Dehradun: Resumption of 'Char Dham yatra' after a gap of two Covid-marred years is a welcome development for thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on it, but the death of 78 pilgrims on way to the Himalayan temples in less than a month is causing concern. Though the death of pilgrims on way to the high altitude shrines in Uttarakhand due to cardiac problems is something which happens every year, the toll is unusually high this season after the yatra commenced on May 3 with the opening of the Yamunotri and Gangotri temples. A look at the data of pilgrim deaths in previous years shows that over 90 Char Dham devotees died in 2019, 102 in 2018 and 112 in 2017 during the entire season which lasts nearly six months from April-May to October-November every year.Pradeep Bhardwaj, who heads Six Sigma Healthcare that provides free medical facilities in Kedarnath, attributed the high number of deaths to a combination of factors, including absence of an acclimatisation mechanism, weak immunity of pilgrims most of whom have Covid history, precarious weather and inadequate arrangements considering the heavy rush of pilgrims. "As most of the pilgrims are not used to such high altitudes they should be given a break in their journey at lower heights to help them acclimatise themselves with the kind of weather they are going to confront in higher altitudes."They are not able to cope with the abrupt climatic change that they experience after coming from lower altitudes to the Himalayan temples located on average at a height of 10,000 to 12,000 ft," Bhardwaj , a qualified doctor told PTI.&nbsp;&nbsp;He said many pilgrims do not come with proper clothing as they are not aware of the extreme cold conditions prevailing in the high altitudes."We have noticed that many of those who died on way to Kedarnath died of hypothermia which is caused by extreme cold conditions," he said.The weather in Kedarnath often turns bad in the afternoon. A bright sunny day in no time gives way to overcast conditions with isolated rains. As there are no rain shelters within three km radius of Kedarnath, pilgrims often get drenched and are finally down with hypothermia, he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Of the 78 deaths so far, Kedarnath has reported the highest number of pilgrim casualties with 41 fatalities.Weak immunity of pilgrims who have Covid history is another reason for the high number of casualties, he said.Health checks before the pilgrims begin the arduous trek to the temples is also a must.&nbsp;There should be more community kitchens on way to Kedarnath than there are, Bharadwaj said, adding that 50,000 pilgrims are coming in place of 10,000 and there are just three community kitchens to cater to them.Drawing a comparison, he said there are 130 community kitchens on way to the Amarnath temple which is also visited by people from across the country like Kedarnath.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Health screening of pilgrims before they underake the journey to the high altitudes should be done on a larger scale , Bhardwaj said.&nbsp;Kedarnath-Badrinath Mandir Samiti chairman Ajendra Ajay said the pilgrims have ignored the health advisory issued by the state government."Pilgrim footfall at the Himalayan temples is much higher than their carrying capacity which is causing inconvenience to them. "Despite the government's advisory that they should not undertake the journey if they have Covid history and suffer from post coronavirus complications, they are setting out on the pilgrimage throwing all cares to the wind. It is proving fatal especially in case of the elderly," Ajay.—PTI

Resumption of 'Char Dham yatra' after a gap of two Covid-marred years is a welcome development for thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on it, but the death of 78 pilgrims on way to the Himalayan temples in less than a month is causing concern.

Why is the death toll on Char Dham yatra so high this year?

New Delhi: A Delhi court will on Thursday deliver the verdict on the appeal seeking restoration of the Hindu and Jain temples and the deities at the Qutub Minar complex. Earlier on May 24, after a detailed hearing in the matter, Additional District Judge Nikhil Chopra had reserved the order in the appeal challenging the rejection of a suit alleging that the Quwwat-Ul-Islam Masjid situated within the Qutub Minar complex in Mehrauli was built in place of a temple complex.The appellant alleged that around 27 Hindu and Jain temples were desecrated and damaged in 1198 under the rule of Mughal Emperor Qutub-Din-Aibak raising the construction of the said mosque in place of those temples. The Archaeological Survey of India had opposed the suit, submitting that the “fundamental rights cannot be availed in violation of any status of the land”. “It will be contrary to the provisions of the AMASR Act, 1958 to agree to the contention of the Respondents or any other person claiming a fundamental right to worship in this centrally protected monument,” read the affidavit submitted by the ASI. Earlier on February 22, allowing the appeal, Additional District Judge Pooja Talwar issued notice to the Union of India through the Ministry of Culture, Director General of Archaeological Survey of India, and Superintending Archaeologist, Delhi Circle, ASI. The civil suit, filed on behalf of Jain deity Tirthankar Lord Rishabh Dev and Hindu deity Lord Vishnu (through their next of friends), was seeking restoration of the alleged temple complex, comprising as many as 27 temples.As per the suit, the temples were dismantled, desecrated, and damaged under the command of Slave Dynasty Emperor Qutub-Din-Aibak, who raised some construction at the same very place and named it the Quwwat-Ul-Islam Mosque. The ruler failed to completely demolish the existing temples and only partial demolition was carried out after reusing the material of the temples, the said mosque was erected, it read. In December last year, Civil Judge Neha Sharma noted that the plaintiffs have no absolute right to restore and worship in the property as public order which is an exception under Article 25 and 26 of the Constitution. This requires the status quo be maintained and the protected monument to be used for no religious purpose. It is also an established fact that Quwwat-Ul-Islam Masjid was built atop existing temples, but the property was not being used for any religious purposes and no prayers were being offered here. The court had observed that wrongs may have been committed in the past, “but such wrongs cannot be the basis for disturbing the peace of our present and future”. Referring to a portion of the Ayodhya judgment, the court had said: “Cognisant as we are of our history and of the need for the nation to confront it, Independence was a watershed moment to heal the wounds of the past. Historical wrongs cannot be remedied by the people taking the law into their own hands.”—ANI

A Delhi court will on Thursday deliver the verdict on the appeal seeking restoration of the Hindu and Jain temples and the deities at the Qutub Minar complex. Earlier on May 24, after a detailed hearing in the matter, Additional District Judge Nikhil Chopra had reserved the order in the appeal challenging the rejection of a suit alleging that the Quwwat-Ul-Islam Masjid situated within the Qutub Minar complex in Mehrauli was built in place of a temple complex.

Order On Plea For Restoration Of Temples At Qutub Minar Today

Haridwar: With just a week left for the commencement of Kanwar Yatra, the Haridwar administration has said it is fully prepared for traffic and security challenges that the 13-day religious event may throw up. As part of the annual yatra, kanwariyas (devotees of Lord Shiva) from different parts of the country collect water from the Ganga river at Haridwar in Uttarakhand to offer at Shiva temples back home. An unprecedented rush of kanwariyas is expected to throng the pilgrimage town during the yatra that is taking place after a gap of two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the entire administrative machinery is fully prepared to successfully host the event, Haridwar District Magistrate Vinay Shankar Pandey said.&nbsp;The "Kanwar Pataris" (Kanwar yatra tracks) covering a distance of 50 km have been readied apart from all the facilities like toilets, drinking water and parking lots meant for the convenience of the kanwariyas, he said. An arrangement has been made to park 22,000 buses at Bairagi camp, the DM said.&nbsp;Apart from the government and private hospitals which will take care of the devotees, 17 temporary medical camps are also being set up to provide healthcare facilities to them, he said. "There was no Kanwar yatra in Haridwar in 2020-21 due to the pandemic. In 2019 we received three crore Kanwariayas. With the Covid restrictions no longer there, we expect no less than 3.5 to 4 crore kanwariyas to visit Haridwar this time," the DM said.&nbsp;The yatra is scheduled to be held from July 14 to July 26, he said. Pandey said as crowd management during the yatra is always a challenge, Haridwar has been divided into eight super zones, 27 zones and 100 sectors. Lighting arrangements on the yatra routes are being given final touches and everything will be in place by July 11-12, he said. Drone surveillance of the routes will be done round the clock and no devotee will be allowed to enter the town with spears and other weapons. "They should come like true devotees, collect water from the Ganga and return," he said. Twelve companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have also been sought to manage the crowds during the yatra, Pandey said. An inter-state meeting of officials from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand was held in Haridwar on Wednesday where it was decided that the kanwariyas coming to Uttarakhand must carry valid IDs which will be randomly checked at different border check points.&nbsp;Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has appealed to the Shiva devotees to plant a sapling each during their visit to Haridwar as a personal contribution to the Himalayan ecosystem. He has also suggested that the saplings they plant should also be named after them. Dhami will visit Haridwar on Friday to review the preparations for the yatra during which devotees from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana will come to Haridwar. —PTI

 With just a week left for the commencement of Kanwar Yatra, the Haridwar administration has said it is fully prepared for traffic and security challenges that the 13-day religious event may throw up. 

Haridwar Fully Geared Up For Kanwar Yatra: DM Pandey

Rudraprayag: Guptkashi in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district is visited by a large number of people from across the world for its scenic beauty, as well as for the various ancient temples. Located near the Mandakini river, Guptkashi is also considered as the holy city of Uttarakhand. Surrounded by snowy hills, greenery, cultural heritage and pleasant weather of Chaukhamba hills, this city is a perfect holiday destination for tourists.Apart from sceneries, Vishwanath Temple and Ardhanarishvara temple in Guptkashi city are also a major attraction. The ancient temples of this city belong to the Mahabharata period. The city even got its name from the Pandavas.&nbsp;Mythology related to Vishwanath temple in Guptkashi:As per the mythgology, when there was a war between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, in Kurukshetra, within Haryana, the Pandavas had killed many people and their brothers, due to the same they had many guilts. The Pandavas were supposed to seek forgiveness from Lord Shiva, but he was irked with the Pandavas as during that war they had killed the devotees of Lord Shiva as well.&nbsp;Lord Shiva was meditating at this place in the Himalayas and when he came to know that the Pandavas were coming to this place, he took the form of a bull (Nandi) and disappeared or rather became 'gupt', and henceforth the place was given the name - Guptkashi.&nbsp;Lord Shiva disappeared here (Guptkashi) and reappeared in five places - 'Panchkedar' - Madmaheshwar, Rudranath, Tungnath, Kalpeshwar and Kedarnath. This is the reason why the Vishwanath temple in Guptkashi has the same recognition as that of Panchkedar.Another temple situated here is Ardhanarishvara, which means half-male and half-female (Lord Shiva combined with his consort Godess Parvati). It is believed that Lord Shiva had proposed marriage to Goddess Parvati here and after that the marriage was solemnised in Triyuginarayan temple.The architectural style of this temple is similar to other temples in Uttarakhand, this temple remains the same as Kedarnath temple. At the apex of the entrance is an image of 'Bhairav', a fearsome form of Lord Shiva. There is a pool in the temple complex which is called Manikarnika Kund - a holy tank, where two streams of water keeps on flowing. The water of this pool represents the Ganga (Bhagirathi) and Yamuna rivers.&nbsp;—IANS

Guptkashi in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district is visited by a large number of people from across the world for its scenic beauty, as well as for the various ancient temples. 

Ancient Temples, Stunning Beauty Make Guptkashi One Of U'khand's Hidden Gems

New Delhi / Haridwar: On the occasion of the first Monday of the month of 'Sawan' (Shravan), a large number of devotees thronged various temples of Lord Shiva at different places in the country.The devotees enthusiastic and excited than before as it was after two long years that they got to worship in the holy month by visiting the temple, as there were restrictions on gathering and visiting religious places amid the surge in the spread of Covid-19.The temples in the country witnessed huge queues as the devotees visited temples to worship on the first Monday. One of the devotees at Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi told ANI that people celebrate the occasion like a festival. "We apply Chandan (Sandalwood), Gangajal (water from the River Gange), Belpatra (Vine leaves), Honey, Milk, Curd, Shakkar, and other dear items like Bhaang and Dhatura to the deity," she added.Expressing the bliss on arriving to worship Shiva on the day, another devotee Rajan said, "We have gotten the chance to come here after two long years and hence the overall rush, here, has increased a lot, as earlier we were doing it at our homes only."A priest at a temple in Uttarakhand's Haridwar shared with ANI that it is the dearest month to Lord Shiva. A huge crowd was also seen at the Bhasma Aarti in Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Temple.Mahakaleshwar's Bhasma Aarti is believed as most special, as it is the only 'Jyotirling' amongst the 12 where the 'Shivling' is bathed with water. It is said that in all the other 11 'Jyotirlings' Bhasma is only applied to the deity. Hence, it is one of the reasons why people from all across the world come to attend it, said the Mahakaleshwar priest. In the Dudheshwar Nath Temple in UP's Ghaziabad, the worshipping started around 3 am. "This is the first time that such a crowd has been gathered on a Monday here, it is usually witnessed on Shivratri," said a devotee, Aman.&nbsp;—ANI

 On the occasion of the first Monday of the month of 'Sawan' (Shravan), a large number of devotees thronged various temples of Lord Shiva at different places in the country.

Devotees Throng Lord Shiva Temples To Offer Prayers On First Monday Of Sawan

New Delhi: Growing up in a boarding school in the Himalayan foothills, Nachiket Chanchani, an art historian and associate professor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, learnt a great deal about world history but precious little about the variegated past of the locale that he lived in, fuelling a hunger for more."Hikes and pilgrimages to peaks and temples, and my parents' memories of nearly two years they spent in a montane (a biogeographic zone of relatively moist cool upland slopes) hamlet in the early 1980s only increased his desire to learn more about the sacred structures and steles (stone markers)," Chanchani told IANS in an interview.Eventually, he returned to the Uttarakhand region to undertake his doctoral dissertation research and to write 'Mountain Temples &amp; Temple Mountains: Architecture, Religion, and Nature in the Central Himalayas' (Niyogi Books).Noting that the careful documenting and interpreting of stone temples and the sculptures enshrined therein "can give us a means of investigating the construction of sacrality", he said: "As part of my research, I created plans showing the orientation, scale, and disposition of parts of a selection of temples erected in the Central Himalayas as a basis for recognizing their morphologies.""Recognising the limitations of using an architectural terminology based on classical Graeco-Roman forms in describing Indian temples, I used a Sanskritic terminology where appropriate," he added. "Consideration of precise relationships between plans and elevations, external structures and internal systems, and original temple fabrics and later additions was also essential to my research."In writing a history of sacred centers, I also drew on texts in multiple genres and various Indian languages: architectural treatises, autobiographies, ballads, courtly poetry, land grants, liturgical manuals, praises of places, pilgrim records and hagiographies of sovereigns, saints, and traders, among others," Chanchani elaborated.He took care to record geographical features that influenced the locations of sacred centers and movements of peoples, also factoring into his analysis questions of access, tracing traditional bridle paths connecting settlements to another as well as roads leading in and out of the mountain ranges. This "diachronic (study over time) dimension" of his work led him to consider the complex and layered pasts of medieval sites "and to try and gauge the way in which cultural expression and political movements of subsequent centuries" had evolved.For instance, "the manner in which the story of the Bhima Sila boulder has been used to enhance the sacrality of Kedarnath - which it tumbled toward but spared the Kedarnath temple (during the devastating 2013 floods) - shows the close linkage between temple architecture and landscape," Chanchani said.The outcome is a seminal work that explores the historical process of the emergence of the Central Himalayas as a 'deva bhumi' as involving dynamic interactions among varied communities living in the northern mountains and on the plains that lie to their south. These developments, which occurred approximately between the 3rd century BCE and the 12th century CE "were crucial in transforming this frontier into a major locus of Hindu pilgrimage", Chanchani explained. The author demonstrates that through their forms, locations, interactions with the natural environment within the socio-cultural-political context, the stone complexes effectively evoked mythic worlds, embedding historical memories in the topography and thus altering the symbolic significance of these mountains. He also draws parallels between religious locations in places such as Gujarat and certain Himalayan temples, comparing the temple architecture and its related linkages.During his research, Chanchani also discovered "numerous, almost-unknown places where individual temples or clusters lie forlorn and abandoned.""Baijnath village, in the heart of Kumaon, is a case in point. Mounds await excavation. Hundreds of exquisite medieval sculptures once enshrined in shrines and around the village have been securely locked up in government storerooms for years. They need to be contextualized and displayed to help visitors understand its complex history."Temples at nearby Talihat, Bageshwar, Gadser, and Kot need to be conserved and accurate information about them needs to be elucidated in an accessible manner," Chanchani maintained.Across Uttarakhand, he said, the Directorate of Culture, the Archaeological Survey of India and other state agencies need to collaborate with diverse stakeholders to showcase the region's rich heritage."More than twenty years have passed since the state's formation and Uttarakhand still does not have a state museum, let alone a museum or cultural interpretation center in every district. There is much work to do," he added.Chanchani and his wife, Jahnabi, have also co-authored a book on the 'Amarushataka and the Lives of Indian Love Poems' that focuses on a "sumptuous" seventeenth-century manuscript from Bundelkhand in the collection of Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly Prince of Wales Museum of Western India).Redacted around the seventh century CE, the 'Amarushataka' is a collection of one hundred love poems written in Sanskrit that has been admired by South Asian literary communities for more than a millennium. The book introduces readers to the putative organizers of this anthology, the lenses through which these poems have been read, amended, and deployed, and the contexts through which they became standardized and authoritative."Our micro-study also considers visual recension and their roles in the vast transfers of cultural knowledge that transpired in the vernacular millennium. 'Amarushataka and the Lives of Indian Love Poems' proposes a new way to study South Asian literature and painting as media that jointly forged customs in their own right. In all these ways, this book provides a model for approaching the study of other beloved South Asian texts," Chanchani explained.What next? What's his next book going to be?"My next book, 'India's Composite Heritage' in a nutshell, strives to inculcate visual literacy among India's school-age children and their parents by teaching them how to interpret, recognize, appreciate and understand information presented through ensembles of buildings, objects, and symbols crafted in India over the ages," Chanchani concluded.&nbsp;—IANS &nbsp;

 Growing up in a boarding school in the Himalayan foothills, Nachiket Chanchani, an art historian and associate professor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, learnt a great deal about world history but precious little about the variegated past of the locale that he lived in, fuelling a hunger for more.

Sacred Structures, Stone Markers Of Uttarakhand Come Alive In 'Mountain Temples And Temple Mountains' 

Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday released a book written by a former IAS officer on the temples of Uttarakhand.Titled "Beyond The Misty Veil", the book containing 300 pages has been written by former IAS officer Aradhana Johri who had served earlier as the District Magistrate of Nainital.Speaking at the book launch held at the CM residence, Dhami said it will serve as an authentic introduction to the ancient temples of Uttarakhand for people of the country and abroad. "The book is exhaustive and detailed showing the hard work that has gone into its writing," Dhami said. The book talks about the temples of Uttarakhand, their significance and the tales associated with them.&nbsp;—PTI

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday released a book written by a former IAS officer on the temples of Uttarakhand.Titled "Beyond The Misty Veil",

Former IAS Officer Writes Book On Uttarakhand’s Temples

Haridwar: A large number of people on Sunday visited Uttarakhand on the occasion of New Year 2023.
A lot of enthusiasm could be seen on the very first day itself, with tourists arriving here from different states.
People are starting their New year by coming to the famous 'Har Ki Pauri'.
Pilgrims enter the Ganges at 'Har Ki Pauri' in the city of Dharma at the beginning of their new year for various reasons.
Manju Malik, a tourist, said, "On the first day of New Year, people had different aspirations. 'Har ki Pauri' Haridwar is a holy place. God resides here. Haridwar is a symbol of faith and so I am here."
"I took a dip in Ganga and now I will be going to the temple for the darshan. We will continue with our faith and practice even if it is the English New Year," he added. "On the first day of the English New Year, I have come to take a dip in the holy Ganga. I have come here so that the new year shall be filled with happiness and prosperity for my country, and all our wishes come true," said Himanshu, a tourist from Mathura.
He said, "I have prayed to gods that my country progresses at the same pace it has been progressing in the last 12 years." "It felt cold during the dips in the river however it is all okay now," he added. —ANI

 A large number of people on Sunday visited Uttarakhand on the occasion of New Year 2023.

Devotees Throng Temples And Take Holy Dip In Ganga On New Year

Brampton (Canada): The Ontario Gurudwara Committee (OGC) has condemned alleged acts of vandalism that have taken place in recent months at Hindu places of worship in Canada's Ontario.
"The OGC and the Sikh communities are concerned that these acts of vandalism may have been carried out at the direction of Indian intelligence agencies to sow discord in Canada and malign the Sikh community while bolstering allegations of Hinduphobia," they alleged in a statement.
The statement by the OGC stated further that in recent months, Ottawa MP Chandra Arya falsely tweeted about an act of vandalism in Brampton, blaming the Sikh community without any evidence. This tweet was later debunked by Peel Regional Police, as no such incident had even occurred. In a similar vein, two individuals of Indian origin were apprehended while vandalizing their own places of worship in Australia.
"We believe the similarities between these incidents suggest a pattern may be emerging to malign the Sikh community in Canada. The OGC and the Sikh community at large are concerned that these acts of vandalism may have been carried out at the direction of Indian intelligence agencies to sow discord in Canada and malign the Sikh community while bolstering allegations of Hinduphobia," the OGC statement read further.
The statement added that in line with far-right Hindutva leaders in India, BJP supporters in Canada have been falsely equating the critique of Indian government policies or other political movements as 'anti-Hindu' and undermining this political dissent as 'Hinduphobic'. As a result, all political expression which undermines 'fascist visions' of a Hindu Rashtra is deemed illegitimate and unacceptable, it said, adding that the emerging pattern of clear collaboration between Indian state actors and various MPs and MPPs of Indian background on this issue is alarming.
"Given the immediate threat posed to Canadian institutions by foreign interference, any degree of involvement by Indian intelligence or diplomatic staff behind these incidents of vandalism, the targeted messages disseminated in media, or the activity of Canadian legislators must be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted," it added.
The OGC's statement further said the Ontario Gurdwaras Committee and the Sikh community condemn any acts of vandalism at Hindu places of worship and urge all places of worship in Ontario to remain vigilant against any type of hate and vandalism. Law enforcement agencies must investigate these incidents thoroughly and swiftly bring the culprits to justice, it said, adding, "We also call on all communities to come together and reject the false narrative of discord between Sikh and Hindu communities in Canada. Solidarity between grassroots communities is necessary in order to successfully counter those voices seeking to sow discord in Canada to serve their own foreign policy objectives."
They also offered a reward of 10,000 dollars to anyone who comes forward with information leading to the arrest of the culprits responsible for the recent 'acts of vandalism', asking further that the images and videos of all affected places of worship be publicised so the culprits can be brought to justice. —ANI

The Ontario Gurudwara Committee (OGC) has condemned alleged acts of vandalism that have taken place in recent months at Hindu places of worship in Canada's Ontario.

Attacks On Temples Carried Out By Indian Intelligence Agencies To Malign Sikhs: Ontario Gurudwara Committee

Pune News: Suspecting her of an extra-marital affair, a man killed his sister-in-law and her two minor kids and then burnt them in their home in Kondhwa, an official said here on Thursday.

The grisly incident happened around midnight on Wednesday when the accused Vaibhav Waghmare allegedly had an altercation with his 'bhabhi' (sister-in-law) Amrapali Waghmare over her purported illicit relations with other men.

As per preliminary investigations and accounts of the locals, in a fit of anger, Vaibhav Waghmare caught and strangulated Amrapali, and then tried to strangle her two children - a five-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter.

As they lay there, he brought a can of petrol and poured over them, and then set them afire.

Hearing the commotion and noticing the flames of the burning bodies, locals informed the Kondhwa Police Station which rushed a team there and managed to arrest Vaibhav Waghmare early this morning, said an official.

"Top officials, including Deputy Commissioner of Police and others, have reached the spot for the investigations. The details of the deceased woman's husband and family members are being collated. The accused will be produced before a magistrate court later in the day," an official told IANS.

The incident, coming on the eve of Hanuman Jayanti, sent shockwaves in the middle-class Kondhwa neighbourhood and people were seen discussing it in hushed tones at temples today, said a local. IANS

Suspecting her of an extra-marital affair, a man killed his sister-in-law and her two minor kids and then burnt them in their home in Kondhwa.

Pune horror: Man kills, burns sister-in-law, 2 kids over 'suspected' adultery

Bulandshahr: Tension prevailed in Uttar Pradesh Bulandshahr district on Thursday after four Hindu temples were desecrated. Enraged Hindu organisations staged protests and demanded strict action against the miscreants who attacked the temples. The miscreants are also said to have vandalized 12 idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
According to the reports, the incident is said to have taken place in the Baral area late on Wednesday night.
The locals informed the police on Thursday when they discovered that four temples were vandalized. The police immediately reached the spot and sealed the temple premises. The officers have also launched an investigation into the case and have assured the local Hindu organisations that the miscreants would be arrested at the earliest.
As per preliminary information, the locals suspect that the miscreants deliberately attacked the temples with the intention of distributing communal harmony.
One of the temples which has been attacked by the miscreants is assumed to be 100 years old and a video on the social media shows idols of Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman in a desecrated condition.
SP Surendra Nath Tiwari confirmed the incident and assured that all the miscreants will be arrested and punished as per the law.—IANS

Tension prevailed in Uttar Pradesh Bulandshahr district on Thursday after four Hindu temples were desecrated

Tension In UP District After 4 Temples Desecrated

Bulandshahr: Tension prevailed in Uttar Pradesh Bulandshahr district on Thursday after four Hindu temples were desecrated. Enraged Hindu organisations staged protests and demanded strict action against the miscreants who attacked the temples. The miscreants are also said to have vandalized 12 idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
According to the reports, the incident is said to have taken place in the Baral area late on Wednesday night.
The locals informed the police on Thursday when they discovered that four temples were vandalized. The police immediately reached the spot and sealed the temple premises. The officers have also launched an investigation into the case and have assured the local Hindu organisations that the miscreants would be arrested at the earliest.
As per preliminary information, the locals suspect that the miscreants deliberately attacked the temples with the intention of distributing communal harmony.
One of the temples which has been attacked by the miscreants is assumed to be 100 years old and a video on the social media shows idols of Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman in a desecrated condition.
SP Surendra Nath Tiwari confirmed the incident and assured that all the miscreants will be arrested and punished as per the law.
—IANS

Tension prevailed in Uttar Pradesh Bulandshahr district on Thursday after four Hindu temples were desecrated.

Lucknow: Ahead of Mahakumbh 2025 which will be held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh Government has proposed to beautify and develop various temples.
"There is a plan to complete more than 47 permanent and temporary works in this area in preparation for Mahakumbh. Before Mahakumbh 2025, Prayagraj will also see the development of many tourist attractions. With Rs 1542.71 lakhs, the Bhardwaj Ashram's entrance gate, corridor development, and beautification will be completed," the official statement said.
In view of tourism development, it is proposed to spend Rs 1356.81 lakhs for Dwadash Madhav Temple, Rs 523.53 lakhs for Nagavasuki Temple, Rs 283.08 lakhs for Dashashwamedh Temple, Rs 667.57 lakhs for Mankameshwar Temple, Rs 700 lakhs for Alopshankari Temple, Rs 1000 lakhs for Padila Mahadev Temple, Rs 500 lakhs for temples coming under Panchkosi Parikrama Path, Rs 150 lakh for Koteshwar Mahadev, Rs 100 lakh for development of Kalyani Devi," it added.
Additionally, temples coming under the Karchhana area will also be developed with Rs 460.17 lakhs. Many works including corridor development in Akshayvat/Saraswatikoop/Patalpuri temple will be done with Rs 1850 lakhs.
As per officials, prior to Mahakumbh-2025, there will be more than 10 facade-related works which are likely to cost more than Rs 18 crores. The facade lighting works are proposed at various locations including the Bade Hanuman Ji Temple located at Sangam costing Rs 1.04 crores, the Vimana Mandapam Temple costing Rs 2 crores, the Nagwasuki Temple, the Shaktipeeth Alopi Devi Temple, and the Hanuman Temple located at Civil Lines, costing Rs. 1.5-1.5 crores each.
The hanging light work from the old Naini Bridge to the DPS School in the Arail area is estimated to cost Rs. 5 crores. Additionally, there is a proposed facade lighting work costing Rs. 1.5 crores at the Science Faculty Tower of Allahabad University, at the Public Library situated in the Chandra Shekhar Azad Garden, and at the Mohall Sports Complex and Shringi Rishi Ashram in Shringaverapur Dham, each costing one crore rupees, the statement said. —ANI

Ahead of Mahakumbh 2025 which will be held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh Government has proposed to beautify and develop various temples

UP Govt To Beautify, Develop Temples In Prayagraj Ahead Of 'Mahakumbh 2025'

Haridwar: Temple authorities in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun districts have imposed a ban on the entry of devotees not wearing appropriate clothing.
Mahant Ravindra Puri, secretary of the Mahanirvani Panchayati Akhara, on Sunday said a formal ban has been imposed on the entry of “scantily-clad men and women” into the Daksh Prajapati Mandir (Haridwar), Tapkeshwar Mahadev Mandir (Dehradun) and the Neelkanth Mahadev Mandir (Rishikesh).
“Only women who have their bodies covered up to 80 per cent can enter these temples,” Puri, who is also president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, said.
The ban comes into effect immediately at these temples affiliated to the Mahanirvani Panchayati Akhara, he said. Mahanirvani Panchayati Akhara consists of the Dashnam Naga seers.
Puri said the ban will soon be extended to akhara-affiliated temples across the country.
Asked about the necessity to impose the ban, Puri said, “Sometimes people entering the temples are so skimpily dressed that one feels ashamed to even look at them.”
“The Daksheshwar Mahadev Mandir—also known as the Daksh Prajapati Mandir—at Kankhal in Haridwar is considered the home of Lord Shiva’s in-laws. People from all over the world visit the temple.
“Every Monday, the temple receives a stream of devotees. Today’s youths come to the temple wearing clothes that reflect their total disregard for its sanctity,” Puri said.
He further said that these clothing “hurts the religious sentiments of the devout” who often come to the temple committee to lodge complaints.
The ban follows repeated complaints, he said, and warned that those who violate the ban will be dealt with sternly.
The imposition of the ban has also found support among seers in Haridwar.
“The sanctity of the temples must be maintained and people inside their precincts should conduct themselves accordingly. The ban is in accordance with Sanatan Dharma,” Katha Vyas (professional narrator of mythological stories) Madhusudan Shastri said. —PTI

Temple authorities in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun districts have imposed a ban on the entry of devotees 

Devotees Not Wearing Appropriate Clothing Barred From Entering Uttarakhand Temples

Dehradun: A dress code has been implemented for women and girls in three major temples that come under Mahanirvani Akhara in Uttarakhand.
Shrimahant Ravindra Puri, Secretary of Mahanirvani Akhara and President of Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad told ANI that women and girls cannot wear short clothes and enter the three temples that come under Mahanirvani Akhar.
The temples include Daksh Prajapati Temple at Kankhal in Haridwar, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple in Pauri district and Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple in Dehradun, he said.
"Women and girls cannot enter these three temples wearing short clothes. These three temples come under Mahanirvani Akhara," Puri added.
He further said that the Akhara has appealed to the devotees visiting the temple that the temple is a place for introspection and not for entertainment.
"On behalf of Mahanirvani Akhara, an appeal has been made to women and girls that if they are coming for temple worship, then they should wear clothes according to Indian tradition. Only then they will get entry into the temple", he added.
Shrimant Ravindra Puri appealed to the girls and women as well as their family members to come to the temples only with at least 80 per cent of their body covered.
He claimed that this system is already in force in temples of South India and Maharashtra.
"Now this system is being implemented here also. So that the devotees coming to the temple do not face any uncomfortable situation," he added. —ANI

A dress code has been implemented for women and girls in three major temples that come under Mahanirvani Akhara in Uttarakhand

Dress Code Implemented For Women, Girls In Three Temples In Uttarakhand

Prayagraj: Following the trend of Hindu temples enforcing a ‘dress code’ for devotees in Uttar Pradesh, the Digambar Jain temples of Prayagraj have also adopted a similar rule. Umbrella body, ‘Sakal Jain Samaj’, has banned devotees coming to Shri Digambar Jain Panchayati Mandir at Zero Road, Rishabhdev Taposthali, in Andawa besides temples in Katra and Beniganj localities, from wearing jeans, half-pants, frocks, distressed clothes as well as gaudy or revealing dresses. Women and girls have been specifically requested to enter the temple with their heads covered. Only those who come wearing modest and decent clothes will be allowed entry. Notice boards have also been installed in these temples in this regard. Secretary, Digambar Jain Samaj, Rajesh Jain confirmed the development and said that henceforth one should enter the temples only in decent clothes and with this in mind the dress code had been implemented. “Devotees coming to the temple should try to have darshan with their heads covered and avoid entering wearing full black clothes. Let us try to set a good example by leading a civilised and well-educated society,” he said. Secretary, Parshvanath Digambar Jain Temple, Katra, Akhilesh Chandra Jain said renowned seer of the community Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj had also given instructions to ensure the entry of devotees wearing decent clothes. “Information related to the dress code has been put up at the temple while information has also been sent to the members of the community through WhatsApp groups,” he said. President of the society Dinesh Jain along with prominent members of the community, have requested devotees to come in decent clothes. —IANS

Following the trend of Hindu temples enforcing a ‘dress code’ for devotees in Uttar Pradesh

Jain Temples In Prayagraj Impose Dress Code

Dehradun: In an apparent reference to disputes in Varanasi and Mathura, Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya said if the BJP looks for a temple in every mosque then people would start searching for a Buddhist monastery in every temple. "The Badrinath and Kedarnath temples in Uttarakhand, the Jagannath Temple in Puri, the Ayyappa Temple in Kerala and the Vithoba temple in Pandharpur (Maharashtra) were Buddhist monasteries. These Buddhist monasteries were demolished and then Hindu religious shrines came up there. They were Buddhist monasteries till the eighth century," he said on Sunday.
<a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/landslides-cause-concern-over-chungi-badethi-tunnel's-safety-on-gangotri-national-highway" target="_blank">Uttarakhand News: Landslides Cause Concern Over Chungi Badethi Tunnel's Safety On Gangotri National Highway</a> The SP national general secretary claimed there is ample historical evidence that all these temples were Buddhist monasteries. He said his intention is not to turn these temples into Buddhist monasteries "but, if you search for a temple in every mosque, then why should a Buddhist monastery not be searched for in every temple?" "BJP people under a conspiracy are raising the mosque-temple issue. They are looking for a temple in every mosque. This will cost them dearly. Because if they look for a temple in every mosque then people will start searching for a Buddhist monastery in every temple," Maurya told reporters here. Reacting to the statement, Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary said "insulting the Sanatan Dharma again and again" has become the habit of the Samajwadi Party and its leaders.
<a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/china-will-always-stand-firmly-with-pakistan:-chinese-president-xi" target="_blank">World News: China will always stand firmly with Pakistan: Chinese President Xi</a> He said Maurya's remarks about "Baba Kedarnath, Baba Badrinath and Shri Jagannath Puri, the main centres of faith of Hindus, are not only controversial but also show his trivial mindset and petty politics". He said the statement has hurt the feelings of crores of Hindus of the country and Uttar Pradesh and created hatred in the society. He said Maurya apologise for the statement. "And, Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party chief, should give his opinion on this subject and clarify if the Samajwadi Party agrees with it," Chaudhary tweeted. Maurya made similar remarks on Friday, inviting a strong reaction from BJP leader and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami who had termed them "unfortunate" and said they reflect the "anti-national and anti-religious" thinking of the Congress and its allies. Maurya responded to the criticism on Sunday. "I had spoken about Badrinath and Kedarnath Dhaam and had said that from the end of the seventh century to the beginning of the eighth century, Badrinath was a Buddhist monastery, after which Shankaracharya had changed it and established it as a religious place for Hindus," he said. "I would like to tell the chief minister of Uttarakhand that everyone's faith (aasthaa) is important. If you are worried about your 'aasthaa', then you should be worried about others' 'aasthaa' as well," he said. BSP President Mayawati accused Maurya of trying to drive a wedge between communities ahead of the election.
<a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/byju%27s-sends-legal-notice-to-aakash-founders-demanding-share-transfer" target="_blank">Business News: BYJU'S sends legal notice to Aakash founders demanding share transfer</a> "The latest statement of Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya that many temples including Badrinath were built by demolishing Buddhist monasteries and why a modern survey should be done not only of Gyanvapi Masjid but also of other major temples, is a purely political statement giving rise to new controversies," she said in a tweet in Hindi. Mayawati also asked Maurya why he never raised such a demand when was a minister in the BJP government. "Maurya was a minister in the BJP government for a long time, why did he not put such pressure on his party and the government in this regard? And now creating such a religious controversy at the time of elections. Buddhist and Muslim communities are not going to be misled by them," she said. The disputes related to Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi Masjid complex and Mathura's Krishna Janmasthan Temple-Shahi Eidgah Majisd are being heard by courts. —PTI

In an apparent reference to disputes in Varanasi and Mathura, Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya 

If BJP Looks For Temples In Mosques, People Will Search For Buddhist Monasteries In Temples: SP Maurya

New Delhi:The government informed Parliament on Monday that in the last decade, 31 artefacts have been taken from centrally protected monuments and temples under the Archaeological Survey of India, but that four of them have been recovered.
This was said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister for Culture G Kishan Reddy.
According to him, between 2013 and 2023, a total of 31 artefacts were stolen from ASI-protected monuments, sites, temples, etc., and only 27 have been recovered so far. "However, there is no information available about their illegal shipping abroad," he stated.—Inputs from Agencies

The government informed Parliament on Monday that in the last decade, 31 artefacts have been taken from centrally protected monuments and temples under the Archaeological Survey of India, but that four of them have been recovered.

31 antiquities stolen from centrally-protected monuments, temples under ASI in last 10 years: Govt tells LS

New Delhi (The Hawk): The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today appealed to citizens to launch a Jan Andolan to ensure that all representatives of the people engage earnestly in the task that the Constitution has obligated them to perform. Expressing concern that the “Temples of Democracy are being virtually ravaged”, the Vice-President cautioned citizens that unless these spaces are protected as platforms of discussion, dialogue and debate, they are likely to be occupied by forces that are neither representative nor accountable to the people of the nation. Citing the example of the Constituent Assembly as a model to emulate, the Vice-President emphasized that dissent cannot be converted into protests, with dialogue and discussion being forsaken for disruption and disturbance. “The Constituent Assembly faced divisive and contentious issues, but these were always sorted out in a spirit of coordination, cooperation and collaboration,” he said. Addressing the centenary celebration of the Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University in Nagpur today, the Vice-President stressed that economic nationalism cannot be compromised on fiscal considerations. “Trade, industry and business have to be extremely sensitive to this. This can only be achieved by citizens awakening themselves to the importance of economic nationalism,” he urged. Stressing that the reckless use of natural resources cannot be permitted, the Vice-President reminded citizens that no one had the right to use energy or water resources by virtue of their financial capacity. “Ensuring optimum utilization of these resources is our bounden duty,” he underlined. Highlighting the prestige, reputation and standing that India has earned on the world stage, the Vice-President underscored that no individual should be allowed, “untenably and irrationally, to taint, tarnish and demean Constitutional institutions.” He called upon citizens to neutralize such anti-India narratives for these are antithetical to the interests of the nation. Impressing upon students the importance of keeping an open mind towards diverging viewpoints, the Vice-President urged them to “be slow to judge and quick to understand”. “When you learn to appreciate the stand of others, you will be wiser,” he said. Encouraging ‘Warriors of 2047’ to give space to their talent, he advised them to “think critically, read widely, adapt consistently and widen horizons steadily” in their chosen paths. The Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Ramesh Bais, Union Minister for Highways and Road Transport, Shri Nitin Gadkari, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Vice-Chancellor of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Dr. Subhash Chaudhari and other dignitaries were also present at the event.

The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today appealed to citizens to launch a Jan Andolan 

Temples Of Democracy Are Being Virtually Ravaged: Vice-President

Varanasi: In the middle of Varanasi's Godowlia crossing stands a statue of Nandi, the guardian deity, with his back to the Kashi Vishwanath temple. This is a continuation of a centuries-old custom. A large screen shows a cola commercial, the pictures flashing out into an invitation to purchase advertising space.
Benares, as it was formerly known, is "older than history, older than tradition, even older than legend," as noted by Mark Twain. However, with history and modernity in tow, the legendary city of temples, ghats, and soul seeking is becoming a centrepiece of the government's promotion of religious tourism.
In his recent Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attributed the current increase in tourism visiting Varanasi to a "cultural reawakening." The number of visitors to the city has increased tenfold since before the Covid epidemic, as stated on the official website of the Uttar Pradesh tourism department. There were almost 68 lakh visitors to the city in 2019. In 2022, with approximately 7.2 crore visitors, it attracts as many people in a single month as it did throughout all of 2020. By 2020's Covid, the number had dwindled to below 10,000,000.—Inputs from Agencies

In the middle of Varanasi's Godowlia crossing stands a statue of Nandi, the guardian deity, with his back to the Kashi Vishwanath temple. This is a continuation of a centuries-old custom. A large screen shows a cola commercial, the pictures flashing out into an invitation to purchase advertising space.

The Hawk

Tag : Temples

Why is the death toll on Char Dham yatra so high this year?

Preeti

Tag : Temples

Why is the death toll on Char Dham yatra so high this year?

Preeti

More about Temples