News Analysis India

Tag: temple

  • Ayodhya gears up for historic Ram Mandir consecration

    The Ram idol will be consecrated on Monday (today), marking the beginning of the opening of the temple in Ayodhya at the birth site of the deity in a watershed moment for the Ram-janmbhoomi movement, Indian politics and history.

    A day before the event, Ayodhya was marked with festive anticipation and revelry by devotees, with men in fatigues from the state police force, CRPF and Rapid Action Force spread across the town in varying intensities. Lata Chowk and the road leading to the Hanumangari temple witnessed the thickest crowds of devotees. The road leading to the Ram temple was cordoned off.

    Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration: Catch all the live action hereOn January 22, outsiders will not be allowed inside the town, unless they are attendees or have valid permissions.

    At the temple, marking the sixth day of pre-rituals, the idol of Ram Lalla was bathed in water from 114 kalash (urns).

    The idol was bathed with medicated water and water brought from various pilgrimage sites from India. The consecration on Monday will be carried out by PM Narendra Modi.

    The muhurat for the ritual on Monday is between 12:29:8 pm to 12:30:32 pm, leaving 84 seconds for the consecration. From about 10 am in the morning for over two hours until the muhurat, a ‘Mangal Dhwani’ (Divine Melody) will be played in the temple courtyard. “In our Indian tradition, on any auspicious festival, a ritual of mangal dhwani or playing traditional music before God has been laid down. In this context, the consecration of Lord Ram is a once-in-a-century moment of pride for every Indian and we will be playing instruments from all regions and states of the country,” Champat Rai, general secretary of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra said.

  • Dalit devotees stopped from praying in MP temples during Mahashivratri

    Express News Service

    BHOPAL: In two separate incidents, villagers belonging to the Dalit community were barred from offering prayers at Shiva temples in Madhya Pradesh during Mahashivratri on Saturday.

    Women belonging to the Balai community in Chhoti Kasrawad village of Khargone district said that the dominant caste men and women blocked their families from offering prayers and assaulted their children including two girls.

    “They (men belonging to the dominant Darbar caste) even threatened to throw our children out from the temple,” one Sharmila Bai alleged.

    The local leader of the Bhim Army Sunil Chouhan alleged that though the police have filed a case in the matter, the name of the main accused was not added to the FIR. 

    According to sub-divisional officer police (SDOP-Mandaleshwar) Manohar Singh Gavali, “there was a quarrel between two groups of devotees while offering prayers at the temple. On the complaint of one group, an FIR has been lodged against five persons from another group.”

    The FIR was lodged u/s 294, 323, and 34 IPC, besides provisions of the SC/ST (Atrocities) Act. But nowhere in the FIR was it mentioned that Dalit women, men, and children were stopped from worshipping at the temple. Instead, it was mentioned that pushing and shoving during prayers resulted in quarrels, leading to violent assault.

    Meanwhile, in the adjoining Khandwa district’s Bailwadi village of Bharadi village panchayat, Dalit devotees were reportedly stopped by the temple priest from offering prayers at the temple on Mahashivratri. However, the local police rushed to the spot and intervened, after which the Dalit people were allowed to offer prayers at the temple.     

    BHOPAL: In two separate incidents, villagers belonging to the Dalit community were barred from offering prayers at Shiva temples in Madhya Pradesh during Mahashivratri on Saturday.

    Women belonging to the Balai community in Chhoti Kasrawad village of Khargone district said that the dominant caste men and women blocked their families from offering prayers and assaulted their children including two girls.

    “They (men belonging to the dominant Darbar caste) even threatened to throw our children out from the temple,” one Sharmila Bai alleged.

    The local leader of the Bhim Army Sunil Chouhan alleged that though the police have filed a case in the matter, the name of the main accused was not added to the FIR. 

    According to sub-divisional officer police (SDOP-Mandaleshwar) Manohar Singh Gavali, “there was a quarrel between two groups of devotees while offering prayers at the temple. On the complaint of one group, an FIR has been lodged against five persons from another group.”

    The FIR was lodged u/s 294, 323, and 34 IPC, besides provisions of the SC/ST (Atrocities) Act. But nowhere in the FIR was it mentioned that Dalit women, men, and children were stopped from worshipping at the temple. Instead, it was mentioned that pushing and shoving during prayers resulted in quarrels, leading to violent assault.

    Meanwhile, in the adjoining Khandwa district’s Bailwadi village of Bharadi village panchayat, Dalit devotees were reportedly stopped by the temple priest from offering prayers at the temple on Mahashivratri. However, the local police rushed to the spot and intervened, after which the Dalit people were allowed to offer prayers at the temple.     

  • Dalit devotees in Madhya Pradesh barred from offering prayers at Shiva temples during Mahashivratri 

    Express News Service

    BHOPAL: In two separate incidents, villagers belonging to the Dalit community were barred from offering prayers at Shiva temples in Madhya Pradesh during Mahashivratri on Saturday.

    Women belonging to the Balai community in Chhoti Kasrawad village of Khargone district said that the dominant caste men and women blocked their families from offering prayers and assaulted their children including two girls.

    “They (men belonging to the dominant Darbar caste) even threatened to throw our children out from the temple,” one Sharmila Bai alleged.

    The local leader of the Bhim Army Sunil Chouhan alleged that though the police have filed a case in the matter, the name of the main accused was not added to the FIR. 

    According to sub-divisional officer police (SDOP-Mandaleshwar) Manohar Singh Gavali, “there was a quarrel between two groups of devotees while offering prayers at the temple. On the complaint of one group, an FIR has been lodged against five persons from another group.”

    The FIR was lodged u/s 294, 323, and 34 IPC, besides provisions of the SC/ST (Atrocities) Act. But nowhere in the FIR was it mentioned that Dalit women, men, and children were stopped from worshiping at the temple. Instead, it was mentioned that pushing and shoving during prayers resulted in quarrels, leading to violent assault.

    Meanwhile, in the adjoining Khandwa district’s Bailwadi village of Bharadi village panchayat, Dalit devotees were reportedly stopped by the temple priest from offering prayers at the temple on Mahashivratri. However, the local police rushed to the spot and intervened, after which the Dalit people were allowed to offer prayers at the temple.     

    BHOPAL: In two separate incidents, villagers belonging to the Dalit community were barred from offering prayers at Shiva temples in Madhya Pradesh during Mahashivratri on Saturday.

    Women belonging to the Balai community in Chhoti Kasrawad village of Khargone district said that the dominant caste men and women blocked their families from offering prayers and assaulted their children including two girls.

    “They (men belonging to the dominant Darbar caste) even threatened to throw our children out from the temple,” one Sharmila Bai alleged.

    The local leader of the Bhim Army Sunil Chouhan alleged that though the police have filed a case in the matter, the name of the main accused was not added to the FIR. 

    According to sub-divisional officer police (SDOP-Mandaleshwar) Manohar Singh Gavali, “there was a quarrel between two groups of devotees while offering prayers at the temple. On the complaint of one group, an FIR has been lodged against five persons from another group.”

    The FIR was lodged u/s 294, 323, and 34 IPC, besides provisions of the SC/ST (Atrocities) Act. But nowhere in the FIR was it mentioned that Dalit women, men, and children were stopped from worshiping at the temple. Instead, it was mentioned that pushing and shoving during prayers resulted in quarrels, leading to violent assault.

    Meanwhile, in the adjoining Khandwa district’s Bailwadi village of Bharadi village panchayat, Dalit devotees were reportedly stopped by the temple priest from offering prayers at the temple on Mahashivratri. However, the local police rushed to the spot and intervened, after which the Dalit people were allowed to offer prayers at the temple.     

  • Threat call to blow up Ram Janmabhoomi complex 

    By PTI

    AYODHYA: A phone call from an unidentified man, threatening to blow up the Ram Janmabhoomi complex here, was received by an Ayodhya resident, police said on Thursday.

    The call was received by Manoj, who lives in the Ramkot area of this Uttar Pradesh district.

    He alerted the police about the call received on his mobile phone. According to police, the caller threatened to blow up the temple area at 10 am on Thursday.

    आज दिनांक 02.02.2023 को रामलला सदन के एक शिष्य के मोबाइल पर अज्ञात व्यक्ति द्वारा श्री रामजन्मभूमि को बम से उड़ाने की धमकी देने के सम्बन्ध मे #ayodhyapolice द्वारा की जा रही कार्यवाही के सम्बन्ध मे पुलिस अधीक्षक नगर की बाईट। #UPPolice pic.twitter.com/cp9EcJmMtd
    — AYODHYA POLICE (@ayodhya_police) February 2, 2023
    As soon as the information was received, police issued an alert to all personnel deployed at various locations in the district.

    Station House Officer (SHO) of the Ram Janmabhoomi police station Sanjiv Kumar Singh said they have registered a case and are conducting an enquiry.

    Efforts are on to ascertain the identity of the caller, he added.

    AYODHYA: A phone call from an unidentified man, threatening to blow up the Ram Janmabhoomi complex here, was received by an Ayodhya resident, police said on Thursday.

    The call was received by Manoj, who lives in the Ramkot area of this Uttar Pradesh district.

    He alerted the police about the call received on his mobile phone. According to police, the caller threatened to blow up the temple area at 10 am on Thursday.

    आज दिनांक 02.02.2023 को रामलला सदन के एक शिष्य के मोबाइल पर अज्ञात व्यक्ति द्वारा श्री रामजन्मभूमि को बम से उड़ाने की धमकी देने के सम्बन्ध मे #ayodhyapolice द्वारा की जा रही कार्यवाही के सम्बन्ध मे पुलिस अधीक्षक नगर की बाईट। #UPPolice pic.twitter.com/cp9EcJmMtd
    — AYODHYA POLICE (@ayodhya_police) February 2, 2023
    As soon as the information was received, police issued an alert to all personnel deployed at various locations in the district.

    Station House Officer (SHO) of the Ram Janmabhoomi police station Sanjiv Kumar Singh said they have registered a case and are conducting an enquiry.

    Efforts are on to ascertain the identity of the caller, he added.

  • Haryana wants wake-up ‘alarm’ for students by temples, mosques on exam day

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: In a move aimed at improving pass percentage of schools, the Haryana government has called for announcements by temples, mosques and gurdwaras to wake up students of classes 10 and 12 early so that they can prepare for their board exams to be held in March next year.

    The state education department has also asked school authorities concerned to ask parents to wake their wards up at 4.30 am to utilize early morning time for preparation.

    In a communication to principals of all government schools, the department stressed that a joint plan be made by parents and teachers so that students get some extra hours for self-study.

    “For this, morning time is most suitable. At that time, mind is fresh and there is no noise of vehicles. For this, every class teacher should request parents that they will wake up their children at 4:30 in the morning and will ask them to sit for studies by 5:15 am. The teachers will also enquire through WhatsApp groups whether the students have woken up and are studying or not. If parents are not cooperating, then it should be brought to the notice of the school management committee,” it said.

    The education department has also asked the panchayat members in villages to ensure that there is an environment of study during early morning hours in their villages.

    “Temples, mosques and gurdwaras should be approached for early morning announcements (through loudspeakers) so that students wake up and start studying. With this, each student is expected to get additional two to three hours (for studies),” said Director (secondary education) Anshaj Singh in a letter to all government school principals and district education officers.

    The letter further said it is the collective responsibility of the whole society to provide a proper environment for preparation of exams.

    Only societies that provide support in the education of children contribute to the progress of a nation, it added.

    In the communication issued on December 22, school principals were reminded that only 70 days are left for the board exams and were also asked to make action plans to improve the board exam results.

    CHANDIGARH: In a move aimed at improving pass percentage of schools, the Haryana government has called for announcements by temples, mosques and gurdwaras to wake up students of classes 10 and 12 early so that they can prepare for their board exams to be held in March next year.

    The state education department has also asked school authorities concerned to ask parents to wake their wards up at 4.30 am to utilize early morning time for preparation.

    In a communication to principals of all government schools, the department stressed that a joint plan be made by parents and teachers so that students get some extra hours for self-study.

    “For this, morning time is most suitable. At that time, mind is fresh and there is no noise of vehicles. For this, every class teacher should request parents that they will wake up their children at 4:30 in the morning and will ask them to sit for studies by 5:15 am. The teachers will also enquire through WhatsApp groups whether the students have woken up and are studying or not. If parents are not cooperating, then it should be brought to the notice of the school management committee,” it said.

    The education department has also asked the panchayat members in villages to ensure that there is an environment of study during early morning hours in their villages.

    “Temples, mosques and gurdwaras should be approached for early morning announcements (through loudspeakers) so that students wake up and start studying. With this, each student is expected to get additional two to three hours (for studies),” said Director (secondary education) Anshaj Singh in a letter to all government school principals and district education officers.

    The letter further said it is the collective responsibility of the whole society to provide a proper environment for preparation of exams.

    Only societies that provide support in the education of children contribute to the progress of a nation, it added.

    In the communication issued on December 22, school principals were reminded that only 70 days are left for the board exams and were also asked to make action plans to improve the board exam results.

  • SHO suspended after stampede kills three women at temple in Rajasthan’s Sikar 

    By PTI

    SIKAR: The in-charge of Khatu Shyam Ji police station was suspended on Monday, hours after three devotees died in a stampede in the premises of the famous temple, an official said.

    Station House Officer Riya Choudhary was suspended as she “did not handle the situation well” when there was a “heavy rush” outside the temple, Sikar Superintendent of Police K Rashtradeep said.

    “There was a heavy rush outside the temple. The pressure mounted as soon as the temple gates opened, which led to a situation that left three women dead. It was not handled well. SHO Riya Choudhary has therefore been suspended,” he said.

    ALSO READ | Three women dead, two injured in stampede at Khatu Shyamji temple in Rajasthan’s Sikar

    As the temple opened at 4.30 am, thousands of devotees began rushing in for ‘darshan’ on the occasion of ‘Gyaras’, an auspicious day as per Hindu calendar, resulting in the stampede.

    Besides three deaths, four people sustained injuries.

    Police said they had identified the deceased as Shanti from Haryana, Maya Devi from Uttar Pradesh and Kripa Devi from Jaipur.

    SIKAR: The in-charge of Khatu Shyam Ji police station was suspended on Monday, hours after three devotees died in a stampede in the premises of the famous temple, an official said.

    Station House Officer Riya Choudhary was suspended as she “did not handle the situation well” when there was a “heavy rush” outside the temple, Sikar Superintendent of Police K Rashtradeep said.

    “There was a heavy rush outside the temple. The pressure mounted as soon as the temple gates opened, which led to a situation that left three women dead. It was not handled well. SHO Riya Choudhary has therefore been suspended,” he said.

    ALSO READ | Three women dead, two injured in stampede at Khatu Shyamji temple in Rajasthan’s Sikar

    As the temple opened at 4.30 am, thousands of devotees began rushing in for ‘darshan’ on the occasion of ‘Gyaras’, an auspicious day as per Hindu calendar, resulting in the stampede.

    Besides three deaths, four people sustained injuries.

    Police said they had identified the deceased as Shanti from Haryana, Maya Devi from Uttar Pradesh and Kripa Devi from Jaipur.

  • Preparations begin for PM Modi’s proposed visit to Badrinath-Kedarnath

    By PTI

    GOPESHWAR: The authorities began preparations on Wednesday for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to Badrinath and Kedarnath temples next month.

    Modi is likely to visit the two Himalayan temples after they reopen in May after remaining closed for six months during the winter. This year the Chardham Yatra will begin on May 3 with the opening of the doors of the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.

    The portals of Kedarnath and Badrinath will open on May 6 and May 8 respectively.

    Chamoli District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana held a meeting with officials regarding the proposed visit of the prime minister and asked them to make alternative arrangements for helicopter landing in Gauchar in case there is inclement weather or similar reasons during his visit.

    Khurana also gave necessary instructions to the officials regarding security and cleanliness measures in Gauchar in view of the prime minister’s visit.

  • Devotees will be able to visit Siddha Shaktipeeth Maa Mahamaya from Monday, the temple will open from 7 am to 6 pm

    The doors of Ratanpur Siddha Shaktipeeth Maa Mahamaya Temple, the center of the biggest faith of the region, have once again opened for the visitors from today. After 56 days, the temple has been opened for devotees from today. Devotees will be able to have darshan of Mata from 7 am to 6 pm.
    Actually, all religious places were also closed during the lockdown. In which Ratanpur Mahamaya temple was also included. But now after the situation is under control, the district administration and the temple trust have decided that from today June 7, the doors of the temple will be opened for the common devotees. However, devotees visiting the temple will have to follow the Kovid guidelines and devotees will be able to visit Maa Mahamaya only from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.
    During this, it will be mandatory to enter the temple premises by wearing a mask. Hands will have to be sanitized before entry, it will also be mandatory to follow social distancing. At present only a limited number of devotees will be allowed inside the temple for the darshan of Maa Mahamaya. Even now devotees will be able to have only darshan. Other events including Prasad and the process of distribution of Prasad by the temple will remain closed till further orders.

  • Another ancient Hanuman temple demolished in Karachi, bulldozers over 20 Hindu family homes

    Once again the faith of minority Hindus has been wired in Pakistan. An ancient Hanuman temple has been demolished at Lyari in Karachi, Pakistan. The houses of about 20 Hindu families living near the temple were also demolished by bulldozers. The incident occurred in Pakistan when the historic church in the Turkish capital of Istanbul was being converted into a mosque. Both religious sites were demolished at the same time. There is outrage among the minority Hindus of Pakistan about this. 

    The area was sealed after opposition from Hindus

    The police has sealed the area after protests by Hindus. A Pakistani newspaper, The Express Tribune, reported that Lyari’s Assistant Commissioner Abdul Karim Memon ordered an inquiry against the builder who demolished the temple. Local people said that a builder had allegedly bought land around the temple. The builder wanted to build a residential complex on this plot. The locals said that although the builder had promised the Hindus that the temple would not be destroyed, he destroyed the temple by taking advantage of the opportunity when the corona virus was banned in their homes.

    The committee is investigating, will report in seven days 

    The shocking thing here is that Deputy Commissioner of South Karachi Irshad Ahmed Sodhar told The Express Tribune that earlier there were two temples, but one temple had already been removed. The Deputy Commissioner promised to bring justice to the Hindu family. He said that a committee has been formed to investigate the matter. An archaeologist is also included in this inquiry committee. He said the committee would submit its report within seven days. He then reiterated that justice would be done to the people.

    Hundreds of Pakistan temples have disappeared since independence 

    Destruction and conversion of minorities’ places of worship in Pakistan is nothing new. There is a new dispute almost every month. There has been disappointment in the acceptance of minority culture and its symbols in Pakistan. This hatred against minorities is spread all over the country. Poison against minorities, especially Hindus, has deepened in society. Since independence, hundreds of temples of Pakistan have disappeared. Many buildings and mosques have been built in place of these temples. In June, Prime Minister Imran Khan allocated funds to build a Krishna temple in Islamabad to prove his secularism, but the boundary wall of the temple was demolished within days. 

  • Sabarimala won’t be allowed to turn into Ayodhya: Vijayan

    Taking a firm stand, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Wednesday that Sabarimala won’t be allowed to become an Ayodhya.

    Sabarimala town has witnessed protests ever since the Supreme Court ruled in September that women of all ages can enter the temple that hitherto banned girls and women aged 10-50.

    As the Kerala Assembly opened on Wednesday, legislators from the Congress-led opposition came with placards and banners demanding that the prohibitory orders in the temple town be lifted.

    During the entire question hour, the opposition was rooted before the Speaker shouting slogans. As former Devasom Minister VS Sivakumar alleged that the Left government and the Sangh parivar were colluding to destroy the sanctity of the Sabarimala temple, Vijayan said that the prohibitory orders now in place at the temple town will not be withdrawn.

    “We are bound to adhere to the apex court ruling even as the Sangh parivar with the support of the Congress is out to create trouble in the temple,” the Chief Minister said.

    “At no cost will we allow Sabarimala to be turned into an Ayodhya and there is no question of withdrawing the prohibitory orders,” he said to thumping of desks by the treasury benches.

    Vijayan said that even the Kerala High Court had supported the rules now in force at Sabarimala. “The Congress is trying to make political capital out of the Sabarimala issue.”

    Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said that now it had become clear that Vijayan had only one agenda — to weaken the Congress party and for that he has given the full support to the BJP/RSS.

    “The decision of the police to hand over the mike to RSS leader Valsan Thilenkery to control the protesters at the temple reveals everything… Vijayan is behaving like those who built the Titanic who said the ship will never sink. But it sank. Vijayan is also going to meet such an end. The way he is handling the Sabarimala issue, devotees are deeply pained,” he said.

    When the opposition members trooped near Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan, he went through the listed business of the day in a flash and adjourned the House for the day.

    The Assembly saw the lone BJP legislator O. Rajagopal and his new found ally P.C. George turn up in black shirts. They said they were protesting against the Government for putting the Sabarimala pilgrims into difficulties.