DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Thu, 30 Oct 2025 12:00:19 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/religion/ancient-chola-era-sculptures-unearthed-near-villupuram-village-in-tn-645161.html Chennai Oct 28 In a remarkable archaeological discovery a set of stone sculptures dating back nearly 1000 years to the Chola period has been found near Kooteripattu in Villupuram district The ancient artefacts identified during a recent field survey by historian Senguttuvan of Villupuram were located in and around Alagramam village a site already known for its historical significanceThe findings include intricately carved images of Vaishnavi Devi Kaumari and a Buddhist figure each believed to date to around the 10th century CE Experts say the discovery sheds new light on the regions religious diversity and the artistic excellence that flourished under the CholasThe halfburied sculpture of Vaishnavi Devi was discovered at the Chekkadi Street Junction The goddess is depicted seated gracefully her four arms bearing distinct attributes The front hands are in the abhaya mudra and resting on her thigh while the rear hands hold a conch and discus symbols associated with Lord Vishnus divine powerThe figures detailed carving and serene expression reflect the stylistic precision of early medieval Tamil art Nearby on the premises of the Chelliamman temple another rare sculpture of Kaumari was unearthedShe is shown seated with one leg folded and the other hanging down adorned with a warriors chain and ornate jewelleryThe figures posture and detailing highlight the influence of Chola craftsmanship and the iconographic traditions of the Sapta Matrikas Seven Mother GoddessesAdding further significance to the find a Buddhist sculpture depicting Avalokiteshvara the Bodhisattva of compassion was located along Jain temple streetThe figure seated under a fiveheaded serpent points to the historical coexistence of Buddhist and Jain traditions in Villupuram Senior epigraphist Vijay Venugopal noted that the discovery confirms the oncevibrant spread of Buddhism in the regionArchaeologist Sreedharan has verified that all the sculptures belong to the Chola period and were likely part of a nowvanished Shiva temple complexHistorian Senguttuvan urged immediate steps for proper preservation and documentation revealing that a halfburied inscribed stone slab was also found nearbyHe appealed to the Archaeological Department and local authorities to safeguard the site for future research and conservation IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ancient-chola-era-sculptures-unearthed-near-villupuram-village-in-tn-645161.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 08:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/people-in-mauritius-australia-celebrate-chhath-puja-with-vibrant-festivities-645201.html Port Louis Oct 28 Chhath Puja was celebrated across Mauritius and Australia on Tuesday with utmost devotion and festivities as people marked the conclusion of the fourday auspicious festival One of the most significant Hindu festivals Chhath Puja is primarily observed in Bihar Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh It is also celebrated in parts of Nepal and among Indian communities worldwideIndian High Commissioner to Mauritius Anurag Srivastava on Tuesday joined in the Chhath Mahaparv celebrationThe event organised by the Swastikam Foundation in Mauritius was attended by Mauritian President Dharambeer Gokhool Members of Parliament and several other dignitariesAddressing the event Srivasata underscored the Indian governments efforts to have Chhath Puja included in UNESCOs Intangible Cultural Heritage listHe also emphasised the festivals role in promoting environmental sustainability gender participation and social inclusionMeanwhile in Australias Melbourne the Indian diaspora came out to celebrate the auspicious occasionThe Indian Consul General in Melbourne Sushil Kumar local dignitaries including MP Lee Tarlamis and community members participated in the vibrant Chhath Puja celebrations and paid homage to the Sun GodThe event featured special cultural performances by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations ICCRsponsored troupe led by Nitu Kumari Nootan showcasing the rich traditions of Bihar Jharkhand and Uttar PradeshAccording to the Hindu calendar Chhath Puja falls on the sixth day Shashthi Tithi of the Kartik months Shukla Paksha usually occurring six days after Diwali The celebration spans four days beginning with Nahay Khay and concluding with Usha Arghya the offering of prayers to the rising sunThe festival commences with Nahay Khay October 25 when devotees take a holy dip and prepare a simple meal On the second day Kharna October 26 a daylong fast from morning to evening is observed and later concluded with offerings of rasiya sweet porridge and roti The third day marks Sandhya Arghya when the nirjala vrat fast without water begins continuing until the early hours of the fourth day Usha ArghyaChhath Puja is believed to have originated in ancient times According to legend Lord Rama and Goddess Sita performed the first Chhath Puja after their return to Ayodhya to seek blessings from the Sun God for prosperity IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/people-in-mauritius-australia-celebrate-chhath-puja-with-vibrant-festivities-645201.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/cm-yogi-welcomes-guru-charan-yatra-says-sikh-gurus-contribution-in-indias-heritage-unforgettable-645255.html Lucknow Oct 28 The Charan Suhawe Guru Charan Yatra of sacred Jode Sahib a profound symbol of the Sikh communitys faith received a rousing welcome in the capital on Tuesday Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath welcomed the Yatra in Lucknow and said that the Guru tradition has given India the ideals of service sacrifice and national protectionHe emphasised that the Sikh Gurus contribution in building Indias heritage has been instrumental and unforgettable and it remains our collective duty to preserve this spiritual heritage and pass on its ideals to future generationsUnion Minister Hardeep Singh Puri was also present on the occasionThe Chief Minister heard the Guruvani during a special ceremony at the Yahiyaganj Gurudwara and honoured the Yatra members by tying turbans on their heads In return the Gurudwara Committee greeted him with a robe and a mementoThe Chief Minister addressing the gathering said The Yatra reconnects people with the glorious Guru tradition that gave India a new direction in culture courage and sacrificeExpressing gratitude to Union Minister Puri CM Yogi said This Yatra began on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Maharaj It is not merely a spiritual journey but a moving tribute that inspires renunciation sacrifice and devotion to the nationHe said the Sikh Gurus contribution to Indias eternal tradition is unforgettableFrom Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj and his four Sahibzadas their supreme sacrifices to protect religion humanity and the nation continue to inspire generations the UP CM statedHe added that the Yatra is not just a remembrance of the past but a guiding light for the present and future calling upon all devotees to carry forward this message of national unity and spiritual awakeningNotably the Yatra is associated with the Jode Sahib of the tenth Sikh Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Mata Sahib Kaur both of whom are considered the most sacred emblems of Sikh devotion IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/cm-yogi-welcomes-guru-charan-yatra-says-sikh-gurus-contribution-in-indias-heritage-unforgettable-645255.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-bulls-trigger-boiling-oil-horror-at-bageshwar-dham-toddler-burned-vendor-injured-645290.html Chhatarpur Oct 28 A threeyearold boy Raghav sustained severe burns when scalding oil accidentally poured over him after two fighting bulls rammed a samosa handcart at Bageshwar Dham in Madhya Pradesh The chaotic incident in Bamitha police jurisdiction also injured the female vendor but authorities have dismissed earlier media claims of a heroic grandmothers intervention Speaking to IANS Bamitha police station incharge and investigating officer Ashish Shrotiya clarified the sequenceThe child was playing near the woman vendors handcart Suddenly two bulls emerged from nowhere locked horns and charged into the cart This toppled the cauldron spilling boiling oil onto Raghav and the lady owner he said He ruled out reports that the boy plunged headlong into the vat or that his grandmother pulled him out suffering hand burns herself Raghavs father Brijraj Vaishnav from Kishangarh in Rajasthans Ajmer district had brought the family including wife and son for darshan at the iconic Balaji Maharaj shrine the office said Postprayers they paused at the bustling stall inside the temple complex where fresh samosas sizzled amid devotional fervour Eyewitnesses recounted the evening turning nightmarish as the stray bulls common in rural temple areas erupted into a territorial brawl around 6 PM scattering pilgrims and upending carts in a ministampede Raghavs cries echoed through the chaos Shrotiya said identifying the injured vendor as 55yearold Lakshmi Devi the handcart owner not the childs grandmother as initially circulated No family member attempted a rescue from the oil the spill occurred purely from the impact Onlookers quickly alerted temple security and an ambulance from the Dhams facility arrived swiftly Both victims were rushed to Chhatarpur District Hospitals burn ward Contradicting earlier grim assessments Shrotiya said Raghavs condition is stable and improving He received prompt treatment full recovery is expected soon Details on Lakshmi Devis injuries remain limited but she is under treatment Speaking to IANS Roshan Dwivedi doctor on duty at Chhatarpur district hospital said The boy is out of danger he did not suffer serious burn injuries It does not seem he plunged into the cauldron The woman is also treated for minor burn injuriesAn official said that police have inspected the site taken statements and launched a probe into potential negligence particularly unsecured animals amid heavy crowds The bulls werent restrained properlylikely agitated by noise Shrotiya noted No arrests have been made but enhanced safety measures including animal control and vendor zoning are under urgent review at the Dham Founded by Dhirendra Krishna Shastri Bageshwar Baba the site draws massive devotees for Hanuman rituals IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/mp-bulls-trigger-boiling-oil-horror-at-bageshwar-dham-toddler-burned-vendor-injured-645290.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 17:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/patna-gears-up-for-chhath-mahaparva-78-ghats-60-artificial-ponds-ready-for-devotees-645146.html Patna Oct 27 The bathing ghats of Ganga and ponds in Bihars capital Patna are all set for the grand celebration of Chhath Mahaparva the festival of devotion and purity dedicated to Surya Sun god and Chhathi Maiya The first Arghya offering to the setting Sun will be performed on Monday evening under the Purvashada constellation while the second Arghya will be offered to the rising Sun on Tuesday morning during the Uttarashada constellation This year devotees in Patna City will offer prayers at 78 ghats with 60 artificial ponds also prepared to ensure smooth conduct of rituals and to prevent overcrowding at the Ganga ghatsAccording to Pandit Ram Narayan Shastri it is considered auspicious to offer prayers to the setting Sun half an hour before sunset and to the rising Sun just after it turns redOn Tuesday morning auspicious yogas such as Ubhayachar and Amalakriti will further enhance the significance of the festivalOn Sunday the second day of the Chhath festival devotees observed the Kharna Puja with devotion and reverenceAfter sunset they consumed prasad ritual food offering made of uncooked rice Ganga water milk jaggerybased kheer flat bread and bananas served on banana leavesThis marked the beginning of their 36hourlong waterless fastThe Patna district administration has made elaborate arrangements for security and crowd management and as many as 187 Bluetoothenabled cameras have been installed at 35 major ghats to ensure realtime monitoring of the situationOverall Chhath celebrations are being observed at 550 ghats across the district representing the traditions of 444 communitiesMedical teams including physicians and health researchers have been stationed at all primary health centres in both urban and rural areas to handle any medical emergenciesAcross Bihar a wave of devotion and enthusiasm can be seenThe Deo Surya Temple in Aurangabad and the Ular Sun Temple in Patna district are witnessing heavy footfallIn total arrangements have been made at 8500 Chhath ghats statewideSpecial instructions have been issued to the National Disaster Response Force NDRF and State Disaster Response Force SDRF who are deployed at sensitive locations to ensure devotees safetyThe Patna Municipal Corporation has also taken charge of cleaning lighting barricading dangerous ghats and setting up medical campsAuthorities have appealed to devotees to remain cautious secure their belongings and avoid unsafe or slippery areas near the riverbanks IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/patna-gears-up-for-chhath-mahaparva-78-ghats-60-artificial-ponds-ready-for-devotees-645146.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 16:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/former-cricket-captain-srikkanth-makes-maiden-visit-to-mahakaleshwar-645147.html Ujjain Oct 27 Former Indian cricket captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth participated in the worldfamous Bhasma Aarti at Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Ujjain on Monday morning He had travelled specially from Chennai to offer prayers to Lord Mahakal for the happiness peace and prosperity of people in India and across the world This was Srikkanths maiden visit to the revered shrineAccompanied by his family and friends he took part in the sacred ritual conducted by priests who performed the traditional worshipDeeply moved by the experience Srikkanth said The darshan of Lord Mahakal and the Bhasma Aarti was truly amazing Our entire family feels blessed to be part of this divine moment Everything will happen good for everyone in India and the worldHe also commended the temple management for the extensive arrangementsShri Mahakaleshwar Temple one of the twelve Jyotirlingas is globally known for its unique Bhasma Aarti which begins around 4 am every day and involves offering ashes to Lord ShivaOnline booking is mandatory for darshan particularly for the Bhasma Aarti The recent opening of the second phase of the Mahakal Lok Corridor has significantly improved facilities for devoteesSrikkanths spiritual visit coincided with the beginning of the first Sawari of Kartik Maas on October 27 allowing devotees two opportunities for darshan during the dayThe former cricket openers presence added a touch of celebrity devotion to the sacred occasion drawing attention to the temples growing appeal among public figuresIn a separate development following a recent clash among priests at the temple a threemember committee has been formed The involved priests have been barred from using the VIP gallery for a few daysCCTV cameras will now monitor access to the gallery to ensure proper usage and verify referencesMeanwhile Kartik Agahan Sawari which is the ceremonial procession of Lord Mahakal is also starting on Monday The procession held annually on the second Monday of the Kartik Hindu month will feature the deity in five divine forms carried through the streets of the temple town IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/former-cricket-captain-srikkanth-makes-maiden-visit-to-mahakaleshwar-645147.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 16:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bipartisan-group-of-us-congressmen-express-concern-that-university-event-could-fuel-anti-hindu-prejudice-645064.html New York Oct 27 A bipartisan group of members of US Congress has expressed concern that an event at a university here could fuel further prejudice against Hindus at a time when Hindu temples have been targets of violence In a letter addressed to William Tate the President of Rutgers University in New Jersey the Congressmen said on Sunday that the event scheduled for Monday misrepresents a diverse and peaceful and religious community and will have impacts on Hindus on college campuses and around the countryThe signers of the letter are Democrats Sanford Bishop from Georgia Shri Thanedar from Illinois and Suhas Subramanyam from Virginia and Republican Rich McCormick also from GeorgiaThe organisers of the Rutgers event titled Hindutva in America A Threat to Equality and Religious Pluralism say it is based on a report called Hindutva in America An Ethnonationalist Threat to Equality and Religious PluralismThe moderator is Sahar Aziz a law professor and the featured speaker is Audrey Truschke a history professor who is a defender of Aurangzeb the extremist Muslim ruler of the Mughal lineage who ordered the execution of Guru Teg Bahadur the revered Sikh saint and persecuted Hindus and ParsisThe Congressmen made clear that they did not want the event banned at the New Jersey state governmentfunded universityInstead they said we urge Rutgers to ensure that its planned programming promotes freedom of speech and expression but not single out and target Hindu American individuals and organisationsThe Congressmen referred to the series of violent attacks on Hindu temples including the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Indiana and the Shri Radha Krishna Temple in UtahIn this climate we are concerned that the rhetoric of the report may fuel further prejudice particularly impacting Hindu students on college campuses who may feel unfairly targeted or unsafe the Congressmen saidMoreover they pointed out the report said that law enforcement politicians and civil society groups should cease partnership with USbased Hindu nationalist groupsIn this context they said they were especially concerned by the reports references to specific Hindu community organisations and are concerned about the implications of conflating religiousbased organisations with nationalist groupsAmong the Hindu civil rights groups the report targeted are the Hindu American Foundation HAF and Coalition of Hindus of North America CoHNAIt said When we stand up against such bigotry we are labelled as Hindutva extremistsMany US campuses have become hotbeds of religious bigotry led by leftist groups and IslamistsPresident Donald Trumps administration has taken action against campus intolerance focused on Jewish students and faculty The same groups often are involved in antiHindu campaignsHAF in an open letter to Rutgers made clear that it did not want the event banned but asked the universitys administration to clarify that invited speakers or conference content reflects the organisers views and dissociate publicly from itWe seek clarity in light of the inaccuracy gravity and spuriousness of numerous claims the report makes about HAF and other Hindu American advocacy organisations it saidCoHNA said that in the past two weeks it has heard from students who are feeling vulnerable and concerned that their religion and identity are at risk simply for being a Hindu on campus IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bipartisan-group-of-us-congressmen-express-concern-that-university-event-could-fuel-anti-hindu-prejudice-645064.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 06:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/i-respectfully-bow-down-to-devotees-observing-fast-pm-modi-on-chhath-puja-kharna-644992.html New Delhi Oct 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday wished the people on the second day of auspicious Chhath Puja Kharna and prayed for the wellbeing of all The second day of Chhath Puja is known as Kharna During this day devotees fast from sunrise to sunset refraining from both food and water The fast is broken only after making offerings to the Sun God at sunsetIn a post on X PM Modi said Heartfelt greetings to all on the auspicious occasion of Chhath Parvas Kharna Puja I respectfully bow down to all the devotees observing the fastOn this sacred occasion which symbolises faith and restraint there is a tradition of partaking in satvik prasad prepared with jaggerybased kheer My wish is that on this ritual Chhathi Maiya blesses everyone with her grace he addedThe Prime Minister also shared a song Sukh leke ugayi Dukh leke dubayi by Bihari singer Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua as well as a Chhath Geet titled Sona Satkuniya Ho Dinanaath by Maithili ThakurKharna signifies purification prompting devotees to fast from sunrise to sunset to cleanse their bodies The fast is concluded in the evening with a special prasad offering of jaggery rice puddingConsuming the prasad marks the official start of the 36hour waterless fast that is observed until the final day of the festivalEarlier in the day Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to X and extended greetings to the peopleThe Kharna holds utmost sacred significance in Chhath Puja It is from Kharna that the fast worship and adoration of Chhathi Maiya beginMay this sacred occasion become a means of welfare in the lives of all of you he saidUnion Health Minister JP Nadda also extended best wishes to the devotees on the auspicious occasion and said I extend my heartfelt best wishes to all the devoted observers of the Kharn ritual on the second day of Chhath Puja the great festival of gratitude towards nature and worship of the Sun May Lord Surya Narayan and Chhathi Maiya bestow upon you all happiness prosperity and excellent health IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/i-respectfully-bow-down-to-devotees-observing-fast-pm-modi-on-chhath-puja-kharna-644992.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 09:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/science-guided-by-faith-can-achieve-any-goal-gujarat-cm-patel-645025.html Ahmedabad Oct 26 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Sunday attended the Shatchandi Mahayagna at Gozariya village in Mehsana district and claimed that science guided by faith can achieve any goal Extending New Year greetings on the occasion of Vikram Samvat 2082 the Chief Minister emphasised that development must go hand in hand with tradition echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of progress while preserving heritageHighlighting the spiritual significance of yajnas CM Patel said If science is guided by faith we can reach any destination we aspire toHe made the remarks while attending the Mahayagna organised by the Shri Umiya Mataji Mandir Trust and the Patidar communityHe praised Gozariya village noting its spirit of collective strength a village not only capable of completing its own tasks without obstacles but also helping others achieve theirsSpeaking on the renewed spiritual energy across the nation following the consecration of the Ram Lalla in Ayodhya CM Patel underscored Gujarats crucial role in nationbuilding The vision of a developed India is achievable only through a developed Gujarat he said detailing state initiatives to ensure inclusive growth that reaches every village and citizenThe Chief Minister also outlined Gujarats efforts to accelerate economic growth including the governments new zonewise Vibrant Conferences The first such conference recently held in North Gujarat resulted in investment commitments exceeding Rs 3 lakh crore and over 1200 MoUs Patel said with satisfactionCM Patel concluded his address by urging the people of Gozariya to take new resolutions for the year and prayed to Goddess Umiya Mata for their successful fulfilmentMember of Parliament Haribhai Patel highlighted the importance of maintaining religious practices across India to nurture values among the younger generationTrue development includes not just roads and infrastructure but also spirituality and cultural values Haribhai Patel saidRajya Sabha member Mayank Nayak commended the organisers for holding the Shatchandi Mahayagna to reconnect the youth with Sanatan Dharma amid the rise of technology and artificial intelligence He assured continuous support for Gozariyas development and pledged to ensure the village remains at the forefront of progressOn this occasion CM Patel offered prayers to Goddess Umiya Mata and honoured donors who contributed to the MahayagnaThe event saw the presence of Mehsana MLA Mukesh Patel Mehsana District Bank Chairman Vinod Patel Collector SK Prajapati members of the Umiya Mataji Mandir Trust Patidar community leaders and a large gathering of devotees IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/science-guided-by-faith-can-achieve-any-goal-gujarat-cm-patel-645025.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 13:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/raua-sab-par-chhathi-maiya-ke-kripa-banal-rahe-up-cm-yogi-wishes-mothers-sisters-observing-chhath-puja-644866.html New Delhi Oct 25 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday shared a video message on the occasion of Chhath Puja extending greetings to all devotees He said Raua Sab Par Chhathi Maiya Ke Kripa Banal Rahe May Chhathi Maiyas blessings be upon you all Taking to his official social media handle X CM Yogi said I extend my heartfelt greetings to everyone on Chhath Puja Raua Sab Par Chhathi Maiya Ke Kripa Banal Rahe My special wishes to all mothers and sisters who observe this difficult fast for the wellbeing of their familiesDescribing the significance of the festival he added Chhath Puja is the confluence of faith and discipline Through Surya Upasana worship of the Sun God it conveys a message of light energy and balance This is not merely a festival it is the soul of our culture May all devotees observing the fast be blessed with success health wealth and happiness Let this sacred tradition continue for generations to comeEarlier in the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his heartfelt greetings to devotees across the country on the occasion of Nahay Khaay marking the beginning of the fourdaylong Chhath pujaTaking to social media platform X Prime Minister Modi said The fourdaylong Chhath festival begins today with the sacred rituals of bathing and eating My heartfelt greetings to devotees across the country including Bihar My salutations and respect to all those observing the fastThis grand festival of our culture symbolizes simplicity and restraint its purity and adherence to discipline are incomparable The scenes witnessed at the Chhath Ghats on this sacred occasion offer a wonderful inspiration for family and social harmony The ancient tradition of Chhath has had a profound impact on our society PM Modi addedHe further wished that Chhathi Maiya bestows her bountiful blessings on everyoneToday Chhath is celebrated as a major cultural festival in every corner of the world Indian families living around the world participate wholeheartedly in its traditions I wish that Chhathi Maiya bestows her bountiful blessings on everyone he saidPM Modi further said that Chhath Mahaparva is a unique confluence of faith worship and love for natureChhath Mahaparva is a unique confluence of faith worship and love for nature While offerings are made to the setting and rising Sun the offerings also incorporate the diverse colours of nature The songs and melodies of Chhath Puja are also imbued with a unique sense of devotion and love for nature PM Modi saidHe further remembered that Bihars Nightingale late Sharda Sinha had a close relationship with BegusaraiI was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Begusarai just yesterday Bihars Nightingale Sharda Sinha had a close relationship with Begusarai Sharda Sinha and many other folk artists from Bihar have added a unique touch to the Chhath festival through their songs PM Modi addedPM Modi further shared a song of Sharda Sinha who had died during the Chhath festival last yearToday on this great festival I am sharing with you all such songs of Chhathi Maiya listening to which everyone will be mesmerised he addedOn the first day devotees known as Vratis people who are fasting take a holy dip in rivers or ponds and consume a simple sattvic having qualities of purity harmony and balance meal of arwa chawal plain rice and lauki ki sabzi bottle gourd curry after offering prayers Other traditional foods like chana dal amla chutney and papad are prepared and later served as prasad ritual food offeringMass gatherings are expected across various bathing ghats across the country where thousands of devotees will participate in the rituals with unwavering faithWith roots tracing back to the Satyuga and Dwapara Yuga Chhath Puja is regarded as one of the oldest forms of Sun worship Devotees observe strict fasting abstaining from food and water for extended periods to express devotion and seek blessings of prosperity health and happiness Worshipping Surya during Chhath is believed to dispel negativity and usher in peace and positivityChhath Puja is one of the most significant Hindu festivals primarily observed in Bihar Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh It is also celebrated in parts of Nepal and among Indian communities across the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/raua-sab-par-chhathi-maiya-ke-kripa-banal-rahe-up-cm-yogi-wishes-mothers-sisters-observing-chhath-puja-644866.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/such-arrangements-for-the-first-time-passengers-on-special-trains-on-chhath-puja--644884.html New Delhi Oct 25 Delhis Anand Vihar railway station witnessed a massive crowd of passengers on Saturday ahead of the Chhath festival Excitement filled the air as people prepared to travel to their hometowns in Bihar Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh to celebrate and worship Chhath Puja with their families The fourday Chhath festival began on October 25 with NahayKhaay marking the start of the festivitiesPassengers at Anand Vihar railway station expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made by Indian Railways Separate ticket counters were set up making it easier for passengers to purchase tickets while security was tightened RPF personnel were seen assisting passengers and guiding them about ticketing and boarding detailsSpeaking to IANS passenger Mohan Rai said Everything is very comfortable We are getting great facilities here I want to thank the police and railway authorities for this arrangementAnother passenger Rajan added I am going to Bihar The facilities are excellent I have never seen such an arrangement beforeTo manage the surge in passenger traffic the Indian Railways has made elaborate preparations Special trains additional coaches and several passengerfriendly measures were introduced on major routes and at key stations A roundtrip Chhath Puja Special train has also been scheduled between Rani Kamlapati and Hazrat NizamuddinThis special train will comprise 22 LHB coaches including two Second AC three Third AC six Economy Third AC five Sleeper four General Class one SLRD and one generator carAccording to the Railways Ministry around 6181 special trains have been planned for October 28 to facilitate passengers returning to their workplaces after the festive season In total over 12000 special trains are being operated across the country with more than 900 additional trips scheduled in the next three days to manage the festival rushChhath Puja is one of the most significant Hindu festivals primarily celebrated in Bihar Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh It is also observed in parts of Nepal and among Indian communities worldwide Dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and his sister Chhathi Maiya the festival signifies purity gratitude and the wellbeing of ones family IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/such-arrangements-for-the-first-time-passengers-on-special-trains-on-chhath-puja--644884.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/four-day-festival-of-faith-chhath-puja-begins-with-the-ritual-of-nahay-khaay-644821.html New Delhi Oct 25 The fourday festival of faith and devotion Chhath Puja began on Saturday with the sacred ritual of NahayKhaay Dedicated to the Sun god the festival celebrates the harmony between nature and humanity embodying purity gratitude and discipline On the first day devotees known as Vratis people who are fasting take a holy dip in rivers or ponds and consume a simple sattvic having qualities of purity harmony and balance meal of arwa chawal plain rice and lauki ki sabzi bottle gourd curry after offering prayers Other traditional foods like chana dal amla chutney and papad are prepared and later served as prasad ritual food offeringMass gatherings are expected across various bathing ghats across the country where thousands of devotees will participate in the rituals with unwavering faithWith roots tracing back to the Satyuga and Dwapara Yuga Chhath Puja is regarded as one of the oldest forms of Sun worship Devotees observe strict fasting abstaining from food and water for extended periods to express devotion and seek blessings of prosperity health and happiness Worshipping Surya during Chhath is believed to dispel negativity and usher in peace and positivityChhath Puja is one of the most significant Hindu festivals primarily observed in Bihar Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh It is also celebrated in parts of Nepal and among Indian communities across the worldDedicated to the worship of the Sun god and his sister Chhathi Maiya the festival emphasises purity gratitude and the wellbeing of ones familyThe fourday celebration involves elaborate rituals that symbolise purification faith and selfcontrolDay 1 Nahai Khai The festival begins with devotees taking a holy dip in a river or pond to cleanse themselves They bring vegetables and pulses and prepare the first offerings emphasising cleanliness and sanctityDay 2 Kharna On this day devotees observe a strict fast from sunrise to sunset They prepare offerings of jaggery rice and wheat breaking their fast in the evening after making offerings to the deity The prasad ritual food offerings is then shared with family friends and neighbours to promote unity and community spiritDay 3 Sandhya Arghya Devotees gather near water bodies in the evening to offer arghya prayers and offerings to the setting Sun They present fruits sugarcane and prasad to express gratitude to the Sun god for sustaining life on EarthDay 4 Usha Arghya The final day is dedicated to offering prayers to the rising Sun Devotees break their fast after making offerings symbolising renewal and spiritual rebirth The prasad is distributed among family and community members marking the end of the ritualsChhath Puja is celebrated with simplicity dedication and purity The offerings including fruits vegetables and sweets represent the gifts of nature and the ritual of fasting and prayers signifies the devotees willingness to cleanse their body mind and soul The primary essence of Chhath Puja is gratitude as it fosters respect for natural resources and the harmonious relationship between nature and humankind IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/four-day-festival-of-faith-chhath-puja-begins-with-the-ritual-of-nahay-khaay-644821.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 09:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/indian-railways-tries-to-ease-holiday-rush-for-chhath-puja-with-special-trains-644827.html New Delhi Oct 25 The Indian Railways has made elaborate arrangements to manage the surge in passenger traffic for Chhath Puja as thousands of people tried to reach home even on Saturday to celebrate the festival with their families To accommodate the growing demand special trains additional coaches and several passengerfriendly measures were introduced on major routes and at key stationsIn response to the heavy rush a roundtrip Chhath Puja Special train has been scheduled between Rani Kamlapati and Hazrat NizamuddinAccording to officials train number 01661 Chhath Puja Special departed from Rani Kamlapati station on Saturday at 730 am and will arrive at Hazrat Nizamuddin station at 815 pmOn its return journey train number 01662 will leave Hazrat Nizamuddin at 830 pm on Saturday and halt at Mathura at 955 pm Agra Cantt at 1050 pm Gwalior at 255 am Veerangna Rani Laxmibai Jhansi at 535 am Bina at 810 am Vidisha at 915 am before reaching Rani Kamlapati Station at 1050 am on SundayThe train will comprise 22 LHB coaches including two Second AC three Third AC six Economy Third AC five Sleeper four General Class one SLRD and one generator carThe Railways Ministry stated that around 6181 special trains have been notified for October 28 to facilitate the return of passengers to their workplaces after the festive season is overIn total over 12000 special trains are being operated across the country with more than 900 special trips scheduled in the next three days to manage the festival rushIn Bihar nearly 30 stations are being equipped to handle the massive passenger inflow Measures include additional ticket counters CCTV surveillance weatherproof holding areas and enhanced crowd management systemsStations such as Patna Danapur Rajendra Nagar Terminal Saharsa Darbhanga Muzaffarpur Gaya Samastipur and Barauni in Bihar along with Gorakhpur Ballia and Varanasi also known as Banaras in Uttar Pradesh are among those where holding areas have been set up to ensure smooth operationsAdditional coaches are also being attached to existing services to accommodate increased demand Weatherproof holding areas are being created at major stations to manage large passenger inflows and provide convenient waiting facilities before train departures the ministry statedTo ensure passenger safety 247 medical booths have been established at key stations including Patna Muzaffarpur Darbhanga Gaya and Saharsa Fire brigade and ambulance services have also been stationed for emergency health assistance and safety managementAdding to the festive spirit Indian Railways has begun playing Chhath songs at several major stations to help passengers feel more connected to the occasionAt stations like Patna Danapur Hajipur Bhagalpur Jamalpur Sonpur New Delhi Ghaziabad and Anand Vihar Terminal the devotional songs are creating a joyful atmosphere and evoking the spirit of home and tradition for travellers heading back for the sacred festival IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/indian-railways-tries-to-ease-holiday-rush-for-chhath-puja-with-special-trains-644827.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 10:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/four-day-chhath-festival-underway-in-bihar-644853.html Patna Oct 25 The grand fourday festival of Chhath a celebration of faith and devotion to the Sun God began on Saturday with the ritual of NahayKhaay Chhath Puja which begins on the Chaturthi Tithi fourth day of the bright fortnight of Kartik month will culminate with offerings to the rising sun on the Saptami Tithi October 28The main ritual of Sandhya Arghya evening offerings to the setting sun will take place on October 27 followed by Usha Arghya morning offerings the next dayThe festival is being celebrated with great fervour and devotion across Bihar Jharkhand eastern Uttar Pradesh and NepalOn NahayKhaay devotees bathed in holy rivers and water bodies cleaned their homes and kitchens and took vows to maintain purity in mind speech and actionThey prepared a simple sattvic meal of pumpkin curry gram dal and rice cooked on clay stoves without onion garlic or regular salt a symbolic act of inner and outer purificationDevotees believe that Chhathi Maiyas blessings begin from this day and hence rituals are performed with utmost discipline and devotionDuring the four days of the festival participants abstain from nonvegetarian food alcohol and negative behaviour emphasising selfcontrol and spiritual cleansingAccording to the Hindu calendar the Shashti Tithi will begin at 604 am on October 27 and end at 759 am on October 28During this period millions of devotees will gather at riverbanks and ponds to offer their prayers to the Sun God a tradition symbolising gratitude toward nature light and lifeThe ghats across Bihar are being decorated and illuminated for the upcoming Sandhya and Usha Arghya which mark the spiritual and visual climax of the festivalThe rhythmic sounds of Chhath songs lighting of lamps and devotional aartis will transform the riverbanks into divine spectacles over the next few days IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/four-day-chhath-festival-underway-in-bihar-644853.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bengal-bjp-infighting-erupts-over-attack-on-caa-camp-644619.html Kolkata Oct 23 A BJP MLAs supporters have been accused of vandalising a camp meant for filling applications for the amended Citizenship Amendment Act CAA in the Kalyani area of Nadia district which was opened by Union Minister Shantanu Thakur BJP MLA Ambika Roy however denied such allegations He said he was not present there at the time of the incident and maintained that the BJP has no connection with that camp officeAccording to sources a CAA support camp office was opened in the area adjacent to the BJP party office Syamaprasad Bhavan in Kalyanis Central Park The office was inaugurated by Shantanu Thakur on October 22 However early on Thursday morning followers of Kalyani MLA Ambika Roy attacked the camp office The office was vandalised and furniture was broken A few people present there were also beaten upA person named Rohan Sau was injured in the incident He said The MLAs people attacked without provocation They beat us up severely A total of five of us were injured We were assisting the people at the camp office which was inaugurated by Shantanu ThakurThe BJP MLA meanwhile said Several people were drinking alcohol there at night and committing antisocial acts When the locals opposed a scuffle broke out I heard that there was a minor scuffle BJP has no connection with the incident Our workers did not vandalise the campThe incident however raised questions about the growing infighting between the two camps of the BJPBJPs Bangaon organisational district president Vikas Ghosh said It is not a party programme There is no issue of group conflict There has been some misunderstanding locallyTrinamool Congress meanwhile took a dig at the BJP over the incident Partys Ranaghat organisational district president Debashis Gangopadhyay said The MP group and the MLA group are involved in an infighting for their own interests The miscreants from both sides have messed with each other Police will take action as per the law IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bengal-bjp-infighting-erupts-over-attack-on-caa-camp-644619.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/op-sindoor-delivered-a-heavy-dose-to-pakistan-rajnath-singh-644631.html Jaisalmer Oct 23 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that after the heavy dose given to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor will deter it from indulging in any adventurism for a long time Addressing the Army Commanders Conference held in the desert city close to the Pakistan border for the first time since Operation Sindoor the Defence Minister said Though Pakistan has been delivered a heavy dose under Operation Sindoor if at all it thinks of indulging in any troublemaking now it should think 100 times before doing any such thingJust in case Pakistan attempts to do something wrong it should know very well about the outcome of such a misadventure said the Defence Minister adding that Operation Sindoor is still on and it is just put under suspensionHe recalled an anecdote from the Ramayana and said that during Operation Sindoor our pilots had just tried to test the winds but within minutes they crushed the targets In case our pilots get down to the real act then it is only a matter of imagination in what state they will leave Pakistan after their attack he saidHe said our enemies whether external or internal need to be kept under a close watch and effective measures need to be taken against themRajnath Singh said the government is committed to improving infrastructure and developing border areas I am sure as development activities increase in the area you will also going to benefit from it he saidAlerting Commanders to remain alert in this area bordering Pakistan the Defence Minister said the armed forces will play a key role in achieving Viksit Bharat2047On the one hand you have to guard our border and on the other you have to build a developed India he saidThe Defence Minister is on a threeday visit to Jaisalmer which started on Thursday According to defence sources the conference has brought together the Army Chief and senior commanders to deliberate on border security along Indias western frontier modern warfare strategies and technological advancements in defence operationsThe discussions will also focus on the Armys ongoing Year of Reforms assessing the progress of structural and technological modernisation initiativesOn the second day of his visit Rajnath Singh will visit the Longewala border post where he will pay homage to the soldiers martyred during the 1971 IndoPak war IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/op-sindoor-delivered-a-heavy-dose-to-pakistan-rajnath-singh-644631.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/acharya-prashant-calls-for-an-awakened-vote-ahead-of-bihar-elections-2025-644660.html New Delhi Oct 24 As Bihar heads toward elections philosopher and author Acharya Prashant has urged citizens to treat the vote as an occasion for awakening rather than routine The quality of any government is never higher than the quality of the people who elect it he said When people vote unconsciously by habit caste or anger elections become nothing but a ritual A sleeping mind elects a snoring systemAcharya Prashant said Bihars tragedy was not merely economic but spiritual Bihars tragedy is not that it is poor it is that it refuses to wake up Poverty of money can be cured but poverty of clarity cannotHe linked the states persistent challenges such as migration unemployment weak governance and poor education to an inward lack of awareness among voters Each number in every report is a mirror held to our collective mind Bihars wounds are not of governance alone they are wounds of vision he remarkedCiting official figures he pointed out that Bihars percapita income at about Rs 54000 a year remains the lowest in India while over 25 lakh people migrate annually in search of work The literacy rate is around 71 per cent female literacy roughly 61 per cent and the female labourforce participation rate is barely 25 per centA land that once gave the world the Buddha now struggles to give its children even a decent classroom he said To rebuild Bihar is to rebuild the classroom The gravest injustice to a human being is to keep him uneducated for then he cannot even know that he is in chainsHe noted that neglect in one area infects all others Education ignored breeds unemployment unemployment breeds lawlessness lawlessness finally kills aspiration When the voter remains inwardly unaware every sector reflects the same disorder in a different disguiseHe highlighted continuing challenges in law and order infrastructure and healthcare Bihar still records among the highest pendency of court cases in India and power consumption per capita remains barely a third of the national average Progress that does not reach the last home is only decoration he said Without inner order even outer infrastructure crumbles into misuseOn unchecked population growth Acharya Prashant warned that no economy can outpace the womb forever Bihars population density at over 1200 persons per sq km is triple the national average When the population multiplies without proportionate education employment or healthcare every reform becomes futile he said Womens education and family planning are not charity they are survivalHe emphasised that the position of women remains the most accurate test of social maturity The freedom of the woman is not a social issue it is the barometer of a civilisations core In the same home that worships goddesses daughters are confined for safetyTurning to electoral behaviour Acharya Prashant said the gravest corruption in Bihar lay not in offices but in minds Caste freebies anger and emotion still guide the hand at the ballot The mind votes every day for comfort over clarity for greed over gratitude the EVM is only the final act of that inner disorderHe urged voters not to disengage but to exercise discrimination If no candidate appears worthy the right approach is not to hunt for the perfect but to eliminate the worst as one does in an exam Remove those clearly unfit the corrupt the violent the divisive From what remains choose the one least harmful the one still capable of conscienceHe added a caution against flattery Do not vote for those who only tell you what you want to hear The leader who dares to speak the uncomfortable truth even at the cost of votes is the one who truly deserves them The one who flatters you prepares to exploit youReflecting on Bihars cultural inheritance Acharya Prashant said legacy must be lived not worshippedBihars heritage is luminous Buddha Mahavira Nalanda But luminous memory is not lived understanding Knowledge lives only when it cuts the false inside us The moment it turns into an inheritance a slogan a custom or a cultural tradition it stops liberating and starts protecting our weaknessesA living heritage he said must show itself in conduct honesty in public life safety for women schools that teach real enquiry and courts that deliver justice Otherwise what we call heritage is merely an alibi he remarkedAcharya Prashant concluded that Bihars transformation must begin within Every external change begins with an internal one If you do not first reform the voter within the system outside will keep repeating its old patternsHe called upon citizens to see the coming election as a responsibility of awareness Bihar will rise the day its citizens stop voting to be pleased and start voting to be awakened The real election is not between parties it is between clarity and confusion between light and darkness between awakening and apathy IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/acharya-prashant-calls-for-an-awakened-vote-ahead-of-bihar-elections-2025-644660.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-urges-people-to-share-chhath-puja-songs-ahead-of-festivities-644679.html New Delhi Oct 24 As Chhath Puja begins from Saturday Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people to share songs related to the festival saying he would repost them over the next few days Taking to social media platform X the Prime Minister said Chhath the grand festival dedicated to nature and culture is approaching Devotees across Bihar and the country are already engaged in preparations with devotion Songs dedicated to Chhathi Maiya further enhance the grandeur and divinity of this sacred occasion I request you to share songs related to Chhath Puja with me I will share them with all my countrymen over the next few daysThe fourday Chhath Puja celebrations this year will be observed from Saturday to October 28 The festival is a revered occasion dedicated to worshipping the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya seeking blessings for prosperity and wellbeingChhath Puja is one of the most significant Hindu festivals primarily observed in Bihar Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh It is also celebrated in parts of Nepal and among Indian communities across the worldDedicated to the worship of the Sun god and his sister Chhathi Maiya the festival emphasises purity gratitude and the wellbeing of ones familyWith roots tracing back to the ancient eras of Satyuga and Dwapara Yuga Chhath Puja is believed to be among the oldest known forms of Sun worship Devotees observe the festival with strict discipline abstaining from food and water for long hours to express devotion and seek blessings of prosperity health and happiness Worshipping Surya during Chhath is said to remove negativity from ones life and usher in peace and positivityThe fourday celebration involves elaborate rituals that symbolise purification faith and selfcontrolDay 1 Nahai Khai The festival begins with devotees taking a holy dip in a river or pond to cleanse themselves They bring vegetables and pulses and prepare the first offerings emphasising cleanliness and sanctityDay 2 Kharna On this day devotees observe a strict fast from sunrise to sunset They prepare offerings of jaggery rice and wheat breaking their fast in the evening after making offerings to the deity The prasad is then shared with family friends and neighbours to promote unity and community spiritDay 3 Sandhya Arghya Devotees gather near water bodies in the evening to offer arghya prayers and offerings to the setting Sun They present fruits sugarcane and prasad to express gratitude to the Sun god for sustaining life on EarthDay 4 Usha Arghya The final day is dedicated to offering prayers to the rising Sun Devotees break their fast after making offerings symbolising renewal and spiritual rebirth The prasad is distributed among family and community members marking the end of the ritualsChhath Puja is celebrated with simplicity dedication and purity The offerings including fruits vegetables and sweets represent the gifts of nature and the ritual of fasting and prayers signifies the devotees willingness to cleanse their body mind and soul The primary essence of Chhath Puja is gratitude as it fosters respect for natural resources and the harmonious relationship between nature and humankind IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-urges-people-to-share-chhath-puja-songs-ahead-of-festivities-644679.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/poverty-surges-to-39-pc-pakistan-moving-faster-towards-destitution-644748.html London Oct 24 Pakistan is facing a deepening poverty crisis that reflects the convergence of economic mismanagement structural inefficiencies and environmental devastation The poverty rate which had been declining for nearly two decades has now surged to 39 per cent pushing an estimated 125 million additional people below the poverty line according to an article in Lens Asia a Bangladesh media outletBetween fiscal years 2020 and 2025 the country has experienced severe volatility in inflation GDP per capita growth and sectoral performance all of which have contributed to a sharp rise in poverty the article statesPersistently high energy costs and elevated core inflation continued to squeeze vulnerable families many of whom were already struggling to meet basic needs Human capital development has also suffered with over onethird of children out of school in 202425 The exclusion is most severe among female students and the youngest age cohorts threatening longterm productivity and perpetuating cycles of poverty the article points outOne of the most crippling contributors to Pakistans economic distress is the circular debt crisis in the power sector which has ballooned to Rs 24 trillion as of September 2025 equivalent to 21 per cent of the countrys GDPThis debt represents unpaid dues to electricity companies for power that has already been consumed but not compensated for creating a vicious cycle that stifles growth and drains public resourcesAt the heart of this crisis are Independent Power Producers IPPs private entities operating under contracts signed since the 1990s that guarantee profits in US dollars while shielding them from business risksThese contracts include capacity charges which require payments for simply keeping power plants operational and takeorpay clauses that obligate the government to purchase electricity regardless of actual demandA government inquiry revealed that IPPs earned Rs 1000 billion in excess profits through inflated costs and guaranteed payments Yet instead of recovering these funds the government chose to pass the burden onto citizensFiscal consolidation measures have further exacerbated poverty Indirect tax hikes have disproportionately impacted the poor while realterm reductions in the Public Sector Development Programme PSDP have curtailed infrastructure spending and limited labour income opportunitiesNatural disasters have compounded these economic challenges particularly in floodaffected districts across Balochistan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh Over 118 million people are projected to face acute food insecurity during the winter lean period with 22 million classified in Emergency IPC Phase 4These regions continue to grapple with reduced crop and livestock production due to heavy monsoon rains that submerged farmland and triggered disease outbreaks among animalsAmid this backdrop of economic fragility Pakistans currency appears deceptively stable As of September 2025 the USDPKR exchange rate stands at 28201 having strengthened slightly over the past month while declining 194 per cent over the past yearThis apparent stability however is the result of one of the most aggressive currency manipulation campaigns in emerging market historyThe State Bank of Pakistan has purchased 9 billion from the interbank market over the past nine months to artificially boost reserves and create demand for the rupee despite market fundamentals suggesting otherwisePakistans foreign exchange market is particularly vulnerable due to its shallow structure with a daily turnover of just 200300 millionCentral bank interventions now account for 3040 per cent of daily volume distorting price discovery and making stability exponentially more expensive to maintain as pressures mountWithout urgent reforms Pakistan risks entrenching poverty for millions more undermining its development goals and destabilising its social fabric The illusion of stability cannot mask the reality of growing deprivation and the time for corrective action is rapidly running out the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/poverty-surges-to-39-pc-pakistan-moving-faster-towards-destitution-644748.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/foiled-is-terror-bid-2-suspects-sent-to-delhi-police-custody-till-oct-27-644789.html New Delhi Oct 24 Two suspected IS operatives arrested before they could plant a bomb in Delhi were on Friday sent to three days police custody till October 27 by a city court an official said Md Adnan Khan alias Abu Muharib 19 a resident of Sadiq Nagar in south Delhi and Adnan Khan alias Abu Mohammad 20 a resident of Karond Bhopal MP were arrested on October 16 and 18 respectivelyOn Friday the Delhi court sent the two to police custody to pave the way for their interrogation on the data recovered from their mobile phones and pen drives seized from themThe Delhi Police through the public prosecutor had sought an extension in the two accuseds custody by four days but the court at Patiala House complex allowed only a threeday extension in their custodyWhile seeking their custody the police said the gadgets seized from the two had been sent for lab analysis and they wanted to interrogate the two over their social media accountsThe police also informed the court that they were yet to question some other suspects involved in the foiled attempt to strike terror in the national CapitalBoth suspects allegedly communicated with a Syriabased IS handler identified as Abu Ibrahim alQureshi according to the policeThe defence lawyer told the court that they had not yet been given a copy of the first information report FIRPramod Singh Kushwah Additional Commissioner of Police Special Cell said the interstate module of IS was disseminating jihadi videos on social media and had progressed to an advanced stage of planning attacks at crowded locations in Delhi during the festive seasonThey had started procuring materials for improvised explosive devices IEDs he saidAfter their arrest the Delhi Police have recovered a pen drive containing the video of Md Adnan Delhi taking the Bayʿah while dressed in IS attire black clothing and scarf an IS flag mobile phones containing radical videos and related material hard disks and a laptopEarlier surveillance showed that Md Adnan Delhi and Adnan Khan Bhopal were active on multiple social platforms using them to spread extremist content recruit followers and coordinate activities the police saidDuring a search of Md Adnans Delhi residence investigators recovered three mobile phones containing incriminating IS material images and manuals detailing remote detonation systems instructions on making plastic bombs and Molotov cocktails a pen drive hard disks an IS flag the clothing used during the Bayah and a timer clock intended for use in an IEDThe suspect from Bhopal had previously been arrested by Uttar Pradesh ATS under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and after obtaining bail in 2024 he resumed terroristrelated activity chiefly through online recruitment and propaganda dissemination In June 2024 he was arrested by UP ATS for threatening an Additional Session Judge in connection with the videographic survey of GyanvapiThe police said Md Adnan from Delhi admitted to taking the Bayah pledge of allegiance to the current IS Caliph Abu Hafs alHashimi alQurayshi through a Syriabased handlerThe Bayah was recorded on video while the suspect was dressed in IS attire said a police statementThe investigators said the Bhopalbased suspect regularly sent radical jihadi videos and instructed Md Adnan is in Delhi to edit and disseminate them IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/foiled-is-terror-bid-2-suspects-sent-to-delhi-police-custody-till-oct-27-644789.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/aid-and-abuse-the-forgotten-girls-of-pakistan-644595.html New Delhi Oct 23 In Pakistan the abduction forced conversion and marriage of minor Hindu and Christian girls has emerged as one of South Asias most persistent human rights crises Beneath the political narratives of reform and international cooperation lies a grim reality minority girls continue to disappear their identities erased and their families silenced This ongoing tragedy challenges the very credibility of global commitments to gender equality and human rightsDatabacked realityA recent report titled Pakistan Genderbased Violence against minor girls of Hindus Sikhs and Christians published by the Global Hindu Temple Network presents verified data on hundreds of cases involving abduction and forced conversion of minor girls between 2021 and 2025 The report highlights how religious identity compounds gender vulnerability in Pakistan where girls from Hindu and Christian communities are often abducted from their homes converted under coercion and married to much older menThe data indicate that the majority of victims are below 16 years of age and in over 70 per cent of documented cases the police either refused to register First Information Reports FIRs or later diluted them under pressure In many instances victims were presented in court claiming to have willingly converted a narrative often extracted under duressIn Sindh and Punjab the two provinces with the highest number of recorded cases the nexus between religious extremism and patriarchal dominance sustains a climate of fearThe report also notes a concerning institutional apathy where state and law enforcement agencies not only fail to protect victims but in some cases facilitate the perpetrators This impunity perpetuates a cycle of fear forcing minority families into silence or migrationRaising issue at global platformsDrawing from these findings the President of the Global Hindu Temple Network America Mohinder Gulati recently raised the issue during the World Bank Civil Society Organisation CSO Forum and in communication with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund IMF He questioned how Pakistan continues to receive billions in development funding while ignoring gross violations of its minority girls fundamental rightsThis reality even brings into question Pakistans commitments to international conventions on womens and childrens rights including CEDAW and the Convention on the Rights of the ChildMohinder Gulatis intervention highlighted a stark contradiction while international institutions publicly champion gender equality their funding practices often fail to account for structural discrimination in recipient countries If gender justice remains confined to metrics and not moral accountability the very essence of inclusive development loses meaningSilence becomes complicityPakistans treatment of its minorities is not an isolated domestic issue It is an indicator of systemic gender injustice The absence of global outrage reflects a troubling hierarchy in human rights advocacy where the faith of victims determines the urgency of response International institutions cannot claim moral leadership while turning away from the abduction and violation of young girls based on their religionDevelopment aid that overlooks such abuse does not empower it enables Funds allocated for womens empowerment and education cannot absolve a state that denies its minorities the right to dignity and protection As the report underscores until justice for these girls becomes part of the gender dialogue every statement on equity and inclusion will ring hollowCall for moral and institutional accountabilityThis issue demands more than diplomatic caution it requires moral clarity The World Bank and IMF must review their gender policy enforcement in countries like Pakistan ensuring that funding aligns with tangible progress on human rights benchmarks Monitoring must go beyond token representation and include independent audits of genderlinked violations especially those affecting minoritiesThe silence surrounding abducted Hindu and Christian girls is not just Pakistans failure it is a failure of global conscience As long as institutions measure progress through numbers and not through justice aid will remain complicit in oppressionDr Vinay Nalwa is the coauthor of the report Pakistan Genderbased Violence against minor girls of Hindus Sikhs and Christians published by the Global Hindu Temple Network IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/aid-and-abuse-the-forgotten-girls-of-pakistan-644595.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/devasom-minister-should-resign-tdb-members-should-be-kicked-out-lop-satheesan-644352.html Palakkad Oct 22 The political storm over the Sabarimala gold scam intensified on Wednesday with the Leader of Opposition LoP Satheesan demanding the resignation of the current Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan and the dismissal of the Travancore Devaswom Board TDB Satheesan said based on the latest observations of the Kerala High Court which have underlined the seriousness of the allegations VN Vasavan should quit and the TDB should be dismissedElaborating on the scam Satheesan said the fraud dates back to 2019 when original goldplated Dwarapalaka plates were allegedly replaced with fake copper sheets and the originals sold to private partiesThe then TDB leadership along with sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti presently under arrest was already under the scanner The current Board acted with full knowledge of this earlier scam when it reassigned work to the same Potti in 2025 said SatheesanHe also highlighted contradictions in the the Devaswom Commissioners actionsOn July 30 the Commissioner had reportedly objected to assigning gold plating work to outsiders and warned against trusting a private agency However just a week later the position was reversed and the work was given to Potti again allegedly after intervention from the current TDB President added LoP SatheesanThe High Court in its recent interim observations noted that the Board violated both Devaswom manuals and earlier court orders while allowing the plates to be moved outThe court also pointed out that had it not intervened the Dwarapalaka plates taken out in 2025 might also have been soldThis is not negligence it is an organized looting of temple gold The Minister must resign immediately and the entire Board must be kicked out added SatheesanHe further alleged that the President of the Devaswom Board played a direct role in overruling the Commissioners objectionsIf officials are accused why is the President still in office the leader askedIncidentally PS Prasanth the present TDB President is a CPIM leaderEarlier he was a top district leader in the Congress party and had unsuccessfully contested in the 2021 Assembly polls from his home constituency in the capital districtSoon after Prasanth lost the polls he dumped the Congress party and joined the CPIM Soon thereafter he was made the President of the TDB IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/devasom-minister-should-resign-tdb-members-should-be-kicked-out-lop-satheesan-644352.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/lord-vishwakarma-credited-with-creation-of-craft-punjab-minister-644358.html Ludhiana Oct 22 Punjab Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond on Wednesday said Lord Vishwakarma is credited with the creation of craft architecture and engineering Addressing a statelevel function at Lord Vishwakarma Mandir here to observe Vishwakarma Day Sond said the global industrial and infrastructure development is a direct result of Lord Vishwakarmas blessings He further explained that the state government is focusing on skill development for the youth aiming to enable them to lead lives of dignity and selfrespect in line with Lord Vishwakarmas principles and teachings Lord Vishwakarma is revered as the supreme architect of the universe known as the master of all machinery and tools used in industrial processes Encouraging the public to emulate Lord Vishwakarmas teachings Sond said supporting skill development across the state will be a fitting homage to Lord Vishwakarma The minister outlined the transformative governments initiatives in education and health ensuring accessible highquality services for all He noted that 55000 government jobs have been transparently given to the youth 90 per cent of residents receive zero electricity bills and all 13246 villages in Punjab will soon have access to 3100 topclass playgrounds Sond also praised the states significant contributions to national security stating that despite comprising just 15 per cent of Indias population the state leads in sacrifices for the countrys safety Additionally he highlighted the success of the antidrug campaign Yudh Nasha Virudh Temple committee president Ranjit Kumar Salh urged the state government to assist the managing committee in completing the pending civil works of the temple building by releasing required funds which Sond announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh and assured full support in completing the pending civil works He also distributed sewing machines among needy women IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/lord-vishwakarma-credited-with-creation-of-craft-punjab-minister-644358.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-extends-wishes-on-guru-charan-yatra-644370.html New Delhi Oct 22 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended his heartfelt wishes on the occasion of the Guru Charan Yatra invoking the timeless teachings and spiritual legacy of Sri Guru Gobind Singh and Mata Sahib Kaur He urged the citizens especially those residing along the yatra route to participate in this spiritual pilgrimage and have darshan of the holy Jore Sahib Responding to posts by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on X PM Modi said May the Guru Charan Yatra deepen our connect with the noble ideals of Sri Guru Gobind Singhji and Mata Sahib Kaurji I urge people in the areas this yatra will cover to come and have Darshan of the holy Jore Sahib Puri on X wrote The holy Jore Sahib Charan Suhawa of the founder of Khalsa Panth Dasam Pita Sri Guru Gobind Singhji Maharaj and his wife Mata Sahib Kaurji have been with our family for more than 300 years Today I feel humbled that my family will hand over the custody of the holy relics to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee A special Kirtan Samagam will be held at Gurdwara Moti Bagh today October 22 2025 where the devotees will be able to have a darshan of the holy Jore Sahib the Union Minister said The holy Jore Sahib will then be taken in Guru Charan Yatra and will be permanently placed at the birthplace of Dasam Pita in Takht Sri Patna Sahib where the devout will be able to pay their obedience and perform darshan The Guru Charan Yatra will begin on October 23 from Gurdwara Moti Bagh and reach Faridabad by night On October 24 it will travel from Faridabad to Agra on the 25th to Bareilly on the 26th to Mahangapur on the 27th to Lucknow on the 28th to Kanpur on the 29th to Prayagraj on the 30th it will proceed through Varanasi to Sasaram on the 31st it will reach Gurdwara Guru Ka Bagh Patna Sahib and on the morning of November 1 it will arrive at Takht Sri Patna Sahib marking the conclusion of the Yatra added Union Minister Puri In the custody of Union Minister Puris family for nearly three centuries the holy footwear worn by Guru Gobind Singh and his wife Mata Sahib Kaur has now found a new home Takht Sri Patna Sahib the birthplace of the tenth Sikh Guru IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-extends-wishes-on-guru-charan-yatra-644370.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/delhi-over-1-232-sattvic-delicacies-offered-to-deities-on-annakut-festival-at-swaminarayan-akshardham-mandir-644377.html New Delhi Oct 22 Continuing Indias timeless festival traditions the celebrations of Annakut and Govardhan Puja were held with joy and fervour at Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir on Wednesday Thousands of devotees and visitors gathered at the temple premises with deep devotion and faith to be part of this divine occasion From the early morning hours large crowds of devotees thronged the temple Thousands came for Annakut Darshan where 1232 sattvic vegetarian dishes were artistically arranged and offered before the deities In preparation for this grand offering hundreds of dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly day and night exemplifying selfless devotion love and serviceInspired by Mahant Swami Maharaj the festivals of Diwali and Annakut were celebrated with devotion and harmony at over 1800 BAPS Swaminarayan mandirs and centres around the world in the same spirit as other major Hindu festivalsAt 1000 am the celebrations at Akshardham Mandir commenced with Govardhan Mahapuja in which senior swamis of the organisation and thousands of devotees participated A special replica of Govardhan Parvat was created in the temple courtyard where the swamis performed the traditional Vedic Mahapuja and the divine arti of the deities The chanting of Vedic hymns and devotional music filled the air with spirituality and divine joyBlessing everyone on this auspicious occasion Mahant Swami Maharaj said May everyone attain happiness in body mind and wealth In this New Year let all imbibe the virtues of others and stay away from criticism and faultsCelebrated on the first day of the bright fortnight Shukla Pratipada after Diwali the festival offers devotees an opportunity to express their gratitude toward God In many Indian states this day is also considered the beginning of the New YearAccording to ancient scriptures around 5000 years ago during the Dwapar Yuga when torrential rains were caused by Indra Devs wrath Lord Krishna lifted the mighty Govardhan Hill on his little finger to protect the people of Gokul After seven days when the storm ended Shri Krishna instructed all to worship Govardhan and celebrate the Annakut festival a tradition that continues till todayThe Annakut Darshan remained open to the public until late in the evening The festival beautifully reflected the spirit of Tera Tujhko Arpan symbolising the belief that everything we possess is by Gods grace and true joy lies in offering it back to Him IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/delhi-over-1-232-sattvic-delicacies-offered-to-deities-on-annakut-festival-at-swaminarayan-akshardham-mandir-644377.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/chinese-communist-party-has-institutionalized-monitoring-of-tibetan-buddhism-report-644402.html Colombo Oct 22 Chinas approach towards Buddhism in Tibet depends on three interconnected levers coopting religious institutions building a statecentred narrative and projecting influence internationally These levers are aimed to reduce Tibet Buddhism to a a manageable part of the states political structure The CCPs levers of control showcase impressive reach but fragile depth a report stated on Wednesday Since the late 1990s the Chinese Communist Party CCP has institutionalized its monitoring of Tibetan Buddhism Currently Tibet Autonomous Region has roughly 1700 officially registered monasteries and around 46000 monks and nuns a report in Sri Lankas Ceylon Wire News detailedGovernmentapproved management committee oversees each monastery in Tibet and all senior monastic appointments need party approval The patriotic education sessions having increased in Lhasa since 2008 force monks to denounce Dalai Lama and pledge loyal to the stateThe clearest example of the states intervention is its claim to the right to approve the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama This bureaucratization of a sacred religious tradition reflects Beijings conviction that controlling succession is essential to neutralizing a figure who embodies Tibetan religious and political identity the report mentionsNarrative assertion is part of this effort with Tibets inclusion in China in 1951 being described as a Peaceful Liberation that ended a feudal theocracy in textbooks museums and official media The Partystate frequently highlight the amount of money being spent on restoring monasteries Furthermore choreographed pictures of monks expressing gratitude to the party for their prosperity reinforce this narrative the report highlightedBeijing has also worked to extend its version of Buddhism beyond Chinas borders It regularly funds international Buddhist conferences in Sri Lanka Thailand and Nepal and supports university research centres across Asia that promote a vision of Buddhism aligned with Chinese state narratives This effort is intended to present China rather than the Tibetan diaspora as the legitimate global centre of Buddhist thought and to diminish the influence of the Dalai Lama who remains one of the most respected religious leaders worldwide it mentionedHowever instead of resolving the question of Tibets future Beijing remains focused on controlling reincarnation risks turning the succession into a major international flashpointThe Tibetan case highlights a broader truth The CCPs campaign is less about faith than about political legitimacy By seeking to Sinicize religion embedding it with what the Party calls Chinese characteristics Beijing has invariably revealed its anxiety that spiritual traditions can mobilize loyalties beyond the reach of the Partystate The more the CCP tries to control Tibetan Buddhism the more it underscores the resilience of the tradition it hopes to subsumeThe struggle over Buddhism in Tibet is ultimately about who defines moral authority in Chinas borderlands The CCPs levers of control demonstrate impressive reach but fragile depth They show that political power without some measure of moral consent is inherently insecure and that efforts to impose ideological control can sometimes strengthen the very traditions they aim to weaken the Ceylon Wire News report stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/chinese-communist-party-has-institutionalized-monitoring-of-tibetan-buddhism-report-644402.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/railways-to-run-1-500-extra-trains-in-next-5-days-to-clear-chhath-festive-rush-644405.html New Delhi Oct 22 The Indian Railways plans to run 1500 special trains during the next five days with an average of 300 specials per day to cater to the surge in passengers ahead of Chhath festivities according to an official statement issued on Wednesday These special trains will be operated in addition to the regular train services that are already running to these destinationsAs travel surges for the Chhath festival ahead Indian Railways are going the extra mile to ensure that all travellers reach their destination safely and comfortably the statement saidIndian Railways stepped up the running of special trains for the Diwali season this year Besides regular trains 4493 special train trips were operated in the last 21 days averaging 213 trips daily which helped the passengers reach home safely for Diwali festivities the statement saidFor the upcoming Chhath Puja and ongoing Diwali season this year the railways are running a robust special train schedule to manage the festive travel rush Over a duration of 61 days from October 1 to November 30 more than 12000 special trains are being operated across the country So far a total of 11865 trips 916 trains have been notified including 9338 reserved and 2203 unreserved trips according to the statementThis marks a significant increase from last year when 7724 Puja and Diwali special trains were runOn October 19 the Railways facilitated over 36000 passengers at Udhna Station in Gujarat a 50 per cent increase from the same day in 2024 All passengers boarded trains by 4 pm reaching home in time to celebrate Diwali with their families To manage the surge coordinated efforts were made to control crowds A dedicated holding area and numerous ticket counters were set up for passenger convenience Over the last five days more than 12 lakh people travelled from Udhna the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/railways-to-run-1-500-extra-trains-in-next-5-days-to-clear-chhath-festive-rush-644405.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sabarimala-gold-scam-case-ex-official-murari-babu-detained-by-sit-644437.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 23 Former Sabarimala Administrative Officer Murari Babu has been taken into custody by the Special Investigation Team SIT in connection with the Sabarimala gold misappropriation case He was taken into custody from his residence in Kottayam district around 10 pm on WednesdayHe was the responsible official at the Sabarimala temple when the alleged scam took place in 2019 He was suspended by the Travancore Devasom Board under which he is a top officialBabu after his detention was brought to the SIT camp office in the state capital city It will only be known during the day whether the SIT will go forward with other proceduresBabu is an accused in cases related to the theft and illegal transport of goldplated panels and frames from the templeThe SIT first registered two separate FIRs and named 10 people as accused including the prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti who has been arrestedBabu is also an accused in both the FIRsThe SIT by now after their probe believes Babu was a key link in the conspiracy that spanned from 2019 to 2024It was during his tenure as Administrative Officer in 2019 that the practice of replacing gold plating on the Dwarapalaka plates and wooden frames with copper plating allegedly beganAllegations against him also include the forging of records started under his supervisionEver since his name surfaced Babu however has repeatedly denied wrongdoingHe maintained that the mention of copper plating in the mahazar official record was based on a letter from the Tantri chief priestBabu has always claimed that he only submitted a preliminary report while the final approval came from higher authoritiesMeanwhile the SIT continues recording statements of witnesses The SIT has begun questioning security and temple staff who were on duty when the gold panels were removed from SabarimalaThe local court has given custody of the first accused Potti to the SIT until October 30Even as the SIT continues its questioning the SIT officials are likely to reach Bengaluru Hyderabad and Chennai for evidence collection IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sabarimala-gold-scam-case-ex-official-murari-babu-detained-by-sit-644437.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 09:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/portals-of-kedarnath-dham-close-for-winter-baba-kedars-doli-departs-for-ukhimath-644441.html Kedarnath Oct 23 The sacred portals of Shri Kedarnath Dham were closed on Thursday morning and Baba Kedars revered doli palanquin departed for its winter seat at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath amid devotional chants and the soulful tunes of the Garhwal Rifles band With this three of the four shrines of the Char Dham Yatra have officially closed their doors for winter While Gangotri Dham was closed on Wednesday Kedarnath and Yamunotri Dham followed suit on ThursdayThe portals of Badrinath Dham will close on November 25 marking the formal conclusion of the Char Dham Yatra 2025According to the BadriKedar Temple Committee special arrangements were made for devotees to have darshan of Baba Kedar through the nightDevotees were allowed entry from midnight until 4 am after which Baba Kedars Samadhi Puja was performed from 5 am to 6 am During the ritual the selfmanifested Shivalinga of the deity was ceremonially covered with sacred ashes grains fruits flowers Rudraksha and a white cloth as per tradition The inner sanctum was sealed at 6 am and the main eastern gate was closed at exactly 830 amUttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also offered prayers at the holy shrine before the closing ceremonyAs per the schedule Baba Kedars doli carrying the fiveheaded idol will make its first halt at Rampur for the night before reaching Guptkashi on October 24The following day October 25 the doli will reach Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath the deitys winter seat where worship will continue for the next six months until the reopening of the portals next yearThe Char Dham Yatra is ongoing with great enthusiasm until Badrinath Dham closes Since April 30 this year over 45 million devotees have visited the Char Dham shrines IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/portals-of-kedarnath-dham-close-for-winter-baba-kedars-doli-departs-for-ukhimath-644441.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 09:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/university-of-mauritius-celebrates-diwali-with-vibrant-people-to-people-ties-on-display-644520.html Port Louis Oct 23 Reaffirming the longstanding friendship between India and Mauritius a Diwali celebration was organised by students at the Work Club of the University of Mauritius A Diwali celebration was organised by the students of the University of Mauritius reaffirming the longstanding friendship between India and MauritiusIndian High Commissioner to Mauritius Anurag Srivastava participated in the event and also extended heartfelt greetings to the people present reflecting on the festivals deeper meaningAccording to the Indian High Commission in Port Louis addressing the event Srivastava spoke about the enduring bond between India and Mauritius calling it two nations in name one family in spiritEmphasising the strong educational ties the Indian High Commissioner highlighted various opportunities to connect with India including fully funded scholarships at undergraduate postgraduate and doctoral levels cultural immersion programmes like the Know India Programme KIP and the Overseas Citizen of India OCI card for persons of Indian originHe encouraged students to pursue excellence with purpose reminding them that they are the torchbearers of the unique relationship between the two countriesCelebrating the occasion the students also organised various cultural activities showcasing the shared cultural heritage and vibrant peopletopeople linkages between India and Mauritius the Indian High Commission mentionedLast month during his visit to India Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam held delegationlevel talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi underscoring the shared vision for peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region IOR and for the Global SouthBoth sides comprehensively reviewed the Enhanced Strategic Partnership between the two countries and identified new opportunities to deepen collaboration across various sectors of mutual interestHailing the historical bilateral ties PM Modi stated that India and Mauritius are two nations but their dreams and destiny remain oneWhile addressing a joint press meet alongside Ramgoolam PM Modi announced Indias special economic package for Mauritius that supports the infrastructure employment and healthcare sectorsPM Ramgoolam also lauded Indias continuous assistance over the years highlighting that the country has benefited from Indias expertise in key sectors of national development including health education and capacitybuildingOver the years India through its various governments has accompanied Mauritius in its journey toward progress and developmentWe have benefited from Indias generous assistance and expertise in key sectors of national development Indias timely support in these areas continues to make a tangible difference in improving the quality of life of Mauritians said Ramgoolam IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/university-of-mauritius-celebrates-diwali-with-vibrant-people-to-people-ties-on-display-644520.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 15:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/karnataka-deputy-commissioner-takes-part-in-fire-walking-ritual-at-hasanamba-temple-wins-hearts-644522.html Hassan Karnataka Oct 23 Deputy Commissioner DC of Hassan district KS Latha Kumari won hearts by taking part in the daring firewalking ritual at the famous Hasanamba Temple premises in Hassan city of Karnataka on Thursday Her participation in the ritual has drawn widespread appreciation from devotees and the video of DC Latha Kumari walking over the burning coals has gone viral on social media The traditional Kendotsava firewalking ritual was held early on Thursday morning at the Hasanamba Temple premises following the conclusion of the public darshan of Goddess Hasanamba on Wednesday nightHassan Deputy Commissioner Latha Kumari participated in the ritual by walking barefoot over the burning embers The Kendotsava ceremony was organised as part of the temples ageold traditions before closing the sanctum sanctorum of the Hasanamba Temple for the yearAt the historic Hasanamba Temple devotees darshan concluded on Wednesday and the sanctum doors will be closed after performing final rituals The doors will be reopened for devotees next yearBefore the closing of the sanctum doors the Siddeshwara Swamy chariot festival and the traditional firewalking ceremony were held with great devotion and celebrationLatha Kumari after walking over the burning embers told the media Seeing devotees carrying the sacred kalasha walk over the embers inspired me to do the same I had never walked on fire before Initially I was afraid but with faith in God I folded my hands and walked Nothing happened to meLatha Kumari who was clad in a pink churidar was cheered on by a large number of devotees gathered in the premises of the temple She was assisted by a senior devotee to cross the embers and after completing the walk on burning embers she celebrated the occasionThe historic Hasanamba festival held for 13 days in Hassan district of Karnataka concluded on Wednesday About 26 lakh devotees including celebrities film actors and prominent politicians from the state visited the temple and had darshan a view of the deity Through the sale of special darshan tickets and laddu prasad sweetmeat offering the temple authorities collected revenue amounting to Rs 20 croreThe doors of the historic temple were opened on October 9 to mark the inauguration of the Hasanamba Jatra Mahotsava Devotees get an opportunity to view the deity only during this annual festival For the rest of the year the temple remains closed An official statement regarding the exact number of devotees and total revenue is yet to be issued by the authoritiesThe main miracle associated with the Hasanamba Temple is the preservation of offerings such as food and flowers which remain fresh and unspoiled for the entire year after being placed inside when the temple is closed The traditional lamp in front of the deity also remains lit during this period The temple opens only for a few days during the Diwali season and this preservation phenomenon is regarded as a testament to the goddesss divine presence IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/karnataka-deputy-commissioner-takes-part-in-fire-walking-ritual-at-hasanamba-temple-wins-hearts-644522.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 15:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bhai-dooj-celebrated-with-enthusiasm-in-up-jails-as-authorities-make-special-arrangements-for-inmates-644540.html New Delhi Oct 23 The festival of Bhai Dooj symbolising the eternal bond between brothers and sisters was celebrated with deep emotion and enthusiasm across Uttar Pradesh on Thursday not only in homes but also within the walls of jails in Shahjahanpur Meerut and Moradabad In Shahjahanpur District Jail the day began with a heartwarming sight long queues of sisters waiting outside the gates since morning eager to meet their incarcerated brothers Once allowed entry they performed the sacred rituals applying a tilak on their brothers foreheads performing aarti and offering sweets praying for their wellbeing and long life The meeting between siblings separated by walls but united by affection brought tears to many eyesJail Superintendent Mijajilal said special arrangements were made to ensure that the sisters could meet their brothers comfortablyFestivals like Bhai Dooj help preserve human emotions and family values even inside prison he said adding that the celebration brought a touch of humanity to an otherwise stern environment The jail premises were filled with an atmosphere of love warmth and spiritual connectionIn Meerut the Chaudhary Charan Singh District Jail also witnessed vibrant celebrations The administration set up tents seating areas and refreshments for visiting sisters Starting from 5 am the jail buzzed with activity as 4000 to 5000 sisters arrived to perform the traditional rituals Jail Superintendent informed that those female inmates whose brothers could not visit were not left behind the staff themselves celebrated with them ensuring no one felt alone on this special dayIn Moradabad the jail administration went a step further organising the Bhai Dooj meeting under tight securityJailer Alok Singh shared that a slip system was introduced from 9 am to manage the large crowd efficiently By 1 pm over 700 sisters had already met their brothers and applied a tilak with the programme continuing until late evening As a token of affection the jail administration also presented each visiting sister with Rori rice a symbolic festive giftMeanwhile in Kolkata the festival was celebrated as Bhai Phota with sisters applying a mark of the moon on their brothers foreheads performing aarti and praying for their long lives Sweet shops especially Maa Kali Sweets in Naktala witnessed a heavy rush as families purchased delicacies to share with their siblingsSpeaking to IANS a local resident said Today is Bhai Phota Weve come to buy sweets for our brothers Later our sister will visit to give us Phota tooBhai Dooj is one of the most significant Hindu festivals The festival celebrates the unique relationship between brothers and sisters This day is celebrated as Bhau Beej Bhatra Dwitiya Bhai Dwitiya and Bhathru Dwithiya are other names for Bhaiya Dooj The sole purpose of this celebration is to honour the bond between brothers and sisters With Bhai Dooj the Diwali festival will conclude IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bhai-dooj-celebrated-with-enthusiasm-in-up-jails-as-authorities-make-special-arrangements-for-inmates-644540.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 16:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/president-murmu-offers-prayers-at-sabarimala-temple-644286.html Pamba Oct 22 President Droupadi Murmu on her first visit to the famed Sabarimala temple in Kerala prayed before the deity on Wednesday after arriving by road at the foothills of the temple town in Pamba and then driving up the hill After reaching Pamba she took part in the rituals associated with preparing the sacred offering bundle irumudikettu at the Pamba Ganapathi TempleA while later she dressed in a black saree with a gold border carried the irumudikettu on her headShe then got into the special Gurkha jeep bypassing the regular procedure when pilgrims walk up the hill which normally takes an hourHer convoy consisted of five other vehicles which went up the hill on the Swami Ayyappan concrete road and reached the summitThe President was received at the Kodimaram Chuvadu flag post area by the chief priest Tantri Kantar Mahesh Mohanar who welcomed her with a poornakumbham ritualThen President Murmu climbed the sacred 18 steps carrying the irumudikettu Midway she stopped for a few seconds on one of the stepsShe was seen immersed in prayers standing before the deity with one hand on the irumudikettu on her head and the other on her chestThen the chief priest asked her to keep the bundle offering on the steps to the sanctum sanctorum Those who accompanied her also did the same with their offerings The chief priest prayed inside the temple came out and gave her the sacred prasadam Then she applied the sacred sandalwood paste on her foreheadThe President stood before the deity prayed for a while and then walked around the temple After the darshan she reached the guest house at Sannidhanam to rest She will return to Thiruvananthapuram by eveningPresident Murmu thus became the second president to have prayed at the temple after VV Giri visited the temple five decades agoEarlier in the day President Murmus travel plans got changed following inclement weather and after taking a helicopter from the state capital city she landed at a stadium in Pramadom KonniThe earlier planned destination was that the helicopter would land at Nilackal but following the inclement weather it landed at PramadomAlso contrary to the earlier plans Kerala Governor Rajendra V Arlekar was not on the helicopter instead it was State Devasom Minister VN Vasavan who was accompanying President MurmuAt Pramadom she was received by the local MP Anto Antony the legislators and highranking officials From Pramadom her cavalcade moved to PambaIncidentally the temple will be closed for all other pilgrims during the Presidents visit and will be opened after she departs from Sabarimala IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/president-murmu-offers-prayers-at-sabarimala-temple-644286.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/govardhan-puja-celebrated-across-india-with-great-fervour-and-devotion-644332.html New Delhi Oct 22 Govardhan Puja a festival deeply rooted in Indian tradition and spirituality was celebrated across the country on Wednesday with immense fervour and unwavering faith From the vibrant heartlands of Rajasthan to Uttar Pradesh the spirit of devotion united millions in celebration In Rajasthans Bundi the festival coincided with the second day of the grand Deepotsav Homes glowed not just with lamps but with faith as families worshipped Govardhan symbolising the mountain lifted by Lord Krishna to protect the people of Vrindavan from the wrath of Indra the rain god To commemorate this divine intervention women sculpted idols of Govardhan using cow dung decorating them with fruits flowers puris papdis ghee milk curd and other offerings These traditional rituals were performed with heartfelt prayers for happiness peace and prosperity in their familiesAs elders offered blessings devotees performed parikrama circumambulation of the sacred idol believing that just as Krishna protected the villagers Govardhan Maharaj would bless their homes with abundance and shield them from adversityIn Deoria Uttar Pradesh the spirit of Govardhan Puja was no less alive The entire region resonated with songs of devotion as women in traditional attire sculpted Govardhan Maharaj and performed rituals with meticulous care It is widely believed here that the puja not only strengthens the bond between siblings but also ensures the long life of brothers making it akin to a second Raksha BandhanThe Annakut offering a mountain of food symbolising gratitude was presented with devotion and women sang auspicious songs their voices echoing a legacy of generations In both rural and urban settings Govardhan Puja continues to serve as a living testament to Indias rich spiritual tapestryMoving east the celebration was equally grand at the ISKCON temple in Mecheda West Bengal Devotees gathered for a special Annakut Mahotsav and Govardhan Puja Prominent political leader and state opposition figure Subhendu Adhikari graced the occasion performing traditional cow worship and participating in devotional kirtans alongside hundreds of othersIn Raebareli Uttar Pradesh the temples especially the Radha Krishna Mandir buzzed with energy A grand idol of Lord Govardhan crafted from cow dung was adorned with 56 offerings continuing a tradition that has remained untouched for years Devotees thronged the temple offering prayers and food with unwavering devotionAlso in Beawar Rajasthan the cowherd community continued a tradition that dates back over a thousand years one that has withstood time colonisation and cultural shifts On Govardhan Puja the women prepare puri and kheer as offerings and craft a symbolic mountain from cow dung which is then beautifully decorated with flowers oil lamps and vibrant rangolis The men of the community perform the actual puja in keeping with customOne unique ritual in Beawar is particularly captivating unmarried young men attempt to pick up the puri offered as prasad using only their mouths a task believed to bring them luck in finding a life partner After the puja the Govardhan idol is respectfully covered with a cloth The celebrations formally conclude on Dev Uthani Ekadashi when a ceremonial bull is used to signify the end of the festivities paving the way for the wedding season to beginIn Tonk another town in Rajasthan rich with Nawabi heritage households also followed centuriesold customs Women crafted replicas of Govardhan using cow dung and prayed sincerely for their familys wellbeing and prosperity The shared sentiment across generations remained such devotion would invite joy and peace into their homesFar from the heartlands of north India the festival also took centre stage in Pune Maharashtra where thousands of Punekars came together for the vibrant Govardhan Pahat Diwali celebration Held at the historic Sarasbaug complex the event began as early as 5 am attracting crowds who braved the morning chill to witness a cultural spectacleThe atmosphere was electric with performances that blended tradition and creativity The Milap cultural program featured melodious Hindi and Marathi songs powerful Mardaani performances and dazzling folk dances that infused the Diwali morning with energy and emotion The sky lit up with colourful fireworks and the joyous celebration saw people exchange warm Diwali greetings amid tight security arrangements managed efficiently by the Pune PoliceThe puja is an important Hindu festival that occurs a day after Diwali It celebrates the Baal Roop child form of Lord Krishna and is also known as Annakut or Annakoot meaning a mountain of food On this day devotees worship Govardhan Parvat hill and offer 56 varieties of vegetarian food and sweets known as Chappan Bhog as an expression of gratitude and devotionThe festival symbolises the powerful bond of faith protection and divine grace between gods and devotees The story of Govardhan Puja teaches people to respect the forces of nature and to remember that as mortals we are deeply dependent on Mother Nature and must remain grateful for her blessings Lord Krishnas act of lifting the mountain and saving the villagers demonstrates that bhakti devotion is the purest way to connect with divinity IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/govardhan-puja-celebrated-across-india-with-great-fervour-and-devotion-644332.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 23:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/consulate-general-of-india-in-osaka-gets-100-copies-of-bhagavad-gita-644335.html Chandigarh Oct 22 In a special programme organised by the Haryana government 100 copies of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Japanese edition were presented to the Consulate General of India in Osaka Chandru Appar The copies were formally handed over by Assistant Professor at Osaka University Vikas Pandey and Nikita who is currently residing in Tokyo On this occasion the Haryana governments Joint Director of the Department of Foreign Cooperation Heena Bindlish Advisor to the Chief Minister in the Department of Foreign Cooperation Pawan Choudhary honorary secretary of KDB Upender Singhal GM of the HSIIDC and Sanjay Garg also joined the event via video conference During the programme detailed discussions were held on spreading the eternal message of the Gita across Japan and other countries CGI Osaka Appar expressed interest in organising an online Gita learning course for Japanese students It is noteworthy that the International Gita Mahotsav will be celebrated in Kurukshetra the birthplace of the Bhagavad Gita from November 15 to December 5 During this period cultural and spiritual programmes will be organised in 51 countries On this occasion the Haryana delegation also requested CGI Osaka to ensure the participation of Japanese representatives in the International Gita Mahotsav and the upcoming Surajkund Mela under the cultural exchange programmes between the two nationsThe International Gita Mahotsav will showcase a divine confluence of spirituality culture and art The Gita Mahotsav has achieved immense success and popularity since 2016 Lakhs of people from India and abroad attend the Bhagavad Gita Mahotsav Last year approximately 45 to 50 lakh people participated and a similar turnout is expected this year For the first time in 2019 the International Gita Mahotsav was held in Mauritius and London followed by celebrations in Canada in September 2022 Australia in April 2023 and Sri Lanka and England in 2024 IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/consulate-general-of-india-in-osaka-gets-100-copies-of-bhagavad-gita-644335.html Wed, 22 Oct 2025 23:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/op-sindoor-upheld-lord-rams-teachings-to-fight-injustice-says-pm-modi-in-letter-to-nation-on-diwali-644158.html New Delhi Oct 21 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended Diwali greetings to the people through a letter and drew a parallel between Lord Ram and Operation Sindoor He stated that just as Lord Ram teaches us to uphold dignity and righteousness he also inspires us to fight against injustice PM Modi said that India witnessed a powerful example of this philosophy a few months ago during Operation Sindoor in which the country upheld its dignity and avenged injusticeI extend my heartfelt greetings to all of you on the auspicious occasion of Deepavali a festival filled with energy and enthusiasm This is the second Deepavali since the grand construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya Lord Shri Ram teaches us to uphold righteousness and also gives us the courage to fight injustice We saw a living example of this during Operation Sindoor During that operation Bharat not only upheld righteousness but also avenged injustice PM Modi said in his letterThis Deepavali is particularly special because for the first time lamps will be lit in many districts across the country including remote areas These are districts where Naxalism and Maoist terrorism have been eradicated at the root In recent times we have seen many individuals abandon the path of violence and join the mainstream of development placing their faith in the Constitution of our country This is a major achievement for the nation he addedAmid these historic milestones PM Modi also highlighted the governments recent economic reformsOn the first day of Navratri reduced GST rates were implemented During this GST Bachat Utsav Savings Festival citizens are saving thousands of crores of rupees he saidPM Modi also called for the adoption of Swadeshi products and a renewed sense of national prideIn a world going through multiple crises Bharat has emerged as a symbol of both stability and sensitivity We are also on track to become the thirdlargest economy in the world in the near future he saidIn this journey of a Viksit Developed and Aatmanirbhar Bharat SelfReliant India our primary responsibility as citizens is to fulfill our duties towards the nation Let us adopt Swadeshi local products and proudly say This is Swadeshi Let us promote the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Let us respect all languages Let us maintain cleanliness Let us prioritise our health Let us reduce the use of oil in our food by 10 per cent and embrace Yoga he urgedDeepavali teaches us that when one lamp lights another its light does not diminishit grows With that spirit let us light lamps of harmony cooperation and positivity in our society Once again wishing you all a very Happy Deepavali PM Modi added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/op-sindoor-upheld-lord-rams-teachings-to-fight-injustice-says-pm-modi-in-letter-to-nation-on-diwali-644158.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-hc-seeks-probe-into-larger-conspiracy-in-sabarimala-gold-theft-case-644168.html Kochi Oct 21 The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the SIT to investigate whether a larger conspiracy was involved in the Sabarimala gold theft case It was the High Court which appointed the SIT early this month and gave six weeks to complete the probe and also instructed it to apprise the Court on the progress in the investigationOn Tuesday the SIT head appeared before a closed court room and he was asked about the progress of the investigationAccording to the preliminary investigation report evidence suggests that a conspiracy was indeed behind the gold theftThe Court is understood to have questioned why the investigation had not progressed further despite this findingThe SIT confirmed that the gold theft at Sabarimala was carried out as plannedThe case has been adjourned for further hearing on November 15The SIT has registered two separate FIRs and have arraigned 10 people as the accused with sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti as the first accusedAccording to the investigation progress report submitted to the High Court the theft was meticulously planned based on calculations regarding the gold offerings including the Dwarapalaka sculptures provided in 1998 by Vijay MallyaThe accused reportedly believed that replacing the gold with painted replicas would prevent detectionThe SIT informed the court that Potti has been arrested and additional arrests are expectedMeanwhile the SIT after questioning Anantha Subramaniam a friend of Potti for more than 10 hours was let off late Monday night and has been given a notice also that if needed he will have to report againIn 2019 Subramaniam reportedly transported the goldcovered Dwarapalaka sculpture pieces from Sabarimala to Bengaluru Investigators are also working to link other suspects including Nagesh and Kalpesh to the caseThe SIT is now going forward to summon the two Board officials who have now been suspended after their name figured in the list of accused IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-hc-seeks-probe-into-larger-conspiracy-in-sabarimala-gold-theft-case-644168.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/post-diwali-aqi-in-punjab-haryana-drops-to-severe-hazardous-categories-644183.html Chandigarh Oct 21 After Diwali the air quality in most parts of Punjab and Haryana dropped to the severe and hazardous categories on Tuesday According to AQIin a platform monitoring air quality index AQI Chandigarh recorded poor air quality at 146 An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good 51 and 100 satisfactory 101 and 200 moderate 201 and 300 poor 301 and 400 very poor 401 and 450 severe and above 450 severe plusIn Punjab the AQI was registered at 209 in Ludhiana 225 in Amritsar 198 in Jalandhar 242 in Bathinda and 233 in Patiala In another agrarian state the AQI in Faridabad was 247 and 343 in Sonipat 201 in Karnal 328 in Bhiwani 247 in Jind and 279 in Charkhi Dadri Both Punjab and Haryana have been blamed for the rise in air pollution levels owing to farm firesHowever this year both Punjab and Haryana recorded much fewer farm fires compared to the previous years Punjab reported 45 incidents of stubble burning on Monday a slight decrease from the record 67 farm fires reported on October 19 the highest so far this seasonTarn Taran and Amritsar districts accounted for the majority of such cases according to the Punjab Pollution Control Board dataHaryana saw 30 farm fire cases till October 17 compared to 601 incidents during the same period last year The corresponding figures were 546 in 2023 330 in 2022 and 1026 in 2021 a consistent decline in the stubble burning practiceAs per districtwise data Jind has reported the highest number of cases nine followed by Sirsa and Sonepat with four each Faridabad three and Kaithal Panipat and Yamunanagar two eachStubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is often blamed for the rise in air pollution in DelhiNCR A pollution expert blamed the spike in AQI in Chandigarh to winds circulating over Punjab and Haryana carrying pollution from nearby areas that passed through Chandigarh IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/post-diwali-aqi-in-punjab-haryana-drops-to-severe-hazardous-categories-644183.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 15:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/govardhan-puja-in-mathura-devotees-throng-dwarkadhish-temple-644193.html Mathura Oct 21 The holy festival of Govardhan Puja was celebrated with traditional fervour and devotion in the sacred city of Mathura Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday A special puja was organised at the citys renowned Dwarkadhish Temple where a large number of devotees gathered from early morning to participate in the rituals Govardhan Puja holds special significance in Mathura the land associated with Lord Krishnas divine pastimes as it commemorates the day when He lifted the Govardhan mountain on his little finger to protect the people of Braj from the wrath of Indra the god of rain In keeping with tradition devotees reverently made a replica of the Govardhan mountain using cow dung and worshipped it with rituals performed in the Dwarkadhish Temple complexThe puja is an important Hindu festival that occurs a day after Diwali It celebrates the Baal Roop child form of Lord Krishna and is also known as Annakut or Annakoot meaning a mountain of food On this day devotees worship Govardhan Parvat hill and offer 56 varieties of vegetarian food and sweets known as Chappan Bhog as an expression of gratitude and devotionThe festival symbolises the powerful bond of faith protection and divine grace between gods and devotees The story of Govardhan Puja teaches people to respect the forces of nature and to remember that as mortals we are deeply dependent on Mother Nature and must remain grateful for her blessings Lord Krishnas act of lifting the mountain and saving the villagers demonstrates that bhakti devotion is the purest way to connect with divinityAccording to the tale Lord Krishna lifted and sheltered all the living beings of Gokul under the massive Govardhan mountain The significance of Govardhan Puja lies in the unshakable belief of devotees in their Lord trusting that He will protect them in every crisis and against all oddsAs per the Vishnu Puran once young Krishna asked his mother Yashoda why the villagers worshipped Lord Indra She explained that Indra was the god responsible for bringing rain to Earth Krishna disagreed and urged the villagers to stop worshipping Indra and instead honour Mount Govardhan as it provided them with essential resources for their daily life The villagers agreed with Krishna who was highly respected for his wisdom and divine powerAngered by this Indra ordered Varuna Deva the god of rain to unleash a torrential downpour for seven days to punish the villagers Faced with severe flooding the people of Gokul turned to Krishna for help In response Krishna uprooted the Govardhan mountain and held it aloft on his little finger providing shelter to all humans animals and birdsAfter seven days of continuous storms Indra realised Krishnas divine nature and accepted defeat He acknowledged that the young boy was none other than an incarnation of Lord Vishnu Since then Govardhan Puja has been observed as a celebration of nature humility and divine protectionGovardhan Parvat has now become a major pilgrimage site for devotees of Lord Krishna On the day of Annakut thousands of devotees perform the Parikrama a sacred 11mile circumambulation around the mountain offering flowers diyas lamps and food at the various shrines along the route IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/govardhan-puja-in-mathura-devotees-throng-dwarkadhish-temple-644193.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/delhis-air-pollution-levels-on-diwali-surge-to-dangerous-highs-report--644222.html New Delhi Oct 21 This Diwali surged to dangerous highs in the national capital with PM25 concentrations averaging 488 µgm3 post the festival of lights An analysis compiled by Climate Trends based on the data of the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB from 20212025 showed that Delhis air pollution levels on Diwali surged to dangerous highs with PM25 concentrations averaging 488 µgm3 postDiwali Over the fiveyear analysis data showed a consistent Diwalirelated pollution spike with PM25 values typically doubling or tripling during the festival of night and persisting through the next day Firecracker emissions remain the dominant cause of Delhis shortterm air quality collapse during the festive period What is particulate matter Airborne particulate matter PM is not a single pollutant but rather is a mixture of many chemical species It is a complex mixture of solids and aerosols composed of small droplets of liquid dry solid fragments and solid cores with liquid coatings The analysis says overall the data confirm a clear and consistent rise in PM25 levels around Diwali typically doubling or tripling from prefestival conditions and persisting into the following day Cooler nights and calm wind conditions during early winter months often lead to temperature inversion restricting vertical air mixing and trapping pollutants near the surface Evaluating hourly changes in PM25 and temperature patterns before during and after Diwali provides a clear picture of shortterm air quality deterioration and its relationship with local weather dynamics When examined together experts say PM25 and temperature data reveal a consistent pattern High emissions from fireworks and low nighttime temperatures jointly contribute to elevated PM25 concentrations The sharp postDiwali spikes indicate both sustained emissions and poor atmospheric dispersion Over the five years there is a slight downward trend in peak PM25 levels suggesting incremental improvement likely due to public awareness campaigns restrictions on fireworks and enforcement of pollution control measures Interestingly there is a 77 per cent decline in stubble burning incidents in 2025 compared to last year Responding to the analysis SK Dhaka Professor Rajdhani College with the University of Delhi said it is most likely that the high concentration of PM 25 is due to local emission of firecrackers in the different parts of the city on this auspicious Diwali festival night Wind speed is quite a low lower than one ms with a direction of north and northwest hence no chance to transport the pollutants from one place to another in a short span of a few hours of firecrackers burning he said Professor Dhaka said green firecrackers enhanced the particulate matter at a rapid rate and the pollution is of a local nature not transported from other places It suggests that we need to check the quality of the green firecrackers he added Aarti Khosla Director Climate Trends said that its disheartening that even after years of witnessing the harmful effects of burning firecrackers during Diwali people continue to deny the reality and repeat the same mistake As individuals we often overlook how severely this pollution impacts health especially that of children pregnant women the elderly and those who are unwell said Director Khosla IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/delhis-air-pollution-levels-on-diwali-surge-to-dangerous-highs-report--644222.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 18:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/post-diwali-aqi-in-punjab-haryana-drops-to-severe-hazardous-categories-644231.html Chandigarh Oct 21 After Diwali the air quality in most parts of Punjab and Haryana dropped to the severe and hazardous categories on Tuesday According to AQIin a platform monitoring air quality index AQI Chandigarh recorded poor air quality at 146 An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good 51 and 100 satisfactory 101 and 200 moderate 201 and 300 poor 301 and 400 very poor 401 and 450 severe and above 450 severe plusIn Punjab the AQI was registered at 209 in Ludhiana 225 in Amritsar 198 in Jalandhar 242 in Bathinda and 233 in Patiala In another agrarian state the AQI in Faridabad was 247 and 343 in Sonipat 201 in Karnal 328 in Bhiwani 247 in Jind and 279 in Charkhi Dadri Both Punjab and Haryana have been blamed for the rise in air pollution levels owing to farm firesHowever this year both Punjab and Haryana recorded much fewer farm fires compared to the previous years Punjab reported 45 incidents of stubble burning on Monday a slight decrease from the record 67 farm fires reported on October 19 the highest so far this seasonTarn Taran and Amritsar districts accounted for the majority of such cases according to the Punjab Pollution Control Board dataHaryana saw 30 farm fire cases till October 17 compared to 601 incidents during the same period last year The corresponding figures were 546 in 2023 330 in 2022 and 1026 in 2021 a consistent decline in the stubble burning practiceAs per districtwise data Jind has reported the highest number of cases nine followed by Sirsa and Sonepat with four each Faridabad three and Kaithal Panipat and Yamunanagar two eachStubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is often blamed for the rise in air pollution in DelhiNCR A pollution expert blamed the spike in AQI in Chandigarh to winds circulating over Punjab and Haryana carrying pollution from nearby areas that passed through Chandigarh IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/post-diwali-aqi-in-punjab-haryana-drops-to-severe-hazardous-categories-644231.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 18:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/nfr-operates-613-special-train-trips-to-accommodate-festive-rush-644110.html Guwahati Oct 20 To manage the heavy rush of passengers and devotees during Diwali and the upcoming Chhath Puja the Northeast Frontier Railway NFR has been operating 48 festival special trains for 613 trips overall in its jurisdiction between September and December officials said on Monday NFRs Chief Public Relations Officer CPRO Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that to manage the massive passenger rush during Diwali and Chhath Puja this year the NFR has been operating 48 festival special trains for 613 trips overall across various routes between September and December He said that these special trains have been connecting important destinations including Katihar Sonpur Dauram Madhepura Agartala New Tinsukia SMVT Bengaluru Amritsar Patna Dibrugarh Gorakhpur Silchar Kolkata Guwahati Ranchi Charlapalli Mumbai Central Agra Cantt Jogbani Shalimarand Kamakhya and many others The train services are provided on daily weekly triweekly or specific weekdays as per operational feasibility and existing demand Running of these special trains will help clear extra rush of passengers travelling to and from various areas like Northeast North Bengal and Bihar the CPRO said The NFR authority advised the passengers to check detailed timings stoppages and coach compositions from the official Railway sources before planning their journey While Chhath Puja is celebrated in most of the Northeastern states every year during the Diwali and Kali Puja festivals lakhs of devotees from across India including foreign tourists visit the 524yearold Tripura Sundari temple at Udaipur in southern Tripuras Gomati district and the Kamakhya temple in Guwahati Both temples are Shakti Peethas revered by Hindus The Northeast Frontier Railway NFR operates in the Northeastern states and in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar with more than 7362 Track Kilometres TKM in its jurisdiction IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/nfr-operates-613-special-train-trips-to-accommodate-festive-rush-644110.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 21:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/wishing-happiness-prosperity-to-all-prez-murmu-pm-modi-extend-diwali-greetings-643968.html New Delhi Oct 20 President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended Diwali greetings to the countrymen and wished for happiness and prosperity for all Diwali is known as the festival of lights symbolising the spiritual victory of Dharma over Adharma light over darkness good over evil and knowledge over ignorance It is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the country where people light diyas and candles and offer prayers to Lord LakshmiIn a statement President Murmu said On the auspicious occasion of Diwali I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all Indians both in India and across the worldCelebrated across the country with immense fervour the auspicious occasion of Diwali gives the message of mutual affection and brotherhood On this day devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi the deity of wealth and prosperity she saidThe President further said that this festival of joy is also an occasion for selfreflection and selfimprovement and an opportunity to help and support the deprived and the needy and to bring joy in their livesI urge everyone to celebrate Diwali safely responsibly and in an environmentally friendly manner May this Diwali bring happiness peace and prosperity to all she addedPM Modi also took to social media and extended warm wishes on DiwaliGreetings on the occasion of Diwali May this festival of lights illuminate our lives with harmony happiness and prosperity May the spirit of positivity prevail all around us he said in a post on XUnion Home Minister Amit Shah wishing the countrymen posted on X Heartfelt Diwali greetings to all on this festival of lights and joy I pray to Lord Shri Ram for the health and prosperity of allUnion Health Minister JP Nadda taking to X posted I extend my heartfelt wishes of Alok Purb Diwali to all fellow countrymen On this sacred occasion of Deepotsav may the darkness of ignorance be dispelled by the light of knowledge in everyones life and I wish you a life filled with happiness progress and auspiciousnessI pray to Mother Mahalakshmi Ji that she bestows happiness prosperity and good health upon all Happy Diwali he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/wishing-happiness-prosperity-to-all-prez-murmu-pm-modi-extend-diwali-greetings-643968.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 08:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/cm-yogi-extends-diwali-greetings-to-join-ayodhyas-nishad-community-for-celebrations-643969.html New Delhi Oct 20 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday extended Diwali greetings to the countrymen and prayed for positivity and joy in everyones life Diwali is known as the festival of lights symbolising the spiritual victory of Dharma over Adharma light over darkness good over evil and knowledge over ignorance It is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the country where people light earthen lamps and candles and offer prayers to Goddess LakshmiIn a post on X the Chief Minister said Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all of you on the grand festival of Diwali the sacred symbol of the eternal victory of truth the eternal righteousness and positivity The festival of lights is not merely a ritual of lighting lamps but a beacon of hope in the soul a pulse of harmony in society and a resolve for national resurgenceMay the grace of Lord Shri Ram and Mother Janaki illuminate not only our homes but also our hearts and may the lamp of faith enthusiasm and zeal be kindled in everyones life he addedCurrently in Ayodhya to celebrate Diwali CM Yogi will visit Kandharpur Ward1 During his visit he will interact with residents of the Nishad community distribute fruits and sweets and convey his Diwali greetings to themHe will also visit the Mattagajendra Matagaid Devkali Ward in Ayodhya where he will meet with members of the Dalit community distribute fruits and sweetsAyodhya geared up for the grand culmination of its ninth edition of Deepotsav which began on October 17 The celebrations will peak on Monday with the lighting of 2611101 diyas across 56 ghats along the Saryu River setting a new record in the citys spiritual festivitiesDeepotsav 2025 is showcasing an extraordinary scale of participation 26 lakh diyas 2100 Vedic scholars 1100 drones and 33000 volunteers in a vibrant fusion of devotion culture and technology reflecting Ayodhyas growing stature as a global symbol of faith and heritage IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/cm-yogi-extends-diwali-greetings-to-join-ayodhyas-nishad-community-for-celebrations-643969.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 09:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/may-light-of-truth-justice-always-illuminate-our-path-mallikarjun-kharges-diwali-greetings-643974.html New Delhi Oct 20 Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge extended Diwali greetings on Monday wishing for happiness and prosperity for all and for the light of truth and justice to prevail Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also wished people on the occasionDiwali is known as the festival of lights symbolising the spiritual victory of Dharma over Adharma light over darkness good over evil and knowledge over ignorance It is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the country where people light diyas and candles and offer prayers to Goddess LakshmiIn a post on X Kharge said Heartfelt Diwali greetings to all my fellow citizens from my side May this wonderful festival which leads from darkness to light fill your life with joy May everyones life be filled with happiness peace and prosperity that is my heartfelt wishLet us all come together to promote love brotherhood harmony and goodwill and confront injustice ignorance and discrimination unitedly so that the light of truth and justice always illuminates our path he addedCongress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also took to X and posted Heartfelt greetings to all countrymen on the grand festival of light and joy Diwali I pray to Lord Shri Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi that this sacred festival brings happiness peace and prosperity to everyones livesThe Congress party also extended its greetings in a post on XHeartfelt Diwali greetings to all fellow citizens May this sacred festival bring happiness prosperity and wellbeing into the lives of all of you it saidEarlier in the day President Droupadi Murmu also extended Diwali greetings to the countrymen and wished for happiness and prosperity for allPM Modi also took to social media and extended warm wishes on DiwaliGreetings on the occasion of Diwali May this festival of lights illuminate our lives with harmony happiness and prosperity May the spirit of positivity prevail all around us he said in a post on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/may-light-of-truth-justice-always-illuminate-our-path-mallikarjun-kharges-diwali-greetings-643974.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 09:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/as-diyas-light-the-skies-on-diwali-let-our-dedication-usher-in-bharats-growth-says-vp-radhakrishnan-643982.html New Delhi Oct 20 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan wished the people a happy Diwali on Monday expressing hope that dedication and commitment will lead to collective growth for Bharat Diwali is known as the festival of lights symbolising the spiritual victory of Dharma over Adharma light over darkness good over evil and knowledge over ignorance It is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the country where people light diyas and candles and offer prayers to Goddess LakshmiIn a statement the Vice President said On the auspicious occasion of Deepawali I extend my warm greetings and hearty wishes to all Indians and friends of India both in the country and abroadDeepawali celebrates the triumph of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance Deepawali is the time when the values of generosity charity and inclusivity so deeply ingrained in our civilisational ethos become profoundly evident when we share and extend our support towards the needy and underprivileged sections he addedRadhakrishnan further said that this year as India celebrates Diwali let us all shun negativity and Adharma to adopt positivity and Dharma not only for our own individual good but also for the overall progress of the NationAkin to the diyas lit in every home collectively illuminating the night skies on this festival let our dedication and commitment usher in collective growth for Bharat I pray to Goddess Lakshmi to shower Her blessings of peace prosperity and good health on each one of you he addedEarlier in the day President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended Diwali greetings to the countrymen and wished for happiness and prosperity for allIn a statement President Murmu said On the auspicious occasion of Diwali I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all Indians both in India and across the worldCelebrated across the country with immense fervour the auspicious occasion of Diwali gives the message of mutual affection and brotherhood On this day devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi the deity of wealth and prosperity she saidThe President further said that this festival of joy is also an occasion for selfreflection and selfimprovement and an opportunity to help and support the deprived and the needy and to bring joy in their livesI urge everyone to celebrate Diwali safely responsibly and in an environmentally friendly manner May this Diwali bring happiness peace and prosperity to all she addedPM Modi also took to social media and extended warm wishes on DiwaliGreetings on the occasion of Diwali May this festival of lights illuminate our lives with harmony happiness and prosperity May the spirit of positivity prevail all around us he said in a post on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/as-diyas-light-the-skies-on-diwali-let-our-dedication-usher-in-bharats-growth-says-vp-radhakrishnan-643982.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/may-diwali-uplift-you-with-hope-for-bright-future-australian-pm-anthony-albanese-644014.html Canberra Oct 20 Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday extended warm wishes on Diwali the festival of lights expressing hope that the special occasion uplifts everyone with optimism for a bright future Sharing a video message on his social media platform X the Australian PM said I wish everyone a very Happy Diwali As you gather to celebrate the great festival of lights may this special time uplift you with hope for a bright future May it be an absolutely wonderful celebrationDiwali symbolises the spiritual victory of Dharma over Adharma light over darkness good over evil and knowledge over ignoranceIt is being celebrated on Monday with great enthusiasm across the world reflecting Indias vibrant cultural heritage and conveying the universal message of unity and harmonyAustralian Foreign Minister Penny also conveyed her heartfelt Diwali greetings to those celebrating across India Australia and worldwideAs Diwali lights up homes across India Australia and the world we celebrate the spirit of unity renewal and hope May this Festival of Lights bring prosperity and peace to all Wong posted on XWishing everyone on the occasion the Australian Member of Parliament John Pessuto said Diwali is such a wonderful celebration It recognises the triumph of good over evil of light over darkness and of hope over despair And cant we all use more of that in todays worldHe added that Diwali is not just an important celebration for those of Indian heritage but a very much a part of Australias cultural calendarMeanwhile the Australian High Commission in New Delhi celebrated Diwali with great enthusiasm welcoming the Australian Minister Anne Aly who joined in the festivitiesDiwali with the High Commission family is always a joyous occasion made even more special this year with Minister Anne Aly joining in the festivities with great enthusiasm Wishing everyone a Happy Diwali Philip Green OAM Australias High Commissioner to India posted on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/may-diwali-uplift-you-with-hope-for-bright-future-australian-pm-anthony-albanese-644014.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 16:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/golden-temple-illuminated-to-mark-bandi-chhor-diwas-diwali-644018.html Chandigarh Oct 20 The Golden Temple complex where the holiest of Sikh shrines Harmandar Sahib is located was illuminated on Monday to mark the Bandi Chhor Diwas and Diwali There has been a festive spirit at the Golden Temple complex in Punjabs Amritsar since early Monday morning as tens of thousands of people came there to offer prayers and seek blessingsHowever there is confusion about the date of the festival The Punjab governments official calendar has declared a holiday for Diwali on October 20 while a large number of religious organisations will observe the festival on October 21Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann extended warm greetings to the people on the historic Bandi Chhor Diwas to mark the release from prison of the sixth guru Guru Hargobind and 52 other princes with him in 1619The guru and the princes arrived in Amritsar during Diwali festivities Since then the Bandi Chhor Diwas and Diwali celebrations have coincided at the Golden Temple complexElsewhere in Punjab gurdwaras and markets wore a festive look Hundreds of people thronged various markets in Ludhiana Jalandhar Patiala Amritsar and other townsThe festival spirit for Diwali could also be seen in Chandigarh and towns and cities in HaryanaIn a message Punjab Cabinet ministers said Diwali symbolises the victory of truth over falsehood righteousness over evil and light over darkness It reflects the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of India celebrating universal values of goodness and harmonyThey appealed to the people to celebrate a pollutionfree green Diwali emphasising that environmental protection is a shared responsibility They noted that pollution is a serious concern affecting everyone and urged citizens to minimize the use of firecrackers and adopt ecofriendly practices during the festivities IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/golden-temple-illuminated-to-mark-bandi-chhor-diwas-diwali-644018.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 16:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/time-to-spread-happiness-positivity-new-zealand-pm-luxon-extends-diwali-wishes-644026.html Wellington Oct 20 New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Monday extended heartfelt wishes on Diwali as communities across the country came together to celebrate the occasion He noted the festival as a time to reflect reconnect and spread happiness and positivity in peoples livesSharing a video message on social media platform X the New Zealand PM said I want to take a moment to acknowledge what this time represents Of course it is about the triumph of light over darkness hope over despair and good over evil Its also a time to reflect to reconnect and to spread happiness and positivity in our lives And the world needs a lot of that So Im wishing you and all of your loved ones a wonderful Diwali and a prosperous year ahead Happy DiwaliDiwali symbolises the spiritual victory of Dharma over Adharma light over darkness good over evil and knowledge over ignoranceIt is being celebrated on Monday with great enthusiasm across the world reflecting Indias vibrant cultural heritage and conveying the universal message of unity and harmonyLast week highlighting the vibrant cultural ties and growing partnership between India and New Zealand the Bank of New Zealand hosted a Diwali Celebration in WellingtonNew Zealands opposition leader Chris Hipkins MP Melissa Lee MP Priyanca Radhakrishnan Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan and other esteemed guests gathered to mark the auspicious occasionEarlier on October 15 the Indian High Commissioner attended the Diwali celebrations in Queenstown organised by Bhartiya Samaj in Queenstown BSQTThe vibrant evening showcased Indias rich culture through captivating performances and community spirit that lit up the city and brought alive the spirit of the Festival of Lights the Indian High Commission in New Zealand posted on XAdditionally the iconic Beehive Parliament of New Zealand recently organised a Diwali celebration with Prime Minister Luxon joining in the festivitiesBeautiful Diwali celebrations organised at the iconic Beehive Parliament of New Zealand Thank you Prime Minister Christopher Luxon for your presence Wonderful to see Ministers MPs amp community leaders join on this auspicious occasion Our strong cultural bonds are the bedrock of the IndiaNew Zealand partnership the Indian High Commission in New Zealand posted on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/time-to-spread-happiness-positivity-new-zealand-pm-luxon-extends-diwali-wishes-644026.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 16:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bhutan-pm-israeli-foreign-ministry-extends-warm-wishes-on-diwali-644047.html Thimphu Oct 20 Bhutans Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on Monday shared heartfelt greetings on Diwali wishing that the festival of lights would usher in hope harmony and new beginnings In a post on X the Bhutanese PM said Wishing everyone a bright and joyful Diwali filled with love laughter and togetherness May the light of this festival guide us towards hope harmony and new beginningsMeanwhile Israel also extended warm wishes on the occasion calling for peace renewal and hope as millions across India celebrate the victory of light over darknessMay the lights of Diwali shine both on homes and on hearts From Jerusalem to Delhi and far beyond may this festival of lights inspire us all to keep faith in a brighter tomorrow Wishing all our friends in India a blessed amp peaceful Diwali the Israeli Foreign Ministry posted on XSeveral Indian diplomatic missions worldwide celebrated Diwali reflecting Indias vibrant cultural heritage and conveying the universal message of unity and harmonyIn Japan students faculty and members of the Indian community at the Kagoshima University along with friends of India and supported by the Indian Embassy in Tokyo Kagoshima Universitys Global Centre Foreign Students Association and International Association came together to celebrate the festival of lights as part of Diwali Celebrations in Japanese UniversitiesAddressing the event in a video message R Madhu Sudan Charge dAffaires at the Indian Embassy in Tokyo highlighted the growing friendship and cultural exchanges between India and JapanIndian students and faculty across universities in Japan are celebrating the festival of lights symbolising the enduring bond of friendship between our two nations the Embassy posted on XFurthermore the Indian High Commissioner to Cyprus Manish and his High Commission team conveyed warm greetings and best wishes to all members of the Indian community and friends of India in Cyprus on the joyous occasion of DiwaliAs India and Cyprus continue to strengthen their partnership may this Festival of Lights illuminate our hearts and homes with happiness peace and prosperity and further brighten the bonds of friendship and goodwill between our two nations the Indian High Commission in Cyprus posted on XAdditionally Indian Consul General in Shanghai Pratik Mathur together with the Indian Association in Shanghai organised the largest ever Diwali celebration in the Eastern China RegionOver 800 guests from the Indian diaspora together with the local community and the consular corps together participated in the Laxmi Puja followed by a scintillating cultural performance and a raffle draw The Indian food and delicacies served on the occasion were particularly appreciated by the foreign guestsSpeaking on the occasion Consul General Mathur underlined the special cultural significance of Diwali in bringing together the diaspora and helping to build strong cultural bridges IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bhutan-pm-israeli-foreign-ministry-extends-warm-wishes-on-diwali-644047.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 17:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/diplomatic-missions-of-finland-austria-israel-switzerland-eu-and-brazil-extend-greetings-on-diwali-644050.html New Delhi Oct 20 Various diplomatic missions including those of Finland Israel Austria Brazil the European Union and Switzerland on Monday extended wishes to people on the occasion of Diwali The Finnish Embassy in India celebrated Diwali with a quiz lunch and dance While extending wishes to people on Diwali it shared a video showing mission officials dancing to lively musicHappy Diwali from Team Finland in India Our team marked the occasion with a festive quiz a delicious lunch and some lively dance moves a wonderful moment of togetherness where Finnish diplomats and local colleagues celebrated side by side the Embassy in India posted on XIsraeli Embassy officials went for Diwali shopping and were seen buying flowers and lamps The officials also made rangoli in the embassy and extended wishes to people on DiwaliThis Diwali our diplomats went Diya and Decor shopping May our homes be filled with love and light today and everyday Happy Diwali the Israeli Embassy stated in a post on XReplying to the post Israel Embassy spokesperson Guy Nir stated that he had an amazing time celebrating Diwali which included delicious food and sweets dance and laughterHad an amazing time celebrating Diwali last week It was a joy to reconnect with dear friends make new ones and experience the warmth and spirit of this beautiful celebration From delicious sweets and incredible food to vibrant lights energetic dance and endless laughter every moment was a celebration of friendship and unity Thank you India for sharing your light with us Shubh Diwali Nir postedThe European Union mission to India extended wishes to people on DiwaliIn a post on X the Delegation of the EU to India stated Lights are twinkling hearts are glowing Team EU wishes you and your loved ones a joyful Diwali2025 across India and around the world May joy peace and hope brighten every cornerThe Swiss Embassy in India celebrated Diwali in New Delhi and extended greetings to the people While extending wishes to people on Diwali the embassy officials posed for a picture with the rangoliThe Embassy of Switzerland in India and Bhutan wishes everyone a very Happy Diwali May this festival of lights bring warmth happiness and prosperity to all it posted on XThe Austrian Embassy in India wished people on the occasion of Diwali In a post on X the Austrian Embassy in India stated Embassy and Ambassador Katharina Wieser extends heartfelt wishes to all celebrating Diwali May the Festival of Lights bring joy prosperity and peace to your homesBrazils Ambassador to India also extended wishes to the people on Diwali In a post on X the envoy wrote The whole team of the Embassy of Brazil in India extends its warmest wishes for a bright and joyful Diwali May the lights of this festive season inspire harmony compassion and a renewed sense of unity bringing peace and prosperity to our familiesDiwali symbolises the spiritual victory of good over evil light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance It is being celebrated on Monday with great enthusiasm across the world reflecting Indias vibrant cultural heritage and conveying the universal message of unity and harmony IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/diplomatic-missions-of-finland-austria-israel-switzerland-eu-and-brazil-extend-greetings-on-diwali-644050.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 17:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/uk-pm-keir-starmer-extends-wishes-to-people-on-diwali-and-bandi-chhor-divas-644055.html London Oct 20 UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday extended wishes to people on the occasion of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas Recalling his visit to India Starmer stated that he lit a diya in Mumbai as a symbol of devotion joy and renewed bondsWishing Hindus Jains and Sikhs across Britain a joyful and peaceful Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas Earlier this month I lit a diya in Mumbai as a symbol of devotion joy and renewed bonds As we celebrate this Festival of Lights lets keep building a Britain where everyone can look ahead with hope Starmer posted on XWhile addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi following their talks in Mumbai on October 9 Starmer extended warm greetings on Diwali in HindiFinally Id like to take this opportunity as we enter the festive period to wish the people of India joy and happiness and a very Happy Diwali Diwali ki ShubhkamnayeMeanwhile the UK High Commission in India celebrated Diwali with embassy officials wearing Indian clothes to mark the occasion The pictures shared on X show UK High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron making rangoliExtending wishes to people on X Cameron stated So excited to be celebrating my second Diwali with my amazing team at UK High Commission in India This years celebration is extra special with the visit of Prime Minister Modi to the UK and Prime Minister Keir Starmer to India the signing of the landmark trade deal launch of Vision2035 and so much more Id like to wish everyone whos celebrating an extremely Happy Diwali May the year ahead be bright and full of joy for you and yoursIn a post on X the UK High Commission said A very Happy Diwali to everyone celebrating in India the UK and around the worldDiwali symbolises the spiritual victory of good over evil light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance It is being celebrated on Monday with great enthusiasm across the world reflecting Indias vibrant cultural heritage and conveying the universal message of unity and harmony IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/uk-pm-keir-starmer-extends-wishes-to-people-on-diwali-and-bandi-chhor-divas-644055.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 17:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/true-light-is-awakening-of-soul-mahant-swami-maharajs-divine-diwali-message--644058.html Jaipur Oct 20 On the sacred occasion of Diwali and the Hindu New Year His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj Swami Keshavjivandas extended heartfelt blessings to devotees saints and wellwishers of BAPS across the globe His message transcended mere celebration offering instead a profound invitation to kindle the inner lighta Diwali that glows within the soul and radiates throughout society Those who have attained Maharaj and Swami live in eternal Diwali he wrote in a handwritten letter For those who have received the divine grace of the Guru and God every day is Diwali Their lives shine with unwavering faith disciplined living and spiritual practice One who remains steadfast in observance humility and service truly leads an illumined life Diwali he explained is not simply the lighting of lamps but a solemn vow to dispel the darkness of ignorance and ignite the flame of virtue The essence of spiritual life is to keep the inner light ever aglow Lamps of service humility and righteousness form the true aarti of life he said Extending his blessings for the New Year Mahant Swami Maharaj offered a prayer for universal wellbeing May this New Year bring auspiciousness and prosperity into your life May peace unity and happiness prevail in your family and may love and harmony flourish in all your relationships He further inspired devotees to ensure that every home glows not only with lamps but also with the light of love compassion and service A lamp burns only for a while but when the souls light is kindled it illuminates life forever he added Across continentsfrom Delhi Akshardham to London Abu Dhabi Sydney Nairobi and AtlantaBAPS Mandirs celebrated Diwali and the Hindu New Year with devotion joy and gratitude Ceremonies such as Aarti Chopda Pujan Bhajans Pravachans and Deepotsav were observed with great fervour In his Diwali video message broadcast on the BAPS YouTube Channel Mahant Swami Maharaj reiterated The light of the lamp fades but the light of the soul once lit makes life eternally bright The essence of his message was clear Diwali is not merely an external festivity but a spiritual awakening Through discipline devotion and service life remains eternally illuminated Spreading peace and love within the family society and the nation is the truest form of worship Living in the grace of God and the Guru is the eternal source of happiness May the divine light of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the Guru Parampara forever shine in your life May peace devotion and service illumine your home and may the radiance of Maharaj and Swami remain eternal in your heart IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/true-light-is-awakening-of-soul-mahant-swami-maharajs-divine-diwali-message--644058.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 17:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/during-diwali-perambur-in-tn-chooses-silence-to-protect-its-sacred-bats-644060.html Chennai Oct 20 As Diwali lights up Tamil Nadu with colour and sound the quiet village of Perambur near Kollidam in Tamil Nadus Mayiladuthurai stands apart not reverberating with fireworks but shrouded in silence For more than a century the villagers here have upheld a remarkable vow no bursting of crackers no burning of waste and no loud festivities Their reason is both simple and profound to protect hundreds of bats roosting in a sprawling banyan tree located about a kilometre away from the residential areaThe ancient banyan tree home to hundreds of fruit bats is central to the villages identity But it has now become a subject of gentle dispute among residents While one group wants to promote the bat grove as an ecotourism attraction that could generate local jobs others warn that increased human activity might disrupt the fragile ecosystem they have safeguarded for generations We dont want to lose the villages identity local farmer B Karthi said Even a little bit of smoke or noise will hurt the bats Many villagers treat the bats as sacred beings I havent burst a firecracker in 25 years said Brema Palani 48 who moved to the village from Salem after marriage Its not a restriction but a tradition Weve learned to respect itDespite growing curiosity among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts the site remains difficult to access The only way to reach it is by walking through kneedeep muddy fields along a narrow threefootwide path Villagers said a mud road once connected the grove to the village but was lost when farmers expanded their fields We have been asking officials to restore the road said a farmer Sirkazhi Forest Range Officer B Ayub Khan said officials are considering options carefully Laying a road straight to the tree will cause noise pollution A better approach would be to construct a road only up to 500 metres from the site and set up an observation zone for visitors and researchers he said However no formal plan has been drawn up yet Even as Deepavali festivities reverberate across Tamil Nadu Perambur continues to uphold its centuryold vow choosing silence over spectacle and reverence over revelry to ensure its winged inhabitants remain undisturbed IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/during-diwali-perambur-in-tn-chooses-silence-to-protect-its-sacred-bats-644060.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 17:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/rs-7-000-cr-firecracker-sales-light-up-sivakasi-this-deepavali-644066.html Chennai Oct 20 The country witnessed a spectacular Deepavali celebration this year marked not only by dazzling fireworks but also by recordbreaking sales According to the Fireworks Traders Federation firecrackers worth around Rs 7000 crore were sold during the festive season indicating a significant jump of Rs 1000 crore compared to last years Rs 6000 crore turnover Every year millions across India celebrate Deepavali the festival of lights by wearing new clothes decorating their homes and bursting an array of colourful crackers This year the festival spirit was particularly high drawing large crowds to Tamil Nadus Sivakasi Virudhunagar and Sattur the countrys key fireworks manufacturing hubs Traders reported that buyers from across the nation flocked to these towns in the runup to the festival Orders also poured in from other states reflecting renewed enthusiasm after years of subdued celebrations due to environmental restrictions and pandemicrelated slowdowns This years market also saw a wave of innovation The introduction of new varieties of crackers such as the Pizza and Watermelon models known for their vibrant colours and creative displays captured public attention and became instant bestsellers Manufacturers said that the strong demand for such innovative products helped boost overall sales The Federation attributed the surge in sales partly to the relaxation of restrictions in several states In particular the recent court approval allowing the bursting of green crackers in Delhi where a blanket ban had been in place for several years significantly boosted demand nationwide Sivakasi often referred to as Indias fireworks capital employs thousands of workers and accounts for nearly 90 per cent of the countrys firecracker production Traders said that this years festival brought muchneeded relief to the industry which had faced uncertainty due to environmental concerns and regulatory hurdles With the sparkle of fireworks once again lighting up the skies across India Deepavali 2025 not only rekindled festive cheer but also reignited hope among thousands of smallscale manufacturers and traders in Tamil Nadus fireworks belt IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/rs-7-000-cr-firecracker-sales-light-up-sivakasi-this-deepavali-644066.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 17:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/vijayan-knew-about-sabarimala-gold-scam-kerala-bjp-644075.html Pathanamthitta Oct 20 Former Kerala BJP state president K Surendran on Monday alleged that the Sabarimala gold heist occurred with the knowledge of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and called for a central agency investigation into the matter Speaking to media personnel during a BJPorganised protest meeting in Ranni Surendran described the ongoing SIT investigation as a farce and claimed it was intended to shield senior officials while targeting only a few individualsAccording to Surendran the day before the government announced the SIT inquiry the Chief Minister held an urgent meeting with former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally SurendranHe alleged that the meeting was a secret strategy to prevent the release of the actual facts regarding the gold theftThe SIT is targeting only Unnikrishnan Potti and a few officials while ministers and the Devaswom Board president are being protected Surendran saidHe questioned whether Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan would have the courage to write to the central government requesting an independent probe Surendran emphasised that a central agency investigation was necessary to uncover the full truth and ensure accountabilityThe BJP leaders remarks come amid growing public scrutiny over the handling of the Sabarimala gold heist which has sparked widespread debate across KeralaSurendran criticised the state government for what he called a lack of transparency and alleged political manoeuvring in the investigationHe also reiterated allegations against the Pinarayi government regarding the management of Sabarimala asserting that decisions regarding temple entry violated traditionThe BJP protest meeting in Ranni saw the participation of several party leaders and workers highlighting the political and social sensitivities surrounding the issueSurendrans statements underscore the partys demand for an impartial centrallevel investigation to bring clarity to one of Keralas most highprofile recent controversiesMeanwhile Hindu organisations are getting ready to submit a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu when she arrives to pray at the Sabarimala temple on Wednesday demanding her intervention to see that the temples sanctity is protected and the wrongdoers are punished IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/vijayan-knew-about-sabarimala-gold-scam-kerala-bjp-644075.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 18:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-lists-out-naval-might-in-steampast-spectacle-644083.html New Delhi Oct 20 Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali on Sunday aboard INS Vikrant Indias indigenously built aircraft carrier marking a symbolic fusion of festivity and maritime pride The occasion was highlighted by a grand Steampast a traditional Naval ceremony and Flypast showcasing the Indian Navys operational prowess and technological sophistication In a post shared on his official X handle the Prime Minister listed the warships and aircraft that participated in the ceremonial display INS Vikrant served as the review platform while INS Vikramadityawhere Modi had attended the Combined Commanders Conference a decade agoalso featured prominently Other warships included INS Surat commissioned earlier this year in Mumbai INS Mormugao INS Chennai which represented India at the Bastille Day celebrations in France in 2023 INS Imphal which participated in Mauritiuss National Day celebrations this year INS Kolkata INS Tushil INS Tabar INS Teg INS Betwa INS Deepak and INS Aditya The aerial Flypast added a dramatic flourish to the maritime tableau Aircraft such as the Chetak helicopter bearing the national flag and navy ensign MH 60 R Seaking Kamov 31 Dornier P8I and the MiG 29K soared above INS Vikrant symbolising Indias aerial capabilities and naval integration The Prime Ministers Diwali celebration aboard INS Vikrant was more than ceremonialit was a tribute to the dedication and valour of Indias naval forces By choosing the deck of the countrys flagship carrier as the venue PM Modi underscored the strategic importance of maritime security and the Navys growing role in national defence The event also served as a moment of reflection and continuity linking past milestones with present achievements PM Modis reference to INS Vikramaditya evoked memories of his earlier engagement with naval leadership while the inclusion of newly commissioned and internationally deployed vessels highlighted Indias expanding maritime footprint As diyas earthen lamps glowed across the nation the Prime Ministers presence on INS Vikrant sent a powerful message that Indias festivals are not only celebrations of culture but also affirmations of strength unity and national pride IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pm-modi-lists-out-naval-might-in-steampast-spectacle-644083.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 18:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/diwali-89-injured-in-firecracker-accidents-in-tn-says-health-minister-644089.html Chennai Oct 20 As Deepavali festivities continue across Tamil Nadu as many as 89 people have been injured in firecrackerrelated incidents statewide Health Minister Ma Subramanian said on Monday Speaking to reporters after inspecting the burn treatment wards at Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital KMCH the minister said Of the 89 injured 41 have been treated and discharged while 48 are still undergoing treatment at various hospitals Among them 32 patients have undergone major surgeries The minister however clarified that no fatalities have been reported so far There have been no major incidents involving deaths The number of cases is lower compared to the previous year he said To handle the surge in burn injuries during Deepavali the Health Department had set up exclusive burn treatment wards in all government hospitals district headquarters hospitals and blocklevel government hospitals across the state In addition all government medical college hospitals have added 20 extra beds specifically for treating burn injury cases he added Accompanied by senior officials including Director of Medical Education and Research Dr K Rajamannar Dean of Kilpauk Medical College Hospital Dr M E Geetha Hospital Superintendent Dr Bhaskar Resident Medical Officer Dr Vasu and Head of Burns and Plastic Surgery Department Dr Mahadevan the minister interacted with patients undergoing treatment and reviewed the medical facilities available When asked about the governments preparedness for the Northeast Monsoon Ma Subramanian said flood prevention measures have been completed at key medical facilities For the past three years the Government General Hospital in Royapettah has faced severe flooding during the rains The issue has now been permanently resolved The flooding occurred because nearby metro construction had blocked the drainage channels but we have rectified it he explained The Health Minister also reiterated that the state is fully prepared to respond to both festivalrelated injuries and potential rainrelated emergencies ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services across Tamil Nadu IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/diwali-89-injured-in-firecracker-accidents-in-tn-says-health-minister-644089.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 19:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/festive-shopping-frenzy-grips-chennai-ahead-of-deepavali-despite-heavy-rain-643918.html Chennai Oct 19 On the eve of Diwali festive excitement has swept across Chennai as residents thronged textile and sweet shops despite continuous rain since Sunday morning For many the festival brings to mind new clothes fireworks and sweets and the citys markets are buzzing with lastminute shoppers determined not to let the downpour dampen their festive spirit From early morning shoppers carrying umbrellas filled popular commercial hubs such as T Nagar Washermenpet Purasawalkam and Sowcarpet T Nagar in particular turned into a sea of moving umbrellas as crowds made their way through rainsoaked streets to pick out the latest designs and colours in festive wear Textile shop owners said they had arranged displays similar to previous years with a wide variety of fabrics and readymade garments to attract customers Sales have improved in the last few days and today being a holiday we expect an even bigger crowd one shopkeeper said Sweet shops too witnessed brisk business as people queued up to collect their preordered Diwali treats Traditional delicacies such as ghee sweets kaju katli and laddoos were in high demand with some major stores refusing new bulk orders due to overwhelming demand Many shoppers were seen sampling and buying newly introduced varieties of sweets adding to the festive rush Though sales were initially slow this season traders said they had picked up momentum over the past few days However the citys firecracker trade faced temporary setbacks due to the rain Many of the stalls set up across the city remained quiet on Saturday morning with only a handful of buyers turning up Sellers said business picked up in the afternoon once the rain subsided slightly Weve started seeing more customers this evening If the rain eases today we expect strong sales tomorrow Cracker Sellers Welfare Association Executive Chairman Sheikh Abdullah said Meanwhile automobile showrooms also reported higher footfall this week The recent GST reduction on vehicles coupled with festive discounts from car manufacturers encouraged many to book new cars and motorcycles ahead of Diwali Despite the rain Chennais festive spirit remains undiminished with traders hopeful that Diwali day will see record sales across all sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/festive-shopping-frenzy-grips-chennai-ahead-of-deepavali-despite-heavy-rain-643918.html Sun, 19 Oct 2025 16:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/security-stepped-up-in-tiruchi-pudukottai-for-diwali-festivities-643928.html Chennai Oct 19 Police have beefed up security arrangements across Tiruchi and Pudukottai districts ahead of the Diwali celebrations to ensure public safety and prevent crimes in crowded areas With thousands of people expected to throng markets temples bus stands and tourist spots authorities have intensified vigilance and deployed additional personnel since Friday nightIn Tiruchi district around 1000 police personnel including Home Guards have been pressed into bandobust dutyThe deployment covers major public zones such as commercial hubs transport terminals and popular places of worshipFive subdivisions Jeeyapuram Tiruverumbur Lalgudi Musiri and Manapparai have been placed under enhanced surveillancePersonnel from the Striking Force and antisabotage squads have been stationed at key points while teams are also engaged in creating awareness through audiovisual messages on safety and crime preventionThe increased vigil which began on October 17 will continue through October 21 police sources said In neighbouring Pudukottai district similar measures are in placeIntensive patrolling has been organised across seven subdivisions Pudukottai Aranthangi Keeranur Ponnamaravathi Alangudi Kottaipattinam and Illupur Police teams have been conducting continuous rounds at bazaars bus stands and other crowded public areas to deter thefts eveteasing and other offences The drive will continue until October 21Meanwhile the Railway Protection Force RPF and the Government Railway Police GRP have carried out joint antisabotage checks at the Tiruchi railway junctionThe inspection conducted on Sunday involved scanning luggage platforms and other critical areas to ensure the safety of passengers during the festive rush No suspicious materials or objects were detected RPF sources confirmedThe Fire and Rescue Services Department in Tiruchi has also gone on full alertAll 11 fire stations Tiruchi Srirangam Samayapuram Lalgudi Pullambadi Tiruverumbur Navalpattu Manapparai Vaiyampatti Thuvarankurichi and Uppiliapuram have mobilised full manpower strengthFire tenders and response teams have been strategically stationed at Teppakulam Chathram Bus Stand and Gandhi Market to ensure a rapid firefighting response in case of any emergencies on the festival day Officials said the department is equipped with all the necessary gear to handle potential fire incidents swiftly IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/security-stepped-up-in-tiruchi-pudukottai-for-diwali-festivities-643928.html Sun, 19 Oct 2025 17:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-150-fall-ill-after-eating-prasad-in-bengals-west-midnapore-643955.html Kolkata Oct 19 More than 150 people fell sick after eating prasad during a puja in the Daspur area of West Bengals West Midnapore district the police said on Sunday According to police sources there was a community manasa puja in the area on Saturday night and a large number of people had assembled to consume the puja prasadAfter consuming the prasad people started vomiting and had diarrhoea since Saturday nightMany women and children were among those who fell sickA medical camp has been set up since Sunday morning to treat the peopleThe block administration officials rushed to the spot However there was a large commotion in the Suratpur village within the Daspur police stationA senior officer of West Midnapore district police said that the manasa puja has been taking place in the village for several yearsOn Saturday night the puja committee organised a khichri meal which is the puja prasad for the devoteesMore than three hundred people ate the prasad However more than half of the people started vomiting and having diarrhoea The administration was immediately informed regarding the incident the police officer saidDaspur Block Development Officer Dipankar Biswas made arrangements for treatment of the victims who fell ill since Saturday nightA medical camp was set up in the area by the health departmentPrimary treatment is being provided thereBiswas visited the village on sunday morning and reviewed the situation on the groundDaspur Panchayat Samiti President Sukumar Patra also rushed to the spotAccording to the police five people have been sent to the hospital as their condition is reported to be criticalWater samples have also been collected from the areaIt is being investigated whether there is any issue with the waterOn the other hand Patra said that the situation is now under control IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/over-150-fall-ill-after-eating-prasad-in-bengals-west-midnapore-643955.html Sun, 19 Oct 2025 18:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/people-offer-namaz-on-roads-ktaka-congress-mla-on-rss-ban-643843.html Tumakuru Oct 18 Questioning his own government on the rule that makes it mandatory for all organisations to obtain permission before holding events in public places a move allegedly aimed at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS former minister and MLA KN Rajanna has asked whether people offering Namaz prayers on roads will also be required to seek permission Speaking to reporters in Tumakuru on Saturday Rajanna said Do they really need to bring a law like this It may exist on paper but lets see how much of it can actually be implemented People offer namaz on roads will they take permission Do we tell them to obtain permissionHe further questioned People conduct namaz prayers on roads Will they come forward to seek permission or will they be asked to obtain it We should only make laws that can be implemented If laws that cannot be enforced are passed they will remain only in the statute booksAnswering a query Rajanna clarified Minister Priyank Kharge has written a letter to make it mandatory for the RSS to seek permission to hold meetings in public places He has not called for a ban on the RSS The rule seeks to ensure that all organisations seek permission before conducting events It remains to be seen how far this can be enforcedRajanna was recently dropped from the cabinet for contradicting Rahul Gandhis claims regarding alleged voter fraudThe Karnataka government has made it mandatory for all organisations to obtain prior permission to hold events in public spaces This follows Priyank Kharges letter demanding a ban on RSS activities in such spacesThe Karnataka government on Thursday decided in the cabinet meeting to make obtaining permission from government authorities mandatory for all private organisations in public spaces across the stateBJP leaders including Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka have challenged the governments order and declared that they would conduct RSS events as usual daring the government to take action if possible BJP MLA SR Vishwanath has also appealed to party leaders and workers to set the RSS anthem Namaste Sada Vatsale as their mobile ringtoneThe Karnataka government on Saturday removed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS posters buntings saffron flags and Bhagwa Dhwajs in Chittapur town and Chamarajanagar city ahead of the Path Sanchalan foot march programmes organised by the RSS The marches had been planned as a challenge to the governments order requiring prior permission for activities in public places IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/people-offer-namaz-on-roads-ktaka-congress-mla-on-rss-ban-643843.html Sat, 18 Oct 2025 23:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-lop-satheesan-asks-cm-vijayan-to-reveal-truth-about-sabarimala-gold-theft-643847.html Pandalam Oct 18 Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan on Saturday night launched a fierce attack on the CPIMled Left government accusing it of concealing the Sabarimala temple gold theft for more than six years Speaking at the mammoth UDFs Faith Protection Conclave at Pandalam he claimed that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was fully aware of the theft and must reveal the truth to the peopleThe original Dwarapalaka plates were sold for a huge sum When the court asked who bought it the government remained silent Why did they replate the gold after six years when it had already been done in 2019 he saidHe said the Kerala High Court had already brought the irregularities to light In 1999 nearly 30 kg of gold was present in the Sabarimala TempleThe gold plating of the Dwarapalaka sculpture was carried out by Potti with official permission in violation of Devaswom rulesSatheesan further alleged that former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran had personal links with PottiNothing in Devaswom happens without the knowledge of the minister and the board If the theft had gone unnoticed the same thieves would have struck again Satheesan said challenging Surendran to deny his linksThe Opposition Leader slammed Vijayan and his government at Pandalam a place which shares a deep historical and religious bond with the Sabarimala templeAccording to legend Lord Ayyappan spent his human life as the adopted son of the Pandalam royal familyThis connection is reaffirmed annually through the Thiruvabharanam procession when the sacred ornaments stored in the Pandalam Palace vault are carried in a ceremonial procession to Sabarimala three days before the Makaravilakku festivalPilgrims also visit the Valiyakoikkal Temple near the palace underscoring Pandalams enduring role in temple affairsThis is not just a theft it is a betrayal of faith Satheesan said stressing that the agitation would continue until the stolen gold is returned to the Ayyappa sanctumHe also referred to a similar theft at Ettumanoor Mahadeva TempleLooters with pockets full of temple wealth are now running the state he chargedSatheesan assured devotees that if the United Democratic Front comes to power all cases registered against those who took part in the protest when the Sabarimala temple customs and traditions came under duress within a month after they take over IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-lop-satheesan-asks-cm-vijayan-to-reveal-truth-about-sabarimala-gold-theft-643847.html Sat, 18 Oct 2025 23:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/our-festivals-rooted-in-historic-and-transformative-events-cm-yogi-643716.html Lucknow Oct 18 Addressing the Diwali Karyakarta Parivar Milan Samaroh at City Montessori School Lucknow the Chief Minister said that this event reflects the ageold cultural traditions of Sanatan Dharma Our festivals and celebrations are linked to transformative events that have given new direction to society he saidChief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that the Ayodhya Deepotsav has brought the longstanding pledge for the Ram Temples construction to fruition The vow taken amidst the lighting of millions of lamps has today manifested in the grand Ram Temple which now stands as a global symbol of pride for Sanatanis He added that the blessings of saints and the perseverance of devotees have culminated in the temples creation which will be unveiled in an even more magnificent form after November 25CM Yogi recalled that before 2014 and 2017 celebrations like Eid Milan were common while gatherings on Sanatani festivals were rare Today Holi and Diwali Milan ceremonies have become symbols of social harmony and unity he addedRecalling the origin of the Ayodhya Deepotsav the Chief Minister said When I proposed the first Deepotsav in 2017 many questioned its purpose asking what difference lighting lamps would make I said each lamp represents the resolve of Sanatan Dharma He added that the same collective resolve symbolised by those lamps has now taken form in the magnificent Ram Temple We renamed Faizabad a reminder of our past servitude to Ayodhya This too was the strength of our resolve he saidEmphasising the importance of unity for a Viksit Bharat CM Yogi said Prime Minister Modis centenary resolution is guiding the nation towards security prosperity and selfreliance Events like Diwali Milan strengthen our social fabric Urging people to embrace Swadeshi he said On Dhanteras buy indigenous utensils gold and silver Just as our Defence Minister is empowering the army with indigenous weapons we too should support Indianmade goodsConcluding his address CM Yogi appealed to every citizen to share the joy of Diwali with the underprivileged by gifting sweets cow dung lamps and idols of Lakshmi and Ganesh to at least one poor family ensuring that every household can celebrate the festival of lights IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/our-festivals-rooted-in-historic-and-transformative-events-cm-yogi-643716.html Sat, 18 Oct 2025 01:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/pray-for-everyones-happiness-prosperity-pm-modi-on-dhanteras-643721.html New Delhi Oct 18 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday wished the countrymen on the occasion of Dhanteras and prayed for their wellbeing and prosperity Dhanatrayodashi also known as Dhanteras marks the first day of the Diwali festival in Hindu traditionsThe festival known as Lakshmi Puja is celebrated in the evenings when diyas clay lamps are lit Devotional songs or bhajans are sung in praise of goddess Lakshmi and traditional sweets are offered to herIn a post on X PM Modi said Heartfelt Dhanteras greetings to all my family members in the country On this sacred occasion I pray for everyones happiness prosperity and good health May Lord Dhanvantari bestow his abundant blessings upon allUnion Home Minister Amit Shah also took to X and posted Heartfelt wishes to all on the auspicious festival of Dhanteras I pray to Lord Dhanvantari for happiness prosperity and good fortune in everyones lifeUnion Health Minister JP Nadda also extended his wishes on the occasionI extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all of you on the sacred festival of Dhanteras which brings prosperity health and wellbeing May your life be filled with happiness and prosperity wealth and abundance and joy by the blessings of Maa Lakshmi Ji and Lord Dhanvantari Ji Such is my auspicious prayer he posted on XUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also took to social media and wished the countrymen on the occasionHeartfelt congratulations and infinite best wishes to all of you on the sacred festival of Dhanteras May the boundless grace of Mother Lakshmi continuously bring a flow of happiness prosperity good fortune and joy into your home and courtyard this is the prayer he posted on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/pray-for-everyones-happiness-prosperity-pm-modi-on-dhanteras-643721.html Sat, 18 Oct 2025 08:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sabarimala-gold-theft-probe-tightens-as-sit-prepares-for-more-arrests-643745.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 18 The probe into the Sabarimala gold theft case is gathering momentum as the Special Investigation Team SIT is reportedly gearing up for more detentions in the coming days With the prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti already in custody and nine others named in the First Information Report political and legal tremors are being felt across the stateThe SIT has filed two separate FIRs naming ten accusedWhile Potti listed as accused No 1 remains under interrogation the remaining accused are reportedly facing mounting anxiety over possible arrestsSources indicate that investigators are preparing for the next phase of action making further detentions likely in the coming days and it could put the Pinarayi Vijayan government in a spot of botherThis legal escalation is playing out against an increasingly volatile political backdropBoth the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party have intensified their demand for the resignation of Devaswom Minister and CPIM leader V N Vasavan along with board members of the Travancore Devaswom BoardThe Vijayan government has drawn criticism for the alleged misappropriation of temple gold and offeringsAdding to the pressure the BJPs state leadership is lobbying its national leadership to push for a central agency probeSuch a move if it materialises could deepen the crisis for the ruling front and widen the scope of the investigation beyond the current set of accusedWith local body elections on the horizon the opposition sees an opportunity to turn the scandal into a political flashpointThe coming weeks could determine whether the fallout remains confined to the accused or extends deeper into the states power structureRecently the Kerala High Court gave six weeks to complete the investigation and submit findings in a sealed coverLast week the Kerala High Court urged the media to exercise caution and avoid sensationalising the gold row IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sabarimala-gold-theft-probe-tightens-as-sit-prepares-for-more-arrests-643745.html Sat, 18 Oct 2025 11:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/indian-missions-across-globe-celebrate-diwali-showcasing-rich-cultural-heritage-643751.html Tokyo Oct 18 Indian diplomatic missions worldwide on Saturday celebrated Diwali the festival of lights reflecting Indias vibrant cultural heritage and conveying the universal message of unity and harmony In Japan students faculty and members of the Indian community along with friends of India came together to celebrate Diwali at Shimane UniversityAddressing the celebration in a video message R Madhu Sudan Charge dAffaires Embassy of India in Tokyo highlighted the growing friendship and cultural exchange between India and JapanVice President of the university Yoshimi Kataoka also addressed the gatheringAccording to the Indian Embassy in Tokyo several Indian students and faculty across universities in Japan are celebrating Diwali symbolising the enduring bond of friendship between the two nationsMeanwhile spreading the spirit of Diwali across borders the Myanmar India Friendship Association and Indian diaspora organisations came together to celebrate Diwali at the National Theatre in Yangon on Friday evening showcasing Indias rich diversity and the message of unity harmony and brotherhoodAdditionally in Hungary as part of a lecture series Hungarian students learning Hindi at the Amrita SherGil Cultural Centre in the Indian Embassy in Budapest came together to celebrate the vibrant festival of DiwaliThrough an engaging lecture and brief cultural performances the event showcased the richness of Indian traditions lighting up the evening with learning joy and togetherness A beautiful exchange of cultures and celebration of the Festival of Lights the Embassy of India in Budapest posted on XIn Fiji the Police Headquarters in the capital city Suva celebrated Diwali calling for renewed commitment to justiceThe celebration underscored the vital role of the IndoFijian and Indian community which constitutes an important part of Fijis population and diasporaFurthermore in Dubai the Indian Consul General Satish Sivan joined the inauguration of the Diwali Festival at Al Seef extending warm wishes to the Indian Diaspora IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/indian-missions-across-globe-celebrate-diwali-showcasing-rich-cultural-heritage-643751.html Sat, 18 Oct 2025 12:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/aurangabad-railway-station-renamed-to-chhatrapati-sambhajinagar-station-643808.html Mumbai Oct 18 The Maharashtra government has issued a gazette notification to rename the Aurangabad railway station to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar station The governments move comes two years after the name of Aurangabad city was renamed to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar The governments move coincided with the ongoing preparations by ruling MahaYuti and opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi for the local and divic body electionsThe BJPled MahaYuti government issued a gazette notification on October 15 to rename the Aurangabad railway station to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar station The renaming process though was originally initiated by the Shiv Senaled Mh Vikas Aghadi government Aurangabad was originally named after Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and the renaming was done to honour Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajs son Chhatrapati Sambhaji MaharajAurangabad railway station was opened in 1900 It was made by the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad Mir Osman Ali Khan The railway station is located on the KachegudaManmad section This section mainly serves Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city formerly Aurangabad The station falls under the Nanded division of the South Central Railway zone It has rail connectivity with major cities in the countryChhatrapati Sambhajinagar city is a tourist hub surrounded by many historical monuments including the Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites It is also known as the City of Gates each of which has a local history built during the Mughal Era and 2 ASIprotected monuments Bibi ka Maqbara and Aurangabad caves as well as many more within city limitsThe demand for the renaming of Aurangabad sprang up in the late 1980s Over 25 people were killed in a communal riot in 1988 and in the subsequent elections the Shiv Sena won the Aurangabad municipal corporation elections On May 8 1988 Bal Thackeray announced the renaming of the city to Sambhaji Nagar and a resolution was passed by the municipal corporation in 1995 Following this the then ShivSenaled government issued a notification seeking objections and suggestions from the peopleHowever on September 16 2023 the Eknath Shindeled government issued a government notification to rename the Aurangabad district to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar following approval from the special state cabinet meetingChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis last month announced that Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar will become the countrys Electric Vehicle EV capital as it is a favoured investment destination He further stated that Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar can be called a favourite investment destination The investment by Hyundai shows that companies are preferring cities like Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/aurangabad-railway-station-renamed-to-chhatrapati-sambhajinagar-station-643808.html Sat, 18 Oct 2025 18:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/red-corridor-reduced-to-rubble-modi-govt-delivers-decisive-blow-to-maoism-643838.html Raipur 18 Oct In a historic breakthrough the PM Modi government has dealt a decisive blow to Maoist insurgency with mass surrenders and a dramatic fall in violence across former hotspots Once the epicentre of red terror the Red Corridor is now crumbling proof that Indias dual strategy of security and development is delivering lasting impact In a historic breakthrough over 200 Maoist cadres including a Central Committee member and senior leader Rupesh surrendered en masse at the Reserve Police Lines in Jagdalpur Chhattisgarh on Friday This shift driven by targeted security operations and robust development reflects a nuanced understanding of counterinsurgency with Chhattisgarhs recent successes offering a blueprint for sustainable peace It was evident in the mass surrender of over 300 Maoist cadres in just 72 hours including a Central Committee member and senior leader Rupesh in Jagdalpur Chhattisgarh on October 17 Among the first group of 208 110 women and 98 men from the Dandakaranya region relinquished 153 weapons were relinquished They had a collective bounty of Rs 918 crore Welcomed with flowers and copies of the Indian Constitution this event underscored a growing rejection of Maoist ideology in favour of democratic reintegration indicating the insurgencys ideological bankruptcy On the same day speaking at the NDTV World Summit in New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra framed this as a historic turning point The day is not far when India will be free from Maoist terror he asserted offering his personal guarantee to end this longstanding menace PM Modi highlighted the collapse of Maoist influence with affected districts plummeting from 182 in 2014 to just 11 by October 2025 only three of which remain highrisk He noted that 303 Maoists surrendered in the past 72 hours These were not ordinary Naxalites They are now ready to embrace the Constitution he stated crediting policies that blend enforcement with opportunity PM Modis address conveyed deep empathy for affected communities Maoist terror is a grave injustice a sin against our youth he said lamenting the countless mothers who lost sons to the Naxalviolence He shared the plight of victimsvillagers farmers and tribals some with amputated limbswho spent a week in Delhi pleading for their voices to be heard exposing the human toll of Maoism and challenging narratives that romanticise the insurgency These were poor villagers farmers and tribals some of them with amputated limbs standing with folded hands holding a press conference to demand their message reach the peoplenot those who shield Maoists while parading the Constitution PM Modi remarked condemning urban Naxals and past Congressled governments for allegedly concealing Maoist atrocities The Naxalite movement rooted in Mao Zedongs revolutionary ideals began in 1967 in Naxalbari West Bengal led by Charu Majumdar and Kanu Sanyal Aiming to address land inequality through armed rebellion it spread across the Red Corridor including Jharkhand Odisha and Chhattisgarh The 2004 formation of the Communist Party of India Maoist intensified the insurgency claiming over 10000 lives since 2000 and stalling development Chhattisgarhs Bastar region with its dense jungles became a Maoist stronghold The states creation in 2000 saw escalated violence including the 2010 Dantewada attack that killed 76 CRPF personnel The controversial Salwa Judum campaign intended to counter Maoists drew criticism for human rights abuses further isolating tribals caught in the conflict Chhattisgarhs Naxal Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy 2025 has been a gamechanger in curbing insurgency Offering financial aid vocational training land allotments and government jobs the policy coupled with initiatives like Niyad Nella Naar Yojana and Poona Margem has encouraged over 2000 surrenders since its inception Under the policy government offers surrendered Naxalites Rs 50000 initial aid Rs 10000 monthly for three years and full bounty rewards up to Rs 1 crore Highvalue cadres get 4 decimals of urban land or 1 hectare of farmland or Rs 2 lakh in lieu Weapon surrender earns up to Rs 5 lakh eg AK47 Free housing rations healthcare education vocational training and jobs are also provided Villagelevel surrenders unlock Rs 1 crore for development Over Rs 150 crore has been spent driving hundreds of surrenders in 2025 only Union Home Minister Amit Shah had recently on his X handle wrote It is a matter of immense satisfaction that regions once considered epicentres of terrorAbujhmad and North Bastar in Chhattisgarhhave now been officially declared free from Naxalite violence Only a few scattered elements remain in South Bastar and our security forces are poised to neutralise them swiftlyHe further wrote Since the formation of the BJP government in Chhattisgarh in January 2024 a total of 2100 Naxalites have surrendered 1785 have been arrested and 477 have been neutralised These figures reflect our unwavering commitment to eradicate Naxalism from its roots by 31 March 2026 Earlier during October when HM Shah visited Chhattisgarh to participate in Bastar Dussehra festival and Muria Durbar he had urged Maoists to abandon arms and join the mainstream but warned those who choose violence will be met with force In a separate post he had asserted There are no human rights for those who roam with weapons in hand Rights come with renunciation of violencedialogue will not be held with those who refuse to disarm Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai credits it for restoring trust among tribals with former Maoists reintegrating as farmers teachers and entrepreneurs This has revitalised regions like Bastar reducing violence by 85 per cent and enabling development projects The policys focus on dignity and opportunity has weakened Maoist recruitment fostering hope and stability Under Sais leadership Chhattisgarh has witnessed an 85 per cent drop in Naxal incidents with North Bastar and Abujhmad now declared Naxalfree Security operations including forward bases in remote areas have disrupted Maoist networks while development projects have brought roads schools and hospitals to isolated villages The Bastar Olympics a triballed celebration of culture and sport symbolises this revival This Diwali will be different in areas scarred by Maoist terror PM Modi promised envisioning fearfree celebrations Former Maoists disillusioned with their leadership are embracing mainstream life As India nears its 2026 goal of a Naxalfree nation addressing root causes like land rights and inequality remains essential to prevent resurgence With the Red Corridor fading and hope rising in Bastar PM Modis vision of a more united more prosperous India is within reach IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/red-corridor-reduced-to-rubble-modi-govt-delivers-decisive-blow-to-maoism-643838.html Sat, 18 Oct 2025 22:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ahl-e-sunnah-pakistan-the-new-alliance-that-could-push-pakistan-into-further-chaos-643633.html New Delhi Oct 17 A new alliance that is in the making threatens to rattle the Pakistan establishment which is already facing humiliation on multiple fronts Bringing together several religious groups in Pakistan including the TehreekeLabbaik Pakistan TLP the alliance known as the AhleSunnah Pakistan is threatening the establishment of severe consequences if their demands relating to the Muridke massacre are not metThe TLP has been in the news after its cadres were massacred in Muridke by the security forces during a protestThe demands being made by the alliance are for the release of all members of the TLP which should be followed by negotiations with the governmentHowever the main reason behind the formation of this alliance is to protest the killings of TLP members during a peaceful protest in Muridke last weekPakistan is already fighting a battle on many fronts the most recent one being with the Afghan TalibanWhile on one hand Islamabad counters external threats the bigger problem for the country is the numerous problems it is facing internallyIndian Intelligence agencies are keeping a close watch on the developmentsOfficials say that the protests that have been announced by the TLPled alliance will be of major concern for the security establishment in Pakistan The alliance has the numbers and backing of several political outfitsFurther they also enjoy the support of various religious leaders in the country which makes the alliance even deadlierThe establishment in Pakistan is not taking this alliance lightly Over the last couple of weeks support for the TLP across Pakistan has soared Thousands are expected to take part in the sitins and protests that will take place across the country post a meeting to be held on October 22The rallies are being planned against the Punjab and federal governmentsFormer Prime Minister Imran Khan has instructed members of his Pakistan TehreekeInsaf PTI to support the TLP and also take part in the demonstrationsImran Khan is at loggerheads with the establishment and his party joining the AhleSunnah has added to the woes of the establishmentAnother development that has rattled the establishment is the support to the TLP extended by newlyappointed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KP Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi of the PTI He has directed his party workers to support the TLP and show solidarity with the movementPakistan is already battling insurgency in KP and now with the Chief Minister extending his support to the TLP the cause for concern is even more The weekend in Pakistan is expected to be a tense one All eyes are on the talks set to take place in Doha to dish out a peace deal between Islamabad and the Taliban While analysts say that the situation with the Taliban is a fragile one Pakistan has more to battle on the internal front The battle with the TehreekiTaliban Pakistan TTP is a major headache Pakistan is also expecting trouble in Balochistan from the Balochistan Nationalist Army BLA Further the situation in Pakistanoccupied Kashmir PoK is tense due to protests by the locals Adding to these problems is the protest that the TLPled alliance will take out which has the backing of a large number of the political and religious class in Pakistan Following the announcement by the TLP the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 and also ordered bans on all forms of gatherings rallies and processions While security measures are in place Indian officials feel that this is a protest which would turn violent Last time the Pakistan establishment managed to beat down the protesters in Muridke by indulging in a massacre This time too the security forces are likely to use force However if this is done the movement will only gain momentum nationwide and this would leave the Pakistan establishment with another major problem to deal with internally IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ahl-e-sunnah-pakistan-the-new-alliance-that-could-push-pakistan-into-further-chaos-643633.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 19:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/hijab-row-setback-for-kochi-school-as-kerala-hc-refuses-stay-seeks-states-response-643644.html Kochi Oct 17 The Kerala High Court on Friday has directed the state attorney to obtain instructions regarding a directive issued by the Deputy Director of Education DDE Ernakulam asking St Ritas Public School a CBSEaffiliated Christian management school to allow a Muslim girl student to attend classes wearing a headscarf A bench of Justice VG Arun asked the state to provide guidance on the matter while refusing to grant an interim stayCounsel appearing for the school requested a stay but the judge observed that no coercive steps can be taken because it is a CBSE schoolYou know nothing could be done I am not passing an interim order for the sake of passing one Let the State Attorney get instructions Justice Arun saidEarlier the school had approached the High Court seeking police protection for its management staff and students following alleged threats and a mob intrusion linked to its uniform policyThat request had been grantedIn the current writ petition the school contends that the Kerala government has not enacted any law allowing religious attire in schools and that enforcing such permission would compromise the secular and inclusive ethos of educational institutionsThe management argues that the DDE and other Kerala Education Department officials acted beyond their jurisdiction by directing the school to deviate from its dress code as St Ritas is an unaided minority institution affiliated with the CBSEThe petition also asserts that state education officers have no authority over the internal regulations of CBSE schools which are governed by the Central Board of Secondary EducationIt cites the 2018 Kerala High Court ruling in Fathima Thasneem amp Another v State of Kerala which upheld that individual rights cannot override institutional discipline in matters of uniformsThe school is seeking the quashing of the DDEs notice a declaration that state authorities lack jurisdiction over CBSEaffiliated schools and an interim injunction restraining any coercive action against the institutionThe High Court is expected to hear the matter further after the State provides its instructionsThe Class 8 girl student has not attended classes after the row broke out last week Her parents on Friday said that they are not going to send her to the school again while the Principal went on record to state that they have no problem if she returns IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/hijab-row-setback-for-kochi-school-as-kerala-hc-refuses-stay-seeks-states-response-643644.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 19:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ayodhya-yogi-government-aims-for-unprecedented-scale-in-deepotsav-2025-643691.html Ayodhya Oct 17 Ayodhya is all set to host the most magnificent edition of Deepotsav 2025 a celebration poised to become a defining chapter in Indias cultural and spiritual calendar Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath the preparations are in full swing to make this years festival not only grander than ever before but also a symbol of devotion heritage and national unityThe spiritual capital of India Ayodhya will soon be illuminated with millions of earthen lamps creating a divine spectacle along the banks of the sacred Saryu River The event is being coordinated with strong support from local administration cultural organisations and most notably Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University which has taken a leading role in organising the DeepotsavThousands of volunteers and students under the guidance of ViceChancellor Colonel Dr Bijendra Singh have been working tirelessly at the Ram Ki Pauri ghats to prepare for the event On the second day of largescale preparations volunteers on Friday arrived in reserved buses from the university campus to assist in placing the lamps across all 56 ghatsProf Anup Kumar who is coordinating transportation shared that volunteers gathered enthusiastically from early morning filling the campus with energy and devotion Volunteers were divided into groups and deployed systematically to ensure a wellcoordinated setup of the deep arrangementsDr Bijendra Singh remarked Deepotsav is not merely an event it is a public celebration of the values and ideals of Lord Shri Ram Every volunteer is contributing with full dedication treating this as Ramkaryaa service to Lord RamAccording to university sources over 60 pc of the lamps have already been placed Many ghats have already completed their targets and the remaining work is progressing rapidly under the supervision of ghat incharges and coordinatorsAs chants of Jai Shri Ram echo across the riverbanks and millions of lamps light up the sacred city Ayodhya is preparing to fulfil Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths vision of a historic and divine celebrationThis year the Deepotsav is not only about illuminating the city but also about elevating Ayodhyas spiritual and cultural identity to new heights A grand aarti of the Saryu River is also set to take place expected to break previous records and leave an indelible mark on the minds of devoteesIn the previous edition 1151 participants performed the Saryu aarti together earning a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records This year organisers aim to double that scale The event will showcase Ayodhyas spiritual strength and collective devotion on a national and global platformThe aarti is being organised by the district administration and municipal corporation with the Vasistha Foundation handling key logistical responsibilities Scheduled for October 19 at 5 PM the aarti venue has been divided into 11 zones extending from Naya Ghat to Lakshman Ghat with space for 200 participants per zoneMayor Mahant Girishpati Tripathi has been personally overseeing arrangements to ensure the event runs smoothly He confirmed that every effort is being made to make this Deepotsav inclusive reflective of Ayodhyas traditions and aligned with the cultural vision of the Yogi governmentOn October 17 at 3 PM a Deepdaan ceremony was held as part of the preevent activities Participants also underwent aarti rehearsals to synchronise Vedic chants lamp lighting and group formationsensuring that the event proceeds with discipline and grace IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ayodhya-yogi-government-aims-for-unprecedented-scale-in-deepotsav-2025-643691.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 22:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/we-will-wholeheartedly-welcome-student-if-she-comes-kerala-school-principal-after-hijab-row-643524.html KochiThiruvananthapuram Oct 17 The Principal of St Ritas High School Palluruthy near Kochi on Friday said the educational institution will wholeheartedly welcome the student if she decides to come back For the past week this school was at the centre of a controversy after the father of an eighthgrade student raised concerns about the way his daughter was not allowed to wear a hijabThe private School authorities said that it was against their rules Things turned worse after State Education Minister V Sivankutty asked for an immediate report from the district Education authoritiesBy then the father of the girl student had agreed to abide by the rules but with the Minister speaking tough the girl student had not returned to attend classesSources said that the parents of the girl are not interested in sending their daughter backOn Friday Sivankutty again strongly criticised the school managements handling of the situation accusing it of attempting to politicise the matterThere is a deliberate attempt to blame the government The management should not try to challenge the state he said warning against further provocation and those who were responsible for this have to answerSoon after Sivankuttys statement the Principal of the School told the media that she wished to thank the High Court and their legal expert for helping themWe also wish to thank the Education Minister Our aim is to uplift our students Our thanks also to Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden who intervened in the issue and to our MLA KBabu Shone George BJP leader who came to us when the issue surfaced Our Church higherups also stood with us and the media also said the PrincipalIf the student returns we are all wholeheartedly ready to welcome her and hope the best will happen We offer the Indian way of education to uphold Indian and Kerala culture Beyond the curriculum we teach our students human values and the importance of humanity We also teach them to protect the environment said the PrincipalThere are issues before the Court and hence we will always respect the legal system and the government said the Principal IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/we-will-wholeheartedly-welcome-student-if-she-comes-kerala-school-principal-after-hijab-row-643524.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 11:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/jampk-l-g-leaves-for-russia-to-bring-back-holy-relics-of-lord-buddha-643537.html Jammu Oct 17 Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday left for Russia to bring back the holy relics of Lord Buddha to India LG Manoj Sinha said that he is leaving for Kalmykia in Russia to lead a delegation entrusted with bringing back the holy relics of Lord Buddha after a weeklong expositionIn a post on X LGs office said Leaving for Kalmykia Russia where I will lead the delegation to bring back holy relics of Lord Buddha after a weeklong exposition I sincerely thank the Honble Prime Minister Shri narendramodi Ji for this sacred opportunity Om Namo BuddhayaThe exposition is being organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation the National Museum and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the ArtsThe sacred relics are to be enshrined at the Geden Sheddup Choikorling Monastery the main Buddhist monastery in Elista popularly known as the Golden Abode of Shakyamuni BuddhaIndia has a large population of Buddhists The Buddhist population in India is approximately 84 million making up about 07 per cent of the total population according to the 2011 censusWhile Buddhism originated in India the religion is a minority in the country today The majority of Indian Buddhists live in Maharashtra followed by states like Arunachal Pradesh Mizoram Sikkim and West Bengal Buddhism flourished in India particularly under Emperor Ashoka but its numbers declined in India over the centuriesA large portion of Indias Buddhists around 87 per cent according to one estimate are followers of Navayana Buddhism with most residing in MaharashtraKashmir has several significant Buddhist sites including the ruins at Harwan and Ushkur ancient Jayendra Vihara and the archaeological complex at Ambaran near AkhnoorThese locations highlight Kashmirs historical importance in the spread of Buddhism and the presence of influential Buddhist centres which attracted scholars from across AsiaThe 4th Buddhist council was held at Harwan near Srinagar in Kashmir under the patronage of the Kushan king Kanishka with the ancient ruins from the era providing evidence of this connectionIt features ruins and tiles with image carvings and its history is tied to prominent figures like the Buddhist master NagarjunaAn ancient Buddhist site near Baramulla Ushkur is noted for its historical significance including the discovery of a terracotta head of Buddha during excavations It is identified with the ancient town of HuskapuraJayandra Vihara is another ancient Buddhist site near Baramulla This was a renowned urban learning centre in ancient Kashmir known both inside and outside of India It was a place of study for foreign scholars including the Chinese monk Hiuen Tsang who stayed there for two years in the seventh centuryAmbaran near Akhnoor in Jammu is an archaeological site of a monastic complex that provides insights into the Buddhist cultural evolution in the region with evidence of its use from the 2nd century BCE to the 7th century CEParihaspur outside Srinagar city was a monastery built by King Lalitaditya of Kashmir and was famous for its colossal image of Buddha IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/jampk-l-g-leaves-for-russia-to-bring-back-holy-relics-of-lord-buddha-643537.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 12:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/tiruppur-knitwear-units-delay-diwali-bonus-trade-unions-press-for-immediate-disbursal-643131.html Chennai Oct 15 With Diwali fast approaching most knitwear manufacturing companies in Tiruppur are yet to distribute festive bonuses to their employees According to trade union estimates only about 20 per cent of units have so far provided bonuses leaving a large number of workers uncertain about their festival plansThe Tiruppur knitwear hub which employs over eight lakh workers directly plays a crucial role in both export and domestic marketsYet despite the longstanding custom of granting bonuses ahead of Diwali most companies have delayed payment this yearUnions have urged their managements to release the amounts immediately to help workers make purchases and travel to their hometownsThe Payment of Bonus Act introduced in 1965 mandates a minimum bonus of 833 per cent of a workers annual salary with higher percentages allowed based on company profits and employee experienceIn Tiruppurs knitwear sector bonus rates often vary across firms with some offering enhanced benefits to senior or longserving staff However many companies are accused of holding back disbursals out of fear that workers might take leave once bonuses are paidTrade unions have described this as a recurring issue that forces employees to buy inferior goods due to delayed payments They argue that the timely distribution of bonuses would not only ensure worker welfare but also strengthen goodwill and productivity within the industryUnions have also encouraged workers to approach them if bonuses are denied or delayed asserting that several disputes were resolved in favour of workers last yearMeanwhile industry representatives maintain that the process of bonus distribution is already underway They claim that payments began last week and will continue smoothly in the coming days They also assert that recent global trade challenges including the US tariff hike have not affected the sectors ability to meet bonus commitmentsTiruppurs knitwear industry comprises around 22500 companies engaged in export and domestic production In the last financial year the sector recorded exports worth Rs 44747 crore and domestic trade valued at Rs 30000 crore underscoring its importance to Tamil Nadus economy and the livelihoods of thousands of workers preparing to celebrate Diwali IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/tiruppur-knitwear-units-delay-diwali-bonus-trade-unions-press-for-immediate-disbursal-643131.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 12:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kochi-hijab-row-school-management-rejects-allegations-of-rights-violation-643140.html Kochi Oct 15 The management of St Ritas Public School Palluruthy on Wednesday strongly denied allegations that a Class 8 student was barred from the class for wearing a hijab calling the report submitted to the authorities factually incorrect We received the mail from the government at 915 am to give a report We submitted our report immediately The Education Officer of the government spoke to all of us The report that has been submitted is not factual we have all the evidence to prove it The matter is now before the court and we will let it take its course the Principal said on WednesdayCiting the 2018 Kerala High Court verdict on the issue she stressed We have not denied the right to education She is our student and all students are equal to usThe Principal also pointed out that the matter had been amicably resolved between the school management and the girls father on Tuesday before the Education Minister intervenedThe father had stated to the media that they would abide by the schools rules and made it clear he would not be part of any communal overtures she addedSupporting this stand a teacher said this girl student came to the school on the 7th 8th and 10th of this monthSome Muslim parents have said their children are being pressured to wear the hijab which is very difficult for them The Education Officers report is factually wrong We have done nothing wrong and have not pressured anyone If any order comes that is not correct we will go before the law of the land the teacher saidThe school reopened on Wednesday after a twoday closure following the controversyThe student concerned did not attend the school with her parent citing health issuesA strong police force was present outside the schoolEducation Minister V Sivankutty said the government had intervened after an inquiry by the Ernakulam Deputy Director of Education found serious lapsesThe inquiry concluded that the schools action amounted to a violation of the Right to Education Act and the constitutional guarantee of religious freedomHibi Eden Congress MP who mediated talks between the school and the family said the father had assured he would not allow communal forces to exploit the issue IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kochi-hijab-row-school-management-rejects-allegations-of-rights-violation-643140.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 12:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/haryana-ips-officer-puran-kumar-cremated-after-nine-day-stalemate-643220.html Chandigarh Oct 15 After the nineday stalemate over the postmortem of senior Haryana cadre Indian Police Service IPS officer Y Puran Kumar who allegedly died by suicide the body was cremated with the consent of his wife and IAS officer Amneet P Kumar The impasses ended with the Haryana governments assurance to the family of a fair and impartial probe besides a commitment that action will be taken against erring officials Puran Kumars family members his colleagues comprising OP Singh who has been given the additional charge of Director General of Police by replacing Shatrujeet Kapur bureaucrats politicians and scores of sympathisers attended the funeral hereFollowing the familys consent an autopsy was carried out at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research PGIMER The PGIMER in a statement said the postmortem examination of Puran Kumar was conducted on Wednesday by a constituted medical board following all due procedures The postmortem report will be submitted to the investigating officer of the Special Investigation Team SIT The mortal remains of Y Puran Kumar have been respectfully handed over to the family members said the PGIMER The police said Additional Director General of Police Puran Kumar shot himself with a service pistol and died on the spot The officer left behind a ninepage final note that named 15 serving and former officers and put the state polices top brass under the lens for casteism and bias The government had sent DGP Shatrujeet Kapur on leave amid the demand of Puran Kumars family for action against him and other officers for harassing him For over a week a stalemate continued between Puran Kumars wife Amneet P Kumar and the government over the demand for the arrest of DGP Kapur and the ousted Rohtak Superintendent of Police Narendra Bijarniya In a twist to the incident a Haryana Police assistant subinspector was found dead with a gunshot wound on Tuesday along with a purported suicide note accusing the late Puran Kumar of corruption In a statement Puran Kumars wife Amneet Kumar said Chandigarh Police had assured her of a fair and impartial investigation The Haryana government too has promised that any official found guilty would face legal action she said Considering the evidentiary importance of a timely postmortem and in the larger interest of justice I have agreed for the same to be carried out as per the prescribed procedure by the constituted board of doctors with the presence of a ballistic expert under the supervision of a magistrate and with videography of the entire process to ensure complete transparency she said In view of the ongoing investigation no further public statement shall be issued at this stage she added A day earlier Chandigarh Police which is investigating the IPS officers suicide case had filed a petition before the Chief Judicial Magistrates Court in Chandigarh seeking permission to conduct the postmortem and identification of the body The court had issued a notice to the family directing them to submit a response by Wednesday IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/haryana-ips-officer-puran-kumar-cremated-after-nine-day-stalemate-643220.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ajmer-dargah-row-hindu-sena-chief-files-fresh-petition-seeking-sealing-of-site-643223.html Jaipur Oct 15 The dispute over the Ajmer Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and the Sankat Mochan Mahadev Temple took a new turn on Wednesday Vishnu Gupta National President of the Hindu Sena has filed a fresh petition in Ajmer Civil Court West No 1 demanding the immediate sealing of the area inside the Dargah complex where a temple is claimed to have existed along with the installation of CCTV cameras to preserve alleged evidenceIn his petition Gupta stated that the activities taking place in the disputed area could lead to the destruction or tampering of vital evidence potentially affecting a fair probe He urged the court to ensure the protection of the section of the site where according to him a picture of Lord Shiva is engraved on a wall and a Shivalinga is believed to be present The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for October 17 2025 Making a fresh allegation Vishnu Gupta has accused the Ajmer Dargah Committee of attempting to erase or damage religious symbols and artefacts under the guise of renovation and repair workHe claimed that such actions could compromise crucial evidence that might help establish the presence of the Sankat Mochan Mahadev Temple within the Dargah premisesThe court must act quickly to prevent the destruction of evidence and ensure transparency through CCTV surveillance Gupta said in his plea The dispute dates back to September 2024 when Vishnu Gupta initially moved the Ajmer Civil Court asserting that the Sankat Mochan Mahadev Temple existed within the boundaries of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah one of Indias most revered Sufi shrinesThe earlier petition named the Dargah Committee of Khwaja Garib Nawaz the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Archaeological Survey of India ASI as respondents The case remains under judicial consideration and the new petition has once again heightened the sensitivity surrounding the matter in Ajmer IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ajmer-dargah-row-hindu-sena-chief-files-fresh-petition-seeking-sealing-of-site-643223.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/jk-l-g-promises-justice-to-terror-victim-families-of-kupwara-643229.html Srinagar Oct 15 IANS Jammu amp Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday promised justice to the terror victim families of Kupwara district which has been one of the worst suffering districts due to terror let loose by Pakistanbacked terrorists in the 1990snbspThe Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited Dardpora and met the families of civilian martyrs killed by Pakistanbacked terroristsnbspHe also addressed terror victim families at Government Degree College Kupwara and assured the family members of proper rehabilitation and strictest punishment to the culpritsnbspThe Lieutenant Governor said justice respect and dignity to family members of civilian martyrs killed by Pakistanbacked terrorists is his top prioritynbspHe said the criminal justice system will ensure perpetrators and elements of the terror ecosystem are punished providing a sense of justice and closure for the victims family and societynbspI have assured the family members that their decadeslong trauma torment and suffering are over We will ensure all the support so that they can reclaim their lives the Lieutenant Governor saidnbspHe also observed that families of civilian martyrs have gone through deep trauma suffered various challenges including unemployment and education and felt loss of hope in the past three decadesnbspFamilies of civilians who were killed by Pakistanbacked terrorists also suffered systemic barriers which stifled their progress They were denied their rights and access to resources All obstacles are now removed and we are ensuring justice and dignity for terror victim families the Lieutenant Governor saidHe paid homage to the civilians who were mercilessly killed by Pakistansponsored terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir The families of terror victims also narrated their ordealnbspIt is difficult to articulate the pain and suffering of terror victim families due to their profound emotional and psychological trauma and the administration will handle each case with full sensitivity and responsibilitynbspSo far around 250 terror victim families have been provided with government jobs This mission will continue till justice is done to every affected family This is the beginning of a new era of justice in Jammu and Kashmir the Lieutenant Governor saidHe also spoke on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Highrange Rural Development Society HRDS India and the Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir under which the houses of terror victims having their own land will be constructednbspUnder the initiative the HRDS India and Divisional Commissioners of both divisions will identify terror victim families whose houses were destroyed by the terroristsnbspThe Lieutenant Governor said the culprit Pakistani terrorists and their support system in the valley ran a false narrative for three decades to absolve the terror country Pakistan for its sinsnbspPakistan breeding ground of terrorism is exposed now and those involved in peddling a fake narrative on behalf of terrorists will be brought to justice the Lieutenant Governor said https://dailyworld.in/religion/jk-l-g-promises-justice-to-terror-victim-families-of-kupwara-643229.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/jampk-l-g-promises-justice-to-terror-victim-families-of-kupwara-643250.html Srinagar Oct 15 JampK Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday promised justice to the terror victim families of Kupwara district which has been one of the worst suffering districts due to terror let loose by Pakistanbacked terrorists in the 1990s The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited Dardpora and met the families of civilian martyrs killed by Pakistanbacked terroristsHe also addressed terror victim families at Government Degree College Kupwara and assured the family members of proper rehabilitation and strictest punishment to the culpritsThe Lieutenant Governor said justice respect and dignity to family members of civilian martyrs killed by Pakistanbacked terrorists is his top priority He said the criminal justice system will ensure perpetrators and elements of the terror ecosystem are punished providing a sense of justice and closure for the victims family and societyI have assured the family members that their decadeslong trauma torment and suffering are over We will ensure all the support so that they can reclaim their lives the Lieutenant Governor saidHe also observed that families of civilian martyrs have gone through deep trauma suffered various challenges including unemployment and education and felt loss of hope in the past three decadesFamilies of civilians who were killed by Pakistanbacked terrorists also suffered systemic barriers which stifled their progress They were denied their rights and access to resources All obstacles are now removed and we are ensuring justice and dignity for terror victim families the Lieutenant Governor saidHe paid homage to the civilians who were mercilessly killed by Pakistansponsored terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir The families of terror victims also narrated their ordealIt is difficult to articulate the pain and suffering of terror victim families due to their profound emotional and psychological trauma and the administration will handle each case with full sensitivity and responsibilitySo far around 250 terror victim families have been provided with government jobs This mission will continue till justice is done to every affected family This is the beginning of a new era of justice in Jammu and Kashmir the Lieutenant Governor saidHe also spoke on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Highrange Rural Development Society HRDS India and the Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir under which the houses of terror victims having their own land will be constructed Under the initiative the HRDS India and Divisional Commissioners of both divisions will identify terror victim families whose houses were destroyed by the terroristsThe Lieutenant Governor said the culprit Pakistani terrorists and their support system in the valley ran a false narrative for three decades to absolve the terror country Pakistan for its sinsPakistan breeding ground of terrorism is exposed now and those involved in peddling a fake narrative on behalf of terrorists will be brought to justice the Lieutenant Governor said IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/jampk-l-g-promises-justice-to-terror-victim-families-of-kupwara-643250.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 20:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/chhattisgarh-maoists-likely-to-surrender-en-mass-in-kaner-says-sources-643274.html Raipur Oct 15 In a significant setback to Maoist insurgency in Chhattisgarh sources indicate that as many as 100 more Maoists are likely to surrender in Kanker district with an official police announcement expected soon This comes on the heels of a recent mass surrender in the region highlighting the growing impact of government initiatives and security operations in eroding Naxalite strongholds Speaking to IANS a senior police officer on anonymity said Maoists have come forward in Kanker enmass but proper information will be released by authentication and due process soon Senior officials could not be reached or contacted as they were in the interior areas of the Bastar region The effects of increased police camps in the interior areas of Bastar coupled with the states new rehabilitation policy and the Niyad Nellanar scheme are becoming evident on the ground Following a wave of surrenders in Sukma Kanker has now emerged as a focal point for defections from Naxal ranks On Monday notorious North Bastar Naxalite leader Raju Salam along with his entire Company No 5 team surrendered at the Kamteda BSF camp in the Koylibeda police station area of Kanker district This event is being hailed as one of the largest surrenders in the history of Chhattisgarhs antiNaxal operations Reports suggest it could pave the way for declaring several areas in North Bastar as Naxalfree In a parallel development in Kondagaon district female Naxalite Geeta alias Kamli Salam who carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh also surrendered to the police The mass surrender in Kanker has provided substantial relief to security agencies and local administration According to local sources more than 100 Maoists arrived in three buses at the Kamteda BSF camp where they laid down their arms Prominent figures among them include Company No 5 commander Raju Salam Prasad Meena Bhaskar and Rajman Notably Raju Salam and Rajman each had a bounty of Rs 25 lakh on their heads However security forces have yet to come up with an official announcement The group also includes 30 Maoists with rewards exceeding Rs 5 lakh each along with dozens of other active members the source said Security forces facilitated their safe passage through a preestablished secret route escorting them from Gendabeda village to Kamteda in BSF buses The operation was spearheaded by the Inspector General of Police senior security officers and the BSF team Initially planned for October 15 the surrender was executed a day later for security reasons What stands out in this surrender is the collective bounty on the heads of those who defected exceeding Rs 25 crore Many had been operating for years in sensitive zones like the Mad Division and the Raoghat Area Committee Experts attribute this success not only to the efforts of security forces but also to effective government policies and community cooperation IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/chhattisgarh-maoists-likely-to-surrender-en-mass-in-kaner-says-sources-643274.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 22:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/jamaat-chief-husaini-inaugurates-waqf-help-desk-to-accelerate-registration-on-umeed-portal-643275.html New Delhi Oct 15  In order to accelerate the process of uploading details of Waqf properties and completing their registration on the governments Umeed Portal a Waqf Help Desk backend support system was inaugurated at the headquarters of JamaateIslami Hind here on Wednesday Through this Help Desk mutawallis managers of waqf properties imams of mosques and administrators of religious institutions can directly contact the desk and seek assistanceThe Help Desk was inaugurated by the JamaateIslami Hind President Syed Sadatullah HusainiIn his inaugural remarks Husaini said that the protection of Waqf properties has become a major challenge for the entire Muslim community and this challenge must be faced collectively and with unityJamaateIslamis Waqf Department has been working in this field for a long time not only at the central level but also in several states where registration work has already begun he addedHusaini added that the community has very little time and a huge task ahead to complete the registration of Waqf properties Therefore there is a pressing need to establish similar centres across the country to speed up the registration processReferring to the Supreme Courts interim order he emphasised that it is now essential to upload all Waqf property documents on the WAMSI Waqf Asset Management System of India Portal to ensure the registration is completed within the given deadlineHe further clarified that registration does not mean giving up the struggle against the unjust Waqf Amendment Act Alongside registration our legal struggle against this black law will continue he affirmedIntroducing the Help Desk Coordinator of the Centre Inamur Rahman Khan said that the documentation of Waqf properties is not an easy task and uploading documents on the Umeed Portal has been quite challenging The Help Desk has been launched to address these challengesHe said the desk will provide all necessary facilities related to registration The JamaateIslami Hind has made comprehensive organisational arrangements to ensure the registration of Waqf properties Waqf Cells have been established at the state level to carry out the work systematicallyIn his statement Rahman added that a permanent helpline has been set up under the supervision of the Central Help Desk and State Waqf Cells where legal experts waqf specialists and trained field workers are providing realtime guidance and support to those working on the groundDuring the event participants were urged to focus on building a strong network of volunteers and local monitoring committeesOn this occasion JamaateIslami Hind also released detailed guidelines for uploading Waqf properties on the Umeed Portal The inauguration ceremony of the Waqf Help Desk was attended by a large number of Jamaats central leaders and workers IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/jamaat-chief-husaini-inaugurates-waqf-help-desk-to-accelerate-registration-on-umeed-portal-643275.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 22:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/up-govts-unique-initiative-to-make-cow-shelters-self-sustaining-643055.html Lucknow October 14 IANS Vocal for Local and Go Swadeshi campaigns for achieving atmanirbharata are not just slogans in Uttar Pradesh but the state administration is also striving to achieve this in every sphere the latest being linking of cow shelters with the initiativenbspThe initiative is expected to give a new dimension to cow protection while also promoting indigenous industries and sustainable livelihoods through cowbased productsnbspThe state administration has planned to extensively promote cowbased products during the upcoming Diwali festival and has deployed women SelfHelp Groups SHGs to convince and persuade people to use cowbased products The SHGs will play a pivotal role in producing and marketing cow dungbased items at the local levelThe commercial use of cowbased products such as dung urine milk and ghee will also be encouraged under the programnbspThe use of cow dung lamps idols and other ecofriendly products will be promoted during Diwali through special awareness campaigns to boost their demandnbspThe Yogi government has directed the respective departments to prepare and implement action plans towards this objectivenbspThis will not only give impetus to the Vocal for Local initiative but will also go a long way in making the cow shelters selfsustainingnbspTo strengthen the financial sustainability of all cow shelters across the state the government has also planned to establish an ideal cow shelter in every district which will also be developed as a tourist attractionThe concept of cow tourism will be explored to generate employment opportunities and additional income for residents while promoting selfreliant shelters said a government releasenbspLivestock and Dairy Development Minister Dharampal Singh stated that a largescale campaign will be organised to promote cow dung lamps idols and decorative items during DiwalinbspnbspHe assured that these products will be made widely available in markets allowing citizens to participate in this ecoconscious initiative and support the spirit of Vocal for LocalnbspPrincipal Secretary Livestock and Dairy Development Mukesh Meshram informed that officials have been instructed to prepare locallevel plans for the commercial utilisation of cow dung and urine in cow sheltersnbspHe emphasised that this initiative will not only make shelters selfreliant but also strengthen the rural economy https://dailyworld.in/religion/up-govts-unique-initiative-to-make-cow-shelters-self-sustaining-643055.html Tue, 14 Oct 2025 18:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/odisha-police-arrest-19-year-old-for-hate-speech-642917.html Bhubaneswar Oct 13 Odisha Police on Monday arrested a person who along with other associates was found engaged in promoting communal violence and religious hatred in a video doing rounds on social media platforms Based on the complaint lodged by one Radha Madhav Das on October 9 the accused Arshad Ali19 was nabbed by the Commissionerate Police from the Biridi Police Station area of Jagatsinghpur district on Sunday night Das in his complaint drew the attention of the Commissionerate Police towards a video published and circulated on a popular social media platform Instagram containing false baseless provocative hatespeech content He also expressed the apprehension that the video might provoke communal violence as it promotes communal hatred by insulting Hindu sentiments and issuing violent threats The illegal act of the persons in the video was livestreamed on social media where four individuals were having a video chat with each other Their video chat promoted hatred on the grounds of religion It also insulted the religion or the religious beliefs The said persons also promoted communal violence and were discussing the recent riot incident in Cuttack City informed the police in a statement on Monday The Commissionerate police further added that the video chat escalated the communal tension between the religious groups The accused Ali was arrested following the registration of a case 18625 at the Bhubaneswar Cyber Crime and Economic Offences Police Station under various sections of the BNS and IT Act BhubaneswarCuttack Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Dutta Singh informed that the Commissionerate Police has intensified its drive against objectionable and provocative social media posts aimed at disturbing communal harmony For the past week we have been conducting a special campaign against hateful and inflammatory posts on social media Over 500 such posts have been taken down and several arrests have been made resulting in positive outcomes Many users who had unknowingly shared objectionable content have now become more cautious added the police Commissioner on Monday IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/odisha-police-arrest-19-year-old-for-hate-speech-642917.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-hijab-controversy-breaks-out-at-kochi-school-642939.html Kochi Oct 13 A controversy has erupted at St Ritas School in Palluruthy Kochi after a student wearing a hijab was barred from attending classes prompting threats against the school from certain organisations and a twoday closure The management explained that the school received threats demanding that hijabs be permitted and the temporary closure on Monday and Tuesday was aimed at ensuring the safety of other studentsThe students father claimed that his daughter faced mental harassment at school for wearing a hijab and has lodged complaints with the Chief Minister and the Education MinisterSchool authorities however maintained that the action was taken because the student failed to adhere to the prescribed school uniformThe principal emphasised that institutional discipline requires compliance with uniform rules and allowing one student to defy them could pressure others to do the sameAccording to the school the student had attended classes without a hijab for the past four monthsShe resumed wearing it last Tuesday prompting the management to bar herThe authorities alleged that the students decision was influenced by external parties attempting to create conflict within the schoolThey added that other students felt intimidated during the incidentThe management reiterated that the uniform plays a critical role in sustaining discipline and that granting exceptions could undermine the schools overall rulesThe joining issue was former Kerala BJP president KSurendran who said The extremists pampered by pinarayivijayans Communists and RahulGandhis Congress are now dictating what can and cannot exist in Kerala St Ritas Public School in Kochi has been temporarily shut down after threats from religious fundamentalists demanding the right to wear the hijab Over 600 children are now denied their right to education Parents are living in fear Keralas govt must stop bowing to extremists reopen St Rita School wrote Surendran in his social media pageThe controversy continues to stir debate over religious rights school discipline and student safety as authorities parents and community leaders seek a resolution acceptable to all parties IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-hijab-controversy-breaks-out-at-kochi-school-642939.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 19:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/punjab-aap-slams-congress-after-chidambarams-1984-remarks-642732.html Chandigarh Oct 12 Punjab Aam Aadmi Party AAP Member of Parliament Malvinder Singh Kang and legislator Inderbir Singh Nijjar on Sunday reacted to Congress leader P Chidambarams statement regarding the 1984 Sikh genocide The AAP leaders asked why the Congress continues to repeatedly hurt the sentiments of Sikhs and why Rahul Gandhi still keeps Jagdish Tytler one of the culprits of the Sikh massacre by his sideThey said that the Congress is still honouring the main accused Sajjan Kumar Jagdish Tytler and Kamal Nath by giving them key positions and recognitionIn a statement the AAP leaders said that the atrocities committed by Congress can never be forgottenKang asked This is the same Congress that openly honoured those involved in the mass killings of Sikhs in Delhi Sajjan Kumar Jagdish Tytler and Kamal Nath by giving them ministerial and Chief Ministerial positions Rahul Gandhi should tell the nation for how long will he continue to reward and protect such peopleHe warned Chidambaram that merely admitting that what happened was wrong does not erase Congress crimes and sinsHe said that the wounds inflicted on Sikhs in Punjab and Delhi are still fresh in the hearts of the Sikhs across the worldKang added that the Sikhs can never forget Congress atrocities and the genocide committed against them and that the Congress can never be forgiven for these crimesAAP MLA Nijjar reacting to Chidambarams remarks about Operation Bluestar said that trying to share the blame with the Army and Intelligence agencies instead of placing full responsibility on the then former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was a clear attempt to shield the Congress leadershipHe clarified that everything that happens in the country is done with the consent of the head of the stateDuring Operation Bluestar Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister and she was fully responsible for the entire incidentHe said that the Sikhs in Punjab and across the world can never forgive Indira Gandhi and the Congress for the attack on Sri Harmandir SahibAAP leader Nijjar also questioned Congress continued defence of the culprits of the 1984 Delhi riots saying that Sajjan Kumar Jagdish Tytler and Kamal Nath had played a direct role in instigating violence and killing SikhsYet Congress rewarded them with Ministries and Chief Ministerial posts clearly showing that the partys intentions were never sincere he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/punjab-aap-slams-congress-after-chidambarams-1984-remarks-642732.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 20:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/rs-425-cr-sanctioned-for-restoration-of-ancient-temples-says-tn-temple-minister-sekar-babu-642755.html Chennai Oct 12 Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments HRampCE Minister P K Sekar Babu on Sunday said the state government has sanctioned Rs 425 crore for restoring and protecting temples that are more than a thousand years old He said 68 such temples have already been renovated using government temple and donor funds as part of Chief Minister M K Stalins efforts to preserve Tamil Nadus spiritual heritageSekar Babu along with Handlooms and Textiles Minister R Gandhi handed over 53386 kg of unused temple gold from four temples in Kanchipuram district to State Bank of India SBI Regional Manager Senthil KumarThe gold collected from the Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Kundrathur Subramania Swamy Thiruvidanthai Nithya Kalyana Perumal and Thirumalai Vaiyavur Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal temples will be melted at the governments plant in Mumbai and deposited under the Gold Monetisation SchemeThe event was held in the presence of retired Supreme Court judge Justice Duraiswamy RajuAfter the handover the ministers planted a sapling at the ancient Ekambaranathar Temple and inspected the Rs 29 crore restoration works in progress Officials were instructed to speed up the works so that the reconsecration kumbhabhishekam could be held on December 8 The temples renovation is being funded through Rs 1275 crore from the state government Rs 899 crore from the Commissioners welfare fund Rs 684 crore from temple funds and Rs 41 lakh from donorsSpeaking to reporters Sekar Babu said that since the DMK came to power a golden era for spiritual administration has begun with 3707 temples already reconsecrated in accordance with Agama principlesThe HRampCE Departments gold monetisation project he said is implemented under the supervision of retired judges Justice Duraiswamy Raju Justice Ravichandra Babu and Justice Selvi Mala So far 1074123 kg of purified gold collected from 21 temples has been deposited in the SBI earning Rs 1776 crore in annual interest which is reinvested into temple developmentAnother 378619 kg of unused gold from 13 temples has been prepared for melting including the 53386 kg handed over on SundayThe minister said that public contributions for temple projects have reached a record Rs 1528 crore across 11845 projects during the DMK governments tenure The department has issued 844 government orders since 2021 implementing 65 per cent of them so far He added that the government is following a compassionate approach toward residents on temple lands by regularising occupancy and collecting fair rent as per the late Chief Minister Kalaignar Karunanidhis policyAround Rs 650 crore in arrears has been recovered he saidPlans are also in place to establish organised parking near temples in Kanchipuram while the Rs 9 crore golden chariot for Nanganallur Anjaneyar Temple will be ready by January 2026The golden chariot for the Kanchi Ekambaranathar Temple will also be completed soon Joint Commissioner Vanmathi will be appointed as a special officer to oversee temple restoration works IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/rs-425-cr-sanctioned-for-restoration-of-ancient-temples-says-tn-temple-minister-sekar-babu-642755.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 23:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-swadeshi-goods-witness-surge-chinese-products-on-decline-ahead-of-diwali-642568.html Vadodara Oct 11 Despite competition from Chinese goods and products traditional items like clay lamps and diyas remain popular in Gujarats Vadodara attracting buyers who value indigenous products and heritage while promoting Swadeshi products as highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi During Diwali there is usually a surge in the demand for Chinese products in Vadodara however for many years the potter community has been crafting clay products that people prefer to beautify their homes during the festival and promoting Swadeshi goodsAmid the influx of Chinese products local traders selling traditional household items such as clay lamps diyas and other decorative pieces are benefiting significantly Both central and state governments actively support small businesses and Prime Minister Narendra Modis strong advocacy for adopting Swadeshi products has provided a major boost to artisans and manufacturers of indigenous goodsRakesh Prajapati a local businessman told IANS Diwali is almost here I encourage people to buy at least one diya We have made various types of diyas from clay to meet the demandCustomer Deepika Gohil shared her experience and said I bought a beautifully designed diya and a chandelier here We are embracing Swadeshi following PM Modis promotion of it We should buy only products made in India and avoid Chinese goods If we work towards this things will change and it will also increase job opportunitiesDiwali also known as Deepawali is one of the major Hindu festivals celebrated with great grandeur and enthusiasm across the nation The festival symbolises the victory of light over darkness knowledge over ignorance and good over evil According to the Hindu lunar calendar Deepawali falls on the Amavasya Tithi of the Kartik month This year there is some confusion about the exact date as the Amavasya Tithi spans two days from October 20 to October 21Diwali holds deep religious and spiritual significance commemorating the return of Lord Shri Ram to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana The people of Ayodhya celebrated this day with joy lighting diyas illuminating the city and creating rangoli patterns to welcome Lord Ram after his 14year exileThe festival marks the end of darkness and the triumph of good over evil On this auspicious day devotees offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi Lord Ganesha and Lord Kubera with devotion and purity Diwali brings happiness prosperity good fortune and abundance to homes across the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/gujarat-swadeshi-goods-witness-surge-chinese-products-on-decline-ahead-of-diwali-642568.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 18:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sabarimala-gold-plate-scam-crime-branch-registers-case-against-10-people-642603.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 11 The Crime Branch wing of the Kerala Police on Saturday formally registered a case in connection with the suspected gold plate scam at the Sabarimala temple Earlier the Kerala High Court formed a special investigation team consisting of five Police officials under Crime Branch chief ADG of Police H VenkiteshThe case has now been handed over to Venkitesh for further actionThe 10 people who have been named in the case include sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti his aides and officials of the Devaswom BoardThe charges include theft forgery breach of trust and criminal conspiracyPreliminary findings point to major procedural violations during the transfer of the gold plates on July 19 and 20 2019The Devaswom Vigilance report indicates collusion between officials and contractorsThe gold plates were reportedly moved from Kerala to Bengaluru and then Hyderabad within ten days bypassing standard protocolsWhile the initial Vigilance report cited 989 grams of gold as missing subsequent findings suggest that the actual quantity could be far higherMahazar records maintained by the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner indicate that the original plates may have been swapped or divertedThe role of Smart Creations the firm that handled the plating work is now under scrutinyWhile the company claims it does not melt gold it admitted to doing so on behalf of Potti its regular clientThe SIT is expected to employ scientific testing to determine whether the original gold plates were melted or replacedThe case involving one of Keralas most revered temples is expected to widen further with more arrests and evidencebased action in the coming daysBoth the Congressled UDF and the BJP ever since the scam surfaced have been demanding the resignation of the Devasom Minister VN Vasavan and the Devasom Board membersThe last four days of the assembly session ended in uproar with the Congressled UDF opposition raising this issue IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sabarimala-gold-plate-scam-crime-branch-registers-case-against-10-people-642603.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 22:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/cm-yogis-vision-transforms-ayodhya-into-global-spiritual-tourism-hub-ahead-of-deepotsav-642546.html Ayodhya Oct 11 Ayodhya the sacred city of Lord Ram is undergoing a stunning transformation under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath As the ninth edition of the grand Deepotsav festival approaches Ayodhya is emerging not only as a revered pilgrimage site but also as a vibrant blend of heritage modern infrastructure and worldclass tourism facilities At the heart of this transformation lies the spectacular beautification of Ram Ki Paidi and the rejuvenation of the Saryu ghats projects that aim to enhance both the spiritual ambiance and the citys appeal to visitors from across the globeThe government has introduced a new spectator gallery at Ram Ki Paidi capable of seating 18000 to 20000 devotees simultaneously Constructed during the financial year 202324 at a cost of Rs 232455 lakh this development includes 350 metres of newly built steps modern lighting boundary walls and upgraded amenitiesA newlyinaugurated selfie point featuring magnificent stone statues of Lord Ram Goddess Sita and Lakshman has quickly become a major attraction for pilgrims and tourists alike offering a perfect blend of devotion and photographyUnder a new project approved for the financial year 202425 with an allocation of Rs 236761 lakh Ram Ki Paidi is set to appear in an even more magnificent form The project includes the construction of eight small amphitheatres to offer comfortable seating for visitors along with six intricately designed stone canopies eight grand lamps and sevenmetrehigh stone pillars that will add to the ghats splendourEnhanced with modern lighting and aesthetic landscaping the site will beautifully merge tradition with modernity creating an unforgettable experience for devotees and tourists from around the worldThe Saryu River the lifeline of Ayodhya is also receiving a major facelift The state government has allocated Rs 234611 lakh to renovate and beautify a 25kilometre stretch of the riverfront ghatsThe project includes 32 stone canopies 11 massive pillars four worship platforms two Gau Pooja zones 15 directional signages 60 interpretation walls and a VIP pavilionModern lighting systems and enhanced cleanliness will elevate the spiritual atmosphere making the Saryu Aarti an even more mesmerising and majestic spectacle for devoteesUPPCL Project Manager Manoj Sharma said that under the leadership of CM Adityanath the development initiatives in Ayodhya are not merely construction projects but symbols of a cultural renaissance The beautification of Ram Ki Paidi and the Saryu ghats he highlighted has not only enhanced the citys spiritual ambiance but also given a new momentum to tourismOur goal is to complete all projects ahead of schedule and with the highest standards of quality so that devotees and tourists visiting Ayodhya can truly experience its grandeur and divinity he addedDistrict Magistrate Nikhil Tikaram stated that all construction works are being carried out through UPPCL He added that these projects have taken Ayodhya to new global heights These development initiatives have strengthened Ayodhyas international prominence while giving a significant boost to the local economy and tourism sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/cm-yogis-vision-transforms-ayodhya-into-global-spiritual-tourism-hub-ahead-of-deepotsav-642546.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 17:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/congress-leader-satheesan-hails-kerala-hc-order-on-sabarimala-gold-theft-642337.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 10 Congress leader V D Satheesan on Friday welcomed the Kerala High Courts order for an FIR and a thorough investigation into the Sabarimala gold theft case calling it a longoverdue corrective action against attempts by the state government and Devaswom Board to conceal the controversy Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Satheesan pointed out that the verdict vindicates the oppositions longstanding claims and sends a strong message that those involved in attempting to sell temple assets must face legal consequencesThe High Court found serious irregularities not only in the Dwarapalaka idol but also in the temple steps and structures noting that fake molds were created while the original idol was tampered with The court has instructed a special investigation team to report directly to it bypassing other authorities easing devotees fears of political interference Former Devaswom ministers and board presidents have been named as parties to be included in the probe said SatheesanHe also raised questions about procedural lapses in handing over Ayyappas yogadanda and Rudraksha mala to the Devaswom Board presidents son for goldplating While the items were fortunately not removed from the temple he demanded clarity on the basis for entrusting them noting systemic failures in safeguarding temple assetsSatheesan emphasised that both the government and Devaswom Board were aware of irregularities but allegedly attempted a coverupReports indicate similar attempts were made at the Ettumanoor temple but timely intervention by devotees prevented lossesOfficial records confirm the Dwarapalaka idol was broken and Satheesan urged that all responsible including those aware of the 2019 transactions be brought before the lawThe Congress in Kerala has announced that they would intensify its protest beginning with a major protest march at Pandalam on October 18They have also decided to take forward their protests to the neighbouring states as the largest number of devotees come from Andhra Pradesh Telangana Karnataka and Tamil NaduThe High Courts intervention is being hailed as a critical step toward restoring accountability in the management of Sabarimala temple assets ensuring justice for the devotees and safeguarding the sanctity of the shrine IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/congress-leader-satheesan-hails-kerala-hc-order-on-sabarimala-gold-theft-642337.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 15:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sabarimala-gold-row-probe-may-expose-secretive-lucrative-racket-kerala-sculptor-642363.html Alappuzha Oct 10 A veteran sculptor in Kerala Mahesh Panikkar has claimed that the probe into the Sabarimala gold controversy may expose a massive and highly lucrative racket which has been going on secretly for a long time Speaking to the media on Friday Panikkar claimed that the gold embedded in the temples Dwarapalaka door guardian idols and other sacred parts could have been sold for sums far exceeding their mere metal value possibly reaching as high as Rs 100 croreAs per reports Panikkar is connected to the artisan family that originally created the idol at SabarimalaFollowing the High Court order it is clear that a huge theft has occurred The real worth is in the divine energy of Sabarimala not just the gold Selling the idols with their sacred copper sheets intact increases their value manifold Panikkar saidHe stressed that Unnikrishnan Potti currently under scrutiny was just a minor figure in a much larger networkGold from Sabarimala may have even entered the film industry Buyers including production houses could easily have paid hundreds of crores Selling the original and returning a duplicate is a common tactic he addedPanikkar also alleged that the racket exploited devotees faith promoting the false notion that preserving parts of the idols could cure astrological ailments like Shani DoshaSabarimala is an ancient temple with immense heritage the divine value of its idols is immeasurable This makes the scam far more significant than mere theft of gold he saidThe revelation comes amid an ongoing High Courtordered investigationThe Special Investigation Team SIT is probing the alleged sale of goldplated copper coverings which were sent to Smart Creations for repair without prior court approvalThe Kerala High Court has itself constituted a fivemember Kerala Police team led by Additional Director General of Police H Venkatesh to complete the probe and submit its report in a sealed cover in six weeksThe case has captured nationwide attention not only for the financial magnitude but also for the cultural and spiritual violation it represents highlighting the scale of exploitation possible when religious faith intersects with material greed IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sabarimala-gold-row-probe-may-expose-secretive-lucrative-racket-kerala-sculptor-642363.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 17:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/karnataka-hasanamba-temple-doors-opened-for-people-642218.html Hassan Karnataka Oct 9 The doors of the Hasanamba Temple which are opened once a year for devotees were opened on Thursday Thousands of devotees eagerly awaited the darshan of Hasanamba with people arriving not only from different parts of the state but also from other statesThe sanctum doors were opened following traditional rituals and ceremoniesOn this occasion Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Mutt Siddalinga Swami of Tumakurus Siddaganga Mutt District Incharge Minister Krishna Byre Gowda Congress MLA HP Swaroop Prakash and Congress MP Shreyas Patel were presentLast year the Hasanamba fair was held from October 24 to November 3During this period more than 20 lakh devotees had darshan of HasanambaThe sanctum doors which had been closed on November 3 last year were opened on ThursdayThis year more than 25 lakh devotees are expected to visitEach year during the temples opening in October devotees flock to seek blessings from Goddess HasanambaThe temple follows a strict tradition of closure and when it shuts its doors certain rituals ensure the divine presence remains undisturbedThe deities are offered two bags of rice fresh flowers water and a continuously burning ghee lampRemarkably the lamp is expected to stay lit for the entire duration of the temples closure until the next yearThe flowers which are kept on the idols of goddess will remain freshFrom October 9 until October 23 the temple will be open for devotees darshan for a total of 13 days excluding the last three daysLast year more than 20 lakh devotees visited the temple and this year more than 25 lakh devotees are expectedThe district administration has made special arrangements for the devoteesIt is believed that the Hasanamba Temple in Hassan is a unique Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Hasanamba which is an incarnation of the goddess ShaktiUnlike most temples which are open yearround this temple opens its doors to devotees only once a year for just one week during the month of DiwaliMany devotees consider themselves fortunate if they get a chance to visit during the brief period when the temple is open IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/karnataka-hasanamba-temple-doors-opened-for-people-642218.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 23:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sabarimala-gold-row-tantri-denies-granting-permission-to-transport-items-to-chennai-641928.html Pathanamthitta Kerala Oct 8 The controversy surrounding the gold plating of the Dwarapalaka idols at Sabarimala has deepened with Tantri priest Kandararu Rajeevar openly disputing claims made by Murari Babu The Tantri on Wednesday asserted that he had not given permission to transport the idols to Chennai for gold platingWhat Murari Babu said is not right I only permitted minor repair work at Sabarimala itself said Rajeevar Murari Babu was the Administrative Officer at Sabarimala when the episode happened and on Tuesday he was suspended by the Travancore Devasom BoardAccording to him the fading was confined to a small portion of the lower part of the idol and his written reply only allowed restoration onsiteAt no point did I grant permission to take the idols outside the shrine They were moved to Chennai without my consent he saidThe Tantri also clarified that the entire structure including the Dwarapalaka idols is coated with gold not copper as alleged in some quartersAll my communications clearly refer to gold Whether in 2019 or now I have never authorised sending the idols out for gold plating he statedMeanwhile serious questions have been raised over how the idols were transported and the process alteredThe Tiruvabharanam Commissioner had earlier found that Chennai Smart Creations the contractor lacked the technical expertise to remove the existing plating and reapply gold That finding was quietly revised within eight days allowing traditional gold plating at the Sannidhanam insteadA crucial email issued on July 30 to the Executive Officer was later withdrawn without explanationThe reversal reportedly came after discussions with sponsor Unnikrishnan Potty raising further suspicionThe latest statements from the Tantri have intensified the row over whether due process and temple tradition were bypassed in the handling of the Dwarapalaka idolsThe matter is now expected to draw closer scrutiny from the temple board and state authorities as calls grow for a transparent investigation IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sabarimala-gold-row-tantri-denies-granting-permission-to-transport-items-to-chennai-641928.html Wed, 08 Oct 2025 12:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/delhi-cm-rekha-gupta-visits-trilokpuri-donates-rs-1-lakh-for-renovation-of-valmiki-temple-641868.html New Delhi Oct 7 IANS Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the national capitals Trilokpuri area on Tuesday greeted the residents on the occasion of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti and vowed to bring transformational change in the constituency by repairing roads cleaning canals and improving infrastructurenbspShe also donated Rs one lakh for the renovation of the Valmiki Temple in TrilokpurinbspThe Chief Minister was welcomed and honoured by the Trilokpuri residents by placing a turban on her headnbspAddressing the gathering Rekha Gupta said that she felt immense joy to celebrate the occasion with them stating that Lord Valmiki was part of everyones lifeIf he hadnt existed we would never have known the life and character of Lord Ram Its because of his portrayal via Ramayana that we know and understand the life of Lord Ram she saidnbspTaking a pledge to expedite developmental projects in Trilokpuri she said that her government was extending all possible assistance and funding for the constituencys developmentnbspTrilokpuri Assembly has to be transformed into Ram Rajya I have told Trilokpuri legislator Ravi Kant to focus on development and not worry about the funds she told the crowd eliciting cheers and applause from the crowdSpeaking about the significance of Maharishi Valmiki she said that when the grand Ram Temple was built in Ayodhya PM Modi ensured that a temple dedicated to Lord Valmiki was also built in the vicinitynbspEarlier in the day Delhi CM greeted the Valmiki community on the birth anniversary of Adi Kavi Maharishi ValmikinbspThrough his great creation the Ramayana Maharishi Valmiki Ji not only immortalized Indian culture and ideals but also connected every individual to the values of Lord Shri Ram such as righteousness truth honor and the fulfillment of duty His thoughts continue to inspire us even today to walk the path of righteousness and work for the welfare of society she said in a post on X https://dailyworld.in/religion/delhi-cm-rekha-gupta-visits-trilokpuri-donates-rs-1-lakh-for-renovation-of-valmiki-temple-641868.html Tue, 07 Oct 2025 14:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/tn-to-host-international-vallalar-conference-in-chennai-641678.html Chennai Oct 5 The Tamil Nadu government will host a grand International Vallalar Conference in Chennai later this year likely in November or December bringing together over 10000 Sanmarga devotees including nearly 2000 women The announcement was made by Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments HR and CE Minister PK Sekar Babu while addressing the 203rd birth anniversary celebrations of Arutpragasa Vallalar Ramalinga Adigalar at Vadalur in Cuddalore district on SundayMinister Sekar Babu said the event would serve as a global platform to celebrate Vallalars teachings of compassion equality and spiritual enlightenmentSanmargis from across India and abroad will converge in Chennai to honour Vallalars timeless message of benevolence he said after hoisting the Sanmarga flag at the Vadalur celebrationsHighlighting the states commitment to preserving Vallalars legacy Sekar Babu said Chief Minister MK Stalin had allocated Rs 9999 crore for the establishment of the Vallalar International Centre at VadalurThe longawaited project had faced delays due to multiple litigations over land demarcation but is now progressing steadilyConstruction at the B site has resumed after the court cleared it based on the governments report The new facilities will be ready for devotees by December the Minister saidHe added that the government had submitted detailed reports on encroachments in the A site area as directed by the court and work there would begin once judicial clearance is obtainedJustice will prevail and all work is being done with transparency and fairness he assuredThe Vallalar International Centre is envisioned as a spiritual and cultural hub featuring prayer halls research spaces and facilities to support Sanmarga devotees from across the globeOfficials said the project aims to strengthen the message of love and service preached by Vallalar who championed feeding the poor and universal brotherhoodSince the DMK assumed power in 2021 the government has declared Vallalars birth anniversary as Benevolence Day and has organised statebacked celebrations each year to propagate his humanitarian idealsSundays event saw participation from senior ministers MRK Panneerselvam and CV Ganesan along with Cuddalore District Collector Sibi Adhithya Senthil Kumar as devotees gathered in large numbers to pay homage to the 19thcentury saint and social reformer IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/tn-to-host-international-vallalar-conference-in-chennai-641678.html Sun, 05 Oct 2025 17:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-lop-satheesan-demands-cbi-probe-into-sabarimala-gold-fiasco-641543.html Kochi Oct 4 Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan on Saturday demanded a thorough investigation into the Sabarimala gold controversy and called for accountability from the Devaswom Board and the state government We demand the resignation of the Minister and the Devasom Board president and urged the filing of cases against current and former Board officials including former Minister Kadakampally Surendran A CBI investigation to ascertain the exact quantity of gold lost has also to be done said Satheesan who added that millions of devotees contributions are at stakeRaising questions about the 30 kg of gold donated by Vijay Mallaya UB Group in 1998 Satheesan sought clarity on how much remains at SabarimalaHe pointed out that gold including plates with a 40year warranty was removed in 2019 and reached Chennai only after nearly 40 days highlighting ambiguities noted in a Kerala High Court verdictAgencies have claimed that only copper plates were transported implying that the gold was melted locally before the plates were sentSatheesan criticized the Devaswom Board for covering up losses despite identifying irregularities in 2019Questions remain about the role of Unnikrishnan Potti alleged to be a sponsor and intermediary and why he was called again to Chennai in 2025 to perform rituals on the gold despite the previous shortages The same person responsible for the missing gold has been involved again which is a serious violation said SatheesanThe leader further highlighted irregularities in the handling of temple assets including the movement of doorguardian sculptures and pedestals to private locations and alleged that officials colluded with intermediaries to benefit financially from the temples wealthThis is not just about a shortage of gold it reflects a systemic failure and deliberate coverup The courtsupervised investigation must determine the facts hold the guilty accountable and restore public trust he saidHe praised the High Courts vigilance and demanded that central agencies conduct investigations under court supervision IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/kerala-lop-satheesan-demands-cbi-probe-into-sabarimala-gold-fiasco-641543.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 16:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/vedanta-teaches-that-nothing-needs-to-change-for-you-to-be-happy-padma-shri-acharya-jonas-masetti-641448.html New Delhi Oct 4 Acharya Jonas Masetti the Brazilianborn Yoga guru has inspired thousands through his remarkable journey from mechanical engineering to spiritual leadership Honoured with the Padma Shri for his contributions to Vedic knowledge and Yoga Acharya Masetti shares with IANS his vision for cultural exchange spiritual growth and the future of Yoga in India and beyond On spreading Vedic knowledgeOnce you understand the value of Vedanta you realise that happiness and wellbeing have nothing to do with your surroundings nothing to do with external events Nothing in your life needs to change for you to be happy and well That is the core message of Vedanta Acharya Masetti told IANSOn his approach to teaching Vedanta and YogaThe number of colleges is growing We started with one and now we have six across India Its not just about Vedanta classes or musical festivals We combine everything Youth today experience bhajans blended with electronic music alongside short Vedanta lectures and stories that touch the heart Music opens them up emotionally and we also feature interviews with Indian global leaders who share their life journeys he saidIts not just a party its a moment of learning delivered in a language the youth can truly absorb We do this out of love and gratitude for India hoping that through this contribution young Indians will rediscover the value of their own culture Acharya Masetti statedOn language as a barrier to understanding VedantaWe understand that one of the biggest obstacles to learning Vedanta and the Vedic tradition is language Often this tradition is misunderstood as purely religious or something that requires renouncing everyday life But were showing a different realityIn the West we have over 200000 people men women youth elders who live normal lives and still embrace Vedanta They live by its values while remaining fully engaged in society Thats the message we want to share Acharya Masetti saidOn meeting Baba RamdevI havent met him recently but I do know him I actually met him during Swami Dayanands 80th birthday celebration where I offered some seva It was a very special moment After receiving the Padma Shri I havent had the chance to meet him again It would be delightful to reconnect with him and other masters who are making unique contributionsI see myself as a Western messenger someone who can show them how the West perceives and values their culture he saidOn activities in IndiaAfter receiving the Padma Shri my family and I felt a deep calling to give back to Bharat We decided to launch the Samba Shiva Festival an intercultural event that will be held at major universities across India Its purpose is to help young people rediscover the richness of their own cultural heritage asserted Acharya Masetti IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/vedanta-teaches-that-nothing-needs-to-change-for-you-to-be-happy-padma-shri-acharya-jonas-masetti-641448.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 09:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/i-love-muhammad-row-tension-continues-in-karnatakas-belagavi-11-detained-641485.html Belagavi Oct 4 Tension continued to simmer in Karnatakas Belagavi city on Saturday following a stonepelting incident linked to the raising of I Love Muhammad slogans Police have detained 11 persons and made tight security arrangements across Belagavi cityThe Police Department is on high alert as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to visit the city on SaturdayAccording to police the stonepelting incident occurred on Friday evening during the Urs procession While the procession was underway I Love Muhammad slogans were raised When objections were raised the mob resorted to stone pelting near the Khadak Galli areaThe police also stated that they have obtained video evidence showing youths chanting I Love Muhammad slogans and engaging in violenceThe Police further said that the group changed the procession route without permissionKhade Bazar Police have detained 11 people in connection with the incident and are questioning them A case has been registered and further investigation is underwaySecurity has been tightened since Friday night with police patrolling throughout the night the police saidA platoon of the Karnataka State Reserve Police KSRP has been deployed in the Khade Bazar area Police have indicated that more persons will be taken into custody in connection with the incidentMeanwhile Hindutva activists have put up Har Har Mahadev banners in Belagavi city Taking the situation seriously police are maintaining a strict vigilIn another development an I Love Muhammad banner installed at Aland in Kalaburagi district was removed by jurisdictional police on SaturdayThe banner had been put up as part of the Laadle Mashak Dargah urs programme After receiving information police rushed to the spot and cleared the bannerAn investigation is ongoingEarlier two groups clashed over an I Love Muhammad poster in Davanagere city further fueling tensions IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/i-love-muhammad-row-tension-continues-in-karnatakas-belagavi-11-detained-641485.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 12:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/actor-jayaram-speaks-on-sabarimala-gold-plating-row-641340.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 3 The ongoing Sabarimala goldplating controversy has taken a fresh turn with popular Malayalam actor Jayarams name surfacing in connection with a ritual led by Unnikrishnan Potti one of the key sponsors of the temples restoration works Videos from 2019 recently went viral showing a puja linked to the projectThe ceremony was not at my house It happened in Chennai I went only because Unnikrishnan Potti invited me I know him but we do not interact on a daily basis but with regards to Sabarimala temple we speak said JayaramThe actor further revealed that he had invited veteran artist Veeramani to the event describing his own presence as a matter of faith rather than involvementI considered it a blessing to be part of the occasion I was not aware of any fundraising linked to it nor did I notice such activities he addedThe event promoted as connected to the sacred Sreekovil door of Sabarimala had attracted several wellknown personalities adding to the controversy when the footage resurfacedOf course I will say what I know if I am called to testify on this added JayaramIncidentally Potti has been summoned by the Vigilance wing of the Travancore Devaswom Board TDB the agency that runs the affairs of the famed Sabarimala templePotti who is now in the state capital city has been asked to appear before the TDBVigilance on Saturday and he is expected to do soMeanwhile the Congressled UDF have started going hammer and tongs and have already demanded a CBI probe into the present rowOn Friday the BJP broke its silence and its veteran leader and former Minister of State V Muraleedharan said the Left government has allowed Sabarimala to be used as a tool for looting as is seen on what happened to the gold plating works by handing it over to someoneWe wish to know who gave the right to hand over portions of the temple to this person The Pinarayi Vijayan government has to come clean on this said Muraleedharan IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/actor-jayaram-speaks-on-sabarimala-gold-plating-row-641340.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 16:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/congress-up-in-arms-over-sabarimalas-missing-gold-641354.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 3 The serenity of Sabarimala one of Indias most revered pilgrimage sites has been shaken by allegations surrounding the temples goldplating works top Congress leaders said on Friday Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan and his predecessor Ramesh Chennithala on Friday have expressed dismay over the row and the latter demanded a full High Courtsupervised investigation calling the events a blatant violation of temple rules and devotees trustSatheesan raised several questions about the missing goldThe company responsible claimed only copper sheets were transported to Chennai suggesting the gold was removed locally The High Court observed a 40day delay before the sheets reached Chennai where was the gold all this while he askedHe also questioned the role of sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti and those who authorised the move stressing that valuables should never leave Sabarimala without official sanctionChennithala described the incident as a naked breach of the Devaswom manual which strictly forbids removing gold or other valuable items from the templeAll repairs should happen inside the temple with approval from the Tantri and the Devaswom Commissioner None of these steps was followed 42 kg of gold sheets were sent to Chennai but only 38 kg returned he claimed highlighting the gravity of the oversightBoth leaders voiced concern over the impact on devotees Chennithala alleged that a secretive group may have manipulated even prominent personalities including actor Jayaram whose attendance at a ritual was reportedly used to conceal financial misdeedsSatheesan stressed that the Ayyappa idol and all temple valuables must receive special protection while the investigation unfoldsThey demanded accountability from ministers board presidents and officials involved since 2019 calling for transparent swift action to restore public confidenceMillions of devotees visit Sabarimala annually and any mismanagement of offerings gold or temple assets risks shaking faith in one of the countrys most sacred shrinesAs the Kerala High Court prepares to oversee the inquiry the unfolding drama around missing gold secretive intermediaries and alleged coverups continues to capture public attention raising pressing questions about governance devotion and accountability at Sabarimala IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/congress-up-in-arms-over-sabarimalas-missing-gold-641354.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 17:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/indias-tallest-church-gorgeous-thrissur-basilica-with-a-beautiful-heart-celebrates-centenary-on-sunday-641424.html Thrissur Oct 3 The Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours fondly known as Puthanpally new Church is celebrating its centenary this Sunday with grandeur drawing political dignitaries clergy and thousands of faithful devotees to it Standing 160 feet tall with a bell tower soaring to 260 feet the Basilica is the tallest church in India and home to one of Asias tallest bell towers However it is its towering charitable works that have made a difference to society in Kerala The celebration is as much about faith in action as Christians as it is about aweinspiring architecture that makes Indians proud of having such a beautiful church on their soilIts 25000squarefoot Gothic expanse is adorned with 11 altars elaborate murals intricate icons and statues depicting scenes from the Holy BibleThe churchs interior is a visual symphony combining devotion and artistic grandeur that leaves visitors spellbound and makes the hearts of Keralites swell with prideSpeaking to IANS Rector Father Thomas Kakkassery the live wire behind the yearlong centenary celebrations said the support of the entire members of the iconic church has made all this happenThe true measure of Puthanpally lies not only in its stone and spire but in the heart of its parishioners Since October 2024 the 590 families of the church have raised nearly Rs 250 crore to support education healthcare and community welfare programsThis remarkable act of charity mirrors the spiritual mission of the church serving society with devotion as towering as its architecture We have been able to achieve all what was planned a year back because of the support of the church members said Father KakkasseryThe journey of Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours began on October 10 1925 when Mar Francis Vazhappilly arranged temporary worship in a nearby school buildingThe foundation stone was laid on December 21 1929 but construction faced delays due to global upheavals including two World Wars finally culminating in its consecration on November 24 1940Over the years the church grew in stature and spiritual significance and was ultimately given the titular honour of Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1992Key milestones of the Basilica include the historic reception of Pope John Paul II in 1986 the inauguration of the Perpetual Adoration Centre in 1987 and the opening of the majestic bell tower in 2006As centenary celebrations unfold Puthanpally stands as a testament to faith resilience and community spiritFrom its soaring Gothic spires to the countless lives touched by its charitable work the church proves that greatness is measured not only in height but in heart too IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/indias-tallest-church-gorgeous-thrissur-basilica-with-a-beautiful-heart-celebrates-centenary-on-sunday-641424.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 20:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/issue-kunbi-certificates-provide-agriculture-job-status-and-monthly-salary-to-farmers-jarange-patil-to-maha-govt--641197.html Beed Oct 2 ProMaratha activist Manoj JarangePatil on Thursday said that the government must enforce the government resolution GR issued on September 2 and start issuing Kunbi certificates to Maratha community members at the taluka levels before its too late If not well take tough decisions peacefully but firmly he announced at the rally organised on the occasion of Dussehra at Narayan GadHe expressed satisfaction over the GR for Maratha reservation stating its a fulfilment of his dream He urged the society to remain calm and united He however strongly criticised delays claiming the GR was useless without action and accused some scholars of being crazy for opposing it out of fear He demanded verifiable OBC heritage certificates for all eligible Marathas not just a token 10 per cent separate quota He cautioned those trying to undermine the Maratha community saying Dont provoke us Well take strong action if neededHe further demanded that agriculture be given job status and that farmers with land below 10 acres should be paid a monthly salary of Rs 10000 Agriculture should be given the status of a job Those who do farming on less than 10 acres of land should start getting a salary of Rs 10000 per month If this salary is given unemployed children will at least work in the fields Children will get used to doing agricultural work They will start working in the fields because of the salary he notedJarange Patil asked Who wants a job in agriculture worth Rs 10000 Many of the attendees responded by raising their hands While making these various demands for the farmers he also appealed to the farmers not to sell their farmsCommenting on the damage caused due to devastating rains and floods in the state JarangePatil demanded that the government should immediately declare a wet drought provide an assistance of Rs 70000 per hectare to farmers and announce a complete loan waiver for farmersFarming along the river banks has been washed away the government should assist Rs 130 lakh per hectare to such farmers Many farmers committed suicide in the last 20 years so the government should provide jobs to the families of such farmers and also provide guaranteed prices for crops he saidIf the farmers demands are not accepted by Diwali the Zilla Parishad and Municipal Council elections will not be held We will not allow ballot papers to be placed in villages and also not allow the election date to be announced without declaring a wet drought without debt waiver without 100 per cent compensation for losses and without providing crop insurance he warnedHe said that if the poll dates are announced without meeting his demands the ministers will not be allowed to hold meetings in MaharashtraI am a shortterm guest in this world I cant say much Even in poor health Im willing to give my life for the community Ive not come for personal gain but to fight for the rights of the Maratha community My body is not cooperating but my spirit remains strong he said He emphasised the need for Marathas to become administrators and rulers stating that if they dominate the administration leaders will bow down to them He stressed unity within the community asking them not to blame OBCs for their struggles and to work together IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/issue-kunbi-certificates-provide-agriculture-job-status-and-monthly-salary-to-farmers-jarange-patil-to-maha-govt--641197.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/thousands-of-rss-volunteers-participate-in-vijayadashami-processions-across-delhi-641208.html New Delhi Oct 2 On the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS completed 100 years of its journey and entered its 101st year It was on this very day in 1925 that Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar founded the RSS To mark the foundation day districtlevel Vijayadashami puja and Path Sanchalan programmes were organised across Delhi Celebrations were held at 346 locations in the city including Shastra Pujan weapon worship and path marches Thousands of volunteers marching in full uniform to the beats of the traditional drums participated enthusiastically with many more volunteers managing the arrangementsAs the processions passed through various colonies and settlements members from all sections of society youth women and intellectuals welcomed the marchers by showering them with flower petalsProminent members of society were also invited to the events At the conclusion of the marches national regional and provincial leaders of the RSS addressed the volunteers at various locations Prant Sanghachalak Dr Anil Agrawal and senior officebearer Indresh Kumar participated in the Vijayadashami celebrations and path sanchalan at West Vihar Meanwhile Deputy Chief of Communications Bharatji was present at Bijwasan Another senior RSS office bearer Murliji attended the event in Kondli Mayur Vihar Provincial incharge Anil Gupta participated in Vikas Nagar Uttam Nagar and Vishal was present at the event held at Delhi UniversityThe speakers highlighted the need for the establishment of the RSS its objectives and its centurylong journey They urged society and volunteers to adopt five key transformations in their lives For the nations highest glory they emphasised embracing social harmony family enlightenment an environmentally friendly lifestyle promotion of Swadeshi indigenous products and adherence to civic duties in daily lifeWith this Vijayadashami celebration the centenary year of the RSS has officially begun Throughout the year various programmes will be organised by the society including extensive doortodoor contacts and a major event the Hindu Sammelan IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/thousands-of-rss-volunteers-participate-in-vijayadashami-processions-across-delhi-641208.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bihar-vijayadashami-is-celebrated-in-patna-amid-rain-641215.html Patna Oct 2 On the occasion of Vijayadashami symbolising the victory of good over evil the Dussehra Committee organised the grand Ravana Vadh ceremony at Patnas historic Gandhi Maidan on Thursday evening An 80foot Ravana a 75foot Meghnad and a 70foot Kumbhakarna effigy were set ablaze amid cheers of Jai Shri RamDespite thorough preparations heavy rain and strong winds disrupted the proceedingsThe effigies covered with polythene sheets to shield them from rainwater became waterloggedAt one point Ravanas head broke off and dangled loosely making the burning difficultStill after much effort Ravana and Meghnath effigies were ignited and Kumbhkarans effigy was partially burned with blazing flames The event has thrilled the thousands of devotees gathered at the historic groundEarlier in the day the Bihar Chief Minister congratulated the people of the stateIn a post on his official X handle Kumar said Heartiest congratulations and best wishes on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami Celebrated as a festival of victory it symbolises the triumph of truth over falsehood It instils selfcontrol and spiritual strength in our lives Celebrate this festival with joy harmony and peaceThe program was attended by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Sinha and Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Deepak Kumar Secretary to the Chief Minister Anupam Kumar Secretary to the Chief Minister Kumar Ravi Special Officer to the Chief Minister Dr Gopal Singh Commissioner Patna Division Dr Chandrashekhar Singh Inspector General of Police Patna Range Jitendra Rana District Magistrate Patna Dr Tyagarajan SM Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikeya Sharma Commissioner of Patna Municipal Corporation Animesh Parashar General Secretary of Bihar State Citizens Council Arvind Kumar Chairman of Shri Shri Dussehra Committee Trust Kamal Nopani President Arun Kumar Convener Mukesh Nandan along with members of Shri Shri Dussehra Committee Trust and other dignitaries were present in the programBesides Patna Vijayadashami celebration took place in Motihari Bettiah Ara Buxar Bhabhua Sasaram and the headquarters of every district in the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bihar-vijayadashami-is-celebrated-in-patna-amid-rain-641215.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ram-bhakts-rule-india-ravana-has-no-place-rajasthan-minister-641222.html Jaipur Oct 2 On the occasion of Vijayadashami Minister of State for Home Affairs Jawahar Singh Bedham said on Thursday that Ram Rajya will prevail in Rajasthan and Ravana has no place in todays India Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office Bedham said Ravana represents evil and the people of this country have eradicated it You see Ram devotees have been ruling the nation for three terms now Ravana is nowhere to be seen and has no place in todays IndiaLaunching a scathing attack on the previous Congress regime Bedham cited the National Crime Records Bureau NCRB Report He claimed that under the Gehlot government crime in Rajasthan rose exponentially creating a jungle rajDuring Gehlots tenure in 2023 incidents of rape violence against women crimes against Scheduled Tribes and cybercrime were constantly on the rise Yet leaders like Gehlot and Dotasara kept misleading the public Bedham alleged In contrast he said that under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharmas BJP government crime has been effectively controlled and the graph is declining rapidlyCalling for accountability Bedham demanded Based on the NCRB report Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasara should repent and resign from his post Praising the current BJP government Bedham asserted that CM Bhajan Lal Sharma is implementing peoplecentric schemes that spread happiness peace and harmony Commenting on the recent lathi charge on NSUI workers during a university protest Bedham defended the police action The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS is a national organisation that has completed 100 years If some socalled student leaders disrupt such events in the name of NSUI and indulge in hooliganism strict legal action will be taken He further accused Congress of a history of such behaviour recalling incidents at Delhi University where antinational slogans were raised When RSS holds a social event Congress members enter wearing the mask of NSUI to create chaos Its in their blood Bedham remarked The Minister added The morale of the Rajasthan Police is rising under our rule unlike during the Congress regime IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ram-bhakts-rule-india-ravana-has-no-place-rajasthan-minister-641222.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sangh-works-to-empower-india-rss-641227.html Jaipur Oct 2 On Vijayadashami celebrations held at the Hedgewar Basti in Harmada Nagar in Rajasthan SahSarkaryavah Arun Kumar of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS delivered the keynote address In his address Arun Kumar described Vijayadashami as more than a festival calling it a symbol of faith belief and righteousness and a reminder that truth and justice ultimately prevail over injustice He said that the greatest strength of Indian culture lies in its continuity and eternal nature noting that while many other civilisations have disappeared from history Indian culture has risen above adversity time and againThe day he emphasised carries special meaning as it also marks the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri Gandhi connected the freedom struggle with the values of swarajya swadharma and swadeshi envisioning Ramrajya and village selfrule while Shastris life stood as an example of simplicity honesty and fearless leadershipReferring to the Sanghs centenary year Arun Kumar said it is not merely a time for celebration but also for introspection selfanalysis and resolution He urged volunteers and citizens to reflect on the Sanghs journey of 100 years and the responsibilities that lie ahead Arun Kumar underlined that the Sanghs mission is not selfpromotion but the empowerment and glory of the nation He explained that the Sanghs path is rooted in the preservation of religion culture and society with its foundation being a cultured organised and selfconfident society He recalled Hedgewars vision which went beyond independence to bring about fundamental social change stressing that a strong society is the foundation of a strong nationLooking towards the future Arun Kumar spoke about the challenges facing the nation and highlighted areas where the Sangh is focusing its effortsfamily unity social harmony environmental protection swadeshi practices and civic responsibility He appealed to society to embrace these values saying that even if people cannot devote time to the Sanghs daily activities adopting these resolutions in their lives would be the true way to mark the Sanghs 100th anniversaryIf these principles are followed he said the nation will be free from inequality and move towards real progressOn the occasion 90 volunteers presented various physical demonstrations including group exercises yoga and stickfighting A total of 350 uniformed volunteers 250 women and 200 community members were present Jaipur Sanghchalak Chain Singh Rajpurohit and Harmada Sanghchalak Mahavir Saini also joined the stage Senior physician Dr Ashok Jhajharia SMS attended the event as the chief guest IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sangh-works-to-empower-india-rss-641227.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/two-killed-100-injured-in-traditional-stick-fight-in-andhras-kurnool-641251.html Kurnool Andhra Pradesh Oct 3 Two persons were killed and more than 100 were injured in the traditional fight with sticks during the Dussehra celebrations in Andhra Pradeshs Kurnool district Like every year two groups attacked each other with sticks during Devaragattu Banni Utsav held as part of celebrations at Deveragattu village in Holagonda mandal block late on Thursday nightEighteen people received grievous injuries The injured were admitted to hospitals at Adoni and Alur and the condition of five of them is stated to be criticalThose with simple injuries were treated at a temporary hospital set up by the authoritiesWhile one person succumbed to the injuries on the spot the other person is reported to have died of cardiac arrestThe stick fight is organised every year as part of the Dussehra celebrations at Mala Malleswara Swamy temple located on a hillock Like in the past the villagers defied the police orders to organise the fight which they claim is part of their traditionAs part of the annual celebrations people from different villages divide into two groups to fight with sticks to secure the idols of the deities Mallamma and Malleswara Swamy after their ceremonial wedding at midnightBoth groups participated in the event with enthusiasm The preventive measures taken by the police to stop the fight had no impactEvery year people of villages around the temple divide into two groups and fight with sticks to take control of the idolsVillagers from Nerani Nerani Tanda and Kothapeta villages fight with devotees of Arikera Aluru Suluvai Ellarthi Nidravatti and Bilehall villages They mercilessly attack each other with sticks and in the fight many receive grievous injuries However devotees consider these injuries as a good omenAttempts by authorities to dissuade villagers from organising the fight have not yielded results Every year the police deploy forces to prevent the fight but the villagers defy the orders and organise the fightVillagers believe that Lord Shiva took the form of Bhairava and clobbered two demons Mani and Mallasura with sticks The villagers enact the scene on Vijayadashami day A group of villagers from the demons side try to snatch the idols from the rival group called the gods team They fight with sticks to take control of the idolsThousands of people from various parts of Kurnool and surrounding districts and neighbouring states like Telangana and Karnataka gather at the village to watch the traditional fight IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/two-killed-100-injured-in-traditional-stick-fight-in-andhras-kurnool-641251.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 16:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/vijayadashami-inspires-us-to-follow-path-of-truth-justice-president-murmu-641081.html New Delhi Oct 2 President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday extended greetings to the countrymen on the occasion of Vijayadashami and prayed for inspiration to build a nation where people live in peace and harmony Vijayadashami also known as Dussehra is observed annually at the culmination of Shardiya Navaratri Falling on the tenth day of the month of Ashvin in the Hindu lunisolar calendar it symbolises the triumph of good over evilIn a statement President Murmu said On the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all my countrymenSymbolising the victory of Dharma over Adharma the festival of Vijayadashami inspires us to follow the path of truth and justice she addedCelebrated in various parts of the country as Ravana Dahan and Durga Puja this festival reflects Indias values This festival gives us the message to abandon negative tendencies like anger and ego and adopt positive tendencies like struggle and bravery she saidI wish that this festival inspires us to build a society and country where all people progress together in life with justice equality and harmony the President addedThe word Vijayadashami itself is a combination of vijaya meaning victory and dashami referring to the tenth day denoting the festival that celebrates the triumph of righteousness over evil forcesEarlier in the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to social media and wished the countrymen on the auspicious occasionVijayadashami is a symbol of the victory of good and truth over evil and untruth My wish is that on this sacred occasion everyone receives the inspiration to continuously progress on the path of courage wisdom and devotion PM Modi posted on XExtending his best wishes he added My warmest greetings of Vijayadashami to my family members across the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/vijayadashami-inspires-us-to-follow-path-of-truth-justice-president-murmu-641081.html Thu, 02 Oct 2025 12:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/bsf-performs-shastra-puja-on-india-pakistan-border-in-jaisalmer-on-vijayadashami-641094.html Jaisalmer Oct 2 On the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami the Border Security Force BSF in Jaisalmer Rajasthan performed the traditional Shastra Puja on Thursday at the IndiaPakistan border The ceremonial worship of weapons sent a strong message of readiness and resolve from the Jaisalmer Artillery Regiment to any adversaries across the border Vijayadashami celebrated as the triumph of good over evil holds deep significance in Indian tradition It marks the day Lord Ram defeated the demon king Ravan symbolising the victory of righteousness over injustice For Indias armed and paramilitary forces this day carries additional importance as it underscores their commitment to protecting the nation from any threatsAt the BSFs Artillery Regiment camp in the desert terrain of Jaisalmer the day began with traditional fervourSoldiers dressed in ceremonial attire gathered early in the morning to perform the ritualistic worship of weapons The proceedings commenced with the invocation of Goddess Durga and her divine protectors Yoginis Jaya and VijayaFloral offerings were made to the artillery and each weapon from small arms to heavy artillery was cleaned adorned with turmeric and vermillion tilak and sanctified with Ganga waterAmidst the chants of hymns and the reverberation of patriotic slogans soldiers saluted their weapons treating them not merely as instruments of war but as sacred symbols of Shakti or divine powerChants of Jai Hind Bharat Mata ki Jai BSF Zindabad and Artillery Regiment Amar Rahe echoed through the camp underscoring the high morale and readiness of the forceCommandant Shakti Singh Tanwar head of the Artillery Regiment said This is not just a ritual of weapon worship In Operation Sindoor our regiment delivered a decisive and fitting response to Pakistans hostile attempts We neutralised multiple enemy posts and demonstrated that the BSF is fully capable across every domainOperation Sindoor a recent security operation showcased the BSFs coordination with the Indian Army in thwarting crossborder infiltration attemptsAccording to Tanwar the regiment operated tirelessly during the mission with soldiers remaining on high alert without rest for several nights It wasnt just about pulling the trigger it was about upholding the sovereignty of the nation he addedJaisalmer with its vast and scorching desert terrain stands as a critical front for Indias border security Here BSF personnel maintain a relentless vigil along the International Border During Operation Sindoor soldiers patrolled continuously often taking positions atop sand dunes refusing to allow any breach of the borderThe BSF is not just a paramilitary force it is the first line of defence for the country Tanwar addedOur regiment is constantly being upgraded with modern equipment including drones nightvision cameras and radar systems Operation Sindoor proved that we are not just guardians of the border but warriors capable of facing any combat scenario headonThe observance of Vijayadashami at the border serves not only as a religious ritual but also as a reaffirmation of the BSFs unwavering dedication It conveys a message of strength vigilance and patriotism to the nation and its adversaries alike IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/bsf-performs-shastra-puja-on-india-pakistan-border-in-jaisalmer-on-vijayadashami-641094.html Thu, 02 Oct 2025 12:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/governors-cms-of-telugu-states-greet-people-on-dussehra-641099.html Hyderabad Oct 2 The Governors and Chief Ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have greeted people on the occasion of Vijayadashami Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma extended his warm and cordial greetings to the people of the stateThe Navaratri festival renews us with the spirit of joy and jubilation The main theme of the festival is the triumph of good over evil which has an everlasting relevance the Governor said in his message Truth alone Triumphs is our national motto and so while celebrating the festival we have to collectively endeavour to fight all the evils including diseases environmental hazards external threats and also create a greener and healthier nation he said I pray that the Divine Mother may shower her choicest blessings on the occasion of happy and festive celebrations of Dasara he addedChief Minister A Revanth Reddy also extended heartfelt greetings to the Telangana people The Dasara festival assumes a special place in the unique cultural life of the Telangana State he said The festival is being celebrated as a symbol of the victory of good over evil forces Telangana also stands as a testament to the unity of diverse communities he addedCM Revanth Reddy observed that performing Dashami puja with sacred Jammi leaves Alai Balai taking blessings of elders and sighting of Pala Pitta Indian Roller Coaster are considered auspicious signs during the festivities in Telangana The Chief Minister prayed to Goddess Durga that Telangana register unprecedented growth with a lot of victories and all sections of people celebrate this festival with joy and happinessAndhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer extend his heartiest greetings to the people of the state Vijaya Dasami is one of the most significant festivals in the cultural tradition of India During Navaratri festival devotees worship nine forms of Goddess Maa Durga symbolising supremacy of Dharma and victory of good over evil I pray Divine Goddess Maa Durga to shower Her Choicest Blessings on all of us on this happy and festive occasion of Vijaya Dasami the Governor saidAndhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu greeted Telugu people on Vijayadashami I sincerely wish that the blessings of Mother Sri Kanakadurga be upon everyone On this Navratri occasion which gives primacy to the worship of Shakti we have beheld the divine auspicious form of Ammavaru in her nine avatars he said and prayed that Her blessings continue upon the state of Andhra Pradesh May she grant the moral strength to carry forward this great yagna of welfare and development The Amma canteens that fill the stomachs of the poor every day pensions in the service of the poor Deepam that stands as a support for women and mothers the free bus travel scheme Stree Shakti Talli Ki Vandanam that educates children Anna Daata Sukhibhava that stands as support for farmers the P4 policy that holds the hands of the poor and leads them towards development and with industrial progress may this Dasara festival fill every home with light said Chandrababu NaiduDeputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also greeted people on Dussehra On this auspicious occasion of Vijaya Dasami which is celebrated as a symbol of the victories of Lord Sri Rama who protected the world from evil forces bestowed strength upon the entire world and established righteousness by slaying Ravana I pray that all people remain in happiness and joy and that the nation progresses on the path of development in all sectors he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/governors-cms-of-telugu-states-greet-people-on-dussehra-641099.html Thu, 02 Oct 2025 12:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/unique-tradition-of-killing-ravan-in-kota-jethi-community-tramples-clay-effigy-with-their-feet-641124.html Kota Oct 2 India is a land of diverse and deeply rooted traditions and when it comes to Dussehra each region has its own unique way of symbolising the victory of good over evil In Rajasthans Hadoti region the small but culturally rich Jethi community upholds a distinctive tradition of killing Ravan not by burning but by trampling a clay effigy underfoot While the rest of the country prepares to burn large effigies of Ravan on Vijayadashami the Jethi community in Kotas Nanta area continues their centuriesold custom Every year members of the community craft a clay Ravan at the beginning of Navratri in a temple On the day of Dashami the wrestlers of the community gather to trample the effigy underfoot marking the symbolic destruction of evilThis unique tradition is closely linked to the communitys roots in wrestling The Hadoti region was once ruled by the Hada kings who were great patrons of the sport Over a century ago they invited wrestlers from Gujarat to Kota and the tradition of wrestling flourished The Jethi community often referred to as a wrestler caste grew from this legacy and continues to celebrate Vijayadashami in a way that honours both physical strength and cultural heritageSpeaking to IANS Sohan Jethi head of the community said We have been following this tradition for 200 years On Vijayadashami we kill Ravan with our legs After that we pay our respects by touching the feet of our ancestorsA large number of local residents along with women and children from the Jethi community gather to witness and participate in this rare and symbolic ritual It serves as both a cultural celebration and a reminder of the communitys historical connection to valour and traditionDussehra is a major Hindu festival symbolising the triumph of good over evil It commemorates both Lord Ramas victory over demon king Ravan and Goddess Durgas victory over the demon Mahishasura The festival marks the end of Navratri and signifies renewal righteousness and the destruction of negative traits like ego and arrogance IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/unique-tradition-of-killing-ravan-in-kota-jethi-community-tramples-clay-effigy-with-their-feet-641124.html Thu, 02 Oct 2025 14:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/vijayadashami-being-celebrated-with-great-enthusiasm-at-jammus-parade-ground-641139.html Jammu Oct 2 IANS The festival of Vijayadashami is being celebrated on Thursday with great enthusiasm in Jammu particularly at the historic Parade Ground where the main event will take place laternbspPreparations are in their final stages and the Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a thorough security search operation to ensure the safety of attendees Security arrangements have been significantly tightenednbspIn the evening effigies of Ravan will be set ablaze followed by a grand procession drawing crowds from across the regionSpeaking to IANS artisans involved in the celebration shared that the tradition of Dussehra celebrations at the Parade Ground has been continuing for centuries For the past 40 years their families have been contributing to the event by creating effigies and participating in the festivities They highlighted that Vijayadashami in Jammu symbolises communal harmony as Hindus Muslims and Sikhs come together to celebrateSome political elements try to disrupt this harmony said one artisan but messages like I love Muhammad and I love Mahakal represent our unity We appeal to everyone to uphold mutual brotherhood and peacenbspAnother artisan added We have been making effigies for places like Leh and Srinagar Preparations begin a month in advance However due to the current situation celebrations in Leh have been cancelled But here at the Parade Ground a large effigy of Ravan has been installed and is ready for the ceremonyVijayadashami also known as Dussehra marks the culmination of the Navratri and Durga Puja festivals It commemorates Lord Rams victory over the demon king Ravan and Goddess Durgas triumph over Mahishasura symbolising the victory of good over evil The day also signifies new beginnings renewal and the destruction of negative qualities such as ego arrogance and injusticenbspSpiritually Dussehra reinforces the belief that righteousness and truth ultimately prevail over evil regardless of how powerful the forces of darkness may seem As the effigies burn and the celebrations unfold the message remains clear good always triumphs over evil https://dailyworld.in/religion/vijayadashami-being-celebrated-with-great-enthusiasm-at-jammus-parade-ground-641139.html Thu, 02 Oct 2025 16:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/vijayadashami-being-celebrated-with-great-enthusiasm-at-jammus-parade-ground-641150.html Jammu Oct 2 The festival of Vijayadashami is being celebrated on Thursday with great enthusiasm in Jammu particularly at the historic Parade Ground where the main event will take place later Preparations are in their final stages and the Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a thorough security search operation to ensure the safety of attendees Security arrangements have been significantly tightenedIn the evening effigies of Ravan will be set ablaze followed by a grand procession drawing crowds from across the regionSpeaking to IANS artisans involved in the celebration shared that the tradition of Dussehra celebrations at the Parade Ground has been continuing for centuries For the past 40 years their families have been contributing to the event by creating effigies and participating in the festivities They highlighted that Vijayadashami in Jammu symbolises communal harmony as Hindus Muslims and Sikhs come together to celebrateSome political elements try to disrupt this harmony said one artisan but messages like I love Muhammad and I love Mahakal represent our unity We appeal to everyone to uphold mutual brotherhood and peaceAnother artisan added We have been making effigies for places like Leh and Srinagar Preparations begin a month in advance However due to the current situation celebrations in Leh have been cancelled But here at the Parade Ground a large effigy of Ravan has been installed and is ready for the ceremonyVijayadashami also known as Dussehra marks the culmination of the Navratri and Durga Puja festivals It commemorates Lord Rams victory over the demon king Ravan and Goddess Durgas triumph over Mahishasura symbolising the victory of good over evil The day also signifies new beginnings renewal and the destruction of negative qualities such as ego arrogance and injusticeSpiritually Dussehra reinforces the belief that righteousness and truth ultimately prevail over evil regardless of how powerful the forces of darkness may seem As the effigies burn and the celebrations unfold the message remains clear good always triumphs over evil IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/vijayadashami-being-celebrated-with-great-enthusiasm-at-jammus-parade-ground-641150.html Thu, 02 Oct 2025 17:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/may-navratri-bring-good-fortune-prosperity-to-all-pm-modi-on-mahanavami-641053.html New Delhi Oct 1 Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended Mahanavami greetings to the countrymen and prayed for their wellbeing and prosperity The ninth day of Navratri is celebrated as Mahanavami which is dedicated to Goddess SiddhidatriTaking to X the Prime Minister said Heartfelt wishes to all of you on the occasion of Mahanavami May this auspicious occasion of Navratri bring good fortune prosperity and success to everyone that is my wishUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also took to social media and extended his greetingsIn a post on X the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister stated Heartfelt congratulations to all devotees worshippers and residents of the state on the auspicious occasion of MahanavamiMay everyone attain a life filled with glory prosperity and good health through the grace of Mother Siddhidatri the ninth form of the compassionate Mother Durga and may her grace ever remain upon the entire animate and inanimate world he addedUttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also extended his best wishes on the occasionHeartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all of you on the sacred festival of the ninth day of Navratri dedicated to the worship of Maa Siddhidatri the presiding deity of the eight great siddhis spiritual powers May Mother Goddess grant you all strength peace and progress he said in a post on XSiddhidatri means the one who grants supernatural powers Siddhi denotes supernatural ability or meditative skill while Dhatri signifies giver or bestowerShe is venerated on the ninth day of Navaratri known as Navadurga and fulfils all divine aspirationsShiva is also known as Ardhanarishwara because one side of his body represents Siddhidatri According to Vedic scriptures he achieved all siddhis by worshipping this Goddess IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/may-navratri-bring-good-fortune-prosperity-to-all-pm-modi-on-mahanavami-641053.html Wed, 01 Oct 2025 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/ayudha-puja-rush-over-1-000-special-buses-extra-trains-from-chennai-to-manage-crowd-640834.html Chennai Sep 30 With Tamil Nadu gearing up for Ayudha Puja on Wednesday and Vijayadashami on Thursday followed by a long weekend thousands of people are likely to leave Chennai for their hometowns and tourist destinations To manage the heavy rush the State Express Transport Corporation SETC has announced a largescale holiday transport plan deploying over 1000 special buses and extra train services from the city starting Tuesday Authorities said 885 special buses will operate from Chennais Kilambakkam bus terminal to key southern and western districts including Tiruvannamalai Trichy Kumbakonam Madurai Tirunelveli Kanniyakumari Thoothukudi Coimbatore Salem Tiruppur and ErodeAdditionally 185 special buses will run from Chennais Koyambedu terminal to Tiruvannamalai Nagapattinam Velankanni Hosur and BengaluruTo ease interdistrict travel about 300 special services will also run from Bengaluru Tiruppur Erode and Coimbatore to various destinations across Tamil NaduTransport Minister SS Sivasankar personally inspected the Kilambakkam terminal to ensure smooth operations and confirmed that new temporary routes have been arranged to avoid bottlenecks caused by ongoing flyover and road expansion works at Bukkathurai and Pathalam Road Junction in the Chengalpattu districtTo reduce congestion district police advised southbound travellers from Chennai to use the East Coast Road ECR and the Outer Ring Road GWT RoadVehicles from southern Chennai have been asked to go via Melavalampettai and Thirukazhukundram before rejoining the GST Road Heavy vehicles heading towards the southern districts are directed to use the ChengalpattuKancheepuram bypass to Tindivanam while those going west should stick to the Outer Ring Road Importantly heavy vehicles will not be allowed on the Chengalpattu stretch from 2 pm Tuesday until 3 am WednesdaySouthern Railway has also announced special trains to handle the festive passenger surge A special unreserved train from Tambaram to Sengottai will depart on Tuesday at 415 pm reaching Sengottai at 3 am on Wednesday via Villupuram Ariyalur Trichy and MaduraiAnother special train will leave Chennai Egmore at 1015 pm Tuesday for Thiruvananthapuram North arriving at 205 pm Wednesday A return train will run on October 5 An unreserved MEMU express from Egmore to Madurai will depart on Tuesday at 1145 pm and reach Madurai at 1015 am on WednesdayThe authorities have urged passengers to plan travel early use designated terminals and follow diversions to avoid delays during the extended holiday period IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/ayudha-puja-rush-over-1-000-special-buses-extra-trains-from-chennai-to-manage-crowd-640834.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/navratri-ashtami-celebrations-in-himachals-naina-devi-temple-draw-thousands-640837.html New Delhi Sep 30 The holy occasion of Ashtami was marked by grand celebrations and heavy footfall at the famous Shaktipeeth Shri Naina Devi Temple perched atop the hills of Bilaspur district in Himachal Pradesh Since early morning thousands of devotees have thronged the temple to offer prayers and perform Ashtami rituals seeking blessings of peace prosperity and wellbeing for their familiesWorshippers from various states including Punjab Himachal Pradesh Haryana Delhi Uttar Pradesh and Bihar made their way to the revered shrine The day is dedicated to the worship of Mata Mahagauri the eighth form of Goddess DurgaAlong with traditional Ashtami pujan special havan rituals were conducted at the ancient Havan Kund within the temple complex According to SDM Dharampal who also serves as the Mela Officer and Temple Trust Chairman All arrangements for Ashtami puja were completed in advance Devotees are being guided in organised queues to ensure smooth darshan We are ensuring that no devotee faces any inconvenienceHe further stated that the temple trust and district administration under the guidance of the Himachal Pradesh government had implemented robust crowd management and safety measures to handle the large influx of pilgrimsPriest Lucky Sharma speaking about the significance of the day said On Ashtami Mataji is offered Kadah Prasad which is believed to be her favourite Devotees also offer ahutis sacred offerings into the Havan Kund to seek the divine grace of the GoddessToday is Ashtami and devotees are arriving in large numbers and special Aarti is performed throughout the day he addedMeanwhile in the national capital Delhi similar scenes of devotion were witnessed at the iconic Jhandewalan Mata Temple Long lines of devotees gathered since morning to pay homage and participate in the rituals of AshtamiA devotee says We have been coming on Ashtami for the past 1012 years We come every Ashtami but especially during Navratri The arrangements are very good ten years ago it was not like this The way the arrangements are done now everything is smooth and no one faces any troubleBoth temples saw an atmosphere of spiritual fervour and devotion as the sacred festival of Navratri continues to unite people across states in celebration of divine feminine energy IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/navratri-ashtami-celebrations-in-himachals-naina-devi-temple-draw-thousands-640837.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/rain-clouds-loom-over-dussehra-festivities-in-central-india-640877.html Bhopal Sep 30 A fresh spell of rainfall is set to dampen Dussehra celebrations across Central India as the India Meteorological Department IMD has forecast light to moderate showers accompanied by thunderstorms over the region until October 5 The festive spirit especially for outdoor events and Ravan Dahan ceremonies scheduled on October 2 may face disruption due to persistent wet weatherAccording to IMDs latest bulletin a cyclonic circulation over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjoining areas is influencing weather patterns across Madhya Pradesh Chhattisgarh and parts of MaharashtraThis system is expected to sustain rainfall activity for the next four days with isolated heavy showers likely in some pocketsThe timing could not be more inconvenient for communities preparing for Dussehra a festival that marks the triumph of good over evilTraditionally celebrated with large public gatherings processions and effigy burnings Dussehra relies heavily on dry weather However the forecast suggests that many districts may have to scale down or relocate events indoorsIn Madhya Pradesh cities like Bhopal Indore and Jabalpur are likely to witness intermittent rain senior weather scientist Divya E Surendran saidWith temperatures hovering around 2830 degrees Celsius the IMD has also warned of gusty winds ranging from 3050 kmph which could pose safety risks for temporary structures and openair stagesLocal authorities are on alert advising organisers to prepare contingency plansWe are monitoring the weather closely If the rain intensifies we may postpone for a while as shifting the Ravan Dahan to a safer venue is almost impossible said an organiser of the festival at BHEL Bhopal Dussehra MaidanWhile the showers bring relief from lingering heat they also raise concerns about traffic snarls waterlogging and reduced turnout for cultural programmesResidents are urged to stay updated with local advisories and plan their movements accordingly As the skies remain uncertain the spirit of Dussehra will depend not just on tradition but on resilience and adaptability in the face of natures unpredictability IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/rain-clouds-loom-over-dussehra-festivities-in-central-india-640877.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/year-after-year-appeal-of-belur-maths-kumari-puja-remains-the-same-640889.html Kolkata Sep 30 On the occasion of Maha Ashtmai on Tuesday Kumari Puja worship of girls as Goddess Durga was performed at Belur Math the headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission at Belur in Kolkataadjacent Howrah district with enthusiasm and devotion of the followers of Shri Ramakrsihna Paramhansa his wife and spiritual consort Maa Sarada and disciple Swami Vivekanda Ardent believers of Swamiji and his philosophy of Service of God through service of humanity is the basic reason that the devotional attraction of the Kumari Puja has remained the same year after year since Swamiji started this ritual at Belur Math in 1901According to Jayita Sarkar an avid believer in Swamijis philosophy and a teacher of English literature in one of the reputed Kolkatabased schools the main idea behind Kumari Puja is the expression of respect towards womenpower and womendignity in societyInspired by the teachings of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and blessed by the support of Maa Sarada Swamiji established Belur Math and said the unblemished rays out here will enlighten the entire world and will change the pattern of human life For me with the goal of bringing this attitudinal change in human thought process especially as regards acknowledging womens power Swamiji started Kumari Puja where the main idea is worshipping a young girl as the symbol of MatruShakti or womens empowerment For every woman this occasion is truly special Every time I am there at Belur Math on the occasion I am swayed by the spiritual devotion of the thought behind this ritual Sarkar saidAccording to Sampa Chowdhury a senior counsel of Calcutta High Court and an avid enthusiast of Swamijis philosophy the concept of Kumari Puja also reflects Shri Ramakrishnas spiritual thoughts of viewing the Goddess in every womanAs per historical records nine girls were worshipped on the first occasion of Kumari Puja in 1901 Since then the ritual became an integral part of Durga Asthami Tithi at Belur MathOn Tuesday as every year thousands visited Belur Math and became witnesses to the ritual which was marked by the same enthusiasm and devotional spiritualism associated with itThe ritual started around 9 am and ended a little after 10 amThousands of followers of the Sanatan Dharma celebrated the Kumari Puja with grandeur at Belur Math They consider this ritual to be simultaneously the worship of God and the establishment of womens dignityOn Tuesday the ritual was performed as per tradition with the message being honouring and acknowledgement of womens power worship of the Divine Femininity and service to humanityThe monks at the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission performed the rituals Thousands of devotees attended the puja coming from faraway places maintaining the dignity and devotional spiritualism associated with the ritualsThe day will end with the Sandhi Puja held at the juncture of Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami which is regarded as the most sacred moment of the Durga Puja festival The ritual commemorates Goddess Durgas victory over demons Chanda and Munda IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/year-after-year-appeal-of-belur-maths-kumari-puja-remains-the-same-640889.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/jampk-lg-manoj-sinha-pays-obeisance-at-mata-vaishno-devi-shrine-prays-for-peace-amp-prosperity-640921.html Jammu Sept 30 JampK Lt Governor Manoj Sinha paid his obeisance at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine on Tuesday praying for peace and prosperity in the country and the UT Heartfelt greetings to all on the sacred festival of Maha Ashtami Today at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple performed worship and rituals and prayed for the happiness peace prosperity and good health of all citizens the LG said in a post on his X handleOn day eight of the auspicious nineday festival of Navratri devotees of Maa Durga worship Maa MahagauriNavratri being observed from September 22 to October 1 is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and holds a special significance at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrineThe pilgrimage to the cave shrine in the Trikuta hills of Reasi district is going on smoothly and over 135 lakh devotees have performed the Yatra during this NavratriChants of Jai Mata Di and bhajans echo throughout the Katra base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi and the route as devotees continue to arrive in the town from across the country and abroad to seek the deitys blessingsThe base camp the route and the Bhawan housing the temple of Mata Vaishno Devi are dazzling with lights and flowerdecked decorationsThe spiritual purity and traditional gaiety resonating during the Navratri are soulsoothingA multitier security grid involving the police CRPF paramilitary forces and quickresponse teams is in place throughout the festival officials saidThe pilgrimage to the revered shrine resumed on September 17 after being suspended for 22 days due to a devastating landslide along the track caused by torrential rains on August 26 which resulted in the death of 34 people and injuries to 20 others IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/jampk-lg-manoj-sinha-pays-obeisance-at-mata-vaishno-devi-shrine-prays-for-peace-amp-prosperity-640921.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 17:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/police-make-special-arrangements-to-protect-durga-idols-jewellery-in-kolkata-mandaps-640923.html Kolkata Sep 30 In a bid to protect the jewellery adorned by goddess Durga in several puja mandaps across Kolkata from theft the police have made special arrangements this year The police have deployed two policemen with rifles in 11 of those 13 puja mandaps while tighter security arrangements have been made in the remaining twoAccording to Lalbazar city police headquarters sources the job of the policemen would be to guard the gold and silver ornaments of the Durga idolsThe arrangements have been made for all 13 such puja committees where large number of gold and silver jewellery has been used to decorate the idolsApart from this two police officers with service pistols and two policemen with rifles will guard the ornaments in a puja mandap in the Muchipara area of central KolkataAt a puja pavilion in the Beniapukur area two policemen with rifles are on duty to guard the idols jewellery In many mandaps jewellery is adorned for a short time However as long as the idols have the jewellery the police will be kept on guard Apart from guarding jewellery the policemen and officials will also keep an eye on the idol so that outsiders or any visitors do not get too close to it At the same time a sufficient number of CCTV cameras have been installed in those 13 puja pavilionsAs the jewellery costs worth crores of rupees special security arrangements have been made to protect them A large number of visitors throng such mandaps during the fiveday festival Therefore the risk of theft remains said a senior officer of Kolkata PoliceIt is a tradition among some puja organisers to adorn the idol of goddess Durga gold jewellery The jewellery is counted and placed on the Durga idolBefore immersion the puja committee take it off and keep it in their custodyThe puja committees themselves make arrangements to protect the jewellery However this year the police also took an initiative to tighten the security further IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/police-make-special-arrangements-to-protect-durga-idols-jewellery-in-kolkata-mandaps-640923.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 17:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/durga-puja-sourav-ganguly-offers-prayers-along-with-his-family-640976.html Kolkata Sep 30 On the occasion of Ashtami former Indian team captain and Cricket Association of Bengal CAB president Sourav Ganguly offered Anjali at the Durga Puja of Barisha Players Corner in the Behala area of south Kolkata He was accompanied by his wife Dona Ganguly This time Souravs puja is special as his daughter Sana has returned home on puja vacation The former Team India captain is spending time with his daughter during the PujaFollowing the Bengali tradition Ganguly was seen offering Anjali at the feet of Goddess Durga in white pyjamas and a kurta Standing with family and neighbours he paid homage on AshtamiSourav Ganguly stays in Kolkata every year during Durga Puja Every year Ganguly visits the Barisha Players Corner Puja pavilion which is in his neighbourhood in the Behala area Sourav also plays the dhak traditional Bengali drum during this Puja From the inauguration of the Puja to the evening of Saptami and the evening of Ashtami he is always present at the Puja pavilion like every other timeSourav Gangulys father the late Chandi Ganguly started this Durga Puja which is still being observed today under the supervision of the Ganguly family members and the neighbours This time their pavilion is decorated in the style of the old zamindar house The good times and traditions of the zamindar house of the erstwhile era have been highlighted in the mandap decorationSpeaking to media persons Dona Ganguly said Wishing everyone a happy Mahashtami Every year I come here with Sourav to offer Anjali Sana is in Kolkata this time She comes here for pujas from time to time May everyone have a very good puja this year IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/durga-puja-sourav-ganguly-offers-prayers-along-with-his-family-640976.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 19:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/netanyahus-approval-exhibits-bonds-with-us-president-641005.html New Delhi Sep 30 US President Donald Trump was confident on Monday of possessing the formula that could bring peace in Gaza even before meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel at the White House Netanyahu who met the President in person for the fourth time since Trump assumed office for a second term beginning this year did not hesitate to stamp his approval on the 20point programme The two leaders share a common thread in many aspects as has been evident in earlier instances In a significant move this time Netanyahu called the Prime Minister of Qatar from the White House considered to be at the behest of the President and apologised for the strike on Doha earlier this month There were reports of the death of lowranking Hamas members and a Qatari national who was a member of security forces Incidentally Qatar is a US ally and among the mediators trying to find a solution to the Gaza situation In a joint address to the media after the talks Trump said that the two premiers really had a hearttoheart conversation and that it was productive Netanyahu added Israel was targeting terrorists and not targeting Qatar Earlier this month the United States voted to condemn the strike in a United Nations Security Council resolution Critics however point out that Washington has not been as forthcoming when Israel similarly targeted Lebanon Syria Yemen Iran and Tunisia They accuse Trump of being pleased with Doha giving him a USD 400million aircraft as a personal gift during his recent visit Though Trump expressed exasperation at Israel for not complying with his call for a ceasefire he has not been as critical as he has been towards Russian Premier Vladimir Putin over his ceaseless pounding of Ukraine they add Meanwhile the United Kingdom Australia Canada and France among others joined the growing list of countries in recognising the state of Palestine Trump and Netanyahu both had condemned the nations saying that the recognition of Palestine as a state without going down strongly on the Hamas organisation serves as a reward for it Now world leaders have mostly welcomed the programme as an attempt at finding a lasting solution to the Gaza crisis Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the plan provides a viable pathway to longterm and sustainable peace security and development for the Palestinian and Israeli people as well as for the larger West Asian region He expressed hope that all concerned parties will come together in support of President Trumps initiative to end the conflict and secure lasting peace The new US initiative to deliver an end to the war in Gaza is profoundly welcome and I am grateful for President Trumps leadership said Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain in a statement on Monday We call on all sides to come together and to work with the US Administration to finalise this agreement and bring it into reality Hamas should now agree to the plan and end the misery by laying down their arms and releasing all remaining hostages it added European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted on the social media X Welcome President realDonaldTrumps commitment to end the war in Gaza Encourage all parties to now seize this opportunity The EU stands ready to contribute Many other leaders have similarly joined them in extending their wishes for a quick and longlasting solution Hamas has said it will respond perhaps on Wednesday after President Trump said the group had three or four days to respond IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/netanyahus-approval-exhibits-bonds-with-us-president-641005.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 21:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/trump-says-gaza-deal-settled-threatens-tough-response-if-hamas-refuses-641015.html Washington Sep 30 US President Donald Trump expressed confidence on Tuesday that he would be able to end the war in Gaza saying that he got it settled and going to get that done We got it I think settled Well see Hamas has to agree If they dont its going to be very tough on them but it is what it is But all of the Arab nations Muslim nations have agreed Israel has agreed Amazing thing it just came together Trump said while addressing more than 800 senior military officers in VirginiaHis statement comes a day after the administration formally announced a 20point peace plan to end the IsraelHamas war in GazaThe peace plan for Gaza outlines the establishment of a temporary technocratic government with Israel pledging not to annex the Strip and ensuring that no residents are forced to leave The agreement calls for an immediate end to the war if accepted with all captives both alive and deceased returned within 72 hoursSpeaking to reporters before his address on Tuesday Trump said he will wait for three or four days for Hamas to accept the proposalWere just waiting for Hamas and Hamas is either going to be doing it or not and if its not its going to be a very sad end With Hamas we want it very simple We want the hostages back immediately and we want some good behaviour And you know pretty pretty simple You dont get simpler Think of it Weve signed every country in the Middle East This is like an impossible thing Its never been done before This is more than Gaza Gaza is mixed up but this Gaza is a piece of it he addedHe reiterated his threat warning that if Hamas refuses to sign he will allow Israel to do what they have to doI would let them go and do what they have to do You know we have killed about 25000 Hamas So certainly they paid a big price for October 7 And this is a whole new group Their leadership has been killed three different times so they paid a big price We hope that theyre going to have a nice calm life Maybe it wont happen but if it does itll be one of the greatest things ever to happen Well have actual peace in the Middle East he notedThe war in Gaza began almost two years ago when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 2023 killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostages Around 48 people are believed to remain in captivity and about 20 are thought to be alive IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/trump-says-gaza-deal-settled-threatens-tough-response-if-hamas-refuses-641015.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 22:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sabarimala-missing-golden-pedestal-case-turns-murkier-640751.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 29 The controversy over the missing golden pedestal of the Dwarapalaka idol at Sabarimala has intensified after it was recovered from the house of sponsor Unnikrishnans sister The incident has triggered allegations of conspiracy and calls for a thorough investigationDevaswom Minister VN Vasavan on Monday said the sequence of events raised serious suspicionUnnikrishnan himself lodged a complaint that the pedestal had gone missing only for it to be found in his relatives house This is highly mysterious He is trying to fool the people and his words cannot be trusted the Minister statedVasavan added that the matter will be reviewed based on the courts stance with future decisions to follow accordinglyThe pedestal was recovered during an inquiry led by the vigilance wing of the Travancore Devaswom BoardThe Minister alleged that the act of concealing the pedestal and later reporting it missing pointed to a possible conspiracyThe circumstances make it impossible to believe Unnikrishnans version he said while reiterating that all Sabarimalarelated matters are being conducted transparentlyFormer Travancore Devaswom Board president A Padmakumar under whose tenure the issue first surfaced also weighed in He stressed that the Vigilance Department must probe the matter to clear doubtsNeither Unnikrishnan nor Vasudevan had any particular benefit in taking the pedestal Why they did so must be investigated Padmakumar saidHe further explained that when a new pedestal was introduced it was found not to properly align with the idolWhen it was returned Devaswom officials were responsible for preparing the necessary records I believe they would have done that he saidClarifying his position Padmakumar noted that all actions at the time were carried out by the Thiruvabharanam Commissioner and other officials and that he had no personal ties with UnnikrishnanAs the controversy continues the matter remains before the court which will consider the vigilance report before further steps are takenFor now both the state government and former Devaswom leadership have called for clarity with the focus on ensuring accountability and transparency in the temples affairs IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sabarimala-missing-golden-pedestal-case-turns-murkier-640751.html Mon, 29 Sep 2025 16:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/special-menu-for-prisoners-in-bengal-for-four-days-of-durga-puja-640678.html Kolkata Sep 28 A special menu has been planned for prisoners in correctional homes across West Bengal during the four days of Durga Puja A state government official said on Sunday that arrangements have been made to change the menu for the prisoners of the correctional facility to provide them with the joy of Durga Puja This time along with biryani the prisoners will have Chinese cuisine on their menu during the festival days Monday to Thursday The morning snack menu also includes luchipuri deepfried fluffy flatbreadThis is the time of the year to share joy and happiness with loved ones The life of a prisoner is spent within the four walls of the jail They are isolated from the outside world It is the festive season in the city now therefore something special has been arranged for them Every year the menu in the correctional facilities changes during the four days of Puja This time too the prisoners will have all kinds of delicious dishes on their plates for a few days of puja said the officialAccording to him various menus are being arranged for them from lunch to dinner for the four days of Puja On Saptami Monday fishricevegetable will be served at noon while chicken curry will be served at night Ashtami morning will start with purivegetables and khichuri and labra will be served at noon Luchi and vegetables will be served at night On Navami rice dal and shrimp vegetable curry will be served at noon Chicken biryani will be served at night On Dashami rohu fish will be served at noon while fried rice and chilli chicken will be served at night There are separate arrangements for vegetariansThey will be served veg biriyani paneer curd and ice cream Apart from this arrangements will also be made so that everyone can have sweets during the four days of puja Breakfast will include chowmein and egg toast On Navami breakfast will include egg toast with tea On Dashami chowmein will be served said the officialMeanwhile pujas have also started in the states correctional facilities from this day According to sources this time the prisoners in the Presidency Correctional Home are giving a message of unity in accordance with the theme of the puja which is unity and diversity From the theme idea to the decoration of the pavilion everything has been done by the prisoners themselves IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/special-menu-for-prisoners-in-bengal-for-four-days-of-durga-puja-640678.html Sun, 28 Sep 2025 16:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/we-bow-in-reverence-to-devi-maa-pm-modi-on-navratris-fifth-day-640527.html New Delhi Sep 27 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended greetings to the nation on the fifth day of Shardiya Navratri dedicated to Goddess Skandamata In a post on X PM Modi wrote On this Navratri today we bow our heads in reverence to Devi Maa May her grace instil confidence in everyones life May all devotees receive the Mothers blessingsThe fifth day of Shardiya Navratri 2025 is dedicated to Maa Skandamata the fifth form of Goddess Durga Skandamata is associated with the Vishuddha Chakra symbolising purity and clarity Her devotees believe she removes stress and suffering and they consider her the embodiment of motherhood love and empathyUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hailed the divine mother and described the significance of the dayOn the fifth day of Shardiya Navratri we pray to Mother Skandamata the fifth form of Adi Shakti Maa Durga that she continue to shower her grace upon the entire animate and inanimate world May Mothers blessings pave the way for the progress and prosperity of all the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister posted on XDevotees all over the country throng to temples to worship and offer flowers fruits and prayers to the goddess seeking her blessings for protection guidance and wellbeing Flowers are considered especially dear to Maa Skandamata and she is offered yellow and saffroncoloured bhog items Devotees offer them during puja to gain her graceGoddess Skandamata symbolises motherhood compassion and the power to guide her devotees toward both spiritual and material success Skandamata is portrayed with her son Kartikeya on her lap seated on a lion and holding lotus flowers in her handsNavratri which means nine nights in Sanskrit is a Hindu festival celebrating Goddess Durga and her nine avatars known collectively as Navdurga The festival is celebrated with great devotion across India with rituals and prayers honouring the goddess in her nine forms IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/we-bow-in-reverence-to-devi-maa-pm-modi-on-navratris-fifth-day-640527.html Sat, 27 Sep 2025 16:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/we-bow-in-reverence-to-devi-maa-pm-modi-on-navratris-6th-day-640529.html New Delhi Sep 27 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended greetings to the nation on the fifth day of Shardiya Navratri dedicated to Goddess Skandamata In a post on X PM Modi wrote On this Navratri today we bow our heads in reverence to Devi Maa May her grace instil confidence in everyones life May all devotees receive the Mothers blessingsThe fifth day of Shardiya Navratri 2025 is dedicated to Maa Skandamata the fifth form of Goddess Durga Skandamata is associated with the Vishuddha Chakra symbolising purity and clarity Her devotees believe she removes stress and suffering and they consider her the embodiment of motherhood love and empathyUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hailed the divine mother and described the significance of the dayOn the fifth day of Shardiya Navratri we pray to Mother Skandamata the fifth form of Adi Shakti Maa Durga that she continue to shower her grace upon the entire animate and inanimate world May Mothers blessings pave the way for the progress and prosperity of all the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister posted on XDevotees all over the country throng to temples to worship and offer flowers fruits and prayers to the goddess seeking her blessings for protection guidance and wellbeing Flowers are considered especially dear to Maa Skandamata and she is offered yellow and saffroncoloured bhog items Devotees offer them during puja to gain her graceGoddess Skandamata symbolises motherhood compassion and the power to guide her devotees toward both spiritual and material success Skandamata is portrayed with her son Kartikeya on her lap seated on a lion and holding lotus flowers in her handsNavratri which means nine nights in Sanskrit is a Hindu festival celebrating Goddess Durga and her nine avatars known collectively as Navdurga The festival is celebrated with great devotion across India with rituals and prayers honouring the goddess in her nine forms IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/we-bow-in-reverence-to-devi-maa-pm-modi-on-navratris-6th-day-640529.html Sat, 27 Sep 2025 16:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/we-bow-in-reverence-to-devi-maa-pm-modi-on-navratris-5th-day-640530.html New Delhi Sep 27 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended greetings to the nation on the fifth day of Shardiya Navratri dedicated to Goddess Skandamata In a post on X PM Modi wrote On this Navratri today we bow our heads in reverence to Devi Maa May her grace instil confidence in everyones life May all devotees receive the Mothers blessingsThe fifth day of Shardiya Navratri 2025 is dedicated to Maa Skandamata the fifth form of Goddess Durga Skandamata is associated with the Vishuddha Chakra symbolising purity and clarity Her devotees believe she removes stress and suffering and they consider her the embodiment of motherhood love and empathyUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hailed the divine mother and described the significance of the dayOn the fifth day of Shardiya Navratri we pray to Mother Skandamata the fifth form of Adi Shakti Maa Durga that she continue to shower her grace upon the entire animate and inanimate world May Mothers blessings pave the way for the progress and prosperity of all the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister posted on XDevotees all over the country throng to temples to worship and offer flowers fruits and prayers to the goddess seeking her blessings for protection guidance and wellbeing Flowers are considered especially dear to Maa Skandamata and she is offered yellow and saffroncoloured bhog items Devotees offer them during puja to gain her graceGoddess Skandamata symbolises motherhood compassion and the power to guide her devotees toward both spiritual and material success Skandamata is portrayed with her son Kartikeya on her lap seated on a lion and holding lotus flowers in her handsNavratri which means nine nights in Sanskrit is a Hindu festival celebrating Goddess Durga and her nine avatars known collectively as Navdurga The festival is celebrated with great devotion across India with rituals and prayers honouring the goddess in her nine forms IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/we-bow-in-reverence-to-devi-maa-pm-modi-on-navratris-5th-day-640530.html Sat, 27 Sep 2025 16:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/despite-rain-people-throng-durga-puja-mandaps-in-kolkata-640561.html Kolkata Sep 27 Despite rain people thronged Durga Puja mandaps in Kolkata and other areas as religious festivities gripped West Bengal The Meteorological Office has forecast scattered light to moderate rain on Saturday across Kolkata and its adjoining areas under the influence of a deep depression which will enter the land through the coast of South Odisha and Andhra PradeshAccording to the Meteorological Department light to moderate rain will continue till Sunday night while there is a possibility of scattered rain on September 29On September 30 Asthami there is less chance of rain in the cityHowever the situation will worsen from Wednesday night when another cyclonic circulation is likely to form over the Andaman Sea on September 30Under its influence a lowpressure area is likely to develop in the central and north Bay of Bengal on the day of Navami on October 1 It may result in rain in several districts of the state from the night of NavamiThe rain under the influence of the second system will continue till October 2 Dashami the end of the Durga puja festival Therefore this year there will be more or less rain during Durga Puja said an official of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkatas AliporeToday there may be heavy rain in South 24 Parganas East Midnapore West Midnapore Bankura and Jhargram districts Moderate rain is also forecast in Kolkata along with thundershowers There may be scattered rain on Sunday too If the lowpressure system moves towards Bengal the possibility of rain will increase from the day of NavamiAlong with South Bengal there is a possibility of rain in North Bengal as wellScattered heavy rain has been forecast in Jalpaiguri Cooch Behar and Alipurduar districts todayRain with thunder and lightning will continue in the districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong till Sunday There is a high possibility of rain with thunder and lightning in Malda and North Dinajpur districts on September 29 Rain will increase in north Bengal from the night of Navami on Dashami as well IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/despite-rain-people-throng-durga-puja-mandaps-in-kolkata-640561.html Sat, 27 Sep 2025 17:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/nss-general-secretary-stands-firm-on-sabarimala-meeting-640580.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 27 Nair Service Society NSS General Secretary G Sukumaran Nair on Saturday reiterated his stance in support of the Pinarayi Vijayan government over last weeks meeting convened by the Travancore Devaswom Board which manages the Sabarimala temple Speaking to the media before addressing a public meeting at the NSS headquarters in Perunna Changanacherry Nair said he had already made his position clear and had nothing further to addNair responded to the ongoing protests against him from a section of the NSS units by saying Those who wish to protest may continue but it will not change my stance People who want to protest can go ahead Thats their choice and its directHe added that the protests would only give him a little publicity and emphasized there was no need to repeatedly question his positionLater after the meeting he told the media that he was responding to the recently held Sabarimala meeting organised with the full support of the Vijayan governmentThe equidistant policy in politics has been there for the NSS since the days of Mannathu Padmanabhan and there is no change in it said NairThe meeting primarily convened to approve the NSSs annual income and expenditure statement has drawn attention due to Nairs firm political stance particularly on the Sabarimala issue which has been a point of contention in Kerala politicsWith protests emerging across various parts of the state Nairs position is expected to generate further debate within the gatheringAmidst this Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan weighed in on the controversy criticizing shifts in the Vijayan governments policy on Sabarimala that have shifted time and againFor the Congressled UDF we have only one position a truly secular approach which has been consistent always Satheesan saidHe accused Vijayan of changing his approach over the years claiming Till recently Vijayan was banking on minority community appeasement tactics and when it failed to win rewards he shifted to majority community appeasement We have always maintained a truly secular positionThe remarks underline the polarized debate surrounding Sabarimala where political affiliations and public sentiment intersectWhile Nair dismisses the protests as inconsequential yet acknowledges their publicity Satheesans criticism reflects the Oppositions broader concern over perceived shifts in government policyAs the NSS meeting proceeds at Perunna officials are set to finalize financial matters and the spotlight remains on the General Secretarys stance and its ripple effects across the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/nss-general-secretary-stands-firm-on-sabarimala-meeting-640580.html Sat, 27 Sep 2025 17:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/prayed-to-ma-durga-for-new-govt-in-bengal-to-lead-state-towards-prosperity-amit-shah-640471.html Kolkata Sep 26 IANS Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that he had prayed to Goddess Durga for a new government in West Bengal after the Assembly elections in the state next yearnbspnbspHM Shah visited the Kalighat Temple in the morning and worshipped Goddess KalinbspI prayed to Maa Durga so that after the Assembly elections next year the people of West Bengal get such a government which would lead the state towards prosperity Let peace return in West Bengal Let us create Bengal in the way imagined by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore the Union Home Minister said at the inauguration of the community Durga Puja pandal of Santosh Mitra Square in central Kolkata The principal organiser of this pandal is BJP councillor in Kolkata Municipal Corporation KMC Sajal GhoshThe Puja theme for Santosh Mitra Square this year is Operation Sindoor highlighting the valour of the Indian Armed Forces who demolished several terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir in MaynbspSpeaking on the occasion the Union Home Minister also said that he sincerely hopes that after the elections next year West Bengal will reemerge as a safe prosperous and peaceful statenbspHe also expressed condolences for the families of 10 individuals in West Bengal including eight in Kolkata who died from electrocution on Tuesday There had been torrential rainfall in West Bengal before the Durga Puja A total of ten people have died I express my condolences to the families of the victims Shah saidMay the festival of Durga Puja in West Bengal which is a globally acclaimed occasion now lead the state towards the path of prosperity Our leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi dreams of Vikshit Bharat through the route of prosperous Bengal Let his dreams be fulfilled the Union Home Minister saidnbspHM Shah also recollected iconic educationist social reformer and philanthropist Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar on the occasion of the latters birth anniversarynbspHis contribution towards academic development will never be forgotten He dedicated his entire life to the Bengali language the traditions of Bengal and the education of women of Bengal the Union Home Minister saidnbspHM Shah arrived in Kolkata on Thursday and said Be it the Durga Puja of West Bengal or the GarbaRas of Gujarat the entire country is engaged in the worship of Mother Durga with enthusiasm and devotion https://dailyworld.in/religion/prayed-to-ma-durga-for-new-govt-in-bengal-to-lead-state-towards-prosperity-amit-shah-640471.html Fri, 26 Sep 2025 15:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-halts-allahabad-hc-order-restraining-ramlila-in-school-playground-640357.html New Delhi Sep 25 The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed an Allahabad High Court order that had restrained the use of a school playground in Uttar Pradeshs Tundla for Ramlila celebrations The festivities are allowed to continue subject to the condition that no inconvenience is caused to the students and no obstruction is caused in their sports activities ordered a Bench headed by Justice Surya KantThe Bench also comprising Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and N Kotiswar Singh noted the submission on behalf of the Ramlila Committee that Ramlila activities had been conducted at the ground for the past 100 yearsDuring the hearing the apex court questioned the original petitioner as to what had suddenly prompted him to move the Allahabad Court and why he had not approached it in advance but only after the celebrations had commencedWhat happened suddenly that you went to the Court Last 100 years where were you You are not the student you are not the parent of the students right You are not the owner of the property But still you file a PIL What prevented you from going to the Court in advance it askedStaying the impugned order of the Allahabad High Court the Justice Kantled Bench urged the Allahabad HC to resolve the issue by identifying an alternative site for the Ramlila celebrations so that the school playground could be used exclusively by the studentsOn Wednesday the Supreme Court agreed to urgently list the matter for hearing on September 25 after it was mentioned for urgent hearing The special leave petition SLP filed by the Ramlila Committee contended that the Allahabad High Court passed an ex parte order without giving it an opportunity to be heardIn its interim order passed on Monday a Bench of Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Kshitij Shailendra of the Allahabad High Court while hearing a PIL alleging misuse of a school playground had observed serious irregularities in the manner the event was being allowed inside a government schoolThe Allahabad High Court noted submissions that the entire playground had been covered with cement interlocking tiles to permanently convert it into a venue for such events thereby depriving school children of a space to playFurther the main gate of the school itself has been converted into a Sita Ram Gate and various swings etc have been put at the main gate of the school further noted the CJ Bhansaliled BenchThe PIL also highlighted concerns about the disruption of academic activities The teaching activities for a period of over 18 days during which the Ramlila would be performed would be badly affected inasmuch as a huge stage etc have been put up along with furniture for the purpose in the school premises the order notedThe Uttar Pradesh government as well as the Executive Officer of the Nagar Palika Parishad had filed identical instructions claiming that the interlocking tiles were laid due to waterlogging in the ground However when the Allahabad High Court specifically asked whether any sports activities could still take place on the tiled surface the response was an unequivocal No It further questioned the justification offered by officials that the event had been held for over a centuryPermitting of holding Ramlila is sought to be justified in the name that the same was being performed for over 100 years and that the same would be performed during the period 7 pm to 10 pm and that the educational activities at the school are not getting affected the CJ Bhansaliled Bench notedFrom the instructions produced it is not known as to who is organising the Ramlila and who has granted permission for the holding of the Ramlila within the school premises The attempt appears to be to convert the land of the school into a permanent place for holding activities of the nature which are sought to be objected which action cannot be permitted the order addedRestraining the use of school premises for holding the Ramlila the Allahabad High Court observed that permitting such activities by unknown personspurported Ramlila Committee was ex facie illegalThe respondents authorities are restrained from permitting the use of school premises for holding the Ramlila had ordered the CJ Bhansaliled Bench IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/sc-halts-allahabad-hc-order-restraining-ramlila-in-school-playground-640357.html Thu, 25 Sep 2025 20:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/v-p-radhakrishnan-inaugurates-pilgrim-amenities-centre-at-tirumala-in-andhra-pradesh-640407.html Tirupati Sep 25 VicePresident CP Radhakrishnan and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday inaugurated a new pilgrims amenities centre at Tirumala in Tirupati district The pilgrim amenities centre Venkatadri Nilayam has been constructed at a cost of Rs 102 crore by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam TTD which administers the famous hill shrineThe new complex comprising of 16 dormitories 2400 lockers will provide accommodation free of cost for 4000 pilgrims who visit Tirumala without prior booking of accommodationThe new complex comprises two dining halls with a capacity of 1400 people and a mini Kalyanakatta tonsuring centre for 80 pilgrimsThe complex has been constructed in an area of 269617 square feetIt has 16 dormitories each equipped with a motherfeeding chamberIt is equipped with modern toilet facilities with 247 hot water 216 toilets 216 bathrooms and 12 physically handicapped toilets continuous RO water facility on each floor and 10 highspeed elevatorsAfter the inauguration both the VicePresident and Chief Minister went round the complex to see the amenities available for devoteesChief Minister Chandrababu Naidu handed over first accommodation token to a women devoteeThe VicePresident and the Chief Minister visited the tonsuring activity locker allotment system besides observed the functioning of two AIenabled identification and sorting machines installed at the Pilgrim Amenities Centre which allows pilgrims to dispose of tetrapacks and snack packets by logging in via UPIQR codeThey also inaugurated the innovative doublechute visionbased colour sorting machines at the Srivari PotuThese machines are manufactured by Genn Solutions in Coimbatore and donated by the TVS company to effectively sort and remove impurities and foreign particles from the ingredients except sugar used to prepare laddu and other prasadamsLater Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu advised the TTD officials to initiate measures to reduce waiting time for darshan to benefit devoteesThe Chief Minister inaugurated the Integrated Command Control at Vaikuntam queue complexWhen the officials told Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu that 4500 devotees are having darshan of Lord Venkateshwara per hour the Chief Minister said that the number should be increased to 5500 using technologyHe said that strict vigilance should be maintained at Alipiri gate to prevent entry of liquor and other prohibited items into TirumalaChief Minister Naidu said that the rush of devotees should be managed in a right way through command control centreHe added that cleanliness and greenery should be given top priority in Tirumala and the cleanliness should be monitored through command control centreHe said the greenery should be developed up to 90 per cent in TirumalaMinisters Nara Lokesh Anam Ram Narayana Reddy TTD Board Chairman BR Naidu and Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal were present IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/v-p-radhakrishnan-inaugurates-pilgrim-amenities-centre-at-tirumala-in-andhra-pradesh-640407.html Thu, 25 Sep 2025 21:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/religion/congress-defends-udf-for-boycotting-ayyappa-sangamam-questions-cm-vijayans-sincerity-640417.html Ernakulam Sep 25 Congress leader VD Satheesan on Thursday defended the United Democratic Fronts UDF decision to boycott the Ayyappa Sangamam organised with the support of the Pinarayi Vijayan government asserting that the move was a conscious political choice aimed at exposing what he termed the state governments pretentious devotion ahead of elections Speaking to the media in Ernakulam Satheesan said the opposition had a responsibility to reveal the ruling fronts real face to believersHe outlined three questions that the Chief Minister and the state government continue to evadeWill the government withdraw the affidavit it filed in the Supreme Court on the Sabarimala issue Will it withdraw the cases registered against thousands of devotees including NSS workers and women And why is a government that did nothing for Sabarimalas development for a decade suddenly rushing in with a master plan Satheesan askedHe maintained that the governments record on Sabarimala is well known to the people and has not changedCommunity organisations including the Nair Service Society NSS are entitled to take their own stand he said adding that the opposition respected such decisionsSatheesan argued that if the UDF had participated it would have been reduced to ridicule like the Chief MinisterThe government claimed 4200 participants but only about 600 actually attended People were brought in to deliver hate speeches Should we have become witnesses to that he askedThe Opposition Leader said the boycott was a considered political response not an act of disrespect to faithWe anticipated what the government was attempting and we took a stand We will continue to remain firm in that decision he saidIncidentally while the Vijayan government supported the first Ayyappa meeting held at Pampa the BJP oversaw the holding of another one at PandalamWe are not going to hold any such meetings said veteran Congress legislator Ramesh Chennithala IANS https://dailyworld.in/religion/congress-defends-udf-for-boycotting-ayyappa-sangamam-questions-cm-vijayans-sincerity-640417.html Thu, 25 Sep 2025 21:37:00 +0530 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