News Analysis India

Tag: lord shiva

  • Pradosh Vrat In May 2024: Date, Puja Timings, Pradosham Tithi, Rituals And More | Culture News

    Pradosh Vrat is regarded as the most auspicious fast that is observed by devotees twice in the month of Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha. Pradosh Vrat has been said to be very significant in Hinduism as devotees worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on this day and offer prayers. The word Pradosh means removal of darkness. Pradosh vrat falls twice every month during the Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha and this year in May two Pradosh Vrats will be observed in May 2024, one on Sunday, May 5 known as Ravi Pradosh Vrat and the other on May 20 also known as Som Pradosh. Vrat.

    Pradosh Vrat 2024: Tithi and Puja Muhurat

    The first Pradosh Vrat in May 2024 will be observed on May 5, Sunday or ‘Ravivar’ on the Trayodashi tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Vaishakha.

    As per Drik panchang, the Ravi Krishna Pradosha Vrat falls on Sunday, May 5, 2024, with the Pradosha Puja Muhurat from 06:59 pm to 9:06 pm, lasting for 2 hours and 7 minutes. The Trayodashi Tithi begins at 5:41 pm on May 5, 2024, and ends at 2:40 pm on May 6, 2024.

    Pradosh Vrat: Significance

    Pradosh Vrat is observed to honor and commemorate Lord Shiva and the holy day when the lord himself consumed poison during Samudra Manthan to save the people and earth and all its creations. During Samudra Manthan when the devas and asuras churned the ocean to look for the Amrit, the first thing that came out of the ocean was Halahala or poison.

    The day, when Lord Shiva drank the poison, began to be known as the day of Pradosh.

    Pradosh Vrat has great importance in Hinduism. On this day devotees observe fast with a pure heart and worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is believed that all the wishes of those who keep Pradosh Vrat for the whole day are fulfilled.

    Pradosh Vrat 2024: Puja vidhi/Rituals

    – On this day, wake up early in the morning, take a bath etc., wear clean clothes and resolve or ‘Sankalp’ to fast by taking water in your hand.

    – After this, clean the temple and worship. In Pradosh Vrat, worship is done during Pradosh period and hence in the evening worship Bholenath with rituals.

    – Offer Belpatra, Bhang, Dhatura, Gangajal, milk, lamp and flowers to Bholenath.

    – After this, light a ghee lamp and read Pradosh Vrat Katha.

    – Observe a day-long fast from sunrise to sunset and perform puja twice in a day.

    – Then perform aarti of Lord Shiva and break the fast the next day after sunrise.

    – Offer bhog and distribute it as prasad to all family members.

    (This article is intended for your general information only. Zee News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.)

  • WATCH: India Cricket Stars Seek Divine Blessings At Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar Temple On Makar Sankranti | cricket news

    After a resounding 2-0 lead in the ongoing IND vs AFG T20I series, the India cricket team stars, including Tilak Verma, Washington Sundar, Jitesh Sharma, and Ravi Bishnoi, embarked on a spiritual journey to seek blessings at the revered Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti. The cricketers actively participated in the sacred ‘Bhasma Aarti,’ a ritual performed between 3:30 AM and 5:30 AM at the Mahakaleshwar Temple. Expressing their joy, the players shared with ANI, “It was a pleasure to be here and to take the blessings of Lord Shiva.”

    Tilak, Sundar, Jitesh and Bishnoi attend ‘Bhasma Aarti’ performed at the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple in Ujjain.pic.twitter.com/jI7EO0zaNw

    — Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 15, 2024 Bhasma Aarti: A Unique Tradition

    The ‘Bhasma Aarti’ involves ash offerings and holds significant religious importance. Conducted during the auspicious Brahma Muhurta, it is believed that the wishes of the devotees who participate in this ritual are fulfilled. The temple priest, Sanjay Sharma, explained the elaborate ceremonies performed, including a holy bath of Lord Mahakal with Panchamrit.

    Cricket Stars’ Testimony

    The cricket players, seated in the temple’s Nandi Hall, expressed their gratitude, stating that it was a pleasure to be present and receive the blessings of Lord Shiva. This spiritual visit came on the heels of their victorious encounter against Afghanistan in Indore.

    Cricket Triumph at Holkar Stadium

    Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube showcased stellar performances as India chased down 173 to secure victory in the IND vs AFG 2nd T20I at Holkar Stadium. Despite an early setback with the dismissal of skipper Rohit Sharma, Jaiswal, along with contributions from Virat Kohli and Dube, led India to a commanding win.

    Bhasma Aarti Goes Viral

    A video capturing the four cricketers, Ravi Bishnoi, Tilak Varma, Washington Sundar, and Jitesh Sharma, participating in the ‘Bhasma Aarti’ went viral on social media. The unique ritual, symbolizing the transient nature of life, resonated with fans.

    Tilak Varma’s Challenge

    While the cricketing stars soaked in the divine vibes, Tilak Varma faced cricketing challenges. Despite a commendable T20I record, competition within the Indian side, including the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, poses a challenge for him to secure a permanent spot in the playing XI.

  • HC refuses to quash criminal proceedings against man for objectionable comment against Lord Shiva

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: The Allahabad High Court has refused to quash criminal proceedings against a man accused of posting an objectionable comment on social media site Facebook against Lord Shiva, observing that such offences which had a tendency to promote hatred between classes of people or communities should be put down with an iron fist.

    Dismissing a petition filed by Asif of Aligarh district, Justice JJ Munir observed: “Offences of the kind that have a tendency to promote hatred between classes of people or communities have to be put down with a heavy hand. These offences cannot be permitted to flourish in society by adopting a soft-pedalling approach at the cost of widespread damage to the community.”

    The allegation against the applicant was that he had posted objectionable comments on his Facebook account regarding Lord Shiva, by using objectionable language which had hurt religious sentiments of the Hindu community. There have been further comments fomenting communal hatred by the other co-accused in the comments section of the FB account.

    ALSO READ | Supreme Court to hear Gyanvapi mosque plea on April 14

    After investigation, the police had submitted a charge-sheet against the applicant on the basis of material collected. Thereafter, the Judicial Magistrate-II, Aligarh took cognizance of the offence and issued summons to the applicant on January 3, 2023. However, the applicant challenged the summons and also the resultant proceedings through the present application filed under Section 482 (inherent powers of High Court) of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

    During the court proceedings, the counsel for the applicant took the plea that the comments posted on the applicant’s Facebook were merely forwards by another person and that they were not the applicant’s authorship.

    Rejecting the plea, the court said, “If there is a comment which has the tendency to promote enmity between different groups on the ground of religion, then posting it on one’s facebook would certainly constitute an offence. The words employed in the post clearly are ones made with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of a particular section of the community or a class of citizens of the country. Even if the said comments have been endorsed by the applicant by posting them on his Facebook, it does not matter whether he is the author or the exponent of the comments.”

    Dismissing the application, the court in its order dated April 6, said, “In the opinion of this court, there is absolutely no good ground to quash the proceedings in exercise of powers under Section 482 of CrPC. Hence, this application is accordingly dismissed.”

    LUCKNOW: The Allahabad High Court has refused to quash criminal proceedings against a man accused of posting an objectionable comment on social media site Facebook against Lord Shiva, observing that such offences which had a tendency to promote hatred between classes of people or communities should be put down with an iron fist.

    Dismissing a petition filed by Asif of Aligarh district, Justice JJ Munir observed: “Offences of the kind that have a tendency to promote hatred between classes of people or communities have to be put down with a heavy hand. These offences cannot be permitted to flourish in society by adopting a soft-pedalling approach at the cost of widespread damage to the community.”

    The allegation against the applicant was that he had posted objectionable comments on his Facebook account regarding Lord Shiva, by using objectionable language which had hurt religious sentiments of the Hindu community. There have been further comments fomenting communal hatred by the other co-accused in the comments section of the FB account.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    ALSO READ | Supreme Court to hear Gyanvapi mosque plea on April 14

    After investigation, the police had submitted a charge-sheet against the applicant on the basis of material collected. Thereafter, the Judicial Magistrate-II, Aligarh took cognizance of the offence and issued summons to the applicant on January 3, 2023. However, the applicant challenged the summons and also the resultant proceedings through the present application filed under Section 482 (inherent powers of High Court) of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

    During the court proceedings, the counsel for the applicant took the plea that the comments posted on the applicant’s Facebook were merely forwards by another person and that they were not the applicant’s authorship.

    Rejecting the plea, the court said, “If there is a comment which has the tendency to promote enmity between different groups on the ground of religion, then posting it on one’s facebook would certainly constitute an offence. The words employed in the post clearly are ones made with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of a particular section of the community or a class of citizens of the country. Even if the said comments have been endorsed by the applicant by posting them on his Facebook, it does not matter whether he is the author or the exponent of the comments.”

    Dismissing the application, the court in its order dated April 6, said, “In the opinion of this court, there is absolutely no good ground to quash the proceedings in exercise of powers under Section 482 of CrPC. Hence, this application is accordingly dismissed.”

  • Outrage sparks in Gujarat over Prabodha Swami seers controversial statement on lord Shiva

    By Express News Service

    AHMEDABAD:  Sadhu Anand Sagar Swami of the Prabodha Swami group created a huge controversy when he allegedly made an insulting speech about Lord Shiva in a Satsang meeting held in the honor of Prabodha Swami in Boston, America.

    In the Satsang meeting, Swami narrated an incident where he spoke about a boy, Nishit, a student styuding at ‘Atmiya Dham’ run by Sokhda Sanstha at Karamsad, Vidyanagar in Anand District.

    In the incident, Nishit goes to the gate as instructed by Prabodha Swami, where he sees Lord Shiva waiting outside the gate. Nishit insisted on lord shiva by saying, “Please come with me and meet Prabodha Swami. But lord shiva refuse it by saying that my piety has not grown up to that level that I can see a holy image of Prabodha swami, Shiva touched Nishit’s feet & left.”

    According to Anand Sagar Swami’s viral video, Prabodh Swami is bigger than Lord Shiva, due to this sentence, religious sentiments of the people of Sanatan Dharma have been hurt all over Gujarat.

    Regarding Anandsagar Swami’s comment on Lord Shiva, fierce anger is also being seen among the monks and saints all over Gujarat.

    Mahamandleshwar Narendra Bapu condemned the statement and said, ‘Expel Anandsagar Swami from the sect. Comments that are not compatible with religion should not be made. His followers should expel such seers.’

    Vadtal Satsang Sabha President Nautam Swamy also reacted to controversy and said, ‘Anandsagar Swami has given such a speech to increase the glory of the Guru. Such a statement tarnishes the Swaminarayan sect. Such saint should never be believed.’

    ALSO READ | Gujarat BJP MLA blames Gulf nations for ‘love jihad’ in India

    J.P. Jadeja, the state president of Rajput Karni Sena, reacted, ‘Seers should think before praising their Guru. Saints should not mislead people. A true saint is harmed by seers like Anand Sagar.”

    A protest was staged by the Brahma Samaj at Rajkot. The protester burned the posters of Anand Sagar Swami. At the same time, Bhrama Samaj representatives filed a complaint at B Division Police Station in Rajkot against Anand Sagar Swami for hurting the religious sentiments of Shivbhakts, Police accepted thecomplaint.

    Milan Shukla, General Secretary, of Brahm Samaj, said “we have given an application to police and demanded strict action must be taken against Anandsagar,”

    However, looking to the outrage over his statement, On Tuesday Anand Sagar Swami released this video message and apologized for his statement due to increasing outrage in Gujarat. In the video, he said that during a lecture in a Satsang in America, the words that he raised about Lord Shivawere an attempt to give value to the feelings of a young man. I have made a mistake; I apologize to all Shiva devotees.

    AHMEDABAD:  Sadhu Anand Sagar Swami of the Prabodha Swami group created a huge controversy when he allegedly made an insulting speech about Lord Shiva in a Satsang meeting held in the honor of Prabodha Swami in Boston, America.

    In the Satsang meeting, Swami narrated an incident where he spoke about a boy, Nishit, a student styuding at ‘Atmiya Dham’ run by Sokhda Sanstha at Karamsad, Vidyanagar in Anand District.

    In the incident, Nishit goes to the gate as instructed by Prabodha Swami, where he sees Lord Shiva waiting outside the gate. Nishit insisted on lord shiva by saying, “Please come with me and meet Prabodha Swami. But lord shiva refuse it by saying that my piety has not grown up to that level that I can see a holy image of Prabodha swami, Shiva touched Nishit’s feet & left.”

    According to Anand Sagar Swami’s viral video, Prabodh Swami is bigger than Lord Shiva, due to this sentence, religious sentiments of the people of Sanatan Dharma have been hurt all over Gujarat.

    Regarding Anandsagar Swami’s comment on Lord Shiva, fierce anger is also being seen among the monks and saints all over Gujarat.

    Mahamandleshwar Narendra Bapu condemned the statement and said, ‘Expel Anandsagar Swami from the sect. Comments that are not compatible with religion should not be made. His followers should expel such seers.’

    Vadtal Satsang Sabha President Nautam Swamy also reacted to controversy and said, ‘Anandsagar Swami has given such a speech to increase the glory of the Guru. Such a statement tarnishes the Swaminarayan sect. Such saint should never be believed.’

    ALSO READ | Gujarat BJP MLA blames Gulf nations for ‘love jihad’ in India

    J.P. Jadeja, the state president of Rajput Karni Sena, reacted, ‘Seers should think before praising their Guru. Saints should not mislead people. A true saint is harmed by seers like Anand Sagar.”

    A protest was staged by the Brahma Samaj at Rajkot. The protester burned the posters of Anand Sagar Swami. At the same time, Bhrama Samaj representatives filed a complaint at B Division Police Station in Rajkot against Anand Sagar Swami for hurting the religious sentiments of Shivbhakts, Police accepted the
    complaint.

    Milan Shukla, General Secretary, of Brahm Samaj, said “we have given an application to police and demanded strict action must be taken against Anandsagar,”

    However, looking to the outrage over his statement, On Tuesday Anand Sagar Swami released this video message and apologized for his statement due to increasing outrage in Gujarat. In the video, he said that during a lecture in a Satsang in America, the words that he raised about Lord Shiva
    were an attempt to give value to the feelings of a young man. I have made a mistake; I apologize to all Shiva devotees.

  • FIR against magazine over ‘offending picture’ of Shiva, Kali; economist Debroy quits as columnist

    By PTI

    KANPUR: Police here have lodged an FIR against The Week amid a row over an “objectionable picture” of Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali that led Hindu activists to burn copies of the magazine and economist Bibek Debroy to end his association with it.

    The city’s Kotwali police registered the case against the editor and management of the magazine following a complaint Thursday by former BJP state vice-president Prakash Sharma, who accused them of hurting religious feelings.

    Bajrang Dal workers burnt copies of the magazine at the city’s Bada Chauraha on Friday, seeking action against the editors of the magazine brought out in English by the Malayala Manorama group.

    Bibek Debroy, who heads the Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister, on Thursday ended his association with the publication as a columnist over the illustration tagged to his article “A tongue of fire” in the July 24 edition.

    The magazine has apologised on its website.

    This is the second controversy in recent weeks over the depiction of the goddess.

    Last month, Canada-based filmmaker Leena Manimekalai shared a poster of her documentary that showed a woman dressed as Kali smoking a cigarette.

    Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Pramod Kumar said a case under 295A of the Indian Penal Code has been registered in Kanpur.

    The section deals with “deliberate malicious acts” intended to outrage religious feelings.

    The DCP said instructions have been issued to the investigation officer to probe the charges and take appropriate action.

    BJP leader Prakash Sharma said the picture published by the magazine has outraged Hindu sentiments.

    The editor and others responsible for this objectionable act should be dealt with an iron hand, he told PTI.

    Earlier, in his letter to The Week editor Philip Mathew, Debroy said he is ending his association with the magazine over the illustration that accompanied his column on Kali.

    “The picture was deliberately chosen to titillate and provoke. At least, that’s the way I perceive it,” he said in the letter he also posted on Twitter.

    The magazine has offered its “sincere apologies” for publishing the picture and replaced it with another on its website.

    The illustration was taken from a photo agency which described it as an 1820 Kangra painting from Himachal Pradesh, it said.

    “We are genuinely sorry that it has hurt the sentiments of many of our readers and others.” It said there was an “unfortunate error of judgment on our part” in reproducing the illustration, adding that there was “no mischievous or malevolent intent.”

    ALSO READ | ‘Kaali’ is all about choosing love and championing humanity: Leena Manimekalai on controversy

    KANPUR: Police here have lodged an FIR against The Week amid a row over an “objectionable picture” of Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali that led Hindu activists to burn copies of the magazine and economist Bibek Debroy to end his association with it.

    The city’s Kotwali police registered the case against the editor and management of the magazine following a complaint Thursday by former BJP state vice-president Prakash Sharma, who accused them of hurting religious feelings.

    Bajrang Dal workers burnt copies of the magazine at the city’s Bada Chauraha on Friday, seeking action against the editors of the magazine brought out in English by the Malayala Manorama group.

    Bibek Debroy, who heads the Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister, on Thursday ended his association with the publication as a columnist over the illustration tagged to his article “A tongue of fire” in the July 24 edition.

    The magazine has apologised on its website.

    This is the second controversy in recent weeks over the depiction of the goddess.

    Last month, Canada-based filmmaker Leena Manimekalai shared a poster of her documentary that showed a woman dressed as Kali smoking a cigarette.

    Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Pramod Kumar said a case under 295A of the Indian Penal Code has been registered in Kanpur.

    The section deals with “deliberate malicious acts” intended to outrage religious feelings.

    The DCP said instructions have been issued to the investigation officer to probe the charges and take appropriate action.

    BJP leader Prakash Sharma said the picture published by the magazine has outraged Hindu sentiments.

    The editor and others responsible for this objectionable act should be dealt with an iron hand, he told PTI.

    Earlier, in his letter to The Week editor Philip Mathew, Debroy said he is ending his association with the magazine over the illustration that accompanied his column on Kali.

    “The picture was deliberately chosen to titillate and provoke. At least, that’s the way I perceive it,” he said in the letter he also posted on Twitter.

    The magazine has offered its “sincere apologies” for publishing the picture and replaced it with another on its website.

    The illustration was taken from a photo agency which described it as an 1820 Kangra painting from Himachal Pradesh, it said.

    “We are genuinely sorry that it has hurt the sentiments of many of our readers and others.” It said there was an “unfortunate error of judgment on our part” in reproducing the illustration, adding that there was “no mischievous or malevolent intent.”

    ALSO READ | ‘Kaali’ is all about choosing love and championing humanity: Leena Manimekalai on controversy

  • Assam man arrested for dressing up as Lord Shiva in protest against price rise; released on bail later

    Express News Service

    GUWAHATI:  A street play took a serious turn for an actor in Assam after he, dressed as Lord Shiva, criticised the government for the rising fuel prices. Birinchi Bora was detained briefly on Sunday after complaints were filed against him for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. 

    Disapproving of the arrest, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, the street play over current issues “is not blasphemous”. He added that appropriate instructions were issued to the district police to release him.

    In a video that went viral, Bora is seen wearing a Lord Shiva costume and riding a bike while a co-actor, dressed as Parvati, rides pillion. Their bike comes to a halt at one place as it runs out of petrol and he picks up a quarrel with her, angrily raising the issue of sky-rocketing prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene, and LPG cylinders. He also criticised the Narendra Modi government over the rising problem of unemployment, and said people are suffering even though good days were promised to them.

    Their act, performed on the road near Nowgong College Clock Tower Point, however, soon landed them at a police station after it drew the attention of some right wing organisations. The district units of Bajrang Dal and VHP separately lodged two FIRs at Nagaon Police Station. 

    The man who was dancing in the video is Birinchi Bora from Assam. He is not a supporter of BJP but a protestor. He was protesting against BJP for the price hike on the disguised of shivji. He is now arrested by Nagaon police, Assam. https://t.co/jA0XXmVDL0
    — no name (@bull_energy1988) July 9, 2022
    Bora was detained for “hurting religious sentiments, showing disrespect towards women, attempting to create disharmony among communities and also under Motor Vehicles Act for not wearing shoes and helmet during the play on the road,” Nagaon Superintendent of Police Leena Doley said.

    “A case was registered but as his detention was under bailable sections (of the IPC). We issued a notice and released him,” the SP said. The woman, who played the character of Goddess Parvati, could not be traced thus far, 

    The arrest of Bora, a former general secretary of Nowgong College Students Union, was widely condemned on social media. The Assam chief minister then took to Twitter, and said, “Nukad Natak on current issues is not blasphemous. Dressing up is not a crime unless offensive material is said.”