Page 51 - Religion Belief
Shivraj Chouhan takes holy dip in Ganga at Kumbh mela
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan along with his wife took a holy dip in river Ganga here on Tuesday during the Kumbh Mela.Kumbh Mela is the largest human congregation in the world, with over 130 million pilgrims expected to participate in the festival with the belief that taking a dip in the holy water of Ganges River will pave the way for their salvation and would rid them of their sins.BJP president Amit Shah will visit the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Wednesday to take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers.The 55-day long Kumbh Mela will end on March 4.
US Southern Baptist churches embroiled in sex abuse scandal
The United States' largest Protestant denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, is facing a sexual abuse crisis after a bombshell report revealed hundreds of predators and more than 700 victims since 1998. The report by two Texas newspapers found some 380 church leaders and volunteers have faced public accusations of abuse, mostly of children as young as three years old. Some of the accused continued to work at Southern Baptist churches, the newspapers said. In response to the report, church officials acknowledged the number of victims could actually be higher and urged survivors to come forward. "One of the things I'm encouraged by are the number of pastors that are actively engaged right now," in the report's aftermath, convention leader Russell Moore told AFP on Tuesday. The revelations threatened to engulf the denomination -- with some 47,000 churches and 15 million members mostly in the southern US -- in the same type of scandal that has roiled the Catholic Church. A more ...
Centre to move Triple Talaq Bill in Rajya Sabha today
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government which is keen to get parliamentary approval for the Triple Talaq Bill, will table it in the Rajya Sabha later today.Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will move The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill.The Triple Talaq Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on December 27 last year with 245 votes in favour and 11 against the Bill. The opposition parties want the Bill to be sent to the Select Committee of Parliament for further vetting, a demand rejected by the Centre.However, an ordinance was re-promulgated in January this year as the revised Bill could not be passed in the Rajya Sabha where the government lacks majority.The Bill criminalises the practice of instant triple talaq with a provision of three years imprisonment to the erring husband.The issue of triple talaq was taken up in the Parliament in August last year after a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled "unconstitutional" a practice that allows Muslim men .
Church rift over Catholic stance on political situation
The Catholic Bishops Confernece of India (CBCI) council for Laity has launched a nationwide drive to formulate a Catholic stance on the current political situation in the country ahead of the general election, a move disputed by CBCI sources, saying the council of Laity is "not a representative of the Catholic body."
Former SL prez Rajapaksa prays at Lord Venkateswara temple
Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa Tuesday offered prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala here. He arrived here last night and offered worship to the presiding deity of Lord Venkateswara early this morning, a temple official told PTI. He said it was a sudden visit and there was no advance official communique about Rajapaksa's arrival to the officials ofTirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) that governs the ancient shrine.
Church body for Catholic stance on political situation
The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) Council for Laity, one of the influential Christian bodies in the country, has launched a nationwide drive to formulate a Catholic stance on the current political situation in the country ahead of the general elections.
Amit Shah to attend Kumbh
BJP president Amit Shah will attend the Kumbh in Prayagraj on Wednesday, during which he will take a dip in the holy Sangam and meet various congregations of saints, a BJP statement said. First, Shah will go to the Sangam, which is the holy confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna, and offer his prayers, the statement issued on Tuesday said. He will be visiting various holy places and meet saints during his one-day visit, it added. Shah's visit assumes significance amid demands by various Hindutva groups for the government to bring in a law for the early construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. The BJP chief has reiterated on multiple occasions his party's commitment to the cause of temple construction. The Ram temple title case is presently being heard in the Supreme Court.
Sabarimala temple opens for 5 days amidst tight security
Even as the Supreme Court is looking into numerous review petitions on its September 28 verdict on entry of women into Sabarimala temple, the temple opened amidst tight security at 5 p.m on Tuesday for the five-day-long Kumba pooja functions.
Thousands take holy dip near Konark on Magha Mela
Thousands of people took holy dip and offered prayers to the Sun God at Chandrabhaga beach near Konark of Puri district early Tuesday on the occasion of annual "Magha Mela" held on the Magha Saptami day. People take holy dip on the seventh day of the new moon of "Magha" month with a belief that it will cleanse their sins and get them rid of skin diseases. The day is also observed as the birthday of the Sun God. According to mythology, Lord Krishna's son Samba was cured of leprosy by offering prayer to the Sun God at the Chandrabhaga beach. The holy dip started after the completion of rituals at 4.10 am. Besides the Sun God, the devotees also worship Lord Shiva at the "bank" of presently non-existent Chandrabhaga river, about two kilometre from the Sun Temple at Konark, during the Magha Mela. In the festival, there is a ritual of preparing cooked rice, dried fish and 'dalma', a traditional food of the state, which is offered to mythological demon Arkasura. Earlier, Konark
Sabarimala temple reopens for monthly worship
Sabarimala temple, which grappled with a crisis over the entry of young women into the shrine after the Supreme Court verdict last year, reopened on Tuesday for monthly worship.The temple will be opened for five days for the monthly 'puja' in the monthly Malayalam month of Kumbhom.The state administration has deployed scores of police personnel in Pamba and surrounding areas in an attempt to avoid violence and unrest.The Sabarimala temple and surrounding areas witnessed a string of protests since October last year over the apex court's decision to quash restrictions on the entry of women between 10 and 50 into the holy shrine.Recently, the National Ayyappa Devotees Association (NADA) filed a petition for rehearing in Sabarimala case in the Supreme Court, citing that the devotees of Lord Ayyappa were not heard previously.Nearly four months after the top court permitted women of all ages to enter the temple on September 28 last year, two women aged below 50 entered the Lord Ayyappa ...
Kumbh succeeded in big way to send out message of sanitation to society: PM Modi
Kumbh Mela earlier used to be talked about only for Naga sadhu, saints and spiritual reasons, but this year's mega gathering has "succeeded in a big way" to send out a message of sanitation to the society, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday. Nearly 1.5 crore people gathered on Sunday for the third 'shahi snan' at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati in Allahabad, even as the chill in the air failed to dampen the spirit of devotees. He was addressing a huge gathering, at an event in Vrindavan to mark the serving of the "3rd billionth meal" by the Akshaya Patra Foundation, a Bengaluru-based NGO which work with the government on mid-day meal scheme. "This year's Kumbh has succeeded in big way to send out a message of sanitation to society," he said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in his address, expressed his appreciation for Akshaya Patra for serving safe, hygienic meals to pilgrims at Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Modi said, this is the "first ...
Thirty years after Rushdie fatwa, blasphemy still a potent weapon
Thirty years after Iran called for the killing of Salman Rushdie, the British novelist remains a figure of hate for extremists across the Muslim world, and though the level of outrage has dropped, the issue of blasphemy is as incendiary as ever. Rushdie's novel "The Satanic Verses" triggered mass protests from London to Islamabad and, analysts say, closed down the space for debate around Islam in a way that still resonates today. Iran's spiritual leader, the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued the fatwa calling for Rushdie's murder on February 14, 1989. A day earlier thousands of protesters enraged by the novel's publication had attacked the American Cultural Centre in Islamabad. Five people were killed in the ensuing clashes with police. Pakistani journalist Shahid ur Rehman told AFP he was among the first to arrive on the scene that day, and watched as men stormed the roof of the centre and pulled down its American flag while police fired tear gas, then live bullets. Rehman said the
Bandel Church observes 'World Day of the Sick'
The 420-year-old Bandel Church here observed the 27th 'World Day of the Sick' Monday with special prayers, the church said in a release. Apart from prayers for healing, it also anointed 50 sick people. Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of the Catholic Church that is administered to a Catholic "who, having reached the age of reason, begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age". A commemorative 4x6 mural, created by Church Art of Kolkata - depicting the story of Good Samaritan, a parable of Jesus Christ - was unveiled by Papal delegate Cardinal Patrick DRozario of Dhaka. "Some 200 international and national delegates arrived in Kolkata," said Prior of Bandel Basilica Father T L Francis. The Bandel Church was chosen for the conclusion of World Day of the Sick as people of all faiths visit this Shrine to seek favours. February 11 marks the date of the miraculous apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes in France. On this day, sick people come in large ...
Badrinath to reopen on May 10
The sacred portals of Badrinath will be thrown open to public in the wee hours on May 10. The gates of the Himalayan shrine will be reopened after the annual winter break at 4:15 am on May 10. The auspicious hour for reopening the gates of the famous temple were announced on the occasion of Vasant Panchmi Sunday at the residence of erstwhile Tehri royals in Narendra Nagar. Located at a height of 10,279 ft above the sea level in Chamoli district, Badrinath temple which is dedicated to lord Vishnu is closed annually during winter when the area is snowbound.
Abu Dhabi's first Hindu temple's foundation stone to be laid in April
Abu Dhabi is all set to get its first Hindu temple with the foundation stone laying ceremony of the place of worship going to be held in April, according to a media report. The plan to build the temple in the UAE's capital was approved by the Abu Dhabi government during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit to the country in 2015. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, a worldwide Hindu religious and civic organisation, is building the temple, the Gulf News reported. The foundation stone laying ceremony of the temple on April 20 will be presided over by Mahant Swami Maharaj, the present guru and president of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, it said. The spiritual leader will be in UAE from April 18 to 29. Dubbed as an icon of tolerance and religious harmony in the UAE, the temple is being built on a 13.5-acre land gifted by Abu Dhabi's crown prince Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. An equal area of land has also been gifted by the UAE government for building parking facilities in the temple
China trashes Turkey's remark on Uighur camps
China on Monday trashed Turkey's allegations that nearly one million Uighur Muslims were subjected to torture and political brainwashing at concentration camps and prisons in the Xinjiang region.
Angry tribals block highways, pelt stones on personnel in Pakistan
Scores of people from the Khugakhel tribe had blocked the Pakistan-Afghanistan highway here in protest against the unavailability of electricity.The agitators also pelted stones in retaliation to law enforcement personnel firing shots in the air to disperse the demonstrators.The peaceful protests were being held by the tribe against the power unavailability in the Landi Kotal subdivision, reports The News International.The demonstrators held black flags and chanted slogans against Tesco officials for drawn-out load-shedding in the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) region when the police personnel were brought in to disperse the crowd.The situation went awry when shots were fired in the air by the Khassadar and Levies personnel. Angry protesters pelted stones in retaliation.They have threatened more protests if the incidents of firing are not investigated by the government.Activists, however, have alleged that the protests were held against the trading company, ...
Kirti Mandir in Barsana Opens in a Grand and Historical Opening Ceremony
/ -- Jagadguru Kripalu's Kirti Mandir opened to the public today after a grand and historical celebration spanning three days. Thousands of people from all over India and the world attended the event, which included elaborate 'puja' ceremonies, daily prayers and meditation (sadhana). The Presidents of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, Sushri Dr. Vishaka Tripathi Ji, Sushri Dr. Shyama Tripathi Ji and Sushri Dr. Krishna Tripathi Ji officiated at the event, leading thousands to the entrance and cutting the ribbon as Vedic chanting took place. The doors were then opened as they walked in to see a unique sculpture that has never been seen in any temple before. The temple is dedicated to Shri Radha and her childlike form is the main focus of this unique temple. Within the temple, unique paintings that do not exist anywhere else have been placed and Vedic teachings can be found on the walls. It is interesting to note that no cement or steel has been used to build the temple. Instead, it is built .
5th Dham - seam reap to Prayagraj, Sanatan dharm journey starts
Cambodia and India are preparing themselves for a holy pilgrimage trip that will encompass millions of the Indian Diaspora from across the world that will send them on a spiritual trail culminating at the 5th Dham at Seam Reap, Cambodia.Cambodia as most people know being a predominantly Buddhist society but has deep rooted ties with Hinduism, Hindu Idolatry and Hindu mythology.The magnificent Angkor Wat, the largest Hindu Temple built by a Hindu King. The same is metamorphasised at Continuing the tradition the 5th Dham is being consecrated at the very place in Seam Reap by 1008 Names of Shivas Association, a trust which has visions of a united Sanathana Culture to prevail among all its followers.The fist of the same is being conducted currently at the Kumbh Mela 2019, the epitome congregation of more than 100 million pilgrims, nearly 1/10th of India's population, gathered to rejuvenate their mind, body and soul. Regardless of age and gender the Kumbh mela represents the stream of ...
Pak has Mecca, Medina for Sikhs: Imran in Dubai
Pakistan has the Mecca and Medina for the Sikhs and the country is opening up those sites for the minority community, Prime Minister Imran Khan said in the UAE on Sunday. Prime Minister Khan in November last year laid the foundation stone for the corridor linking Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur - the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev - to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district to facilitate visa-free movement of Indian Sikh pilgrims. Khan is paying a day-long trip to the UAE to take part in the 7th edition of the World Government Summit on the invitation of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum. "We have the Mecca and Medina of the Sikhs... and we are just opening up those sites for Sikhs," Khan said. Mecca and Medina are the two holiest sites in Islam. "We have opened our visa regime. For the first time in Pakistan, we have 70 countries from where people can come and get visas at the ...