Page 2 - Temple

Goa temple stampede on May 3 was 'entirely preventable,' finds report

A fact-finding committee appointed by the Goa government to investigate the May 3 stampede at a temple in North Goa district has concluded that the tragedy was "entirely preventable." Six persons died and around 100 people were injured in the stampede in the early hours during an annual festival of Sri Lairai Devi temple at Shirgao village. The incident was the result of a combination of poor planning, lack of enforcement, ignored directives and inadequate infrastructure, said the report, a copy of which is with PTI. The committee, headed by revenue secretary Sandip Jacques, has also provided recommendations to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future. "Based on field visits, interactions with eye-witnesses, injured victims, organisers, executive magistrates, police officials and perusal of available records, the committee found that the stampede was precipitated by a confluence of preventable lapses and oversights among key stakeholders," the report said. The ...

Goa govt cancels all state-backed events for 3 days after temple stampede

The Goa government on Saturday announced that all functions supported by it stand cancelled for the next three days in the wake of a stampede during a temple festival that killed six devotees and injured more than 70. "In view of the tragic stampede incident that occurred during the Shree Devi Lairai Zatra at Shirgao, and as an expression of condolences to the departed and their families, the Government of Goa directs that all Government- supported festive programmes and public celebrations scheduled over the next three days be cancelled or postponed," a circular issued by Shreyas D'Silva, Under Secretary of General Administration Department, stated. "All Heads of Departments, Government Corporations and Autonomous Bodies are hereby instructed to ensure strict compliance with this directive," the circular reads. The stampede occurred at a temple festival at Shirgao village in North Goa in the wee hours of Saturday, officials said. According to the police, thousands of devotees ...

CM announces ₹25 lakh ex gratia for 7 killed in Andhra temple wall collapse

Seven people were killed and several others injured when a rain-soaked wall collapsed at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple here, in the early hours of Wednesday, officials said. Andhra Pradesh Home Minister V Anitha said preliminary reports indicated that the wall collapse in the temple in Simchalam was triggered by soil loosening due to heavy rains in the area. Rescue operations are underway, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state authorities pressed into service. The injured have been shifted to a hospital, officials added.

BJP suspends former MLA for 'purifying' temple after Dalit leader's visit

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also slammed the BJP, terming it as an anti-Dalit party

Protest in Jaipur over Tejaji temple vandalism, accused identified

Locals along with members of Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal on Saturday held a protest over vandalism at Tejaji temple on Tonk road here, police said. The protestors blocked the busy Tonk Road demanding arrest of the accused involved in the vandalism. However, as the resentment grew, the number of protestors increased. Police used mild force to disperse the mob, detained some people and opened the road for traffic movement. The matter came to light when locals found an idol of a deity damaged in the temple following which people gathered at the spot and held a demonstration. Members of VHP and Bajrang Dal along with Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) workers reached the spot and joined the protest, demanding immediate arrest of the accused involved in the vandalism. Meanwhile, Congress leaders also condemned the incident and demanded action. The protestors burnt tyres and blocked the busy Tonk road. Police assured the protestor of prompt action but they continued the protest

Amritsar temple blast suspect shot dead in firefight with Punjab Police

A suspect in the blast incident outside a temple in Amritsar was killed in an exchange of fire with police, a top officer said on Monday. Another suspect managed to flee, he said, adding that efforts were on to nab him. A blast had occurred outside the Thakur Dwara Temple on March 15 when a person hurled an explosive device towards it, damaging a portion of its wall and shattering window panes. Punjab Police Chief Gaurav Yadav said acting on specific intelligence, Amritsar police tracked down those responsible for the attack on the temple. "Police teams tracked the suspects in Rajasansi. The accused opened fire, injuring HC Gurpreet Singh and striking Insp. Amolak Singh's turban," said Director General of Police Yadav in a post on X. "Acting in self-defence, the police party fired back, injuring the accused. He was taken to Civil Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The other accused fled, and efforts are on to arrest him," said Yadav. CCTV camera footage of the ..

Highlights: We call upon authorities to take stringent action, says MEA on vandalism at temple in US

Latest news updates: Catch all the live news developments from around the world here

BAPS Hindu temple vandalised in California ahead of 'Khalistan referendum'

Official page of BAPS for United States, shared the details of the incident on social media, the 'anti-Hindu' messages included phrases such as 'Hindus go back,' alarming the local Hindu community

Fight for worship continues in WB, 130 Dalit families denied temple entry

Threatened, ostracised and pushed to the edge, a group of about 130 Dalit families in West Bengal's Purba Bardhaman district are pinning their final hopes on police and district administration to end a caste-based discriminatory tradition of three centuries and receive their Constitutionally-guaranteed right to worship their God. The families at Daspara area of Gidhgram village, all having 'Das' surnames and belonging to the traditional community of cobblers and weavers, have allegedly been forced to stay away from the steps of Gidheswar Shiv temple, the only place of worship in the locality, by the shrine committee and other villagers on grounds that they belong to a "low caste", victims alleged. At their wits' end, victims at the receiving end of this discrimination now plan to take "the fight to the end" and even seek legal recourse if the state administration fails to resolve the crisis. The discriminatory practice almost unheard in modern Bengal and violative of Article 25 of t

PM Modi offers prayers to Goddess Ganga at Uttarakhand's Mukhwa temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday offered prayers at Mukhwa temple -- the winter abode of Goddess Ganga in Uttarkashi district. Mukhwa is located on the way to the Gangotri temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga. Her idol is moved to Mukhwa temple from Gangotri Dham every year after the closure of its gates for winter. The prime minister will flag off a trek and bike rally and address a public meeting in Harshil. Modi's visit to the temple, his first as prime minister, is expected to boost winter pilgrimage and tourism in Uttarakhand. It comes a day after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs headed by him approved two major ropeway projects to Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib worth over Rs 6,000 crore. The Uttarakhand government has initiated a Winter Tourism programme this year to promote religious tourism and boost the local economy, homestays and businesses, among others. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended a warm welcome to the prime minister in a post on X. "A hear

No VIP darshan at Kashi Vishwanath from Feb 25-27 due to Mahashivratri rush

Anticipating a heavy rush of devotees during Mahashivratri, authorities have decided to suspend the VIP 'darshan' facility at the Kashi Vishwanath temple here from February 25 to 27. Kashi Vishwanath Temple's Chief Executive Officer, Vishw Bhushan Mishra said on Monday that the number of visitors to the temple has significantly increased due to the return flow of devotees from the ongoing Maha Kumbh in nearby Prayagraj. With Mahashivratri falling on February 26 this year alongside the Kumbh Mela, pilgrims from across the country, along with saints from various akharas, including Naga sadhus, are expected to arrive in large numbers to offer prayers, he noted. "On this occasion, the Naga akharas will also take out a grand procession, which will temporarily block general access through gate number 4 of the temple. This is likely to increase the waiting time for regular devotees. Given the hot and humid weather conditions, prolonged waiting could pose health risks, especially for ...

Fear of tighter US visa regulations keeps temples, consultancies busy

Footfalls at the Shree Siddhi Peeth Chamatkari Hanuman Mandir in New Delhi's Neb Sarai have increased, especially since January 20, when Donald Trump was sworn in as US president

Rajasthan cabinet approves Rs 101 cr for temple renovation, priest stipend

The Rajasthan Cabinet on Saturday decided to allocate Rs 101 crore for the renovation of temples under state control and raise the honorarium given to their part-time priests, according to a government release. These were among a slew of decisions related to the Devasthan Department taken at the meeting held in Prayagraj after Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, ministers along with state MLAs took a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh. It was decided to double the funds to Rs 3,000 per month for service, worship, bhog, prasad, festival, dress, water and light, security operation system, etc in 390 temples under the direct charge category of the Devasthan Department and 203 temples under self-dependent category, according to the statement. Approval was given to increase the honorarium given to part-time priests working in such temples from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,500 per month. Also, Rs 101 crore will be given for renovation, repair and development works of sic temples under the government

BJP asks CM Atishi to withdraw her statement on temple demolition

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accused the BJP on Wednesday of planning to demolish Hindu temples and a Buddhist site in various areas of the city, even as the saffron party refuted the charge, alleging that she is trying to "disturb" communal harmony by making such a statement. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva demanded that the chief minister withdraw her statement and warned that she would be held responsible if any untoward incident happens. The accusation comes amid an intense political battle between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls due in February. Atishi wrote to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Tuesday, claiming that a "Religious Committee" under him, at its meeting on November 22, ordered for the demolition of six religious structures, including Hindu temples and a Buddhist worship place, in different parts of the city. The LG's office rebutted the charge, accusing Atishi of indulging in "cheap politics", a

Ayodhya hotels nearly sold out for New Year; 'darshan' timings extended

The temple town of Ayodhya is gearing up for a massive influx of devotees and tourists as the new year approaches, marking the end of the first English calendar year since the grand consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple was held on January 22. With nearly all accommodations in Ayodhya and neighbouring Faizabad fully booked, the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has extended 'darshan' timings for the devotees and made extensive arrangements to manage the anticipated crowd. "We are ready to welcome the devotees this new year. All our rooms have been booked in advance till January 15," Ankit Mishra, owner of a local hotel in Ayodhya, said. When last checked on Saturday morning, online booking platforms showed rooms still available at some hotels and lodges, even though a few establishments are charging upwards of Rs 10,000 per night due to the surge in demand. Ayodhya has witnessed a spike in religious tourism since the consecration ceremony earlier this year, and while the Hindu

Visuals: Centuries-old stepwell discovered during survey in UP's Sambhal

The stepwell, with an area of 400 square meters, is approximately 125 to 150 years old, according to Sambhal's District Magistrate Rajendra Pensiya

Reopened Sambhal temple reflects the truth of our history: CM Adityanath

As authorities reopened a temple in Sambhal locked since 1978 following communal riots, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said the temple did not reappear overnight and represents "our enduring heritage and the truth of our history". Speaking at a private event on Kumbh, the chief minister highlighted the tragic incidents that took place 46 years ago in Sambhal where innocent people lost their lives to "barbaric violence", and questioned, "Why have perpetrators of the massacre not been brought to justice even after decades?" He criticised those who seek to "suppress the truth and tarnish cultural events" like the Kumbh, asserting that voices of truth often face threats and efforts to silence them. The chief minister spoke about the temple in Sambhal that was unlocked recently after decades, following an anti-encroachment drive by the local administration, according to an official statement. He emphasised the historic significance of the temple, which included an ancient idol

Repair work for Puri Jagannath temple's Ratna Bhandar to start from Dec 16

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is likely to start repair work for the 'Ratna Bhandar' of the Jagannath temple in Odisha's Puri from December 16, an official said. The ASI has sought approval from the Niti sub-committee of the temple for the proposed repair work, ASI superintendent D B Garnaik said on Sunday. "After getting the time slot, we will start the work, most probably from December 16," he said. Earlier, the ASI had conducted the GPR-GPS survey of the 12th-century shrine's 'Ratna Bhandar' (treasury) with the assistance of the Hyderabad-based National Geophysical Research Institute. The institute submitted its survey findings to ASI last month, the official said. The repair work will be conducted as per the survey report and with the approval of the temple management, he said. The 'Ratna Bhandar' repair issue will be discussed during the Chhatisa Nijoga', the confederation of servitors of the Jagannath temple in Puri, scheduled for December 10, Puri Collector Sidd

Explained: What is the Places of Worship Act?

The Places of Worship Act, 1991, has recently made it to the news following the contentious dispute surrounding the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. Watch the video to know why.

Ajmer Dargah Sharif claimed as Shiva Temple: New religious site dispute

A Rajasthan court has accepted a petition claiming that the Ajmer Dargah Sharif is a Shiva temple, sparking a fresh debate over religious sites in India.