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Bhubaneswar, June 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Religious fervour gripped the coastal town of Puri in Odisha as the grand Ratha Yatra festival commenced on Friday with the holy triad -- Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra -- stepping out of their sanctum sanctorum in the divine 'Pahandi' ritual. The holy siblings along with other deities during the Pahandi ritual are taken from the 12th century shrine to their respective chariots in a grand ceremonial procession with the enthralling and divine sound of traditional musical instruments, like ghanta, kahali and telingi baja. The celestial weapon of Lord Krishna, Chakraraj Sudarshan, was first brought and placed on the chariot of Goddess Subhadra, later followed by Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and finally Lord Jagannath. As per tradition, following the completion of the pahandi ritual, Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, along with his disciples, offer puja to the holy siblings on the chariots. Later, Puri King Gajapati Maharaja Dibya Singha Deb offers prayers to the deities and conducts the ceremonial sweeping of the chariots with a golden broom. After this service offered by the Puri King, the chariots are pulled by the devotees to the Gundicha temple, the birthplace and garden house of Lord Jagannath, around 3km away from the main temple. Lakhs of devotees on Friday have thronged the holy city of Puri to have a glimpse of Lord Jagannath, elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra and pull their chariots Nandighosha, Taladhwaja and Darpadalana respectively. The devotees filled with pure devotion are chanting the holy name of 'Jai Jagannath', 'Hari Bol' and dancing in ecstasy. The annual chariot festival is observed on Dwitiya Tithi -- the second day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Ashadha month of the Hindu Almanack -- a time considered spiritually auspicious due to the increasing brightness of the moon. Renowned scholar on Jagannath culture, Suryanarayan Rath Sharma, speaking on the Rath Yatra, told IANS, "The Rath Yatra is the most ancient chariot festival in the world... It is believed that having darshan of Lord Jagannath during this Yatra grants a devotee moksha." Various departments of the state government have made elaborate preparations to ensure a smooth and incident-free Rath Yatra. The holy city of Puri has been placed under a five-tiered security blanket for the nine-day-long Rath Yatra festival. As many as 200 platoons of police force, eight companies of the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, etc., and the commandos of National Security Guard (NSG) have been deployed throughout the sacred coastal town to avoid any untoward incident during the Ratha Yatra. Similarly, around 10,000 personnel of the Odisha Police, Central Armed Police Force and Home Guard have been deployed in Puri and around the city during the Ratha Yatra this year.
DHAKA: Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das failed to get any relief on Tuesday as his bail hearing in a Bangladesh court was postponed for a month due to the unavailability of any lawyer to represent him, according to a media report. After an initial hearing on the bail petition on Tuesday, the judge set January 2 for another hearing, Chattogram Metropolitan Police ADC (Prosecution) Mofizur Rahman was quoted as saying by bdnews24.com. Das will have to wait a month to see if he will receive bail in a sedition case against him, it said. His bail plea was set to be heard by the court of Chattogra ...Read More >
Hyderabad, Dec 5 (Maxim News): Chief Minister Revanth Reddy launched the Indiramma House Survey mobile application on Thursday morning. The selection of the beneficiaries of the housing scheme will be done from tomorrow (Friday) through this app. Click Here To Join Us On WhatsApp Speaking on this occasion, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said that the Indiramma house scheme was started with Rs. 10 thousand. Today it has reached Rs. 5 lakh. He said that they are providing financial assistance at the rate of Rs. 5 lakh to each poor person for the construction of a house. It is everyone's dream t ...Read More >
A temple locked since 1978 communal riots in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, has been reopened by authorities during an anti-encroachment drive. The Bhasma Shankar temple, containing idols of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling, was rediscovered during an electricity theft inspection. This follows recent violence and heightened tensions in the area, including a mosque survey dispute and loudspeaker fine.The Sambhal administration here on Saturday uncovered and reopened a temple, which is said to have been closed ...Read More >
Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 2 (ANI): The court commissioner submitted his survey report in Chandausi Court in the Sambhal Jama Masjid-Harihar case on Thursday. Tensions in Sambhal have been high since November 19, when a local court ordered a survey of the mosque. Clashes between protestors and police over the court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid resulted in four deaths. Also Read | Karnataka Contractor Suicide Row: BJP Sends Sachin Panchal's Death Note to Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi; Congress Leader Priyank Kharge Says 'Party Set for Humiliation'. On December 30, a delegatio ...Read More >
Lucknow, Jan 8 (UNI) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said that the belief system of Sanatan Dharma represents the world's oldest culture, standing above comparison with any religion or sect. The CM said, "I inherit a legacy that spans thousands of years, with its cultural and spiritual events equally ancient. The tradition of Sanatan is higher than the sky and beyond comparison." Speaking at the 'Mahakumbh Mahasammelan, he emphasised the profound significance of the Maha Kumbh. He explained that after the Devasura Sangram (the battle between gods and demons), drops of nectar fell ...Read More >
PRAYAGRAJ, India (AP) -- Millions of Hindu devotees, mystics and holy men and women from all across India flocked to the northern city of Prayagraj on Monday to kickstart the Maha Kumbh festival, which is being touted as the world's largest religious gathering. Over about the next six weeks, Hindu pilgrims will gather at the confluence of three sacred rivers -- the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati -- where they will take part in elaborate rituals, hoping to begin a journey to achieve Hindu philosophy's ultimate goal: the release from the cycle of rebirth. Here's what to know abo ...Read More >
Hindus and members of other minority groups say they have faced more attacks than ever since an interim government replaced the ousted prime minister, as Islamist groups have become more prominent and demoralized security agencies have left a security vacuum. The government says the threat to Hindus has been exaggerated. Around 91% of Bangladeshs population is Muslim, with Hindus making up almost all of the rest. Officials, witnesses and local media reports said that Krishna Das Prabhu, also known as Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, was arrested in Dhakas main airport on Monday while traveli ...Read More >
Assam Beef Ban: A political row has erupted over the Assam government's decision to ban the public consumption of beef in the state with the Opposition labelling it "against the right to freedom" while the ruling BJP lauding the state Cabinet's call. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had announced on Wednesday that his government has decided to ban the consumption of beef in restaurants, hotels and public places, drawing sharp reactions from the Opposition. Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly on Tuesday witnessed a noisy scene as Opposition BJD and Congress members held protests inside the House over alleged non-payment of salaries to around 60,000 women supporting staffers under the 'Mission Shakti' scheme. Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik accused the BJP government of "conspiring to stop" salaries of the 'Mission Shakti' staff. As soon as the Question Hour began, the BJD and Congress members trooped to the well of the House and demanded immediate release of salaries of around 60,000 women supporting staff working under the 'Mission Shakti' sch ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (VOICE) The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered that no fresh suits would be registered under the Places of Worship Act in the country, and in the pending cases, no final or effective orders would be passed till further orders of the Apex Court. A Special Bench headed by CJI Sajiv Khanna asked the Union government to file within four weeks its reply to the clutch of petitions challenging the validity of the 1991 Act, which prohibits the filing of a lawsuit to reclaim a place of worship or seek a change in its character from what prevailed on August 15, 1947. The Bench, also c ...Read More >
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 8 (ANI): As the commencement date for the 2025 Maha Kumbh nears, popular seers and saints are joining the crowd in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj. Amid celebrations, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Maharaj on Wednesday demanded that cow be given the status of 'Rashtra Mata'. He said that one of the biggest problems was cow slaughter and it must be stopped. The seer said that they would organise a 'maha yagya' to press their demands. "All Sanatani Hindus are uniting here for Kumbh. Even though we have a number of problems, the ...Read More >
PRAYAGRAJ, India: Tens of thousands of Hindus seeking absolution of their sins immersed themselves on Monday in freezing waters at the confluence of sacred rivers, as India began a six-week festival expected to draw the world's largest gathering of humanity. Held every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh Mela or Great Pitcher Festival, as the religious event in the city of Prayagraj in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh is called, attracts more than 400 million visitors, both Indians and tourists. As many as 40,000 police officers are on guard to provide security and help manage the crowds, while surv ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 26 (ANI): Responding on the arrest and denial of bail of Chinmoy Krishna Das the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday urged Bangladeshi government to ensure the safety and security of Hindus. "We have noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote", the statement said. "This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There are several documented cases of arson and looting of minorities' ho ...Read More >
BUDAUN: A court hearing a plea of a Hindu outfit, which had sought permission to worship at Jama Masjid Shamsi here claiming it was a temple, on Tuesday asked the Muslim side to complete their arguments by December 10. Arguing his case, the lawyer for Shamsi Shahi Jama Masjid Intezamia Committee and Waqf Board Asrar Ahmed questioned the locus standi of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha to file the petition in the matter. Urging the court to dismiss the plea, the counsel submitted that the mosque is about 850 years old. He stated that there is "no existence of a temple" there and worship by Hin ...Read More >
The Supreme Court halted new temple-mosque legal battles. The court will review the 1991 law impacting religious site status. This law froze the status of religious sites as of August 15, 1947. Several cases, including Gyanvapi and Shahi Idgah, challenge this law. The law's validity is being questioned. The court's decision impacts ongoing and future disputes.In its ruling on the keenly-watched Place of Worship Act case, the Supreme Court said on December 12 that no new Mandir-Masjid suits are to ...Read More >
New Delhi: In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has directed that no new lawsuits related to places of worship (temples, mosques, or shrines) can be filed until further notice. This decision was made during the ongoing hearing of petitions challenging the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. The ruling prohibits the lower courts from issuing any survey orders or interim orders that might alter the status or nature of any religious site. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Sanjay Kumar, and Justice K.V. Vishwanathan, issued this order while hearing sev ...Read More >
New Delhi, December 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the government is committed to providing every facility to the devotees visiting Prayagraj for Maha Kumbh. Ahead of his visit to Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday, PM Modi said that he will take stock of the works related to the Maha Kumbh and also inaugurate and launch multiple development projects. PM Modi Prayagraj Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi To Arrive in Prayagraj Today To Launch Development Projects Worth Around INR 5,500 Crore. "Along with making the Maha Kumbh of faith divine and grand, we are committed to providi ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Dec 15 (VOICE) Former Minority Commission Chairman Anwar Manipaddy on Sunday refuted the bribery charge levelled by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, saying the Congress leaders have been offering him bribes to suppress the Waqf encroachment report. CM Siddaramaiah on Saturday alleged that BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra "tried to bribe" the former Minority Commission Chairperson during the previous government with Rs 150 crore to suppress a probe into the Waqf property encroachment. Speaking to the media, Anwar Manipaddy stated that if Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has any genuine co ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 18 (PTI) The Pakistan high commission on Wednesday said it issued 84 visas to Indian pilgrims to visit the Shree Katas Raj temples in Punjab province's Chakwal district. The group has been given visas to visit the Katas Raj temples from December 19 to 25. The temples are also known as Qila Katas. It is a complex of several Hindu temples connected to one another by walkways. Under the provision of a bilateral protocol on visits to religious shrines, Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan every year.Pakistani pilgrims also visit India every year under the protocol. ...Read More >
Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the naval dockyard for the commissioning ceremony of three naval vessels -- two warships INS Surat and INS Nilgiri, and the submarine INS Vaghsheer -- on Wednesday. The event will take place between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm. According to a defence spokesperson, thies commissioning represents a crucial advancement towards fulfilling the national ambition to emerge as a global force in defence production and maritime security. Later, Modi will be at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai at 3.30 pm. Officials said that as part of his initiative to streng ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 28 (ANI): India has expressed its concern over the escalating incidents of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and desecration, and damage to their places of worship, and has also called on the interim government there to ensure the safety of minorities. In a response to question asked by RJD MP AD Singh, Minister of State for Ministry of External Affairs, Kirit Vardhan Singh in a written reply to Rajya Sabha, stated that the "primary responsibility" for the protection of life and liberty of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities, "rests with ...Read More >
Dhaka: A writ petition has been filed in the Bangladesh High Court seeking a ban on the broadcast of Indian TV channels in the country citing growing concerns over the impact of Indian media on Bangladeshi culture and society, Dhaka Tribune reported. Lawyer Ekhlas Uddin Bhuiyan, who filed the petition on Monday, is seeking a directive under the Cable Television Network Operation Act 2006 to prohibit the broadcast of Indian TV channels. It also asks why a rule should not be issued instructing a ban on Indian TV channels in Bangladesh, as per Dhaka Tribune. The hearing on the application may ...Read More >
Kottayam (Kerala), Dec 12 (PTI) The historic struggle for equality that took place in Vaikom a century ago, popularly known as the Vaikom Satyagraha, was not a movement confined to Kerala but marked the starting point for various other struggles for social justice, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said on Thursday. In his address at Vaikom in this district after inaugurating the renovated Thanthai Periyar Memorial and Periyar Library, Stalin said that while impressive strides have been made in areas of social justice and economy in 100 years, a lot more has to be achieved. Stalin inaugur ...Read More >
Deposed Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina accused Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday that he has been the mastermind behind the targeted violence against the minorities, especially Hindus in Bangladesh. She said this while virtually addressing the Awami league event in Now York. Hasina claimed that Yunus led the mass killing under a meticulously planned crusade with the help of student coordinators. The statement comes in the wake of heightened unrest after the arrest of ISKCON affiliated Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das. She also stressed upon the statement of the son of her political rival Khaleda Zia, Ta ...Read More >
A violent clash between Bangladeshi security forces and supporters of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari resulted in one fatality on Tuesday. The incident occurred after Brahmachari, an outspoken monk and spokesperson for a newly-formed Hindu advocacy group, was denied bail on sedition charges. According to AFP, citing Nurul Alam, a police inspector stationed at Chittagong Medical College Hospital, public prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif succumbed to injuries sustained during the altercation. "He had deep injuries on his head," confirmed hospital director Taslim Uddin. The clashes erup ...Read More >
Taal Thok Ke: Anti-Hindu violence is once again continuing in Bangladesh. Somewhere temples are being targeted. Somewhere acid attacks are being carried out on Hindus. Somewhere armed mobs are targeting Hindu homes. And on top of that, the Maulanas of Bangladesh are making venomous speeches threatening to kill Hindus. Meanwhile, ISKCON's Brahmachari Chinmay Prabhu is arrested without a warrant. He is put in jail and when the Indian government objects to this whole incident, the Bangladesh government says that the court's order is supreme here. This is true but there are ISKCON temples all over ...Read More >
Bangladeshi Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das's wait for freedom has been prolonged as his bail hearing was postponed on Tuesday. Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote and head of the Pundarik Dham in the Chittagong district of Bangladesh, will now have to wait at least till January 2, 2025, for his hearing to take place. On Tuesday, Chinmoy Das's lawyer did not appear on his behalf in the court of Metropolitan session's Judge Saiful Islam in Chittagong. Apart from this, the state also sought time. The court has now fixed January 2 as th ...Read More >
Dhanbad/Gumla, Dec 4 (PTI) Thousands of people from various Hindu organisations on Wednesday took out rallies in Jharkhand's Dhanbad and Gumla cities in protest against the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh and the arrest of spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das. Demanding the immediate release of Das, the protesters urged the Indian government to intervene and stop the atrocities being perpetrated on minority Hindus in the neighbouring country. In Dhanbad, Hindu Rashtriya Samanvya Samiti (HRSS) organised the protest, which was attended by members of Dhanbad ISKCON, Bajrang Dal, BJP and other o ...Read More >
Kolkata, Dec 4 (PTI) A five-member delegation of monks went to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission here on Wednesday to submit a memorandum demanding immediate steps to stop atrocities on Hindus and other religious minorities in the neighbouring country. Kartik Maharaj, one of the members of the delegation, said they had also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to take legal recourse to ensure the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh. "Bigger protests will be organised in West Bengal if appropriate steps are not taken to ensure protection of the minorities in Ban ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed courts across the country to refrain from admitting or passing any new orders on pleas seeking surveys of mosques to determine if temples lie beneath them. This decision extends to existing suits, halting any further orders on the matter. The directive was issued as the apex court continued hearing petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. This Act prohibits filing lawsuits to reclaim places of worship or alter their character from what existed on August 15, 1947. Judicial Revie ...Read More >