Page 46 - Religion Belief
Let us create a society free from gender discrimination: PM in Gujarat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday appealed to citizens to create a society that is devoid of gender discrimination.Addressing a gathering at the bhumi pujan of Vishv Umiya Dham here, Prime Minister Modi said, "Those who believe in Maa Umiya can never support female foeticide. I appeal to you all- let us create a society where there is no discrimination based on gender."Emphasising on how working on a small scale is not what his government does, he added, "Our work will always be at a large scale, benefitting all sections of society."The Prime Minister also stated that at the community level, it is important to emphasise on top quality education for youngsters.Sharing his views on how saints have helped in the betterment of society, he said, "No one can ever forget the role of Saints and Seers in strengthening our society. They have given us valuable teachings. They even gave us the strength to fight evil and oppression. Our Saints and Seers taught us to absorb the best of our ...
Punjab CM offers 'kar sewa' at Durgiana Temple
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh joined devotees in offering 'kar sewa' (voluntarily labour) for cleaning up of the sacred sarovar at the historic Durgiana Temple on the occasion of Maha Shivratri, here on Monday.
Devotees from Nepal, India offer prayers to Lord Shiva at Pashupatinath temple
Over one million devotees from India and Nepal on Monday thronged the Pashupatinath temple here to observe Maha Shivaratri festival at the famous 5th century temple situated on the banks of Bagmati river. This year's Mahashivaratri is considered more auspicious as it has fallen on Monday, a day dedicated specially to worship Lord Shiva. All four doors of the temple, regarded as the most sacred and oldest temple of Shiva in Nepal, remained open since 3 am. The entire temple premises was decorated with colourful lights, flags and banners. The temple authorities have allocated Rs 5.4 million budget for the Maha Shivaratri festival. The devotees observed fast before offering prayers to the Lord Shiva. Hundreds of Naga Sadhus mostly from India performed special rituals in the temple premises. In the vicinity of the temple, devotional programmes were presented and vegetarian meals were served by different charity organisations to the devotees. In view of massive number of devotees thronging
Pak allocates Rs 75 mn for construction of cremation grounds, graveyards for Hindus, Christians
The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in northwest Pakistan has allocated Rs 75 million for the construction of five cremation grounds for the Hindu community and creation of seven graveyards for Christians. According to provincial officials, a total of Rs 24 million has been allocated for the construction of five cremation grounds and Rs 51 million has been set aside for the creation of seven Christian graveyards in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They said the purchase of four-kanal (0.5 acre) land for cremation ground in Peshawar and two-kanal (0.25 acre) each in Hangu, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Nowshera districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been approved by the department concerned. The purchase of six-kanal (0.75 acre) land for Christian graveyard in Peshawar, five-kanal (0.62 acre) each in Mardan, Kohat, Swabi and Dir Lower and four-kanal each in Swat and Nowshera districts have also been approved by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. In January, the provincial government had ...
Museum on temple arts, rituals coming up in Kerala
The Kerala government is building a unique museum that throws light and promotes research on the state's temple arts and allied rituals at an ancient town in Thrissur district. The proposed repository at an estimated cost of Rs 3.69 crore will be the first of its kind in southern India and is set to come up in Kodungallur town, known primarily for its two-millennium-old shrine, said Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran. Called Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy temple, the Chera era religious complex is poised for conservation and facelift under the Muziris Heritage Project (MHP), according to the minister, who also holds the Devaswom portfolio. Steps are on to renovate the dining hall (oottupura) and the administrative wing (kacherippura) of the temple renowned for its deity of goddess Kali and spirit of the shakti cult, he said at a function convened in Kodungallur Sunday to announce the government's package on conservation. The endeavour is in continuance with the ...
Maha Shivratri: Kerala temples witness heavy rush
: Hindu shrines in Kerala, dedicated to Lord Shiva, witnessed heavy rush of devotees Monday on the occasion of Maha Shivratri. Cutting across religious and gender barriers, devotees including women, children and elderly, thronged temples since early morning to take part in special poojas and rituals to mark the auspicious annual festival. Long queues and heavy rush resulted in traffic snarls near many temples including the famed Sree Kandeswara shrine here in the morning. Elaborate arrangements were made at all major Lord Shiva shrines, including Vadakkunnathan temple in Thrissur, Maha Deva shrine in Vaikom and Ernakulam Shiva temple, to ensure smooth darshan for devotees, authorities said. Arrangements have been put in place on the banks of River Periyar in Aluva in Ernakulam for 'Balitharppanam', a ritual in which people pay obeisance to their ancestors. Performing the ritual on the midnight of Shivratri is considered auspicious by devotees. A number of 'bali taras' ...
Kedarnath to reopen on May 9
The sacred portals of the Kedarnath temple, a top Himalayan shrine in Uttarakhand, will reopen on May 9 after a gap of nearly six months, officials said on Monday.
Portals of Kedarnath to reopen on May 9
The sacred portals of the Himalayan shrine of Kedarnath will be thrown open for devotees on May 9. The gates of the famed temple dedicated to Lord Shiva will be opened at 5.35 am on May 9, Badrinath-Kedarnath Mandir Samiti official Harish Gaud said. The date and timing for the opening of the famed temple was announced at Omkareshwar temple, Ukhimath on the occasion of Maha Shivratri on Monday, he said. Omkareshwar temple of Ukhimath is where an idol of Kedarnath is worshipped during his winter sojourn. The date and time for the reopening of the temple gates were announced in the presence of the chief priest of the temple Rawal Bhimashankar Ling, local Brahmins, teerth purohits and devotees. One of the famous four Himalayan shrines of Uttarakhand, Kedarnath, located at a height of around 11,755 feet above the sea level, is closed for devotees annually during winter when it becomes snowbound.
Devotees queue outside temples to offer prayers on Maha Shivratri
Devotees across the country are celebrating Maha Shivratri today, worshipping Lord Shiva, who is also known as the 'destroyer of evil'. Long queues of devotees were seen at various temples of Lord Shiva since the break of the dawn. Devotees were seen offering bael leaves, milk and honey to 'Shivling' and chant the name of Lord Shiva.The celebrations will continue till late at night. Many devotees also hold a day-long fast.Maha Shivratri is considered auspicious for spiritual growth and is celebrated with immense fervour and a pious spirit by devotees of Lord Shiva.According to Hindu almanac, Maha Shivratri is celebrated on the 13th night and the 14th day of the Phalguna month (somewhere in February and March).The festival, also known as 'the great night of Shiva', celebrates the overcoming of darkness and ignorance. It also marks the beginning of spring.While the origin of the festival is not known, legend has it that on Maha Shivratri Lord Shiva got married to Goddess Parvati, while .
In UP, Muslims offers food, medicines to Kanwariyas
As a mark of communal unity, a group of Muslims on Sunday offered food, milk and, medicines to Kanwar Yatris in Aligarh.The camps' organiser, Amanullah Khan said, "I have been organizing this camp during Mahashivratri for the last five years to serve Kanwariyas. Bhole ji gave me this opportunity to serve and I am doing it.""Hindu brothers also keep fast during Ramzan. This is a message for everyone that we all Hindus and Muslims are one. We don't discriminate. We also celebrate Hindu festivals," he added."I am Muslim. God is one. People think there is a difference between Allah and Bhagwan. We offered them fruits. We should live peacefully in society," said a Muslim woman at the campsite.'Kanwariyas' are devotees of Lord Shiva, who undertake the Kanwar Yatra to Uttrakhand's Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri Sultanganj in Bihar to fetch water of the holy river Ganga.Mahashivratri or 'Great Night of Lord Shiva' will be celebrated on March 4.
Controversial sheikh re-elected as Asian Olympic chief
Kuwait's Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah was re-elected president of the powerful Olympic Council of Asia on Sunday despite forgery charges that forced him to step aside from the International Olympic Committee and other duties. Sheikh Ahmad, considered a major powerbroker in world sport, won a new five-year term until 2024, the OCA said, extending a reign that started in 1991 over the body that controls the Asian Games and other regional events. "I will do all I can to continue working for this organisation," he said at the OCA general assembly in Bangkok. In November, Sheikh Ahmad stood down as an IOC member pending an ethics committee investigation after a forgery case was brought against him in Switzerland. Among his Olympic duties was leading Olympic Solidarity, which decides how broadcast revenues are distributed among national Olympic committees. He also asked not to be re-elected president of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC). "I am confident I am innocent.
Sacred yet erotic: Radha and her love for Krishna (Book Review)
Book: Finding Radha - The quest for love; Edited by: Malashri Lal and Namita Gokhale; Publisher: Penguin Random House India; Price: Rs 399; Pages: 265
Punjab Governor's greetings on Shivratri
Punjab Governor and Administrator of Chandigarh V.P. Singh Badnore on Sunday wished the people on the occasion of Maha Shivratri and appealed to them to celebrate it in a spirit of harmony.
Lankan PM offers prayers at Lord Balaji temple
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Sunday offered prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at nearby Tirumala. On arrival at the 'mahadwaram' (main entrance), the island nation's United National Party president Wickremesinghe and his wife Maitree were accorded a traditional welcome by temple priests and top functionaries of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which governs the 2,000-year old shrine, a temple official told PTI. Before paying obeisance to the presiding deity of Lord Venkateswara, the 73-year old Wickremesinghe performed ages-old 'Tulabharam' ritual. As part of 'Tulabharam' ritual, devotees sit in a balance and offer grocery items, precious metals or money equal to their body weight, the temple official said. Later, the same is made as an offering to the God at the hill temple, the official added. The Sri Lankan prime minister, his wife and other dignitaries later worshipped Lord Venkateswara. They spent about an hour in the temple. After .
Muslim family in Assam looking after 500-yr-old Shiva temple for generations: Caretaker
A Muslim family is reportedly looking after a 500-year-old Shiva temple at Rangamahal village in Guwahati for generations. Both Muslims and Hindus in the area have firm belief in the deity and throng the temple for offering prayers and doing rituals.The caretaker, Matibar Rehman, said that the deity of 'Lord Shiva' is like his "maternal grandfather"."I call him 'Nana' (maternal grandfather). It's a 500-year-old temple and our family looks after the temple. People from both the religions - Hindus and Muslims - come here to offer prayers," said Rehman."Muslims perform 'dua' while Hindus perform 'puja' here. Everyone's wishes are fulfilled here," he said.Rehman said that he himself offers 'dua' in the 'Shivalaya' or the Shiva temple.The family has been the caretaker of the temple and is looking after it for generations. The temple is considered an example of the Hindu-Muslim unity in the region.
Muslim family in Assam has been looking after 500-yr-old Shiva temple since generations
A Muslim family is reportedly looking after a 500-year-old Shiva temple located at Rangamahal village in Guwahati since generations. Both Muslims and Hindus of the area have firm believe in the deity and throng the temple for offering prayers and doing rituals.The caretaker, Matibar Rehman, said that the deity of 'Lord Shiva' is like his maternal grandfather."I call him Nana (maternal grandfather). It's a 500-year-old temple, our family looks after the temple. People from both the religions - Hindu and Muslim - come here to offer prayers," said Matibar Rehman, the caretaker."Muslims perform 'dua' while Hindus perform 'puja' here. Everyone wishes are fulfilled here," he said.Rehman said that he himself offers 'dua' in the 'Shivalaya' or the Shiva temple.The family has been the caretaker of the temple and is looking after it since generations. The temple is considered as the epitome of the Hindu-Muslim unity in the region.
Strasbourg's Old Synagogue memorial stone hit by 'vandalism'
A memorial marking the site of Strasbourg's Old Synagogue, destroyed by the Nazis during World War II, was apparently vandalised overnight, local officials said Saturday -- 11 days after a nearby Jewish cemetery was desecrated. Police have opened a probe and a source said investigators would consult surveillance video and interview witnesses "to determine the origin of the incident, whether intentional or accidental". Strasbourg deputy mayor Alain Fontanel told journalists in the eastern French city the incident was an "act of vandalism" that bore "all the signs of anti-Semitism". Earlier on Facebook, he said it was "very probably, unfortunately, a new act of anti-Semitism in our city". The region has witnessed a rise in anti-Semitic acts, the latest on February 19 when 96 graves were daubed with swastikas at a Jewish cemetery in Quatzenheim, northwest of Strasbourg. Before heading to the memorial for an inspection on Saturday, mayor Roland Ries wrote on Facebook: "Once again, enough .
3 big US churches in turmoil over sex abuse, LGBT policy
It has been a wrenching season for three of America's largest religious denominations, as sex-abuse scandals and a schism over LGBT inclusion fuel anguish and anger within the Roman Catholic, Southern Baptist and United Methodist churches. There's rising concern that the crises will boost the ranks of young people disillusioned by organized religion. "Every denomination is tremendously worried about retaining or attracting young people," said Stephen Schneck, a political science professor at Catholic University. "The sex-abuse scandals will have a spillover effect on attitudes toward religion in general. I don't think any denomination is going to not take a hit." For the U.S. Catholic church, the clergy sex-abuse scandal that has unfolded over two decades expanded dramatically in recent months. Many dioceses have become targets of investigations since a Pennsylvania grand jury report in August detailed hundreds of cases of alleged abuse. In mid-February, former Cardinal Theodore ...
Lankan PM to offer prayers at Venkateswara shrine tomorrow
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has arrived here to offer prayers at the Lord Venkateswara shrine in Tirumala on Sunday, officials said. Wickremesinghe accompanied by his wife Maitree and other dignitaries landed at Renigunta airport, 20 km from here, by a special helicopter from Chennai and reached the holy hills by road. They would stay for the night at the heavily guarded Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) guest house, a temple official told PTI. The TTD administers the over 2000-year-old shrine. Wickremesinghe would offer prayers in the early hours of Sunday. He would participate in the Suprabhatha ritual (priests chanting Vedic hymns to wake up the Lord) conducted daily in the early hours, the official said. It will be Wickremesinghes fourth visit as prime minister to the sacred hills. Earlier he had offered prayers in 2018, 2016 and 2002, the official added.
Delhi court adjourns hearing on criminal defamation complaint against Tharoor for March 6
A Delhi court on Saturday adjourned for March 6 the hearing on a criminal defamation complaint against Congress leader Shashi Tharoor over his alleged remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.On October 28 last year, Tharoor quoted an unnamed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) source and launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, comparing him with a scorpion sitting on a 'Shivling'.The complaint against Tharoor was filed by Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rajeev Babbar last year in Delhi's Patiala House Court.He had said that Tharoor's comment hurt his religious sentiments.Babbar, in his complaint, stated, "I am a devotee of Lord Shiva. However, the accused (Tharoor) completely disregarded the sentiments of crores of Shiva's devotees, both in India and outside the country.""The complainant's religious sentiments were hurt and the accused deliberately did this malicious act, intending to outrage religious feeling of Lord Shiva devotees by insulting their ...