused the Akalis of shedding crocodile tears and emphasised that for the first time a strict law against sacrilege is being introduced in Punjab under the AAP governmentAAP leader Baltej Pannu told the media here that the Akali Dal Badal is now getting worried upon hearing about the strict law being formulated regarding sacrilegeHe said every Punjabi knows how these people betrayed the people of Punjab on the sacrilege issue and made a mockery of the investigation adding that the Akalis refused to accept the report of the committee formed under former Justice Zora SinghMoreover they sold the Justice Ranjit Singh Committee report by the kilo outside the assemblyThe whole of Punjab knows how these people used the sacrilege incidents for political gain and interfered in the investigation Had they wanted to make a law they could have done so before 2017 he saidReferring to the sacrilege incident that occurred in Nakodar in 1986 he said at that time four people protesting were killed by the policeLater when a government led by Parkash Singh Badal was formed they promoted the police officers responsible for the crime and appointed them to high positions The report of that investigation was also never made public by these peoplePannu further stated that during the sacrilege incidents in 2015 Sukhbir Badal was the Deputy Chief Minister and also held the Home Ministry portfolioAt that time the police used batons and water cannons on peacefully protesting Sikh devotees Two people were martyred in Behbal Kalan after being shot by the police Even today people are waiting for justiceHe said the AAP government is bringing a Bill in the upcoming Assembly session to completely prevent sacrilege incidents so that in the future no one dares to insult the holy scriptures of any religion and the religious sentiments of people of all faiths remain protected at all timesVishal Gulati can be contacted at vishalgiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/an-emotive-issue-punjab-to-make-law-on-sacrilege-624581.html Sat, 05 Jul 2025 21:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bahuda-yatra-rathas-roll-toward-srimandir-in-spirit-of-devotion-and-ritual-624588.html Puri July 5 The holy town of Puri is witnessing the divine return of the lords as part of the Bahuda Yatra marking the conclusion of the annual Rath Yatra festival As the majestic procession nears its final leg Lord Balabhadras chariot Taladhwaja reaches the Srimandir followed by Devi Subhadras Darpadalana Lord Jagannaths Nandighosa was closely behind after the customary halt at Mausi Maa TempleSpeaking on the spiritual and cultural significance of the Bahuda Yatra Madhab Chandra Puja Panda Secretary of the Puja Panda Nijog emphasised that the return journey is more than just a ritualThe Rath Yatra represents the journey of Lord Jagannath from His temple in Srimandir to His maternal aunts abode at Gundicha Temple It is a divine family visit and Bahuda Yatra marks His return filled with rituals that reflect our centuriesold faith he saidElaborating on the customs observed en route Panda added The Lord halts at the Mausi Maa Temple symbolising a visit to His mothers sister There the deity is offered Poda Pitha a traditional delicacy before proceeding to the main temple This custom is not just a ritual it is a celebration of divine kinshipThe final leg of the Rath Yatra includes elaborate offerings and adornments before the Lord reenters His sanctum Before reentering the temple Lord Jagannath is adorned with a golden attire Suna Besha and grants darshan to the devotees The spiritual grandeur of this ritual leaves every devotee overwhelmed Panda explainedHe also spoke about the Niladri Bije the concluding ritual of the festival On this day Goddess Lakshmi symbolically expresses displeasure over Lord Jagannaths extended stay away She closes the temple doors on Him To appease her the Lord offers Rasagola a gesture reflecting both divine love and reconciliationThe final ritual includes a sacred exchange of Sanskrit chants between the temple priests of Lord Jagannath and Goddess Lakshmi before the Lord is ceremoniously welcomed back into the SrimandirThese ageold traditions are not just rituals they are a reflection of Odishas profound spiritual heritage showcasing the Lords journey through love devotion and divine family ties said PandaThe city of Puri remains engulfed in devotional fervour as devotees await the grand Suna Besha darshan a symbolic culmination of Lord Jagannaths return to his eternal abode IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bahuda-yatra-rathas-roll-toward-srimandir-in-spirit-of-devotion-and-ritual-624588.html Sat, 05 Jul 2025 23:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kuki-zo-mlas-will-not-participate-in-formation-of-new-manipur-govt-tribal-bodies-624597.html Imphal July 5 The KukiZo tribal organisations in Manipur on Saturday announced that their MLAs would not participate in the formation of the new government in the state Kuki Inpi Manipur KIM General Secretary Khaikhohauh Gangte in a statement said that a joint meeting of eight KukiZo tribal organisations and their district units held a meeting on Friday and resolved that no KukiZo MLA shall participate or take part in any manner in the formation of a new popular government in ManipurUnder no circumstances shall the KukiZo people compromise our ancestral land culture identity and political social and economic rights This resolution of Fridays meeting is the collective political will and aspiration of the KukiZo people and is binding upon all KukiZo representatives and community organisations the statement saidThe KIM General Secretary said that all concerned are hereby advised to adhere strictly to the Friday meetings resolution in letter and spiritThere are ten MLAs belonging to the KukiZo tribal community and they have boycotted all the assembly sessions in Manipur since the violence broke out on May 3 2023All the KukiZo tribal organisations have been demanding the creation of a separate administration equivalent to a Union Territory with a legislature for themThe ten KukiZo tribal MLAs including seven belonging to BJP also have been strongly supporting the separate administration demandOn Saturday senior BJP leader Yumnam Khemchand Singh highly praised the Central government for its initiatives to restore peace and normalcy in the strifetorn Manipur and praised Union Home Minister Amit Shahs approach to resolving the crisisSingh who was elected to the state Assembly from Singjamei constituency in Imphal West district said that as part of the measures taken to restore peace and normalcy in the state security forces have been successfully conducting search operations to recover illegal arms and ammunitionThe 61yearold MLA said that the Central government has been taking various steps to resolve the ethnic crisis which erupted on May 3 2023 and has now exceeded two yearsAmong the significant measures taken to restore peace and normalcy in the state security forces have been conducting search operations to recover illicit arms and ammunition the Meitei community leader saidIn a statement he said that in the past month a substantial quantity of arms and ammunition were seized from various parts of the valley districts and recently a significant cache was recovered from the hill districts as well IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kuki-zo-mlas-will-not-participate-in-formation-of-new-manipur-govt-tribal-bodies-624597.html Sat, 05 Jul 2025 23:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/muharram-procession-in-jampks-srinagar-top-officers-join-in-symbolic-gesture-of-goodwill-624315.html Srinagar July 4 As a symbolic gesture of goodwill and solidarity senior civil administration and police officers on Friday joined the 8th Muharram procession in Jammu and Kashmirs Srinagar city The 8th Muharram procession is the biggest assembly of Shia Muslim mourners before the 10th Muharram to commemorate the martyrdom of the Prophets grandson Imam Hussain in Karbala on the banks of the Euphrates in Iraq by the army of King Yazid in 680 ADEuphrates has a historic and significant role in Islam as the army of Yazid did not allow drinking water to Imam Hussain his family members even the 6monthold baby Ali Asghar and women during their siege in KarbalaMuharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his companions is one of the darkest periods of persecution and torture of the descendants of the ProphetThe mourning of Muharram is remembered by chest beating and processions by Shia Muslims while the mourning is common and equally commemorative for the Sunni Muslims the world overTo show solidarity and unity with the mourners during the procession Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri Inspector General of Police IGP Kashmir VK Birdi Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Akshay Labroo and SSP Srinagar Sundeep Chakarvourti joined the 8th Muharram procession at Lal Chowk in Srinagar where they served water to the mourners under the scorching sunThe Divisional Commissioner said that all arrangements ranging from drinking water and medical aid to security and traffic regulation were put in place well ahead of the religious event to ensure a smooth and safe processionWe request all mourners to remain focused on the true purpose of the procession and refrain from altering its nature in any way the Divisional Commissioner said urging people to maintain the religious spirit and decorum of the eventIGP Kashmir Birdi said that all the security arrangements were put in place to ensure that the 8th Muharram procession passes off smoothlyAsked about the 10th Muharram procession the IGP said Administration is talking to the organisers in all the places where 10th Muharram processions are taken out so that these religious events are facilitatedMourners joining the procession said that for the third year now the authorities are allowing the 8th Muharram procession after making good arrangementsSince 1990 when armed violence started in Kashmir authorities had disallowed both the 8th and 10th Muharram processions to maintain law and orderIt was in 2022 that the administration headed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha allowed the resumption of this religious eventSince then the 8th Muharram procession has been taken out peacefully with thousands of mourners participating along the designated route in Srinagar city IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/muharram-procession-in-jampks-srinagar-top-officers-join-in-symbolic-gesture-of-goodwill-624315.html Fri, 04 Jul 2025 11:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/elaborate-arrangements-made-for-kanwar-yatra-muharram-in-prayagraj-624360.html Prayagraj July 4 Elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the Kanwar Yatra and Muharram in Uttar Pradeshs Prayagraj officials said on Friday Talking to the media Prayagraj District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Mandar said that all necessary directions have been made for the successful conduct of the Kanwar Yatra which will begin on July 11He shared that all liquor and meat shops will be closed on the Kanwar Yatra routesThe District Magistrate said that guidelines have been issued for the Yatra which include a fixed height and sound of the DJMandar shared that major Kanwar routes have been identified and road repairs are underway from Sangam to Kashi Vishwanath A damaged railing on the Shastri Bridge is currently being fixed Additionally arrangements for cleanliness lighting and security have been made at all Shiva temples across the districtAll the directions issued by the administration will be strictly followed he further saidMandar stated that constructing a concrete platform at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Prayagraj will benefit Kanwariyas who collect holy water from the sitePolice the State Disaster Response Force and divers have been pressed into service at the Dashashwamedh GhatTo improve security and hygiene authorities in Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand and Delhi have issued directives requiring all food and beverage outlets along the Kanwar route to display the name of the shopkeeper employee details and the shops license information prominentlyNotably a political row has erupted over the directives with opposition parties claiming that the decision is constitutionally questionable while the Uttar Pradesh government said that the opposition is engaging in appeasement politicsDuring the holy month of Sawan Lord Shiva devotees embark on a Kanwar Yatra on foot fetch water from holy rivers and perform Jalabhishek on a ShivlingMeanwhile the DM said arrangements have also been made for Muharram on July 6 He said the height of Tazias has been regulated to prevent contact with overhead power lines and ensure public safety during processions IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/elaborate-arrangements-made-for-kanwar-yatra-muharram-in-prayagraj-624360.html Fri, 04 Jul 2025 15:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/allahabad-hc-rejects-plea-to-declare-shahi-idgah-mosque-as-disputed-structure-624366.html Prayagraj July 4 IANS The Allahabad High Court on Friday rejected a plea seeking to declare the Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura as a disputed structure in the ongoing case related to the Sri Krishna JanmabhoomiShahi Idgah complexnbspThe petition was filed by Mahendra Pratap Singh President of the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi Mukti NyasnbspThe matter was heard by Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra who had reserved the verdict after hearing arguments from both sides The judgment was then delivered as scheduled on FridaynbspAccording to the petitioner the site where the Shahi Idgah mosque currently stands was originally the location of a Hindu templeHe claimed that the mosque structure bears symbols of Hindu deities on its walls and argued that the Muslim side has not provided any documentary evidence to prove it to be a mosquenbspHe further stated that the structure is not listed in the official land records KhasraKhatauni has no municipal records and no taxes have been paid for it therefore it should not be recognised as a mosquenbspThe Muslim side strongly opposed the petition asserting that the Shahi Idgah has existed at the site for over 400 yearsnbspThey argued that the demand to declare the structure disputed is baseless and must be dismissednbspThe court agreed with the Muslim sides contention and dismissed the petition declining to classify the Shahi Idgah as a disputed property unlike in the Babri Masjid case which the petitioner had cited as precedentnbspThis was one of the 18 petitions filed by the Hindu side with regard to the claims on the land around Sri Krishna JanmabhoominbspThe controversy is related to the Aurangzebera Shahi Idgah mosque at Mathura which the Hindu side has alleged was built after demolishing a temple at the birthplace of Lord Krishna https://dailyworld.in/religion/allahabad-hc-rejects-plea-to-declare-shahi-idgah-mosque-as-disputed-structure-624366.html Fri, 04 Jul 2025 16:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/one-dead-several-injured-as-tent-collapses-at-bagheshwar-dham-in-mp-amid-rainstorm-624161.html Chhatarpur July 3 One person was killed and eight others were injured at Bageshwar Dham in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday when a section of a waterproof tent collapsed following heavy rain and strong winds The incident occurred shortly after the morning Aarti as hundreds of devotees had gathered under the tent to seek shelter from the rainThe crowd had assembled for the ongoing Balaji Divya Darbar and the upcoming birthday celebrations of Dhirendra Krishna Shastri the head priest of the Bageshwar DhamAccording to Bamitha police station incharge Ashutosh Shrutia water had accumulated on the tent installed in front of the Darbar Hall The weight of the water combined with gusty winds caused a portion of the structure to collapseEight people were injured four of them seriously the officer saidAll the injured have been admitted to Chhatarpur District HospitalThe deceased has been identified as Shyamlal Kaushal 50 a resident of Sikandarpur in Uttar Pradeshs Basti district His soninlaw Rajesh Kumar Kaushal told the media that his family had travelled from Mankapur village in Gonda district and arrived at Bageshwar Dham on Wednesday night to attend the spiritual gatheringThey had just reached for darshan when the rain started As they stood under the tent it suddenly collapsed An iron angle struck his fatherinlaws head He died on the spotSix members of the family including Rajeshs wife Saumya and daughters Parul and Unnati were among the injuredDr Naresh Tripathi of the district hospital confirmed the fatality and said the body has been sent for postmortemAuthorities have launched an investigation into the incidentThe accident has cast a shadow over the 12day spiritual festival underway at the Dham which began on July 1 and is scheduled to continue until July 12The main birthday celebration of Dhirendra Shastri is slated for July 4 with thousands of devotees from across India and abroad in attendance IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/one-dead-several-injured-as-tent-collapses-at-bagheshwar-dham-in-mp-amid-rainstorm-624161.html Thu, 03 Jul 2025 14:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/radical-islamists-vowing-to-model-bangladesh-after-taliban-ruled-afghanistan-awami-league-624219.html Dhaka July 3 Radical Islamic group JamaatChar Monai alliance has openly vowed to model Bangladesh after Talibanruled Afghanistan banning women from public life enforcing burqas curtailing minority rights and pushing jihadi training nationwide the Awami League said on Thursday The Awami League mentioned that in a chilling interview with USbased Bangladeshi journalist Khalded Muhiuddin the Islamic Movements leader Muhammad Faizul Karim laid out this blueprint for Islamic rule amid a rise of extremism under the Muhammad Yunusled interim governmentAccording to the Awami League during the talk show the radical Islamist leader Karim emphasised that if they come to power by winning the national elections Sharia law will be introduced in the country by the Islami Andolan BangladeshHe said that the current system of governance in Afghanistan will be followed in Bangladesh along with the good philosophy of IranIf we come to power Hindus will also get rights in the Sharia law that we will introduce Karim mentionedThe Awami League questioned whether the interim governments deafening silence on the matter was due to negligence or deliberate complicityRaising concerns over recent events the party further asked whether the attacks on temples disruption of worship targeting of women and erosion of secularism are what the socalled July Movement meant to achieveExtremism has surged in Bangladesh since the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August of last year Since that time under the Yunus administration several radical groups have resorted to violence and provocation particularly targeting minorities in the South Asian nationAnalysts reckon that these radical forces had earlier worked hand in glove with the student leaders and Yunus to overthrow the democratically elected Awami League government led by HasinaOn Tuesday the Awami League laid out the statistics regarding human rights violations in Bangladesh claiming that the country is in a state of brutal anarchy highlighting several cases of rape lynchings and unidentified bodies describing the country as a bloodstained nation under the Yunusled interim governmentThe party stressed that last month exposed the complete collapse of safety justice and leadership under the Yunus regimeAccording to the Awami League the statistics revealed that only in June 63 incidents of rapes were reported including 17 gang rapes seven survivors were womengirls with disabilities while 19 children and 23 teenage girls were raped Additionally 39 cases of sexual harassment and 51 physical assaults on women were reported IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/radical-islamists-vowing-to-model-bangladesh-after-taliban-ruled-afghanistan-awami-league-624219.html Thu, 03 Jul 2025 17:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/dalai-lama-says-centuries-old-tibetan-buddhist-institution-will-live-on-after-his-death-623982.html Dharamsala July 2 IANS Elderly Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Wednesday announced that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue after his death and his Gaden Phodrang Trust has the sole authority to recognise the future reincarnationnbspnbspThe Gaden Phodrang Trust was founded with an aim to help preserve the unique Tibetan culture and support the Tibetan people and also other people in need regardless of nationality religion and originnbspIn a much awaited statement with the onset of a threeday Buddhist religious conference in McLeodganj a small and quaint hill station in the suburbs of the northern hill town of Dharamsala the spiritual leader said On September 24 2011 at a meeting of the heads of Tibetan spiritual traditions I made a statement to fellow Tibetans in and outside Tibet followers of Tibetan Buddhism and those who have a connection with Tibet and Tibetans regarding whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continueI stated as far back as 1969 I made clear that concerned people should decide whether the Dalai Lamas reincarnations should continue in the future I also said when I am about ninety I will consult the high Lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions the Tibetan public and other people concerned who follow Tibetan Buddhism to reevaluate whether or not the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue Although I have had no public discussions on this issue over the last 14 years leaders of Tibets spiritual traditions members of the Tibetan parliament in exile participants in a special general body meeting members of the Central Tibetan Administration NGOs Buddhists from the Himalayan region Mongolia Buddhist republics of the Russian Federation and Buddhists in Asia including mainland China have written to me with reasons earnestly requesting that the institution of the Dalai Lama continue he saidIn particular I have received messages through various channels from Tibetans in Tibet making the same appeal In accordance with all these requests I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue he saidnbspThe Nobel Peace Laureate who is turning 90 on July 6 clarified in the message that the process by which a future Dalai Lama is to be recognised has been clearly established in the September 2011 statement which states that responsibility for doing so will rest exclusively with members of the Gaden Phodrang Trust the office of His Holiness the Dalai LamaThey should consult the various heads of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the reliable oathbound dharma protectors who are linked inseparably to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas They should accordingly carry out the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with past tradition I hereby reiterate that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter he saidAs per Tibetan tradition the reincarnation of a Lama especially the Dalai Lama is recognised not appointed Its a sacred process involving visions signs and deep spiritual rituals Only the Dalai Lama has the legitimate authority to identify his successornbspAttending celebrations in honour of his 90th birthday the Dalai Lama on June 30 told the congregation that Although I am now 90 years old I am physically healthy and well All these years Ive worked for the good of Tibetans and the Dharma Ive also established links with people around the world and engaged in useful discussions with scientists My life has been worthwhile Ive visited many other countries and met all kinds of people I feel my life as a human being has been of benefit to the people of the world and I dedicate the rest of my life to the benefit of othersSixtysix years ago the 14th Dalai Lama disguised as a soldier left Norbulingka Palace in Tibet a Third Pole and escaped into exile in India after his challenging 14day journey Since then the longest most respectable staying guest of the Indian government who often says hes enjoying every possible liberty has been toeing a path of promoting human values religious harmony besides preserving Tibetan language and culture the heritage received from the masters of Indias Nalanda UniversitynbspThe Dalai Lama with a retinue of soldiers and cabinet ministers escaped into exile on March 17 1959 after China crushed an uprising in TibetGlobetrotting the Dalai Lama whos considered a living Buddha of compassion in his latest book In Voice for the Voiceless offers insights into his decadeslong dealings with ChinaIn the book the Dalai Lama a reincarnation of past Dalai Lamas reminds the world of Tibets unresolved struggle for freedom and the hardship his people continue to face in their homeland The book captures his extraordinary life uncovering what it means to lose your home to a repressive invader and build a life in exile dealing with the existential crisis of a nation its people and its culture and religion and envisioning the path forwardHe was 16 years old when Communist China invaded Tibet in 1950 only 19 when he had his first meeting with Chairman Mao in Beijing and 25 when he was forced to escape to India and became a leader in exilenbspOn reaching India after a treacherous journey the Dalai Lama first took up residence for about a year in Mussoorie in Uttarakhand On March 10 1960 just before moving to Dharamsala a town perched on the upper reaches of north Indias Kangra Valley the Dalai Lama had said For those of us in exile I said that our priority must be resettlement and the continuity of our cultural traditions We Tibetans would eventually prevail in regaining freedom for TibetnbspCurrently India is home to around 100000 Tibetans and the governmentinexile https://dailyworld.in/religion/dalai-lama-says-centuries-old-tibetan-buddhist-institution-will-live-on-after-his-death-623982.html Wed, 02 Jul 2025 12:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/locals-receive-first-batch-of-amarnath-yatra-pilgrims-with-warmth-in-kashmir-624003.html Srinagar July 2 A large number of locals drawn from different sections of the society on Wednesday lined up at the Navyug Tunnel to receive the first batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims as they entered Kashmir Members of the civil society traders and local residents from the South Kashmir districts of Anantnag and Kulgam lined up holding garlands and placards to welcome the YatrisThe spontaneous welcome of the first batch of Amarnath Yatris on their entry into the Valley made a powerful statement about the rejection of terrorism and an assertion of communal harmony and the historic support of the Yatra by the people of KashmirIn the morning Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of Yatris for this years Amarnath Yatra from Jammu for the Valley as the 36day long pilgrimage begins on ThursdayAmid slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai Bum Bum Bhole Har Har Mahadev and Barfani Baba Ne Bulaya Hai enthusiastic Yatris from different parts of the country left in two escorted convoys from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas on Canal Road in Jammu for the two Yatra base camps of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal districtThe Lt Governor was accompanied by senior civil and police officers when he flagged off the first batch of this years Yatra for the ValleyManoj Sinha is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board SASB that manages the affairs of the YatraOfficial sources told IANS A total of 5892 Yatris left in two escorted convoys for the Shri Amarnath ji Yatra from here today Of these 3403 Yatris are going to Nunwan Pahalgam base camp while 2489 are going to Baltal base campUnprecedented security is being provided to this years Amarnath Yatra as this is taking place after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed by Pakistanbacked LashkareTaiba LeT terroristsAn additional 180 companies of CAPFs have been deployed to augment the existing security setup comprising the Army security forces and the JampK PoliceThe Yatra will officially start on Thursday and conclude after 36 days on August 9 coinciding with the Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivalsDevotees approach the holy cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level either from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route Those using the Pahalgam route trek from Pahalgam to Chandanwati Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach the holy cave shrine taking four days to cover the 46 km long trek And the pilgrims using the Baltal route return to the base camp the same day after having darshan inside the cave shrine covering a 14 km long trekDue to security reasons no helicopter services are available to the Yatris this yearThe cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/locals-receive-first-batch-of-amarnath-yatra-pilgrims-with-warmth-in-kashmir-624003.html Wed, 02 Jul 2025 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/stalin-defends-dravidian-model-of-governance-slams-critics-624053.html Chennai July 2 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday strongly defended the achievements of his governments Dravidian model particularly in the domain of temple administration and social welfare while taking a veiled dig at detractors who were unable to tolerate the progress being made Addressing a mass wedding ceremony organised by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments HRampCE Department the Chief Minister said True devotees are able to recognise the accomplishments of this government which is founded on the principle of everything for everyone But those filled with hatred and bent on dividing society are unable to digest thisHe went a step further to criticise individuals who he alleged disguise themselves as pious devotees but are driven by political animosityThey cannot accept the fact that temples are being administered with transparency and social justice he remarkedStalin listed several achievements of the HRampCE Department over the last four years most notably the consecration of 3170 temples across the state a figure he said was unprecedentedHe also pointed out the increasing popularity of public service initiatives under the department such as free weddings Annadhanam free meals and heritage restoration projectsReferring to a recent cartoon published in a Tamil weekly magazine that mocked him and his cabinet the Chief Minister dismissed it as a product of a longstanding grudgeThese criticisms dont affect me I draw strength from them and will continue to work for the welfare of the peopleHe clarified that the cartoon was not an act of spiritual concern but a deliberate attempt to ridicule his administrationTheir aim is not to serve devotion or religion but to attack our efforts and mock our ministers Nevertheless we will remain steadfast in our commitment to serving true devotees with dedication he saidStalin also used the opportunity to bless and congratulate the newlywed couples at the event Urging them to name their children in Tamil he wished them a life of health happiness and mutual respect The event is part of the HRampCE Departments broader social outreach aimed at making temple services more inclusive and peoplecentric IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/stalin-defends-dravidian-model-of-governance-slams-critics-624053.html Wed, 02 Jul 2025 20:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/asarams-interim-bail-extended-till-july-9-by-rajasthan-hc-623913.html Jaipur July 1 Selfstyled godman and sexual assault convict Asaram has once again received relief from the court with the Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday extending his interim bail till July 9 on medical grounds The decision was given by the division bench of Justice Dinesh Mehta and Justice Vineet Mathur Earlier the Gujarat High Court had also granted interim bail to Asaram till July 7 His previous bail period granted for health reasons had ended on June 30 after which he approached the court for an extensionAccording to medical reports submitted in court Asaram currently serving life imprisonment in two separate sexual assault cases is suffering from prostaterelated issues and has 90 per cent blockage in two heart arteries He is currently undergoing ayurvedic and naturopathy treatment During this period of interim bail Asaram also met his son Narayan Sai after 11 years Sai travelled to Jodhpur and visited Asaram at the Pal Ashram where he is staying during his medical treatmentIn the first case Asaram was arrested in 2013 in Jodhpur for raping a minor girl and was later sentenced to life in prison In the second case a woman from Surat accused him of repeatedly raping her at the Gandhinagar Ashram in Gujarat He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in this case as well in January 2023Asarams lawyer told the court that he is yet to get a certificate from the National Legal Services Authority NALSA which confirms his age above 70 years and terminal illness The lawyer also said that after the last bail order it took him 10 more days to process the bail so he actually got less time outside prisonThe opposing partys lawyer raised the question that Asaram is going from one hospital to another in the name of treatment which raises the suspicion that he wants to stay out of jail by any means He suggested that Jodhpur also has excellent ayurvedic hospitals and an AIIMS where treatment is possibleHowever the Gujarat High Court while granting him interim bail orally said that the Supreme Court has recently made it clear that repeatedly extending temporary bail becomes an endless process which should be stopped The court indicated that a decision may be taken in the next hearing IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/asarams-interim-bail-extended-till-july-9-by-rajasthan-hc-623913.html Tue, 01 Jul 2025 21:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/rejuvenation-therapy-for-22-guruvayur-elephants-begins-623775.html Guruvayur July 1 The annual ritual of the 31daylong rejuvenation therapy for the elephants under the famed Sree Krishna Temple managed by the Guruvayur Devasom here commenced on Tuesday morning Present on the occasion was local legislator K Rajan who is also the State Revenue Minister hailing from the districtSpeaking on the occasion Guruvayur Devasom president VK Vijayan who is overseeing the monthlong rejuvenation therapy which is an annual affair said There are 36 elephants under the Guruvayur Punnathurkotta and this time 22 elephants are being given the annual rejuvenation therapyIncidentally this famed Punnathurkotta located three kilometres from the temple is celebrating its golden jubilee as 50 years ago this special elephant enclosure was openedThe onemonth event will cost the Guruvayur Devasom Rs 125 lakh added VijayanThings begin every day morning when all the elephants are given an oil bath There is strict protocol with regards to the food given and we give rice ragi pulses chavana prasam besides minerals as prescribed by the doctors overseeing the treatment said Vijayan and added in more ways than one this month long treatment is similar to the rejuvenation treatment that human beings undergo during the monsoon seasonThis popular elephant camp is located on 115 acres of land and is home to the largest number of captive elephantsThis camp is owned by the famed Sree Krishna temple which is classified among the 108 Abhimana Kshethram of Vaishnavate traditionThe central icon is a fourarmed standing Vishnu carrying the conch Panchajanya the discus Sudarshana the mace Kaumodaki and a lotus with a tulsi garlandThis image represents the form of Vishnu as revealed to Krishnas parents Vasudeva and Devaki around the time of his birthAll nonHindus are barred from entering the temple IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/rejuvenation-therapy-for-22-guruvayur-elephants-begins-623775.html Tue, 01 Jul 2025 11:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/the-living-buddhas-epic-journey-to-save-tibets-identity-623631.html Dharamsala June 30 Sixtysix years ago the 14th Dalai Lama disguised as a soldier left Norbulingka Palace in Tibet a Third Pole and escaped into exile in India after his challenging 14day journey Since then the longest most respectable staying guest of the Indian government who often says he is enjoying every possible liberty has been toeing a path of promoting human values religious harmony besides preserving Tibetan language and culture the heritage received from the masters of Indias Nalanda UniversityTenzin Gyatso 14th Dalai Lama with a retinue of soldiers and Cabinet Ministers escaped into exile on March 17 1959 after China crushed an uprising in TibetHe is turning 90 on July 6Globetrotting the Dalai Lama who is considered a living Buddha of compassion in his latest book In Voice for the Voiceless offers insights into his decadeslong dealings with ChinaIn the book the Dalai Lama a reincarnation of past Dalai Lamas reminds the world of Tibets unresolved struggle for freedom and the hardship his people continue to face in their homelandThe book captures his extraordinary life uncovering what it means to lose your home to a repressive invader and build a life in exile dealing with the existential crisis of a nation its people and its culture and religion and envisioning the path forwardHe was 16yearsold when Communist China invaded Tibet in 1950 only 19 when he had his first meeting with Chairman Mao Zedong in Beijing and 25 when he was forced to escape to India and became a leader in exileOn reaching India after treacherous journey the Dalai Lama first took up residence for about a year in Mussoorie in UttarakhandOn March 10 1960 just before moving to Dharamsala a town perched on the upper reaches of north Indias Kangra Valley the Dalai Lama had said For those of us in exile I said that our priority must be resettlement and the continuity of our cultural traditions We Tibetans would eventually prevail in regaining freedom for TibetAt present India is home to around 100000 Tibetans and the governmentinexileThe Commandant of the Assam Rifles presented a guard of honour to the 14th Dalai Lama in Tawang on setting his foot on the Indian soil in 1959In an emotional reunion the Dalai Lama in April 2017 met and embraced Havildar retired Naren Chandra Das of the Assam Rifles the lone survivor of Indian personnel who were the first to receive him 58 years agoHowever the Havildar passed away at the age of 83 in December 2021After arriving in India the 14th Dalai Lama held his first press conference on June 20 1959 in MussoorieThe Dalai Lama whom Beijing regards as a dangerous splittist considers the Nobel peace laureate a dangerous separatistIn a first the Dalai Lama in May 2011 formally stepped down as head of the Tibetan governmentinexile ending the 369year old tradition of the Dalai Lamas holding dual responsibility of spiritual and temporal powersSubsequently most of the administrative and political powers rest with the democraticallyelected Prime Minister first by Lobsang Sangay for two consecutive terms and now by Penpa TseringI have now voluntarily brought this to an end proud and satisfied that we can pursue the kind of democratic system of government flourishing elsewhere in the world the Dalai Lama had saidBut the moot question now is Is Tibetan spiritual leader going to create another history of sorts by reversing the more than 600yearold tradition of following the lineage of the Dalai LamaHis followers believe the Dalai Lama is considering alternative scenariosOne could be simply ending the system another would see him leaving written instructions about the reincarnation process if an opinion did not favour its abolitionAlso the Dalai Lamas followers firmly believe that before he dies his incarnation could be found most probably in India the birthplace of BuddhismAll these probabilities will discussed threadbare at the threeday 15th Tibetan Religious Conference from July 2 in Dharamsala where Buddhist leaders including heads and representatives of all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism Gelug Kagyu Nyingma and Sakya will meetThe Dalai Lama will address the conference virtually on July 2My reincarnation is to be decided by myself nobody has the right to decide about that the Dalai Lama respected by millions as a living god often said in his remarksLiving in exile in India for more than six decades the longing to see his homeland is still fresh in the mind of the Dalai LamaYes I remain optimistic that I will be able to return to Tibet China is in the process of changing the Dalai Lama wrote on his website dalailamacomHe considers himself a son of IndiaAll particles in my mind contain thoughts from Nalanda And its Indian dal and chapati that has built this body I am mentally and physically a son of India the Dalai Lama in his addresses is often quoted as sayingIndia and Tibet share a relationship of guru teacher and chela disciple When I see some part of my guru being corrupt as a chela I feel ashamedTime and again a demand from Indian Parliamentarians and his believers is being raised that India should confer its highest civilian award Bharat Ratna on him in recognition of his services to humanityThe 14th Dalai Lama was born on July 6 1935 in a small village in the remote Amdo region of TibetVishal Gulati can be contacted at vishalgiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/the-living-buddhas-epic-journey-to-save-tibets-identity-623631.html Mon, 30 Jun 2025 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-refues-to-entertain-plea-demanding-buddhists-autonomy-in-managing-mahabodhi-temple-623650.html New Delhi June 30 The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea demanding liberation of the sacred Mahabodhi Temple in Bihar by entrusting exclusive management and control to Buddhists A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and K Vinod Chandran refused to entertain the writ petition filed directly before the top court challenging the validity of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act 1949 and told the petitioner to approach the Patna High CourtWe are not inclined to entertain the petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India However liberty is given to the petitioner to approach the Patna High Court ordered the Justice Sundreshled BenchAs per the plea the sacred Bodhi Tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment is in danger of decay due to the mismanagement of the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee BTMCAlleging violation of fundamental rights to profess religion and manage religious institutions as guaranteed under the Constitution the plea filed through advocate Jaydip Pati demanded that the management and control of the Mahabodhi Temple should be entrusted to Buddhists aloneUnder the Bodh Gaya Temple Act 1949 the plea contended the management of the temple lies with BTMC a committee consisting of a majority of HindusThe situation at present whereby the holiest Buddhist shrine in India and indeed the world also a World Heritage Site since the year 2002 is under the management and control of nonBuddhists is in gross violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution contended the petitionFurther it sought directions to restrain nonBuddhists from carrying on nonBuddhist religious practices and rituals at the Mahabodhi TempleIt is believed that Emperor Ashoka around the 3rd century BC built a temple near the Bodhi tree and consecrated a statue of Lord Buddha Recently Buddhist monks under the All India Buddhist Forum held a protest in Patnas Bodh Gaya demanding complete autonomy only to the Buddhist community to manage the Mahabodhi Temple IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-refues-to-entertain-plea-demanding-buddhists-autonomy-in-managing-mahabodhi-temple-623650.html Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-refuses-to-entertain-plea-demanding-buddhists-autonomy-in-managing-mahabodhi-temple-623652.html New Delhi June 30 The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea demanding liberation of the sacred Mahabodhi Temple in Bihar by entrusting exclusive management and control to Buddhists A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and K Vinod Chandran refused to entertain the writ petition filed directly before the top court challenging the validity of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act 1949 and told the petitioner to approach the Patna High CourtWe are not inclined to entertain the petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India However liberty is given to the petitioner to approach the Patna High Court ordered the Justice Sundreshled BenchAs per the plea the sacred Bodhi Tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment is in danger of decay due to the mismanagement of the Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee BTMCAlleging violation of fundamental rights to profess religion and manage religious institutions as guaranteed under the Constitution the plea filed through advocate Jaydip Pati demanded that the management and control of the Mahabodhi Temple should be entrusted to Buddhists aloneUnder the Bodh Gaya Temple Act 1949 the plea contended the management of the temple lies with BTMC a committee consisting of a majority of HindusThe situation at present whereby the holiest Buddhist shrine in India and indeed the world also a World Heritage Site since the year 2002 is under the management and control of nonBuddhists is in gross violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution contended the petitionFurther it sought directions to restrain nonBuddhists from carrying on nonBuddhist religious practices and rituals at the Mahabodhi TempleIt is believed that Emperor Ashoka around the 3rd century BC built a temple near the Bodhi tree and consecrated a statue of Lord Buddha Recently Buddhist monks under the All India Buddhist Forum held a protest in Patnas Bodh Gaya demanding complete autonomy only to the Buddhist community to manage the Mahabodhi Temple IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-refuses-to-entertain-plea-demanding-buddhists-autonomy-in-managing-mahabodhi-temple-623652.html Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/adani-group-iskcon-serve-devotion-with-nutrition-during-puri-rath-yatra-623669.html Puri June 30 The sacred Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri continues to transform the spiritual landscape of India drawing millions of devotees from across the country and around the world But in 2025 this grand celebration of faith took on a deeper resonancea powerful confluence of devotion service and social responsibility This year marked a unique collaboration between the Adani Group and ISKCON who joined hands to offer free prasad meals to thousands of devotees throughout the city of Puri What began as a simple act of Seva evolved into a heartwarming experience of nourishment both physical and spiritualThe prasad freshly cooked and served with love included hot rice and soft rotis seasonal mixed vegetables proteinrich dal payasam sweet gulab jamuns halwa and cooling curd riceThe menu wasnt just about tasteit was carefully curated to meet the nutritional needs of those walking long miles in the summer heat Each plate on average delivered between 700900 calories over 20 grams of protein and a healthy mix of fibre vitamins and essential minerals making it a wholesome and balanced meal for every pilgrimThe scale of the distribution was as impressive as its intent Key locations such as Talabania Bus Stand Puri Railway Station near Gundicha Temple Swargadwar Junction Bagla Dharmasala Digabarani Parking and Doodhwala Dharamshala were transformed into vibrant seva centres where volunteers served food with humility and grace From morning until late evening the flow of pilgrims continued and so did the flow of prasadeach meal a symbol of divine hospitalityWhat made this initiative even more commendable was the attention to hygiene and environmental consciousness No thermocol or plastic was used biodegradable paper plates were provided instead Volunteers wore gloves while serving and large polythene bags were arranged at each site for proper waste disposal It wasnt just food being served it was a complete ecosystem of dignity discipline and devotionDuring the Rath Yatra when Lord Jagannath accompanied by his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra travels through the city in his chariot it is believed that the Lord steps out to bless without discrimination Mirroring this spirit the AdaniISKCON initiative ensured that every soul rich or poor local or visitor received the same heartfelt serviceThis effort showed how spiritual institutions and responsible corporations can come together to create a lasting impact beyond religious rituals By offering food as a form of seva Adani and ISKCON have reminded us that true devotion lies in serving others selflessly especially during sacred moments of mass gatheringIn the end the 2025 Rath Yatra in Puri will not only be remembered for the divine procession but also for the warm plates of prasad that nourished the body elevated the soul and united thousands under the umbrella of compassionThis is not just a festivalit is a living embodiment of Indias timeless principle Seva is the highest form of worship IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/adani-group-iskcon-serve-devotion-with-nutrition-during-puri-rath-yatra-623669.html Mon, 30 Jun 2025 17:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/char-dham-yatra-suspended-for-24-hours-amid-heavy-rainfall-in-uttarakhand-623447.html Dehradun June 29 In light of relentless heavy rainfall and heightened risk of landslides the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has been postponed for a day as a precautionary measure officials confirmed on Sunday The move has been made to safeguard the lives and property of thousands of pilgrims and residents amid deteriorating weather conditions in the regionGarhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey stated The Chardham Yatra has been postponed for a day in view of the continuous heavy rainfall and the possibility of landslides This precautionary step has been taken for the safety of people and propertyAuthorities have issued advisories urging pilgrims to remain where they are and avoid travelling to Kedarnath Badrinath Gangotri and Yamunotri until conditions improvePandey added that the administration of the concerned districts has been put on high alert and rescue and relief teams have been activatedThe decision regarding further travel will be taken after reviewing the weather conditions and routes tomorrow Devotees have been asked to follow the guidelines issued by the administration and not leave for the travel sites till the weather becomes normal he saidThe suspension follows a severe cloudburst near Silai Band on the BarkotYamunotri road in Uttarkashi district that left at least nine road construction labourers missingThe labourers were working at a hotel construction site and are feared to have been swept away by the landslide triggered by the cloudburstThe Yamunotri National Highway has since been blocked at multiple points near Silai Band severely affecting the route Authorities at NH Barkot have been alerted to manage the situationElsewhere in the state the National Highway near Nandprayag and Bhaneropani has been blocked due to debris while the SonprayagMunkatiya road in Rudraprayag an essential route for Kedarnath pilgrims has been closed because of landslidesThe movement of pilgrims has been temporarily halted at Sonprayag and Gaurikund for safetyIn Syanachatti debris has clogged drainage channels disrupting the flow of the Yamuna River and posing a significant threat to hotels and settlements in lowlying areasHeavy rain continues to lash several districts including Chamoli Pauri Dehradun Rudraprayag and others Multiple link roads remain closed due to ongoing landslidesAs rivers swell dangerously close to banks the administration has issued a fresh advisory urging people living near riverbanks to remain alert and take all necessary precautions IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/char-dham-yatra-suspended-for-24-hours-amid-heavy-rainfall-in-uttarakhand-623447.html Sun, 29 Jun 2025 11:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-tension-flares-in-ujjain-as-slipper-hurled-at-religious-place-during-rath-yatra-procession-623373.html Ujjain June 28 Tension flared in Ujjain a day before during the procession of Lord Jagannaths Rath Yatra after a video surfaced showing slippers being hurled at a religious place near Gopal Mandir The incident which occurred during the Khati communitys Rath Yatra sparked outrage and led to a protest outside Kharakuan police station by members of the Muslim community demanding swift actionA case has been registered against unidentified individuals after an object was reportedly thrown at a religious site by antisocial elements late Friday night Police are reviewing the CCTV footage from the area in an effort to identify the culprits Ujjain Superintendent of Police SP Pradeep Sharmas office wrote on XAccording to reports two separate Rath Yatras were held in the city one by ISKCON temple and the other by the Khati community from Jagdish Mandir on Dhaba RoadThe latter was returning through the Gopal Mandir area when as seen in the viral video IANS does not confirm it three slippers were thrown toward the Shahi MasjidThe video footage widely circulated on social media platforms including X and YouTube shows the slippers being hurled in quick succession as the procession passed byThe video triggered immediate backlashDozens of people gathered at the Kharakuan police station late Friday night raising slogans and demanding the arrest of those responsible police sources saidUjjain Qazi KhaliqurRahman condemned the act saying that such provocations by external elements tarnish the citys image and threaten communal harmonyHe urged authorities to take strict action to preserve Ujjains religious sanctityPolice have registered a case against unknown individuals under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya SanhitaKharakuan police station incharge Rajkumar Malviya confirmed that CCTV footage from the area is being reviewed to identify the culpritsHe assured that arrests would follow once the individuals are tracedAuthorities are reportedly on high alert to prevent any further escalationThe Ujjain SP has directed additional patrolling in sensitive zones and appealed to citizens to maintain peaceThe video has drawn sharp reactions online with users on X calling for accountability and urging restraintSome people have questioned the timing and intent behind the act suggesting it may have been aimed at disrupting communal harmony during a major religious eventPolice have urged the public not to share inflammatory content and to report any suspicious activityInvestigations are underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-tension-flares-in-ujjain-as-slipper-hurled-at-religious-place-during-rath-yatra-procession-623373.html Sat, 28 Jun 2025 18:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/gautam-adanis-visit-to-puri-beach-a-moment-of-pride-say-lifeguards--623391.html Puri June 28 Lifeguards at the Puri beach on Saturday expressed immense joy and pride over Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani visiting them and the holy city of Odisha for the divine Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath Speaking to IANS the lifeguards shared their joy and excitement over meeting and interacting with Gautam AdaniWe feel honoured and overjoyed with Gautam Adani coming to visit us This is the first time such a big personality has visited and interacted with us We feel extremely happy Mani Shiva Rao President of Puri Beach Lifeguard told IANSWe were overwhelmed with joy and pride when Gautam Adani came to meet us This is the first time such a prominent figure has interacted with us directly It means a lot to all of us added Hari Rao General Secretary of the Puri Lifeguard AssociationThe Adani Group has initiated the Prasad Seva in Puri Dham and is undertaking a comprehensive seva effort to support both pilgrims and frontline officials during the Rath Yatra from June 26 to July 8The Group has offered support for lifeguards from the Puri Beach Lifeguard Mahasangha and volunteers for beach cleanup especially plastic waste They also distributed free Tshirts for official volunteers and fluorescent safety vests for municipal workersWhile the Rath Yatra continues to attract lakhs of devotees and tourists the lifeguards of Puri Beach continue their silent but crucial duty of saving livesEvery day we serve thousands lakhs of people who come for the Rath Yatra Our team works selflessly day and night especially along the seashore and temple surroundings said ManiWeve handled over 450 live cases medical emergencies so far Starting from 6 am every morning our teams ensure the area is clean and ready for pilgrims From roads to lighting and from safety to healthcare were constantly working to support the yatra and ensure everyones wellbeing he addedAs the dedicated lifeguards remain unsung heroes amid the massive rush of devotees lifeguard commander M Jogi Rao told IANS that they are working day and night for humanity and their real reward is saving livesWe are here every day from sunrise to sunset working to save lives When we save someone from drowning that moment fills our hearts and thats all the reward we need We dont do this for fame or praise we do it for humanity he saidHe emphasised the unity and commitment of the lifeguard team stating The whole world is one People come here from far and wide and we stand ready for all of them Our hunger is fulfilled the day we save a lifeRao also offered a message of assurance to all tourists and pilgrims Please dont worry Were here for you every single day Come enjoy the beauty of Puri Beach and seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath without any fear Your safety is in our hands IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/gautam-adanis-visit-to-puri-beach-a-moment-of-pride-say-lifeguards--623391.html Sat, 28 Jun 2025 18:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/gautam-adani-family-attend-jagannath-rath-yatra-in-puri-623345.html Puri June 28 Industrialist Gautam Adani along with his wife Priti Adani and son Karan Adani on Saturday participated in the annual Rath Yatra in Odishas Puri The Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra is one of Indias most revered religious festivals The Adani family joined the sea of devotees gathered for the grand procession of Lord Jagannath Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra taking part in the rituals associated with the sacred occasionThey offered their prayers and performed Rath Poojan at the holy yatraThe Adani Group has launched its ambitious Prasad Seva initiative in Puri Dham aiming to provide clean and nutritious food to devotees visiting the temple town for the chariot festivalLakhs of pilgrims from across the country have converged in Puri to witness and participate in the Rath Yatra and the initiative seeks to enhance their spiritual experienceGautam Adani on Friday took to X stating By the infinite grace of Lord Shri Jagannath Ji we have been blessed with the opportunity to serve in the sacred Rath Yatra of Puri Dham With the resolve that every devotee receives clean nutritious and lovingly served food we have initiated the Prasad Seva in Puri DhamHe added that the entire Adani family is fully dedicated to serving millions of devotees with utmost sincerity and reverence during the auspicious celebrationsThe initiative has been designed to offer free meals and refreshments not only to devotees but also to frontline workers and officials engaged in managing the chariot festivalVarious distribution counters have been established across the temple town to facilitate the seamless delivery of prasadSharing his sentiments billionaire Gautam Adani expressed joy over being associated with the Puri Rath Yatra saying It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for me and the entire Adani family I pray that the grace of Lord Shri Jagannath Ji remains upon us all forever Serving humanity is serving the Divine and service itself is spiritual practiceThis latest effort mirrors the Adani Groups earlier outreach during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj where they supported food distribution in collaboration with religious and civic organisationsAs part of the Puri Rath Yatra initiative the Adani Group has committed to distributing approximately four million meals and beverages from June 26 to July 8The distribution is being managed through several designated food counters set up throughout PuriTo provide relief from the scorching summer heat the Adani Group has also installed cool beverage stalls to aid pilgrims during their spiritual journeyWith its scale and dedication the Prasad Seva initiative aims to serve not just meals but a sense of collective devotion and community spirit aligning with the essence of the Rath Yatra celebrations in Puri IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/gautam-adani-family-attend-jagannath-rath-yatra-in-puri-623345.html Sat, 28 Jun 2025 15:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/jampk-lg-meets-political-leaders-discusses-amarnath-yatra-preparations-623125.html Srinagar June 26 JampK Lt Governor LG Manoj Sinha on Thursday held a meeting with political leaders at Raj Bhawan here and discussed the preparations for Amarnath Yatra which is scheduled to begin from July 3 The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sat Sharma Nirmal Singh and Kavinder Gupta BJP Tara Chand and Ghulam Ahmad Mir Indian National Congress Showkat Ahmad Mir and Jagdish Singh Azad National Conference Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami CPIM Sajad Gani Lone JampK Peoples Conference Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari JampK Apni Party Iltija Mufti PDP and Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen Shah JampK Peoples Democratic FrontThe LG shared the dedicated efforts made by the Amarnath Ji Shrine Board Administration JampK Police security forces and all the stakeholders for the safe and successful conduct of the holy yatraWith the blessings of Baba Amaranth and the significant enhancements to essential facilities and services this years pilgrimage promises to be memorable and spiritually enriching for devotees It will also mark the beginning of a new chapter for Jammu and Kashmir he claimedHe also welcomed the suggestions and inputs received from the senior political leaders and sought their cooperation to make the yatra more convenient and hasslefree for the devotees of Shri Amarnath JiThe leaders of all political parties are members of the JampK family and I believe pilgrimage to Shri Amarnath Ji is the sociocultural responsibility of this family We must walk shoulder to shoulder with a resolve to welcome all devotees and make Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra a huge success he saidChief Minister Omar Abdullah and all the senior leaders reiterated their commitment and assured every support to the holy pilgrimageThe politicians claimed that the Amarnath Ji Yatra is woven into Jammu and Kashmirs composite culture and is also crucial for the regions economyThe smooth and successful conduct of this sacred pilgrimage is our shared responsibility they saidThe senior leaders also urged the people of Jammu amp Kashmir to warmly welcome the devotees and play their vital role as key stakeholders in the YatraCondemning the Pahalgam Terror Attack the politicians said the way the people of Kashmir valley irrespective of their political ideologies came out on the streets against terrorism sent a strong message to the adversary that violence has no place in our society IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/jampk-lg-meets-political-leaders-discusses-amarnath-yatra-preparations-623125.html Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-govt-initiates-digitisation-of-waqf-properties-623130.html Bhopal June 26 The Madhya Pradesh government has started the digitisation process of documents related with Waqf properties located in different parts of the state a senior official told IANS on Thursday The initiative of digitisation process is being implemented by the Minority Welfare Department in collaboration with the Revenue Department of Madhya Pradesh government The multiphase process which includes identification verification and digitisation of properties has been initiated as mandated by the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 This verification process aims to assess the status of tenancy and occupation of these properties a senior official associated with the states Revenue Department said claiming that Madhya Pradesh is emerging as a model state in the digitisation of Waqf properties The official told that a total of 15003 Waqf properties have been verified in the state through multiple rounds of physical surveys and verifying the documents pertaining to those properties located in 11 districts across the state In the first phase the Waqf Board has verified the digitised records In the second phase the Revenue Department is conducting districtlevel verification the official added He also told that 2425 properties have been verified till now by the State Revenue Department out of the total digitised properties An analysis of the digitisation of the total number of Waqf properties in the 11 districts across the state with the highest number of such properties in Madhya Pradesh which reveals that the process has been successfully completed the official said The verification of properties has been completed in the districts such as Ujjain Vidisha Bhopal Shajapur Sehore Raisen Indore Dhar Burhanpur Dewas and Mandsaur According to the state governments data Ujjain has 1054 Waqf properties Vidisha 929 Bhopal 816 Shajapur 801 Sehore 699 Raisen 665 Indore 645 Dhar 638 Burhanpur 573 Dewas 572 and Mandsaur district 528 The Waqf Amendment Act 2025 came into force on April 8 2025 after the President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Bill after it was approved from the Parliament This amendment to the Waqf Act of 1995 aims to streamline the management of Waqf properties and enhance transparency and accountability The Act also introduces changes to the composition of Waqf Boards and expands government control over Waqf properties The legislation also aims to improve governance by enhancing transparency in property management streamlining coordination between Waqf Boards and local authorities and protecting stakeholders rights IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-govt-initiates-digitisation-of-waqf-properties-623130.html Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/world-famous-puri-jagannath-rath-yatra-today-623148.html Bhubaneswar June 27 A large crowd of devotees has gathered at Puris Jagannath Temple for Lord Jagannaths Rath Yatra that will commence on Friday Jagannath Rath Yatra also known as the Chariot Festival or Shree Gundicha Yatra is a major Hindu festival celebrated annually in Odisha It is observed on Dwitiya Tithi the second day of the Shukla Paksha of the lunar month a time considered spiritually auspicious due to the increasing brightness of the moonRenowned scholar on Jagannath culture Suryanarayan Rath Sharma speaking on the Rath Yatra told IANS The Rath Yatra is the most ancient chariot festival in the world It is believed that having darshan of Lord Jagannath during this Yatra grants a devotee mokshaThe devotees have gathered by the millions for the famous Ratha Yatra as Lord Jagannath his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra prepare to embark on their nineday sojourn from their abode the 12thcentury shrine to Gundicha Temple todayDevotees gripped with ecstasy will pull the chariots of Lord Jagannath Balabhadra and Subhadra Nandighosh Taladhwaja and Darpadalan respectively for around 3 km to the Gundicha Temple believed by some legends to be the birthplace of the Chaturddha Murti Lord Jagannath Lord Balabhadra Maa Subhadra and SudarshanVarious departments of the state government have made elaborate preparations to ensure a smooth and incidentfree Rath YatraWe are fully prepared for the grand Rathayatra All rituals and arrangements have been meticulously planned and will be carried out with equal dedication I seek the blessings of Mahaprabhu and the cooperation of all devotees to ensure a smooth and sacred celebration said Sidharth Shankar Swain Collector Puri earlier on ThursdayThe holy city of Puri has been placed under a fivetiered security blanket for the ninedaylong Rath Yatra festival As many as 200 platoons of police force and eight companies of the Border Security Force Central Reserve Police Force etc have been deployed throughout the sacred coastal town for the Ratha YatraSimilarly around 10000 personnel of Odisha police Central Armed Police Force and Home Guard have been deployed in Puri and around the city during the Ratha Yatra this yearThe police officers stationed at integrated commandandcontrol system set up for the first time this year and other subcontrol rooms will keep a watch on traffic and crowd movements through live feeds from around 275 AIenabled CCTVs installed from Uttara Square to Puri Town in the town and from Puri to Konark IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/world-famous-puri-jagannath-rath-yatra-today-623148.html Fri, 27 Jun 2025 09:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/148th-jagannath-rath-yatra-rolls-through-ahmedabad-623159.html Ahmedabad June 27 The 148th Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath rolled out on the streets of Ahmedabad on Friday blending deeprooted tradition with cuttingedge security arrangements Held annually on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya Ashadhi Bij the Rath Yatra is Indias secondlargest chariot festival after Puri drawing lakhs of devotees from across Gujarat and beyondThe day began with the sacred Mangla Aarti a ritual performed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at around 400 am continuing a personal traditionSoon after Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performed the Pahind Vidhi the symbolic sweeping of the road with a golden broom before ceremonially flagging off the Yatra by pulling Lord Jagannaths chariot from the 400yearold Jagannath Temple in JamalpurThe yatra follows a 16kilometre route through key areas of the walled city with the holy chariots of Lord Jagannath his brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra traversing landmarks such as Jamalpur Chakla Khadia Kalupur Circle and Saraspur where locals traditionally offer a grand feast to the deities and pilgrimsThe procession will pass through sensitive zones such as Prem Darwaja Shahpur and Manek Chowk under close surveillanceThis years Rath Yatra has been elevated into a fullfledged Lokotsav peoples festival featuring a vibrant cultural display 18 decorated elephants 100 tableau trucks 30 akhadas performing martial arts and a range of bhajan mandalis raasgarba troupes and traditional bandsThe sacred task of pulling the chariots continues to be led by the Khalashi community upholding a centuriesold tradition To manage the scale of the event the Ahmedabad Police have implemented one of the most comprehensive security plans in recent yearsOver 23800 personnel including SRP battalions Rapid Action Force and Chetak Commandos are on duty An additional 4500 police officers are escorting the procession while 1000 traffic police manage vehicular movement across the cityIn a first Artificial Intelligence AI has been integrated into crowd control with realtime monitoring for overcrowding and fire hazardsA network of 227 CCTV cameras 41 drones 2872 bodyworn cameras and 25 watchtowers keeps a watchful eye on the route Precautionary barricading has been installed around 484 structurally weak buildings and public assistance centers have been activated for crowd supportThe runup to the Yatra also has extensive community engagement with police conducting over 450 outreach meetings including Peace Committees Mohalla Committees and Womens Committees along with interactive events like cricket matches blood donation camps and volleyball tournaments reinforcing the message of harmony and civic unity IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/148th-jagannath-rath-yatra-rolls-through-ahmedabad-623159.html Fri, 27 Jun 2025 10:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/centuries-old-lord-jagannath-rath-yatra-celebrated-in-kashi-lakh-of-devotees-participate-623165.html New Delhi June 27 The holy city of Kashi in Uttar Pradesh witnessed a divine confluence of devotion and tradition as the grand Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath was celebrated with immense fervour on Friday This centuriesold tradition continues to draw lakhs of devotees from across the country who come to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra as they embark on their ceremonial chariot procession through the streets of VaranasiThe event marks one of the most significant spiritual gatherings in the city considered to be Kashis first Lakkha Mela a fair attended by lakhs of devoteesThe threeday religious celebration holds immense significance in the spiritual calendar of Varanasi As the beautifullyadorned chariots made their way through the ancient lanes of the city the atmosphere resonated with chants of Jai Jagannath the beats of drums conches and the joyous singing of bhajans by the devoteesAccording to Hindu belief Lord Jagannath enters a period of seclusion and recovery following a ritual bath on Jyeshtha Purnima The chief priest of the Jagannath Temple in Kashi Pandit Radheshyam Pandey explained After bathing at Jyeshtha Purnima Lord Jagannath is believed to fall unwell for 14 days On Amavasya after recovering he embarks on a city tour to bless devoteesAdding to this a devotee shared an insight into the traditional healing rituals observed during this period saying Lord Jagannath is believed to be unwell For the first two days a general herbal decoction is given and then for the next 14 days a special parwal decoction is prepared After that he recoversDevotees from far and wide thronged the streets of Varanasi some offering basil leaves and sweets especially the local delicacy nankhatai as offering to the deity People were seen dancing to devotional music waving saffron flags and participating in aartis as the divine procession moved through the cityThe Rath Yatra in Kashi is a spiritual spectacle capturing the deeprooted faith of millions IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/centuries-old-lord-jagannath-rath-yatra-celebrated-in-kashi-lakh-of-devotees-participate-623165.html Fri, 27 Jun 2025 11:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/jagannath-rath-yatra-adani-group-begins-prasad-seva-for-pilgrims-at-puri-dham--623231.html Bhubaneswar June 27 IANS Billionaire Gautam Adaniled Adani Group on Friday started Prasad Seva for the Lord Jagannath devotees in Puri as they congregate in the holy town in large numbers for the nineday chariot festivalnbspThe Jagannath Rath Yatra one of the most sacred festivals of the country draws lakhs of devotees from across the country who converge at the temple town to take part in it every yearnbspGautam Adani took to X on Friday to announce that Prasad Seva has been initiated for providing clean and nutritious food to devotees in PuriBy the infinite grace of Lord Shri Jagannath Ji we have been blessed with the opportunity to serve in the sacred Rath Yatra of Puri Dham With the resolve that every devotee receives clean nutritious and lovingly served food we have initiated the Prasad Seva in Puri Dham the Adani Group chairman wrote in a post on XnbspHe added that the Adani family is fully dedicated to serving millions of devotees with utmost sincerity and reverence during the auspicious celebrationsThe Prasad Seva started by Adani Group seeks to enrich the Yatra as lakhs of devotees and frontline workers and officials of the chariot festival will get clean and nutritious food free of cost Various counters will be set up at many places to distribute prasad to pilgrims and officialsnbspSharing his delight over association with the Puri rath yatra Gautam Adani said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction for him and the entire Adani familyI pray that the grace of Lord Shri Jagannath Ji remains upon us all forever Serving humanity is serving the Divine and service itself is spiritual practice he addednbspEarlier the Adani Group had organised mass food distribution and welfare services for lakhs of pilgrims at the Maha Kumbh festival in Uttar Pradesh reiterating its commitment to the Seva Hi Saadhna Hai resolve https://dailyworld.in/religion/jagannath-rath-yatra-adani-group-begins-prasad-seva-for-pilgrims-at-puri-dham--623231.html Fri, 27 Jun 2025 17:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/will-dalai-lama-reveal-about-reincarnation-an-eye-on-july-2-message-623015.html Dharamsala June 26 As revered leader of Tibetan Buddhism the 14th Dalai Lama nears 90 and is reportedly in good health the threat of China controlling his reincarnation grows His followers firmly believe that before he dies his incarnation could be found most probably in India the birthplace of Buddhism and where he has been residing for 66 years The visiting president of the Tibetan governmentinexile while addressing key issues including reincarnation told Deutschlandradio in Berlin two days ago that the scheduled release of a special video message by the Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso will be July 2 four days before he turns 90The followers believe the message is expected to address the politically sensitive issue of the succession for the Dalai Lama lineage at the threeday 15th Tibetan Religious Conference in Dharamsala where Buddhist leaders including heads and representatives of all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism Gelug Kagyu Nyingma and Sakya will meetThe next Dalai Lama the 15th incarnation will be an unbroken lineage that has lasted some 500 years free from any external interference My reincarnation is to be decided by myself nobody has the right to decide about that the Dalai Lama respected by millions as a living god often said in his remarksAt the same time he says One day you will hear that the Dalai Lama has passed away but I will come back even if the institution of the Dalai Lama is no longer recognised I will be backWhat is reincarnation It is a phenomenon which should take place either through the voluntary choice of the person concerned or at least on the strength of his or her karma merit and prayers Therefore the person who reincarnates has sole legitimate authority over where and how he or she takes rebirth and how that reincarnation is to be recognised says a post on the official website of the Dalai LamaWhen I am about 90 I will consult the high Lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions the Tibetan public and other people concerned who follow Tibetan Buddhism and reevaluate whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue or not said a post quoting the spiritual leader dated September 24 2011On that basis we will make a decision If it is decided that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should continue and there is a need for the 15th Dalai Lama to be recognised responsibility for doing so will primarily rest on the officers of the Dalai Lamas Gaden Phodrang Trust the post further saysAt the same time the Dalai Lama had clarified that apart from the reincarnation recognised through such legitimate methods no recognition or acceptance should be given to a candidate chosen for political ends by anyone including those in ChinaThe US government also made clear in its 2020 Tibet Policy and Support Act that any interference from China will be confronted at the international levelOne key feature of the Act is defining the Tibetan people as a people with their own distinct religious cultural linguistic and historical identity It states that Chinese policies are systematically suppressing the ability of the Tibetan people to preserve their way of lifeAbout the issue of reincarnation a section of His Holiness latest book Voice for the Voiceless says Now since the purpose of a reincarnation is to carry on the work of the predecessor the new Dalai Lama will be born in the free worldIt reads His Holiness has received numerous petitions and letters from a wide spectrum of Tibetan people senior lamas from the various Tibetan traditions abbots of monasteries diaspora Tibetan communities across the world and many prominent and ordinary Tibetans inside Tibet as well as Tibetan Buddhist communities from the Himalayan region and Mongolia uniformly asking me to ensure that the Dalai Lama lineage be continuedIn accordance with his 2011 statement and his latest book his followers expect a statement from His Holiness ahead of his birthday on the future course of actionBorn Tenzin Gyatson on July 6 1935 at Taktser hamlet in northeastern Tibet the present Dalai Lama was recognised at the age of two as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama Thubten GyatsoHe fled Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959 basing his Tibetan governmentinexile here The Dalai Lama has been following a middlepath policy that seeks greater autonomy for Tibet rather than complete independence However the Chinese view him as a hostile element bent on splitting Tibet from ChinaVishal Gulati can be contacted at vishalgiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/will-dalai-lama-reveal-about-reincarnation-an-eye-on-july-2-message-623015.html Thu, 26 Jun 2025 12:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/from-puri-to-jamalpur-legacy-of-ahmedabads-147-year-old-jagannath-rath-yatra-623039.html Ahmedabad June 26 Gujarats largest city Ahmedabad is all set to witness the 148th edition of the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath on Friday one of the awaited spiritual and cultural events Rooted in centuries of tradition the Rath Yatra also known as the Chariot Festival is not just a religious procession but a symbol of the states cultural heritage social inclusiveness and civic coordination Ahmedabads Rath Yatra is the second largest in India after the one in Puri Odisha In the 19th century Gujarat saw a resurgence of Vaishnavism particularly through sects like Pushtimarg and Swaminarayan Sampraday which already had a large urban followingThe Jagannath sect rooted in the worship of Krishna in tribal and rural forms found resonance among these urban Vaishnavas Mahant Narsinhdasji inspired by the grandeur of the Puri Rath Yatra during his pilgrimage resolved to establish a similar event in AhmedabadThe temple at Jamalpur believed to have been established nearly 450 years ago was chosen as the epicentre He envisioned a procession that not only echoed the spiritual magnificence of Puri but also brought God to the people especially those unable to travel eastAccording to researchers during British rule religious festivals became sites of cultural assertion and community identity The Rath Yatra with its massive public turnout vibrant pageantry and egalitarian participation became an annual expression of Hindu presence in an increasingly segmented urban societyInterestingly the first few Rath Yatras of the late 1800s were carried out with modest chariots and small processions mostly centred around the walled city But by the early 20th century the event had grown so large that the British administration took note and occasionally intervened under the pretext of law and orderThe procession begins early in the morning around 700 am from the 400yearold Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur It passes through key parts of the walled city including Kalupur Prem Darwaja Delhi Chakla Shahpur and Astodia before returning to the temple by late evening covering a 16kilometre routeThe chariots carrying the deities Lord Jagannath Balabhadra and Subhadra are pulled by hundreds of devotees The Pahind Vidhi or ceremonial sweeping of the path is traditionally performed by the Gujarat Chief Minister symbolising humility and service The event is rooted in devotion but its relevance goes beyond religion it represents a successful model of mass coordination between citizens police civic bodies and faith groupsIn 2024 over 10 lakh devotees were estimated to have attended and a similar turnout is expected this yearFor us Rath Yatra is not just a festival its an emotion Watching the deities come out of the temple feels like a personal blessing said Meena Patel 52 a Jamalpur residentThe 2025 edition will see unprecedented technological integration with AIbased crowd monitoring 3D route mapping and surveillance via 3500 CCTV cameras 2872 bodyworn cameras 25 watchtowers and 240 terrace pointsOver 23884 security personnel will be deployed while 484 dilapidated structures along the route have been sealed for safetyThe Rath Yatra has also become a vehicle for social unity with peace committee meetings womenled outreach and community sports and cultural events conducted as part of preyatra engagement IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/from-puri-to-jamalpur-legacy-of-ahmedabads-147-year-old-jagannath-rath-yatra-623039.html Thu, 26 Jun 2025 14:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/puri-jagannath-temple-servitor-seeks-action-against-reliance-owned-campa-cola-ad-623071.html Bhubaneswar June 26 A viral photo showing a Campa Cola hoarding advertisement placed above a shop near the sacred Jagannath Temple Puri has triggered strong reactions from servitors and devotees Terming the incident as deeply unfortunate and condemnable a senior servitor of the Jagannath Temple at Puri Ganeswar Mahasuar has urged immediate corrective actionUsing the image of Lord Jagannath or associating commercial products like Campa Cola or any other brand with the sanctity of the temple is completely unacceptable This is not just a mistake but an insult to the sentiments of millions of Jagannath devotees around the world We request that the concerned authorities and business establishments remove such hoardings immediately If not the temple administration will take strict action against those responsible Mahasuar said on ThursdayHe further added Such acts hurt the faith of devotees Whoever is behind this display is acting irresponsibly and with disregard for religious sentiment Through you I appeal to all not to repeat such mistakes in the futureThe controversy has sparked widespread public outrage with many demanding that the sanctity of religious sites be preserved and kept free from commercial exploitationIt is worth noting that Campa Cola the onceiconic Indian soft drink brand recently revived by Reliance Industries has been facing massive backlash online over hurting the religious sentiments of devotees of Lord JagannathThe hashtag BoycottCampa is trending across the country after the brand allegedly used religious imagery related to Lord Jagannath in one of its advertisementsThe controversy erupted ahead of the main Rath Yatra procession during which Lord Jagannath Balabhadra and Subhadra will be taken out on their respective chariots on June 27Many users on the social media platform X have accused the company of hurting religious sentiments to promote its productThe controversy quickly caught fire with users slamming the brand for what they call a marketing gimmick that disrespects religious beliefs IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/puri-jagannath-temple-servitor-seeks-action-against-reliance-owned-campa-cola-ad-623071.html Thu, 26 Jun 2025 16:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/after-maha-kumbh-adani-group-offers-seva-at-puri-rath-yatra-623086.html Bhubaneswar June 26 After serving millions of pilgrims during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj earlier this year the Adani Group on Thursday announced that it has now extended its seva efforts to the famous Rath Yatra festival in Odishas Puri Known as one of Indias most sacred religious events the Rath Yatra attracts lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad every yearStaying true to Chairman Gautam Adanis belief that Seva Hi Sadhana Hai Service is Worship the Group has launched a largescale volunteerdriven initiative to support pilgrims and frontline workers throughout the nineday celebration from June 26 to July 8This year the Adani Group will provide nearly 4 million free meals and drinks to devotees and officialsSpecial food counters have been set up across the city to distribute nutritious meals while beverage stalls offer cool drinks to help people beat the intense Odisha heatThe Group is also supporting beach safety efforts through assistance to the Puri Beach Lifeguard MahasanghaVolunteers will help clean the beach and remove plastic waste To aid those on duty the group is distributing free Tshirts to volunteers fluorescent safety vests for sanitation workers and rain gear including jackets caps umbrellas and raincoats for municipal workers and pilgrimsThe initiative is being carried out in partnership with the Puri district administration ISKCON and local community groupsAccording to sources the planning for this seva began months in advance and is being carried out by volunteers from both within the Adani Group and the local communitiesExecution is being led by experienced coordinators who have deep roots in the regionThe Adani Foundation which has been active in Odisha through projects in healthcare school development and rural livelihoods sees this effort as part of a wider commitment to Indian cultural and spiritual lifeGroup sources say that this form of corporate social responsibility goes beyond business and infrastructure it is about engaging directly with peoples faith and traditionsEarlier this year during the Maha Kumbh Mela the Group had also partnered with ISKCON and Gita Press to offer food and assistance to lakhs of pilgrimsOn January 21 Gautam Adani himself took part in serving food reflecting the groups core value that social service is not a onetime activity but a continuous mission IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/after-maha-kumbh-adani-group-offers-seva-at-puri-rath-yatra-623086.html Thu, 26 Jun 2025 18:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/jampk-l-g-appeals-devotees-to-turn-up-in-large-numbers-for-amarnath-yatra-623090.html Srinagar June 26 Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor LG Manoj Sinha on Thursday appealed to devotees to congregate in large numbers for this years Amarnath Yatra starting on July 3 LG Sinha who is also the Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board addressed a media conference at the Raj Bhawan hereHe appealed to the devotees to turn up in large numbers at Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra which is scheduled to begin from July 3The LG said that security grid has been strengthened multilayer security is in place and the Army Central Armed Police Forces CAPFs and the Jammu and Kashmir Police have ensured all necessary measures for a safe pilgrimageAll necessary arrangements have been made for the pilgrims coming for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra and for a hasslefree darshan at the holy caveThe LG said that an atmosphere of spiritual fervour has filled the air at Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra base camps and Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board SASB has made preparations for all essential facilities including movement lodging electricity water sanitation communication and health of the pilgrimsHe noted that significant achievements were made by SASB in the last two years in creating pilgrimscentric facilities including wider Yatra tracks previously narrow and steep Yatra tracks along both the routes have been widened to around 12 feet in most of the stretchesKalimata stretch which was previously narrow and with steep gradient has been widened to nearly 12 feet with much gentler slope he saidSafer Yatra tracks with stronger safety handrails all along whole of Baltal track and 20 km on vulnerable stretches on Pahalgam track Illuminated tracks and Yatra camps Grid power connectivity along whole of Baltal track till holy cave and from holy cave to Panjtarni has been achieved the LG notedGrid connectivity on remaining stretch of Pahalgam track is being started Enhanced accommodation for pilgrims at SASBs Yatri Niwas complexes at Baltal 800 Nunwan 900 and Pantha Chowk 1000 he saidDigital prepaid system for hiring of various services like pony pithu palki would be available for pilgrims the LG addedAt the holy cave the wooden darshan platform has been replaced with stainless steel platform of appropriate alignment and height with wood flooring and additional row he saidNow pilgrims would be able to have darshans simultaneously in four rows This shall facilitate better and hasslefree darshans Installation of canopy over the stairs at the Holy Cave for the comfort and protection of yatris from rainsnowfallscorching sun Clinical bed capacity of healthcare facilities at Panjtarni and upper camps has been expanded substantially this year he addedIntegrated command and control centres have been established and deployment of Jammu and Kashmir Police and CAPFs have been increased he saidVulnerable spots were identified and dedicated measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the pilgrims he addedAs many as 100bedded hospitals are functional at both the axis Yatri Niwas at Baltal and Pahalgam axis are being developed for the convenience of the devotees Special focus has been laid on cleanliness and making the yatra more sustainable he saidPrasad counters have been established at the holy cave Footoverbridge at Nunwan base camp cloak rooms erickshaw and other such facilities have been extended for the pilgrims and service providers he addedSecurity at tourist spots has also been enhanced the LG saidHe also lauded the role of media persons and the local residents of Jammu and Kashmir in the smooth and successful conduct of the yatraHe also urged the pilgrims to travel in the designated convoy IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/jampk-l-g-appeals-devotees-to-turn-up-in-large-numbers-for-amarnath-yatra-623090.html Thu, 26 Jun 2025 18:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ktaka-two-men-attacked-in-bluru-forced-to-chant-jai-shri-ram-622909.html Bengaluru June 25 A mob allegedly assaulted two men from the minority community in Karnatakas Bengaluru district and forced them to chant Jai Shri Ram slogans police said on Wednesday The incident has been reported from the Sampigehalli police station limits in BengaluruThe police have registered an FIR based on a complaint filed by Mohammad Zameer Pasha a resident of Basavalingappa Nagar in BengaluruThe FIR has been booked under Sections 1262 wrongful restraint 1152 voluntarily causing hurt 1181 grievous hurt by dangerous means 299 deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings 352 intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace and 3512 read with subsections 3 and 5 criminal intimidationAccording to the FIR the incident occurred on Tuesday when the complainant Zameer a mechanic along with his friend Waseem Ahmad was travelling in an autorickshaw on Sampigehalli Main Road toward Chokkanahalli to collect a vehicle from a customer for repairingThey had stopped near a eucalyptus groveAround seven to eight men who were standing nearby and talking among themselves confronted the victim duoThey allegedly questioned the duo about why they had come to the area and where they were goingIn response Waseem reportedly asked them to mind their own business and questioned their interferenceFollowing this the gang began abusing and assaulting both Zameer and WaseemZameer managed to flee but witnessed Waseem being beaten with sticksDuring the assault Waseem reportedly screamed in pain and invoked the name of Allah according to the FIRThe attackers allegedly demanded that Waseem chant Jai Shri Ram instead and continued to beat him the FIR saidThe victims were treated at the Yelahanka General HospitalWaseem has reportedly suffered reduced hearing in his right ear following the assaultWhen asked about the incident Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara in Bengaluru said on Wednesday that the police would take appropriate legal actionThe police will act in accordance with the law I will not issue separate orders in this case The government does not respond to individual incidents with special directives It is a policymaking body The concerned officers will proceed as per the IPC and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act Parameshwara addedThe police have launched a hunt for the unknown accused persons IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ktaka-two-men-attacked-in-bluru-forced-to-chant-jai-shri-ram-622909.html Wed, 25 Jun 2025 18:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/rath-yatra-odisha-police-warns-tourists-of-rising-hotel-booking-scams-fake-websites-622920.html Bhubaneswar June 25 Odisha Police on Wednesday alerted tourists against the rising hotel booking scams in Odisha ahead of the famous Jagannath Rath Yatra which is set to commence on June 27 Hotel booking scams are rising in Odisha especially in places like Puri Bhubaneswar Cuttack etc Fraudsters create fake websites and social media pages that look genuine offering cheap rates urgent deals and guaranteed bookings They demand full payment via UPI wallets or bank transfer and use fake customer care numbers and receiptsMany of these fake sites appear at the top of Google search results making them hard to identify informed the Odisha Crime Branch in an official statement on WednesdayThe victims often realise that they have been cheated by cyber fraudsters only after reaching the destinationOdisha Police further stated that several complaints have been received through the Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 along with alerts from government bodies hotel owners and the general public regarding fake websites offering fraudulent hotel dealsThrough the Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 our team has already received 317 complaints regarding fake hotel booking websites and necessary action has been taken against them Our team is actively keeping an eye out for any fake hotel booking websites and the team is taking quick action to remove them as soon as they come to our notice added Odisha PoliceTourists and devotees have been advised to book hotels only through verified platforms or official tourism websites crosscheck the hotels contact number and address using Google MapsPeople have also been asked to confirm the booking by calling the hotel directly avoid making full advance payments pay partially if possible and use secure payment gateways instead of direct UPI or wallet transfersPolice have urged visitors to always ask for a proper booking confirmation via SMS or email with a valid booking ID or invoice and remain cautious of unrealistically lowpriced deals especially near Puri during the Ratha YatraThey have also asked people to read recent reviews and ratings on trusted platforms before bookingThe tourists have been asked to immediately report to the Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 if they come across any fake hotel websites or suspicious listingsThe social media team of the Crime Branch has also taken down several fake websites offering bookings upon receipt of complaints IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/rath-yatra-odisha-police-warns-tourists-of-rising-hotel-booking-scams-fake-websites-622920.html Wed, 25 Jun 2025 18:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/odisha-police-finalises-security-arrangements-for-jagannath-ratha-yatra-in-puri-622777.html Bhubaneswar June 24 The Director General of Police YB Khurania on Tuesday announced that the Odisha Police has finalised all security preparations in Puri ahead of the famous Jagannath Ratha Yatra which is set to begin on June 27 Speaking to media persons following a meeting of the police officials DGP Khurania noted that all the preparations of Odisha Police are today completed including traffic management arrangements inside and outside the temple and the cordon around the chariots crowd control security arrangements in coastal areas etcAn integrated commandandcontrol system has been set up for the first time this year Live feeds from around 275 AIenabled CCTVs installed from Uttara Square to Puri Town in the town and from Puri to Konark will be available at the Integrated commandandcontrol system These live feeds will also be available at the subcontrol rooms set up at different places The police officers will keep a watch on traffic movement traffic situations through this system and make decisions accordingly said KhuraniaAs many as 200 platoons of police force have been deployed throughout the sacred coastal town for the Ratha YatraSimilarly eight companies of the Border Security Force Central Reserve Police Force etc will be posted at important spots in the city and surrounding areasDGP Khurania noted that around 10000 personnel of Odisha police Central Armed Police Force and home guard will be deployed in Puri and around the city during the Ratha Yatra this yearMarine Police staff and Coast Guard and Indian Navy officials will conduct patrols at sea to avoid any untoward incidentCoast Guard Air Enclave will conduct aerial surveillance at sea during the Ratha Yatra The drones of the Odisha Police will be used for coastal security and to keep watch on the crowd The Odisha Police have also made adequate numbers of antidrone antisabotage and dog squads for this years Ratha Yatra festivalThe DGP of Odisha also urged devotees to adhere to the traffic advisory issued by the police during the Yatra Khurania said the Police will soon release a chatbot application for realtime traffic and parkingrelated information He also expressed hope that the Ratha Yatra festival will be organised smoothly in the current year with the assistance of people IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/odisha-police-finalises-security-arrangements-for-jagannath-ratha-yatra-in-puri-622777.html Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-400-killed-in-conflict-with-israel-in-nine-days-iran-622282.html Tehran June 21 Israeli attacks on Iran over the past nine days have killed over 400 Iranians and left 3056 others wounded Hossein Kermanpour head of the Iranian Health Ministrys public relations said on Saturday Among the injured 2220 have been treated and discharged from Ministry of Health hospitals while 232 received outpatient care at the scene of the attacks Kermanpour said in a post on social media platform XAccording to the health official the majority of the casualties have been civilians with 54 women and children among those killed in the Israeli strikesAs the conflict continues the Iranian Red Crescent Society said earlier in the day that one of its rescue helicopters was damaged as a result of a treacherous Israeli attackIsrael launched a series of largescale airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites on June 13 killing several top commanders and nuclear scientists In response Iran retaliated overnight with missile and drone strikes on Israeli territory Xinhua news agency reportedMeanwhile the Israeli Defense Forces IDF said in statements that it had killed three senior commanders in Iran overnightOne of them was Saeed Izadi the commander of the Palestine Corps in the Quds Force a branch of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC according to the IDFIzadi a key coordinator between the Iran and Hamas was killed in an air strike in Irans Qom province the IDF saidIzadi was responsible for increasing the financial funding from Iran to Hamas for activities against Israel the statement read He was also a main orchestrator of the October 7th massacre and one of the few people who knew about it in advanceThe IDF said in a separate statement that its air force also killed Behnam Shahriyari commander of the Quds Forces weapons transfer unit in the IRGC in western IranThe statement said that Shahriyari was responsible for weapons transfers from Iran to its proxies across the Middle EastShahriyari commanded the transfer of hundreds of millions of US dollars annually to various terrorist organizations utilizing a network of shell companies money changers and couriers the statement readEarlier on Saturday the IDF said that its air force had struck and killed Aminpour Joudaki in southwestern Iran Joudaki was the commander of the second unmanned aerial vehicle brigade of the IRGC Air Force IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-400-killed-in-conflict-with-israel-in-nine-days-iran-622282.html Sun, 22 Jun 2025 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-400-killed-injured-in-conflict-with-israel-in-nine-days-iran-622268.html Tehran June 21 Israeli attacks on Iran over the past nine days have killed over 400 Iranians and left 3056 others wounded Hossein Kermanpour head of the Iranian Health Ministrys public relations said on Saturday Among the injured 2220 have been treated and discharged from Ministry of Health hospitals while 232 received outpatient care at the scene of the attacks Kermanpour said in a post on social media platform XAccording to the health official the majority of the casualties have been civilians with 54 women and children among those killed in the Israeli strikesAs the conflict continues the Iranian Red Crescent Society said earlier in the day that one of its rescue helicopters was damaged as a result of a treacherous Israeli attackIsrael launched a series of largescale airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites on June 13 killing several top commanders and nuclear scientists In response Iran retaliated overnight with missile and drone strikes on Israeli territory Xinhua news agency reportedMeanwhile the Israeli Defense Forces IDF said in statements that it had killed three senior commanders in Iran overnightOne of them was Saeed Izadi the commander of the Palestine Corps in the Quds Force a branch of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC according to the IDFIzadi a key coordinator between the Iran and Hamas was killed in an air strike in Irans Qom province the IDF saidIzadi was responsible for increasing the financial funding from Iran to Hamas for activities against Israel the statement read He was also a main orchestrator of the October 7th massacre and one of the few people who knew about it in advanceThe IDF said in a separate statement that its air force also killed Behnam Shahriyari commander of the Quds Forces weapons transfer unit in the IRGC in western IranThe statement said that Shahriyari was responsible for weapons transfers from Iran to its proxies across the Middle EastShahriyari commanded the transfer of hundreds of millions of US dollars annually to various terrorist organizations utilizing a network of shell companies money changers and couriers the statement readEarlier on Saturday the IDF said that its air force had struck and killed Aminpour Joudaki in southwestern Iran Joudaki was the commander of the second unmanned aerial vehicle brigade of the IRGC Air Force IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-400-killed-injured-in-conflict-with-israel-in-nine-days-iran-622268.html Sat, 21 Jun 2025 20:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/rss-embodies-inclusivity-rooted-in-core-values-of-sanatan-dharma-maha-guv-622054.html Mumbai June 20 Countering what he termed as a false narrative that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS is an upper caste organisation Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan on Friday asserted that the RSS has always embodied inclusivity rooted in the core values of Sanatan Dharma equality service and unity The Governor was speaking after releasing the book Why Are We in the RSS written by author ideologue and RSS pracharak Ramesh Patange at the Raj BhavanComplimenting Patange for bringing out a book on RSS in the organisations centenary year Governor Radhakrishnan praised the author for dispelling through wellresearched evidence historical facts and reasoned arguments the politically motivated myth that the RSS is an upper caste organisationHe remarked that since its founding in 1925 the RSS has evolved into a respected global organisation with branches across many countriesHe also noted that RSS volunteers have consistently risen to serve the nation during times of crisis whether during earthquakes floods droughts or railway accidents across the countryReflecting on the organisations journey the Governor acknowledged that the RSS has faced numerous challenges over the past 100 years including two bans one following the tragic assassination of Mahatma GandhiDespite this the Governor said the dedication of thousands of swayamsevaks and pracharaks has ensured that the organisation remains strong and vibrantHe also commended RSS workers for fostering emotional integration between the Northeastern states and the rest of the countryThe Governor said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself a former pracharak exemplifies the spirit of selfless service inspired by the RSSHe noted that under the leadership of the Prime Minister India not only provided free Covid19 vaccinations to its citizens but also extended support to other nations through vaccine exportsAmong those present were Ashwin Ranjaniker translator of Patanges original Marathi book Aamhi Sanghat Ka Aahot Secretary to the Governor Prashant Narnaware and inviteesSaptahik Vivek has published the book on the occasion of the centenary year of the RSSThe book has a foreword by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat said the Raj Bhavan in a statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/rss-embodies-inclusivity-rooted-in-core-values-of-sanatan-dharma-maha-guv-622054.html Fri, 20 Jun 2025 13:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/dalai-lama-congratulates-president-murmu-on-birthday-eve-wishes-good-health-621944.html Dharamsala June 19 His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Thursday congratulated President Droupadi Murmu on the eve of her 67th birthday and wished her good health and success in leading this great country President Murmus birthday falls on June 20 She was born in 1958As you know after being forced to flee Tibet following the Tibetan peoples uprising against the PRC authorities in March 1959 I have spent the major part of my life in India the Nobel Peace laureate wrote to MurmuI therefore feel a special closeness to this country Over and above its being the most populous country in the world and the largest democracy India has a vast resource of ancient wisdom I believe that if this is combined with modern education it will make a beneficial contribution to greater peace and happiness in the worldOn my part I am specifically committed to encouraging a deeper awareness of the profound ancient Indian understanding of the workings of our mind and emotionsThis I believe lays the basis for achieving peace of mind and developing a warm heart It can also help us overcome such destructive emotions as anger fear and hatred that undermine our ability to create a peaceful more compassionate worldAs Tibetans we are deeply indebted to the government and people of India for the warm hospitality they have shown us for more than 66 years We are also most grateful for the generous support we have received in our endeavours to protect and preserve our Buddhist culture that is founded on Indias ageold values of karuna and ahimsaHis Holiness concluded by wishing the President happiness good health and successIn 1959 the occupying Chinese troops suppressed the Tibetan national uprising in Lhasa and forced the 14th Dalai Lama and over 80000 Tibetans into exile in India and neighbouring countriesOn reaching India after a threeweek treacherous journey the Dalai Lama took up residence for about a year in Mussoorie in UttarakhandCurrently the Tibetan governmentinexile is based in Dharamsala where a community of Tibetans lives in exile with the Dalai Lama hoping to sustain their struggle to secure complete autonomy in their Chineseruled homeland Tibet IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/dalai-lama-congratulates-president-murmu-on-birthday-eve-wishes-good-health-621944.html Thu, 19 Jun 2025 15:59:00 +0530