Following are interesting articles of the day (February 24, 2009) which affect Hindus and their rights directly or indirectly. Also, some general articles. All the articles with my views on some of them.
- लोकसभा में प्रतिपक्ष के नेता श्री लालकृष्ण आडवाणी द्वारा छठी पोस्ट: क्यों सरकार द्वारा नवीन चावला के बारे में मुख्य चुनाव आयुक्त की सिफारिश को स्वीकार किया जाना चाहिए।
- सशक्त दिल्ली तो अशक्त आतंकिस्तान: तरूण विजय
सौ करोड़ वीर नागरिकों का देश मुट्ठी भर पिलपिले नेताओं के कारण लहूलुहान हो रहा है लेकिन आतंकवादियों के खिलाफ हमले का मन नहीं बना पा रहा है।
- The world celebrates Maha Shivratri
- Hope of better days and greater blessings
The Hindus in Sri Lanka join their co-religionists the world over, to celebrate Maha Shiva Rathri today, one of the most important festivals in the Hindu religious calendar, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in a Maha Shiva Rathri message.
I welcome Sri Lankan President's good wishes and nice words on the significance of Maha Shivratri. On the contrary in India, President and Prime Minister are so quick to wish Danny Boyle who won an Oscar for making a filthy Anti-Hindu poverty porn British film but they have no time to wish the nation on the auspicious day of Maha Shiv Ratri.
He said: “There are many rituals associated with this festival including fasting, night long vigils at temples, making of offerings to Shiva, the lighting of lamps and singing hymns in praise of Lord Shiva.
All this devotion is concerned with dispelling of ignorance and the search for knowledge, overcoming the evil tendencies of lust, anger, greed, infatuation, jealousy and hatred, and the search for peace and harmony both in the lives of believers and in society.
Hinduism is one of the great religions of the world, which teaches man the virtues of piety, unity and harmony. - Maha Shiva Rathri will usher peace, happiness and prosperity - PM
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka in his Maha Shiva Rathri Day message states that this occasion celebrated in the name of God Siva will usher in peace, happiness and prosperity to the people and the country.
Yeah people, I was shocked too after reading the headline. How can spineless PM of Bharat quote from Hindu shastr and say such positive things? Then after reading the whole article my doubt was cleared. No its not Manmohan Singh but Sri Lankan PM showering all the accolades on God Shiv ji saying good things about Hindus. See that's the difference. Shameless Indian media calls God Shiv as Lord Shiva as if he is member of UK House of Lords but Sri Lankan media rightly referred to him as God Siva. Shameless Indian media slander by saying "as per Hindu Mythology" but Sri Lankan media rightly mentioned "as per Hindu Scriptures". - Pictures: Shivarathri celebrated with religious fervour
- Devotees throng temples to offer 'Jal'
Devotees outnumbered the routine footfall witnessed by Shiva temples on Shivratri this year. Celebrated as Shiv-Parvati wedding
anniversary, the day was special for `Shivgana' and `Shivbhaktas' as Shivratri fell on a Monday after several decades. "Monday has a special significance for devotees of Shiva as this is the day dedicated exclusively for his worship. And his festival falling on the same day made the occasion doubly auspicious," said Rama Shankar Shukla, a city-based priest.
No wonder, devotees had to wade hard, jostling through the flanking crowd to get a glimpse of the `Shivling' at Mankameshwar Mahadeva, Siddhanath, Koneshwar and other Shiva temples to seek the deity's blessings on his special day. But the overwhelming crowd and serpentine queues outside the temples of the God of snakes, failed to deter the spirit of the devotees. Amidst reverberating chants of `har har mahadeva' and `jai shiv shambhu', Mahashivratri was celebrated with fervour and gaiety all over the state capital.
It is said that Shiva showers all his blessings on those who remember him with an honest and true heart. Probably the belief motivates thousands of `kanwariyas' who travel long distances to pay a visit to Shiva Jyotirlinga named Lodeshwar Mahadev in Barabanki.
Pain on legs arising from lengthy walks, abrasions on shoulders and sprain in hands become redundant before the enthusiasm to get a glimpse of Bhole Shanker. Devotees and `kanwariyas' thronged the Shiva temples across the country to offer jal to Him. Most `kanwariyas' were in a thanksgiving mood and visited temples to complete their mannat - a special prayer in lieu of which the devotee has to promise and complete a religious deed (like offering water to Shiva in this case).
According to Hindu tradition, Shiva-Parvati is said to be a perfect couple. Shiva married Parvati in different incarnations for seven times. Wedding ceremonies are solemnised in their names and the couple promises to loyal to each other just the way Shiva and Parvati did. - Dragging devotion the filthy route
Various city temples including the Aandeshwar Temple (Parmat), Jaageshwar Temple (Nawabganj), Kherapati Temple (Mall Road), Siddhnath (Jajmau), Vandkhandeshwar Temple (P Road), Kailash Temple (Shivala), Bhooteshwar Baba Temple (Kalyanpur) and Nageshwar Temple (Nayaganj), played host to the devotees, while also being the wedding venue for the religious wedding.
It is true and shameful!
Interestingly, the wedding procession to the venue on the city roads along the ghats saw the sheer indifference of the concerned departments and the devotees alike. The staircases at the Parmat Ghat were broken, it stank as one climbed down. The milk in plastic pouches offered to the almighty, smelled as it fell into the nallahs flowing into the River Ganga along with other rotten flowers and garbage. Subsequently, foul smell spread from the heaps of polyethene bags and rotten flowers and greenish algae pilling over the stairs and slippery floor following the water and milk offered to the Almighty. The whole surroundings reeked of smell.
The city temples, which played host to the wedding ceremony and latter on the traditional mass meal (bhandara) on Mahashivratri spoke to the disregard given to the Almighty by the devotees even though seeking blessings from Lord Shiva on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri.
Taking a swipe at the irresponsible attitude of the devotees, Preeti Thakur, a local resident near Parmat temple pointed, "pathetic condition of the temple speaks volumes of the negligence by the denizens. The temples teeming with devotees have become mute spectators of negligence by the denizens."
Tight security arrangements and beautification of temples in the name of the auspicious festivals was apparent. But none amongst the departments nor the devotees bothered to pay attention to the heaps of filth and rubbish surrounding the ghats. Who is responsible--the concerned agencies, the callousness of the officials or the people themselves? - Lakhs offer prayers at Lodeshwar temple
More than two lakh devotees offered holy water and `bel patras' at Lodeshwar Temple in Mahadewa, about 32 kilometres from [Barabanki], in the past week. People from Jhansi, Jalaun, Kalpi, Hamirpur, Ghatampur, Kanpur, Orai, Lalitpur and parts of Bihar come on foot to take part in the fair.
The visitors wear colourful dresses and also tie `ghungroos'. Known as `Kanwarias', these pilgrims come in groups. Most of them take a bath in a pond known as `Ahavarantal'. The civic authorities have not made arrangements to get this pond cleaned. The government has neglected the fair as there are no rest houses for the pilgrims nor any bus facility for the return journey.
The devotees coming to this shrine have never demanded any facilities from the government. The local residents have expressed concern over the apathy of the authorities. The fair is on the map of the UP tourist department. But nothing has been done to improve the state of affairs.
Three other fairs are held every year at the same site, which attract lakhs of people. It is believed those who offer prayers here would face no troubles. Nearby village of Kintoor has its own significance. It is named after Kunti of Mahabharat. Other villages like Dhannse, Vidur, Servan and Dharmandi are also [named] after characters from the epic. {text in [] is edited} - Glorious temples in an ancient land
- Mahashivratri observed in state
Looks like Statesman has taken solemn wow to rub offensive text in Hindus face. Nearly good article except that they had to call our holy scriptures as mythology. Statesman thinks Hindus are myth and their religion is a mythology. You so deserve what you got from those radical Islamic extremists for all the wrong reasons. Shame on you for calling Hindu religion mythology (a collection of myths). You can only dare to slander Hindus because you know you will face violent riots if you dare to say so about the Muslims. - Special Shivaratri this year
- Devotees throng Shiva temples
- Gaiety marks Shivratri
- Monday adds special touch to Mahashivratri
- With fasts and prayers, Delhi celebrates Shivratri
Shiva devotees started the day early Monday with a ritual bath and prayers to celebrate Shivratri. Unmarried women fasted on the occasion while praying for a good husband - just like Shiva himself.
Celebrated in honour of Lord Shiva, it is said that on Shivratri - which generally falls on the 13th or 14th day of the month of Phalgun - Shiva got married to Goddess Parvati.
Ashima Dua, a home maker, said after bathing the Shivling, people offer various things - each having its own meaning.
"Every offering made to the Shivling on Shivaratri has its own meaning. Smearing a vermilion paste and offering milk, rose water and honey signifies sanitization of soul, offering of fruits represent a long life and fulfillment of desires while lighting of a lamp signifies achievement of knowledge," Dua said.
In the capital, the Sulabh International Social Service Organisation organised a prayer service early Monday in which people offered prayers to 250,000 earthen Shivlings prepared by, amongst others, 100 former manual scavengers.
"The earthen Shivlings have been made by 400 people, which include 100 former untouchable women, who earlier worked as manual scavengers in Rajasthan. We also have 15 Vedic experts performing the puja - which is symbolic in a way that it gives the message that everyone is equal in the eyes of the Lord," head of Sulabh International Bindeshwar Pathak said.
The Gauri Shankar Charitable Trust also celebrated Shivratri in a different way. They organized weddings of 11 women hailing from economically backward families. - Devotees gear up to celebrate Mahashivratri in Goa
- When the divine Destroyer protects us
Lord Shiva, who is believed to have saved the universe from darkness and ignorance, is worshipped on the 13th night and the 14th day of the Magha month. It is believed he drank the great poison `halahala' on this day, which emerged while churning the ocean, and saved the universe.
The festival is observed by practising `ahimsa', `satya', compassion, forgiveness and absence of jealousy. A day-long (sunrise to sunrise) fast and `jaagran' (all-night vigil) are the other features of Maha Shivaratri. - Shivratri celebrated in Assam
- Shivratri celebrated in Valley
- Fervour marks Maha Shivratri
- Nation celebrates 'Maha Shivratri' with religious fervour
- Nation observe Mahashivratri
- Gaiety, piety mark Shivaratri in three main Shiva temples
- Maha Shivaratri being observed in Nepal
- Bangalore City stays awake for God Shiv
The Palace Grounds will play host to a grand celebration from Monday evening to Tuesday morning. An 18-ft statue of Lord Shiva occupies centrestage in this event organised by the State Muzrai department.
- Pandits celebrate Maha Shivratri
- Hope of better days and greater blessings
- Look who is wishing Hindus...No thanks Mr. Omar Abdullah, we don't need your pity wishes. You made one of the most communal nonsecular biased speech ever on the floor of Bharatiya Parliament that you consider yourself Muslim first and Indian later. And that no one can take an inch of land from you for Hindus. After that you expect to just swoop in with your sugarcoated half-hearted sham wishes. No thanks! Just give Hindus their democratic Right to Worship, convict those who persecuted Hindus in a genocide to drive them out of Kashyap Mar (misnomer: Kashmir) 18 years ago and respectfully resettle Kashmiri Hindu Pandits back in their homeland with dignity. That would be the real big Maha Shivratri wish and gift, nothing less. But Anti-Hindu bigots wouldn't get that, would they!
- May God Shivji bless BJP's Karnataka Government for bringing River Ganga ji's holy water for the benefit of devotees on Maha Shivratri
- BJP minister distributes 'Ganga jal' on Shivaratri
A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister in Karnataka arranged for distribution of 'Ganga jal' (water from River Ganga) to devotees visiting temples across the state on Shivratri Monday, a move sharply criticised by the opposition as an "election gimmick."
S N Krisnaiah Setty, Muzrai (religious endowments) and Housing Minister, got 50,000 litres of water from the Ganga, considered holy by the Hindus, in two tankers to Bangalore on Sunday.
In January this year, Shetty distributed 'laddoos' (sweets) to devotees at 65 temples in Bangalore on Vaikunta Ekadashi, a Hindu festival when devotees of god Vishnu believe that doors to heaven open on that day.
He spent nearly Rs1.5 million of the money collected from the temples by his department to have 300,000 laddoos distributed. - Karnataka celebrates Shivaratri with Ganga Jal
Shivratri celebrations in Karnataka took a different hue this year as the BJP government transported large quantities of 'Ganga jal' from Hrishikesh to be distributed among devout in select temples across the state.
Over 50000 litres of sacred 'Ganga jal' were distributed to devotees as 'theertha' in at least four temples in each taluk.
This is the first time that the government in the state has ventured to offer "theertha" through temples managed by Muzrai (Religious endowment department), officials said.
Besides the "theertha",the government also distributed six lakh calendars of Lord Shiva. - Karnataka celebrates Shivaratri with 'Ganga Jal'
- BJP minister distributes 'Ganga jal' on Shivaratri
- Six prominent Chennai citizens seek the CJI intervention over the assault on Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy
- muzzammil hassan, the man who 'improved' the image of mohammedans in the US: Wife alive during beheading?
- Shiv Sena sues a Kerala boy for defamation
This chilling warning emerged as a Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam refused to protect a 19-year-old Kerala boy, who had started a community on Orkut against Shiv Sena, from protection against summons received from a Maharashtra court on a criminal case filed against him.
Petitioner Ajith D had started a community on Orkut against Shiv Sena. In this community, there were several posts and discussions by anonymous persons who alleged that Shiv Sena was trying to divide the country on region and caste basis.
Reacting to these posts, the Shiv Sena youth wing's state secretary registered a criminal complaint at Thane police station in August 2008 based on which FIR was registered against Ajith under Sections 506 and 295A pertaining to hurting public sentiment. - India's heritage needs urgent attention
The author is more worried about Bharatiya heritage outside Bharat than worrying about thousands of such sites neglected or destroyed in Bharat like 15000 years old world heritage Shri Ram Setu, an engineering marvel - Once the amusement is over, which is just about now
So Mr. Singhvi, just one more question. So just why did Raul Vinci allegedly dropped out 3 times out of college and failed the Hindi exam?
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1 comment:
I request the blogger to visit the official web site of famed sri kasi vishwanath temple www.shrikashivishwanth.org. There he will find a web page dedicated to " mythology" that is myth of siva and his abode varanasi. What a crying shame.
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