Page 156 - Religion Belief

Yoga has nothing to do with religion: Vice President

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday said that yoga adopts a holistic approach towards health and well-being and it has "nothing to do with religion".

World to celebrate 4th International Yoga Day today

The fourth edition of International Yoga Day will be observed across the globe today.To celebrate the day, various Yoga training programmes, camps, seminars, workshops have been organised across the world at big levels.Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join thousands of volunteers and perform Yoga asanas in the lawns of Forest Research Institute in Dehradun.Yoga guru Ramdev will also be conducting a yoga session in Kota, Rajasthan at RC Ground respectively.Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu will participate as the chief guest at an event in Mumbai. Several Union Ministers will also join the celebrations in different parts of the country.Union Ministers Rajnath Singh will participate in the event at Lucknow, Nitin Gadkri in Nagpur, Ravi Shankar Prasad in Patna, Piyush Goyal in Noida, Ananth Kumar in Bangalore and Rajyavardhan Rathore in Jaipur.In Delhi, Union Minister Maneka Gandhi will participate in a Yoga session organized for pregnant women while Union Minister Harsh Vardhan will ...

Assam gears up for Ambubachi mela at Kamakhya temple

With devotees from across the country and abroad thronging the historic Kamakhya temple here for the annual Ambubachi mela, the temple authorities are gearing up to play host to lakhs while police has beefed up security.

Yoga shouldn't be used as a political tool: Top Muslim bodies

Yoga should not be used as a political tool or linked to a particular community, top Muslim bodies said today on the eve of International Day for Yoga. The organisations also said that Yoga should be seen as form of exercise and not through the prism of religion. "Islam lays special emphasis on physical fitness and considers things related to fitness as good. Yoga as an exercise is good, but it should not be made compulsory which may not be acceptable to people of other religions. "The most important thing is that Yoga should not be used as a political tool. But, sadly this practice is going on," All India Muslim Personal Law Board spokesman Sajjad Nomani told PTI here. He also said that people of every religion and section of society should be encouraged to celebrate Yoga Day tomorrow. "It is unfair to force upon someone any particular exercise. There should be no dispute vis-a-vis Yoga. People of every religion and section of the society should be encouraged to celebrate ...

Andhra CM inaugurates Krishna River's Eastern Delta Regulator

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday inaugurated the Eastern Delta Regulator at the Prakasam Barrage on Krishna River.From this regulator, water will be released into the eastern delta ayacut (the area served by an irrigation project) in Krishna district spanning over an area of 7.34 lakh acres. The water is being drawn from the Godavari River via the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation project. This is fourth consecutive year water from the Godavari is being given to Krishna delta.Irrigation minister Devineni Umamaheswar Rao, local public representatives accompanied Naidu for the inauguration."This project fulfills the needs of Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam districts. As the Polavaram project was taking very long, we first built the Pattiseema lift irrigation project. We will also connect the Penna, Vamsadhara and Nagavali rivers with the Godavari. Then water from the Godavari will be available to North Andhra and Rayalaseema regions also. We have to maintain ...

UP to set up special development council for Kashi Vishwanath temple

In a bid to boost religious tourism in the state, the Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal of setting up a Special Council for beautification and expansion of the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, officials said.

Syro-Malabar church head calls on Mizoram Guv

Syro-Malabar Church head Cardinal George Alencherry today called on Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan at a guest house here. Rajasekharan, who was sworn-in as the Governor of the Northeastern state on May 29, is currently on a visit to his home state. Church sources said it was a courtesy call. After meeting Rajasekharan, the Cardinal was asked about reported protests by some Christian organisations in the northeastern state opposing the appointment of the former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh pracharak and chief of the 'Hindu Aikyavedi' in Kerala as governor of the state. Rajasekharan was also the BJP's Kerala unit president for three years before his appointment as governor. The Cardinal told reporters that he had urged the Bishop of Mizoram to cooperate with the governor in the state's development works. The Syro-Malabar Church head said he had informed the Mizoram Bishop that Rajasekharan was a leader who maintained cordial relations with all religious sections in ..

Canadian leaders condemn arson at mosque

Canadian leaders today condemned a "brazen" act of arson at an Alberta mosque as Muslims around the world celebrated the end of Ramadan. The mosque in the town of Edson was set ablaze Saturday night, blackening the entrance to the building but otherwise causing no injuries and little damage. "All of Canada stands together with the community against this brazen act, which is under investigation. Everyone has the right to practice their faith without fear," Canada's Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said on Twitter. Surveillance footage showed a person in a dark hoodie carrying a jerrycan fleeing the mosque at about 11 pm local time Saturday. The 30-year-old mosque serves as a place of worship for 15 families in Edson, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) west of Edmonton. Alberta's social democratic Premier Rachel Notley called the arson an "affront to all Albertans" and she renewed her government's commitment to "fighting racism in all its forms." The province's Conservative leader ...

Holy Land churches cry foul over Israeli legislation on lands

Three major Holy Land churches implored Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today to prevent the advancement of a draft bill they said was aimed at expropriating their lands. Heads of the Armenian, Greek Orthodox and Catholic churches in Jerusalem also accused the Israeli authorities of failing to keep a committment made just a few months ago that brought an end to a major crisis between the sides. In February, the Jerusalem municipality began enforcing tax collection on church property, while separately lawmakers in the parliament worked on advancing a law that would allow expropriation of church property. The church leaders in protest closed the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site in Jerusalem where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and buried, following which Israeli authorities froze both the tax measures and the legislation, committing to a dialogue with the Christians over the issues. Rachel Azaria, a lawmaker with the centrist coalition party Kulanu, recently ...

There is no Muslim vote bank: Owaisi

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi has claimed that Muslims have always been deceived when it comes to them being identified as a significant vote bank.Owaisi's remark came a day after Union Minorities Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the BJP government needs to "do a lot more to gain the confidence of Muslims, whose minds have been poisoned over the last 70 years.""It is a fact that there has never been a Muslim vote bank. Muslims have always been deceived by saying you have a vote bank," Owaisi told ANI.The AIMIM President further lashed out at the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party for their approach towards the Muslim community."Both parties (BJP and Congress) are now hankering for the Hindu vote bank. In the last Karnataka polls, the BJP did not give single a Muslim ticket to contest for assembly elections. There's no Muslim MP in Lok Sabha from the BJP. This clearly shows they are not interested in real political empowerment and ...

Hyderabad mosque welcomes non-Muslims to witness 'namaz'

Standing on a balcony, a group of non-Muslims including women watched Muslims offer prayers at a mosque here which formally opened its doors for people of all faiths.

Do not recognise concept of 'grihasth sant': Akhada Parishad

Opposing the concept of "grihasth sant", or householder saints, the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad has said that they do not accord "saint" status to married persons. The ABAP is an apex body of 13 major "akhadas", or religious orders, of Hindu saints and seers. The statement from the ABAP comes amidst a debate on saints following the alleged suicide of spiritual leader Bhaiyyu Maharaj on June 12. Bhaiyyu Maharaj, who was reverentially called "rashtra sant" by his followers, committed suicide allegedly due to stress from a family dispute, a preliminary probe has revealed. Mahant Narendra Giri, Akhada Parishad president, told PTI that it did not recognise the concept of "grihasth sant", adding that such people were not considered seers till about 50 years ago. "We are grieved at the death of Bhaiyyu Maharaj. He was a respected person. But we clearly believe that, in religious and spiritual fields, married persons should not be called saints. We do not give any ...

Sri Krishna Janmasthan, Eidgah security tightened after bomb threat in UP

Security has been beefed up in and around Sri Krishna Janmasthan, Eidgah and the refinery here following a bomb threat call, a police officer said today. An unidentified person called up the police control room last night and warned of blasts at the Sri Krishna Janmasthan, the Eidgah here and the Mathura Refinery, SP (City) Shravan Kumar Singh said. While the frisking at the gates of both the shrines have been intensified, every effort is being taken not to cause any inconvenience to pilgrims," SP (security) Siddharth Verma said. The officer said security staff has been instructed to keep a check on beggars. The security has also been intensified at the entry points of Mathura Refinery, Singh said. Instructions have been issued to make intensive checking of vehicles before their entry into the refinery, he added. The SP (city) said investigation is underway in the matter and efforts are being made to ascertain the identity of the caller.

Monks, locals participate in Yoga camp at Muktinath Temple

Taking Yoga practice to new heights, monks and locals in Nepal, celebrated fourth International Day of Yoga at Muktinath Temple, 12500 feet above sea level.The Yoga camp was organised by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.In May, during the second day of his visit to Nepal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at the iconic Muktinath temple which is regarded sacred by both Hindus and Buddhists.Prime Minister Modi is the first world leader to offer prayers inside Muktinath temple.In April, addressing the 43rd edition of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the nation to make this edition of Yoga Day memorable.Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice. International Yoga Day was declared unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

West Bengal celebrates Eid-ul-Fitr with prayers, cultural soirees

West Bengal on Saturday joined the nation in celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr, with Muslims, attired in traditional clothes, pouring out on to the street to hold special prayers, greet one another and take part in cultural programmes.

Chouhan, Kamal Nath hug each other during Eid celebrations

Putting aside their political differences, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and state Congress president Kamal Nath hugged each other today during Eid celebrations here. The two leaders, who often exchange barbs and trade charges, looked quite friendly in public. It so happened that Chouhan, who belongs to the BJP, and Nath, went to wish Muslim faithful on Eid at Idgah Hills area. Both climbed the stage built by the Bhopal Municipal Corporation outside the Idgah compound almost at the same time to greet the Muslim community members coming out after the Eid 'namaaz'. Amid the festive fervour, Chouhan and Nath smiled and embraced each other, much to the surprise of people around. They also hugged some of the Muslim community members present on the stage and greeted them on the occasion of Eid, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramzan. This practice of politicians greeting Muslims on Eid at Idgah Hills is going on since decades. The bonhomie between

Mamata slams those accusing her of Muslim 'appeasement'

Lashing out at her opponents who accuse her of Muslim appeasement, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said such people were neither friends of Hindus nor of Muslims.

'Priest bobbitises himself over remarks against religious leaders'

A 40-year-old priest, said to be upset over allegations and remarks against various religious leaders, allegedly bobbitised himself, the police said today. Mahant Anil Purohit of Sewa Wali Sewagiri Dham was allegedly upset due to allegations and remarks levelled against various religious leaders, said Mandhan police station SHO Ram Kishan today, adding that the mahant bobbitised himself in his room late yesterday night. The police official said that Mahant's followers took him to a hospital from where he was referred to Jaipur for treatment. Purohit is being treated in Jaipur and his statements were recorded, he added.

Fervour, gaiety marks Eid in Karnataka

Fervour, gaiety and piety marked the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr on Saturday in Karnataka after the month-long Ramadan fasting by the devout.

Ramzan celebrated with religious fervour, gaiety in Telangana

Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety across the state today. Thousands of Muslims offered prayers at the eidgahs (open grounds) and mosques here and greeted one another. Some visited the houses of relatives and friends. The guests were treated to 'sheer khorma and other dishes. Several political leaders greeted the Muslims. Police made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the prayers. Telangana deputy chief minister Mohd Mehmood Ali visited the governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana ESL Narasimhan at Raj Bhavan here. Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, state Congress president N Uttam Kumar Reddy, state BJP chief K Laxman and other leaders extended greetings on the occasion.