Page 7 - Religion Belief
Madhav, Abdullah, Lt Gen Dillion participate in Kheer Bhawani Mela in J-K
BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, and Lt Gen KJS Dillon visited Kheer Bhawani temple here on Monday.Kheer Bhawani Mela is organised here annually in which a large number of devotees including Kashmiri Hindus pray to Mata Kheer Bhawani.Speaking to ANI, Madhav said, "This is a very auspicious occasion for Kashmiris and local Hindus. I have prayed that all Kashmiri Hindus come back here, and Kashmir lives in peace and harmony."Talking about the Amarnath Yatra, he said: "This time too, the Yatra will be successful. The administration is busy in making all requisite preparations." The Amarnath Yatra is beginning from July 1.Farooq Abdullah said: "Kheer Bhawani Mela is the festival of happiness. Our Hindu brothers have come here to celebrate the occasion. I hope they will come back and settle down here. In our country, all Hindus, Sikhs Christians, and Muslims should live in brotherhood."Lt Gen KJS Dillon said: "Mata Kheer Bhavani, ...
Hundreds gather in Kashmir for annual Kheer Bhawani mela
Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandit devotees prayed at the famous Ragnya Devi temple here in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district on Monday as the Kheer Bhawani mela was celebrated amid chants of religious hymns and ringing of temple bells. Nestled in the shade of mammoth Chinar trees in Tulmulla village, the temple witnessed a massive gathering of devotees, most of them Kashmiri Pandits, who have journeyed from across the country. The Kheer Bhawani mela is one of the biggest religious functions of the displaced community. Walking barefoot, the devotees carried rose petals and offered tribute to the goddess as men took a dip in the stream close to the shrine. People jostled with each other to move closer to the main temple complex and offered milk and kheer (pudding) at the sacred spring. It is believed that the colour of the water in the spring, which flows below the temple, is an indication of the valley's well-being. Black or darkish colour of the water is believed to be a sign of ...
Catholic priest in hospital after knife attack in Poland
Authorities in Poland say that a Roman Catholic priest is hospitalised in serious condition after a man attacked him with a knife. Krzysztof Zaporowski, police spokesman in the southwestern city of Wroclaw, said the attacker approached the priest early Monday in front of the city's Holiest Mary church. The attacker has been detained. Monika Kowalska, a spokeswoman for Wroclaw Univesrity Hospital, said the priest underwent surgery for chest wounds and is in stable condition. The circumstances surrounding the attack was not immediately clear. It comes at a time when Poland's influential Catholic Church is confronted with allegations about sex abuse of minors by some priests, and faces questions about the practice of moving the perpetrators among parishes rather than meting out proper punishment.
Kashmiri Pandits throng Kheer Bhawani, pray for peace
Kashmiri Pandits started arriving at the Kheer Bhawani temple in Tullamulla town on Monday in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district to attend the annual festival.
Modi offers prayers at Tirupati shrine
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala here on Sunday. Upon his arrival at the ancient temple, Modi was accorded a grand traditional reception amid chanting of Vedic hymns by the priests, who escorted him to the sanctum sanctorum along with temple officials. Clad in a traditional attire, the Prime Minister also paid obeisance at the sub shrines of Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy and Sri Ramajujacharya besides the golden Vimana Venkateswara, the sacred golden altar, the golden holy mast (Dwajastambham) inside the shrine. He spend about half an hour in the temple, a temple official told PTI. After offering prayers, the Prime Minister was honoured with a sacred silk cloth besides a memento of Lord Venkateswara and 'laddu' prasadam at the sprawling Ranga Mandapam, while the priests invoked the celestial blessings on Modi, he said. Earlier, Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan, Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy,
Pope laments 'culture of insults,' decries church propaganda
Pope Francis on Sunday lamented what he called a "culture of insults" enabled by social media and warned against nationalism and other "exclusivist ideas" that he said contrast with a Christian mission to foster harmony. In his homily during Pentecost Mass Sunday in St. Peter's Square, Francis also decried that "the more we use social media, the less social we are becoming." "In today's world, lack of harmony has led to stark divisions," Francis said. "There are those who have too much and those who have nothing, those who want to live to a hundred and those who cannot even be born." He warned of the temptation to cling to "our little group, to the things and people we like," concluding that it's only a "small step from a nest to a sect, even within the church." The pope said that "nowadays it is fashionable to hurl adjectives and, sadly, even insults" in what's tantamount to "a culture of insults." He recommended responding "to malice with goodness, to shouting with silence, to ...
US Jewish community looks to defend itself as attacks rise
Armed guards, safety assessments and now even a "Tactical Rabbi" to train volunteers on the use of weapons -- such is the reality today at synagogues in the United States facing mounting anti-Semitic attacks. It is at a shooting range in the hills overlooking Los Angeles that a team of AFP reporters met recently with Raziel Cohen, dubbed the "Tactical Rabbi," who was sporting a 9mm pistol on his hip and carrying a semi-automatic rifle over his shoulder. Cohen was trying to determine how well books can stop bullets. The idea is to transform a library at a synagogue or Jewish school into a shelter in the event of an active shooter situation. "We're trying to bridge the gap between the time that the shooting begins and law enforcement arrives," he told AFP. "The expression that goes on is that we carry guns because we can't carry police officers, which is not just a joke," added Cohen. "The reality is that there can't be police everywhere all the time." Cohen, who has been passionate ...
Devotees start arriving at Kheer Bhawani temple in Kashmir
Dozens of migrant Kashmiri Pandits started arriving at the Kheer Bhawani temple on Sunday ahead of the annual festival to be held on Monday.
After train incident, 'timid' Gandhi became 'soul force' warrior: Book
Mahatma Gandhi was very timid in his youth but days after being thrown out of a train in South Africa, he expressed no signs of timidity and instead changed into an embryonic 'soul force' warrior, says a new book. Former diplomat Pascal Alan Nazareth, who has written "Gandhi: The Soul Force Warrior, Revolutionised Revolution and Spiritualised It", says the train incident was Gandhi's transformational moment. When he was thrown out of a train going from Durban to Pretoria, at the Pietermaritzburg station for sitting in a first-class compartment, despite the fact that he had a first-class ticket, Gandhi was only 24-years-old. "Gandhi was very timid in his youth and continued to be so even after he returned to India with his British legal degree. He had failed miserably in arguing his first case in a Bombay court in early 1893," the book says. But after the train incident, he expressed no signs of timidity, it says. Instead, there was firm determination to fight the "deep disease of ...
Srinagar: Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen Dhillon participates in Eid Milan
Eid Milan was celebrated here on Saturday by the Chinar Corps with traditional gaiety and the spirit of brotherhood for its civilians, defence employees and their families, and saw Commander Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon in participation.While extending wishes of Eid-ul-Fitr, Lt Gen Dhillon said, "We have today got together as we wanted to celebrate the festival with our larger family. I pray to the God Almighty to shower his blessings on you and your families, may they always prosper and lead a healthy life.""Our reason for being here is for peace and betterment of the Awaam (general public) and we pray to the Almighty for his blessings to the Awaam, their families and children. You are our Ambassadors and it is your job to convey this message as far as possible. We all have one life to live and we should live it well with dignity and pride," he added.Lt Gen Dhillon also conveyed greetings to all members of the Defence Establishment and their families and wished them success in the .
Modi wears traditional 'mundu', visits Guruvayur temple
Clad in a traditional Kerala 'mundu' (dhoti) and a round-neck half sleeve kurta, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Guruvayur in Thrissur district Saturday and offered prayers. He changed into the customary white mundu and shawl before going to the famed Lord Krishna temple. Modi then addressed the BJP workers of the state. Beginning his 35-minute-long speech in Malayalam, Modi said, "My dear brothers and sisters, may you all have blessings of Guruvayoorappan (Lord Krishna of Guruvayur temple)." He described Guruvayur as "Bhooloka Vaikunta" (Vaikunta of Lord Vishnu in Earth). Cheering up the BJP's leadership and rank and file in the state, the prime minister said the party's electoral defeat in the southern state would not come in the way of the central support. Modi later left for Cochin International Airport in a special special chopper. He appeared in same Kerala dress as he boarded his flight to Maldives from the Kochi airport.
Modi prays at Kerala temple, hopes to build new India (3rd Lead)
After praying at the famed Sri Krishna Temple here, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that with the overwhelming majority the BJP got in the Lok Sabha polls, he will build a new India.
Indian-Americans hail decision to let Sikh-American airman to keep turban, beard on active duty
Indian-Americans, including a top American lawmaker, applauded the historic decision granted by the US Air Force to a Sikh-American servicemen to wear a turban, beard, and unshorn hair while on active-duty. Airman 1st Class (A1C) Harpreetinder Singh Bajwa an Airman near Lakewood, Washington State, was authorised to adhere to Sikh religious grooming and dress principles while serving his country. Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera applauded the decision of the US Air Force to the authorise the first active Airman to wear a turban, beard, and long beard in adherence to his religious beliefs. "Sikhs have long played an important role in protecting and defending our nation," he said. "It is only right that these patriots be able to serve while in their religious attire or grooming. I urge the Department of Defence to expand these religious accommodations and make them more easily accessible," Bera said. Previously, Sikhs were not permitted to adhere to certain Sikh beliefs due to ...
Modi prays for India's 'progress, prosperity' at Kerala temple (2nd Lead)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the famed Sri Krishna Temple here on Saturday, said he prayed at the shrine for the progress and prosperity of India.
PM Modi performs puja at Sri Krishna Temple in Kerala's Guruvayur
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at Sri Krishna Temple in Guruvayur here on Saturday.Following the norms, he was clad in a white 'mundu' for the rituals.Temple priests welcomed him to the holy abode and helped him perform the puja. Prime Minister remained in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple for some time and offered prayer to the deity.Thereafter, he performed 'thulabharam' - an act of weighing oneself against a particular article, ranging from flowers to eatables, and donating it.Modi was weighed against lotus flowers, while he also donated other food items.People thronged the temple in large numbers to have a glimpse of the Prime Minister. Devotees and other people were seen standing on both the sides of the path inside the premises leading to the core of the temple. 'Modi-Modi' chants were heard as the leader made his way.Kerala Governor P Sathasivam and Union Minister of State for External Affairs V.Muraleedharan were also present.Modi is expected to address BJP ...
PM Modi offers prayers at Guruvayur Lord Krishna temple
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at the famed Lord Krishna temple here Saturday morning. He also performed the thulabharam ritual for which the temple authorities had reportedly arranged over 100 kg of lotus flowers. The ritual is an important offering to Lord Krishna wherein a person is weighed against a commodity such as flowers, grains, fruits and similar articles and the equal value or quantity is offered as donation. The prime minister spent around 20 minutes inside the temple before returning to the nearby temple guest house by foot. Wearing a traditional Kerala dhoti and white shawl, Modi was received at the temple gate by the authorities with a traditional poornakumbh. He was accompanied by Kerala Governor P Sathasivam, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan and Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran. Modi took a three-minute walk to the temple from the nearby Sreevatsam guest house. Security had been tightened in and around the ...
Modi offers prayers at Guruvayoor temple in Kerala
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday offered prayers at the famed Sri Krishna Temple here, where he was given a traditional welcome by priests at the door steps of the shrine.
PM Modi arrives in Kerala's Thrissur
Clad in a white 'mundu' paired with a half-sleeved shirt, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Thrissur on Saturday.He reached the city by helicopter after he arrived in Kochi in the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.Prime Minister offered prayers at Sri Krishna Temple in Guruvayur, after which he is expected to address BJP workers for the first time in Kerala after his astounding victory in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.The Prime Minister will later proceed for his visit to the Maldives, a day after which he is slated to be Sri Lanka.The foreign engagements will be the first to be undertaken by him after coming back to power for a second term.Modi's visit to Kerala comes at a time when Congress President Rahul Gandhi is on a three-day visit to his parliamentary constituency of Wayanad in the state.In the recently concluded polls, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) bagged 19 out of the 20 seats in Kerala while the BJP drew a blank.
Modi to make offerings worth Rs 40,000 at Guruvayoor temple
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will fly from here to Guruvayoor to offer to prayers at the famed Sri Krishna Temple, will make various offerings worth around Rs 40,000.
Security tightened at Sri Krishna Temple in Guruvayur ahead of PM Modi's visit
Security has been beefed up with an adequate deployment of police personnel and dog squad as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to visit Sri Krishna Temple in Guruvayur today to offer prayers.However, devotees are seen visiting the temple as usual.Prime Minister arrived in Kochi in the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. At the airport, he was received by Union Minister V Muraleedharan, Governor of Kerala Justice P. Sathasivam, and a number of other dignitaries.Prime Minister will offer prayers at Guruvayur temple in Thrissur, after which he is expected to address BJP workers for the first time in Kerala after his astounding victory in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections."Hon. PM Shri @narendramodi ji to offer prayers at #Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple on June 8. Public meet at Guruvayoor Sree Krishna HS Ground at 10:00 am. All are Welcome," BJP's Kerala unit had tweeted on Friday.The Prime Minister will later proceed for his state visit to the Maldives, a day after ..
