Kartik Poornima celebrated

          Haridwar/Varanasi: Hindus on Friday observed the festival of Kartik Poornima by taking a dip in the holy river Ganga in Haridwar and Varanasi. Kartik Poornima celebrated in the month of November-December is the sacred day, when the ghats of Varanasi and Hardwar come alive with thousands of brightly-lit earthen lamps. Visitors throng in large numbers to watch this spectacular event, famous as 'Dev Deepawali'. This is the time when fairs are held along the banks of all sacred streams and rivers.These fairs are at once festive and holy; each devotee who comes, enjoys himself as much as he can, and at the same time seeking purification from all past transgressions by bathing and praying after taking their regulation dips. The ceremony lasts for five days and takes place at the same time upon all the sacred rivers throughout India. The annual fair at Brajghat, which lasts for a week, attracts devotees from all over. Though there are other places in western UP where the fairs are held like Ganj and Bijnor, the fairs at Brajghat, Tigri and Garhmukteswar are the most popular as they are believed to be the oldest. " In this month , it is said that the gods and godesses shower their special blessings during this time," said Dr. Mridul Mishra, a priest in Varanasi. Visiting tourists described the experience as great. "So many people bathing in the Ganga and offering prayers, it looks great," said Swanta , a foreign tourist.
Nov 26, 2004

Guru Nanak's birthday: 7000 Indian Sikhs to attend

         Lahore: Fourteen thousand Sikhs from all over the world, including 7000 from India, will visit Nankana Sahib. Nankana Sahib is Guru Nanak's birthplace near Lahore. The pilgrims will celebrate his 535th birth anniversary. Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith, was born in 1469. The birth anniversary celebrations in Lahore and at Nankana Sahib will be spread over a period of four days. As many as 3,000 Sikhs from Amritsar, 1,500 from Delhi, 451 from Jammu and Kashmir and other Indian cities will be taking part in the celebrations. According to the Daily Times, the government in Pakistan's Punjab province has made elaborate security arrangements for the celebrations which will be starting from the midnight of November 24 and go on till November 27. In view of the damage caused to the place where Nanak used to live as a child, the paper said Punjab Home Secretary Waseem Hassan has held a meeting with senior officials to firm up the security arrangements for the annual event.
Nov 19, 2004

Urs of Salim Chisti begins

         Fatehpur Sikri (UP): The death anniversary of Muslim Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chisti is being observed in Fatehpur Sikri. The gathering is considered to be second largest congregation of Muslims at one place after Mecca. The congregation is called "Urs" in Urdu. "It is the death anniversary of Sheikh Salim Chisti and this celebration will continue till eid-ul-fitr . We do not know how many people will come. Not only local but people from all over the world come here on the occassion as Sikri is internationally famous place," said Peerzyada Hayajuddin Chishti, a priest. An estimated one million followers from India and abroad are expected to visit the saint's shrine. Thousands have already gathered, many reaching the city on foot from far off cities. The shrine also brings devotees from Pakistan. Every year, childless women of all religions come to pray at the Sheikh's tomb to evoke his blessings. "We have come here to seek his blessings and we have also presented a chaddar (sacred cloth) and tied a dhaga (sacred thread), making a wish. We have prayed for the well being of the family," said Shehenaz, a devotee Fathehpur City was founded in Sikri village, 40 kms from Agra by the Mughal Emperor Akbar . Emperor Akbar came to Sikri in search of the saint to ask his blessing for a son when all else had failed. The Sufi saint who was Emperor Akbar's advisor and teacher predicted that the king would have three sons. The prediction came true, and Akbar's son Jahangir was named as Salim after the saint, and raised by the Sufi holy man. The saint passed away in 1571. To perpetuate the memory of Sheikh Salim Chisti. Akbar built a charming mosque. His Urs (death anniversary) is observed during winter with Urdu spiritual songs (qawwalis) and music. In view of large number of devotees attending the congregation, the city administration has made elaborate arrangements. To mark the occasion, the saint's mausoleum is given a special rose water bath. "Zairins" or clerics then perform prayers to mark the start of Urs. Devotees visiting the shrine offer fresh flowers as a symbol of their devotion. Some even go up to the extent of offering large amounts of money and expensive jewels. The annual event culminates with readings from the holy Quran and special prayers.
Nov 6, 2004

Previous File