Page 93 - Religion Belief
Odisha CM seeks probe into negligence in Sun Temple preservation
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged the Centre to direct the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct an inquiry into the replacement of artistic stone carvings at Konark Sun Temple with plain stones. In a letter to Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, he also asked the central government to take appropriate steps for preservation and conservation of the monument. Patnaik's letter comes after a news report claimed that 40 per cent of the artistic original stone carvings in the temple have been removed and in their place, plain stones have been fixed. "The report is a matter of worry and concern for all of us," the chief minister said in the letter. A masterpiece of creative genius in both conception and realisation, the temple presents a chariot of Sun God and is one of the world heritage sites declared by UNESCO. It is embellished with sophisticated and "refined iconographical depictions" of contemporary life and activities. It is the main attraction for domestic ..
Odisha CM writes to culture minister over preservation of Konark Temple
Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik sought Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma's intervention for the preservation of Konark Temple after reports of negligence in preservation came to light.In a letter that Patnaik wrote to Sharma on Saturday, he stated, "I would request you to cause an inquiry into the matter and also direct ASI to take appropriate steps immediately for preservation and conservation of this magnificent World Heritage monument."The letter, which was made available to the media on Sunday, also stated, "It has been mentioned in the newspaper report that 40 per cent of the artistic stone carvings of the existing Konark Sun temple have been replaced by the ASI with plain stones."Konark Sun Temple is located near Puri on the coastline of Odisha and is attributed to king Narasingha Deva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.Dedicated to the Hindu god Surya, the temple represents a 100-foot high chariot with immense wheels and horses, all carved from stone.The temple has been .
Nitish lays foundation stone for Bhutanese temple at Rajgir
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday laid the foundation stone for construction of a Bhutanese temple at Rajgir in Nalanda district. Kumar laid the stone in the presence of his holiness Je Khenpo, the most revered spiritual leader of the Buddhist nation, an official release said. "At a time when India and Bhutan are celebrating 50 years of mutual diplomatic relations, it's a matter of pride for Bihar to lay foundation stone for construction of a Bhutanese temple...It would further strengthen the diplomatic ties between the two countries," Kumar said in the press statement. Once the temple was constructed, the importance and significance of Rajgir would further increase as people in large numbers would come to visit it, he said. Kumar said that the people of Bhutan had demanded a temple at Rajgir during his visit to the Himalayan state in 2011. "I hope that a grand temple will come up at the site...People from Bhutan visit Bodh Gaya and now they will also come to .
Odisha CM seeks inquiry into negligence in Sun Temple preservation
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has requested the Central government to conduct an inquiry regarding the replacement of artistic stone carvings at Konark Sun Temple with plain stones.
Idols stolen from Swaminarayan Temple in London
Three precious Krishna idols dating back to the 1970s were among the items stolen in a burglary at a Swaminarayan temple in north London, according to the temple authorities. Scotland Yard officers were called to the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir on Willesden Lane in the London borough of Brent in the early hours of Friday and have registered a case of burglary. According to the temple President Kurjibhai Kerai, the Hari Krishna murtis were with the temple since its opening in 1975 and "hold a huge religious significance to all in our community". The burglary took place just hours after Diwali festivities at the temple on Friday, attended by hundreds of members of the local community. "Police were called at 01:50hrs on Friday, 9 November, to a report of a burglary at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Willesden Lane. Officers attended. The suspect had left the scene. Cash and other items are believed to have been stolen," the Metropolitan Police statement said, adding that no arrests have ..
Police stop protesters approaching Trump motorcade in Paris
French police stopped two topless protesters who approached the motorcade of US President Donald Trump as he made his way up the Champs-Elysees to a ceremony marking 100 years since the end of World War One. One of the protesters got within metres of the rear of the motorcade before being grabbed by a police officer, while a second could be seen being hauled away by security services on the edge of the famous avenue, live television pictures showed. The fact that the protesters were topless suggested they could be from the radical feminist group Femen.
Religious tolerance must be preserved in India: General Rawat
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Saturday said that religious tolerance must be retained and preserved in the country.Addressing a gathering during a function held at Sat Paul Mittal School here, General Rawat said, "We have a very strong cultural heritage and legacy which we must honor and respect. But we are gradually adopting Westernise culture. The citizens must not forget that India has a rich cultural heritage of its own and it should be retained at every cost. Humanity, religious tolerance, sympathy, compassion for elders, care - are a part of our rich Indian culture. Religious tolerance must be retained and preserved."The Army Chief also called upon the youth to come forward to become an integral part of the Indian Army and help armed forces to serve the nation."Doors of Indian army are always open for children of this country but then no decision should be forced. One should explore and identify their capabilities...just appreciate what you are good at. The aim should not be
Build Ram temple alongside Babri Masjid: Congress leader
Congress' Karnataka leader Zameer Ahmed Khan on Saturday asserted that Muslims all across the country were not against the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya while adding that Babri Masjid should also be built alongside temple.Addressing the media, Khan said, "Not only the Muslims in Karnataka, but Muslims across the country are not against Ram Mandir. Build the Ram Mandir, but our Babri Masjid, which was demolished, should also be constructed. We are not against the temple, we are just demanding our right"."We say make the temple on one side and the mosque on the other as a sign of peace. Our India is famed for peace. I have been to many countries, but nowhere have I seen any place where Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians live in harmony and with love. But the BJP is spoiling that feeling of brotherhood," Khan added.The Babri Masjid, built by Mughal emperor Babur in Ayodhya in 1528, was, on December 6, 1992, razed to the ground allegedly by Hindu activists, claiming that ..
Amarinder to launch 550th anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak on Nov 23
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh will launch his government's year-long celebrations to commemorate the 550th 'Parkash Purab' (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Dev on November 23 from the Sikh holy town of Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district.
MEP expresses concerns over EU Commission funding Pakistani extremists
A Member of the European Parliament (MEP) has shown concerns over EU Commission providing trade subsidies and grants to Pakistan, a country that is supporting terrorism and targeting religious minorities.Dominique Martin, MEP wrote in his article published by EP Today that European pensioners are suffering whilst EU Commission is funding Pakistani extremists."In Greece, the European Commission requires the government to reduce, by at least 20 per cent, the average level of public sector pensions (currently EUR 500 per month), whilst in Germany, Spain and Portugal the Commission is satisfied with measures to reduce healthcare costs for retirees by encouraging them to take odd jobs," he said."But where are the European values of solidarity between generations? Is it correct to ask a retiree, after 40 years of hard work, to clean offices or public toilets? Whilst we ask these sacrifices of our parents and grandparents, ironically, at the same time, we see the European Commission ...
London mayor attends Diwali celebration
London Mayor Sadiq Khan attended the Diwali celebrations held at a famous temple here and hailed the Hindu community for its contribution to the diversity of the city. The celebration held at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan temple, popularly known as Neasden Temple, was attended by tens of thousands people on Wednesday with the devotees lighting rows of lamps symbolising triumph of good over evil. Reflecting on the contribution of creator of the temple His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Khan, whose grandparents were born in India and parents migrated from Pakistan to the UK, said that he was aware of the his contribution for not just in London but also around the world. He also announced that a road around the temple would be named in honour of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Kedarnath, Yamunotri shrines shut for winter break
Amid chanting of hymns and rituals, the gates of the Kedarnath and Yamunotri shrines closed for the winter recess on Friday.
Works combining Indian motifs with renaissance art on view in Delhi
Around 30 paintings by artist Raghu Vyas, whose works combine typically Indian mythological motifs and the European Renaissance technique he learnt in Italy, are on display at an exhibition that opened here on Friday.
Punjab CM urges Sushma to take up Kartarpur corridor issue with Pakistan
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday urged External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to take up with Pakistan the issue of opening up of the corridor from Dera Baba Nanak to Sri Kartarpur Sahib in Narowal district, 120-km from Lahore.The Punjab CM, in a letter to the External Affairs Minister, has expressed his desire to ensure the opening up of Kartarpur corridor before the celebration of 550th birthday of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, begins next year.In the letter, he has also apprised Swaraj of a unanimous resolution passed on August 27, 2018 in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha seeking uninterrupted opening of the corridor from Dera Baba Nanak to Sri Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan.Kartarpur Sahib is one of the most revered religious places for the Sikh community, as the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev is believed to have spent a large part of his life there.The gurdwara is situated around four kilometres westward from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district of the Punjab ...
Of Lord Vishnu's avatars, Krishna's wives and myth woven into fiction (IANS Books This Weekend)
This festive season, thumb through the tales of two of the most popular avatars of Lord Vishnu and their lineages; transport yourself to the fantasy land of Indra's son Jayanta in the second part of the Vedic Trilogy; flick through information about Lord Krishna's eight wives he married "solely on the basis of mutual love and respect", and finally, combine more history, mythology and legend, in the tale of a 25-year-old who realises he's Kalki -- the last avatar of Vishnu, sent to restore the balance between good and evil.
Kerala HC disqualifies IUML MLA
The Kerala High Court Friday disqualified an Indian Union Muslim League MLA on a plea claiming that he used religion to win the Assembly polls in 2016. Disqualifying K M Shaji, who had won the elections from Azhikode Assembly constituency in 2016, for six years, Justice P D Rajan directed the Kerala Assembly Speaker and the Election Commission to take appropriate action. The court gave the judgement on a plea filed by LDF candidate M V Nikesh Kumar, who contested the election against Shaji. IUML is a partner of the Congress-led opposition UDF in the state. In his petition, Nikesh Kumar alleged that Shaji secured a win by a margin of 2,287 votes using corrupt practices. He accused Shaji of having violated norms prescribed under various sections of the Representation of the People Act to win the elections. Nikesh had alleged that an appeal was made to voters by Shaji, who belongs to the Muslim community, his agents and other persons to vote for the UDF candidate on grounds of his ...
Trump to celebrate Diwali in Oval Office next Tuesday: White House
United States President Donald Trump would celebrate Diwali in his Oval Office next Tuesday, the White House has said. "The President will be celebrating Diwali with a ceremonial lighting of the diya (lamp) in the Oval Office next Tuesday," Deputy Assistant to the president Raj Shah said in a statement on Thursday. A day earlier Trump had greeted people celebrating the festival of lights the world over and said it is a special opportunity to reflect on the bond of friendship between India and the United States. Trump said First Lady Melania joins him in sending their best wishes for a very happy and memorable Diwali. He also recognised the "extraordinary" contributions of Indian-Americans in the development of the United States. "We recognize the extraordinary contributions of Indian-Americans to the strength and success of our nation. Their achievements in business and industry, public service, education, scientific research, and other fields continue to represent the very best of ...
"BJP wants to rid India of Muslims," says Owaisi
Ahead of assembly elections in Telangana, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Thursday alleged that the BJP wanted to rid India of Muslims. Addressing a public meeting here, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party and its president Amit Shah for his reported remarks that his party would rid Hyderabad of the AIMIM. "Not Majlis 'mukt' (free), you want to rid India of Muslims, you want to do annihilation of Muslims from India," Owaisi said. Muslim minorities have rights under the Constitution, he said. Owaisi, Lok Sabha member from Hyderabad, is a bitter critic of the BJP and its policies. Telangana goes to polls on December 7.
Opposition slams Yogi Adityanath for renaming Faizabad
Opposition leaders on Thursday slammed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for changing the name of Faizabad to Ayodhya earlier this week.National spokesperson of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Manoj Jha, while speaking to ANI, launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, saying "Mr. Yogi Adityanath can only change the name of places. If he is really serious, he should change the name of oxygen cylinders so that the life of the children can be saved."He further added, "I request the Prime Minister that to send Yogi Adityanath back to the math, as the mandate was not for him to rule in Uttar Pradesh."Meanwhile, BJP leader Subramaniam Swamy said, "Even the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has confirmed that there were remains of a demolished temple underneath the mosque in Ayodhya. When Guru Nanak went to Ayodhya, he even praised the Ram temple."He further said, "Names of places should be changed. The request to change the name of Ahmedabad is still lying on the
Gangotri shrine closed for devotees
The sacred portals of Gangotri in the Himalayas were closed for devotees Thursday for the winter season. The gates of the famous Himalayan temple were closed at 12.30 pm on the auspicious occasion of Annakoot festival, Gangotri Mandir Samiti president Suresh Semwal said. After the closure ceremony during which special prayers were offered by, apalanquin decorated with flowers carrying the idol of Goddess Ganga left for Mukhba where she will be worshipped during winter, he said. Gangotri MLA Gopal Rawat, Mandir Samiti officials and District Magistrate Ashish Chauhan were present as the temple gates were closed, Semwal said. Gangotri is closed annually for the winters when it remains snowbound.