Katas Raj: Hindu idols for temples in Pak

          Lahore: Pakistan's Punjab Archaeology Department has decided to import idols of Hindu gods from India to Pakistan for the restoration of the historic Katas Raj temples, according to the Department's Director General Oriya Maqbool Jan. The Katas site houses the Satgarha - a group of seven ancient temples - remains of a Buddhist stupa, a few medieval temples, havelis and some recently constructed temples, scattered around a pond considered holy by Hindus. The Punjab province government has decided to place idols of Hindu gods in the seven temples and to restore them into their original state to attract visitors, reported the Daily Times. According to the paper, a three-member archaeological team is set to leave for India today on an official visit, Jan said, and added that the team would visit various archaeological sites in India and collect idols of Hindu gods. Jan will head the team including two archaeology experts. The team will visit various historical sites in India such as the Taj Mahal, Agra; Fatehpur Sikri, Ajmer Sharif; Pushkar, Aurangabad; Daultabad; Ajanta; Varanasi between January 20 and 30. Jan said that the main purpose of this tour would be gathering information about the gods, their rituals and decoration of their temples, which would be completed in February. He said pictures and idols of the gods would be bought from India and designers would be hired to prepare replicas. Jan further said that the project for the conservation of the Katas temples and stupas would be completed in February. The total budget allocated for the project is Rs 51.06 million, he added. Most of these temples were erected during the reign of the Hindu Shahias. The earliest of the Katas Raj temples date back to the later half of the sixth century AD. The temples at Katas are mostly constructed on square platforms with cantoned corner pilasters. The sub shrines' elevation seems to form a series of cornices with small rows of pillars, crowned by a ribbed dome. The Ramachandra temple is situated to the east of the Hari Singh Haveli and is closed from all sides except an entrance on the east. The double-strayed structure has eight rooms of various dimensions on the ground floor and a staircase at the south leading to the first floor. The temple has two jharokas that have been severely damaged. The Hanuman temple is on the western extreme of a high rectangular enclosure with entrances on the south and the north. The temple?s ceiling is undecorated, and lime-plastered. The Shiva temple is also built on a square platform. Its entrance is a recessed round arch with faint cusps and a rectangular opening to the north.
Jan 20, 2007

Kumbh Mela: Mauni Amavasya holy bath in Allahabad

         Allahabad: Hindu pilgrims are taking 'holy dip' in the Ganga during Ardh Kumbh Mela here on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya today. The number is likely to increase further as the day progresses, during which lakhs of saints will also take their second "shahi snan" on the occasion, which generally witness the largest congregation. "Today is 'Mauni Amavasya'. If you bathe in Sangam today, you'll be rewarded and blessed by God. I have been coming here every year since 1976," said Vimla Singh, a devotee. Some 15,000 police stood guard and 50,000 officials kept control of millions of people congregated at the festival site. On January 15, many devotees took the first 'Shahi Snan' at the Triveni Sangam. The major attraction of the procession was that some of Naga Sadhus with bugles, others danced and some showed off their skills with traditional weapons. It is believed that bathing in the Ganga during the festivals purifies people of sin, speeding the way to the attainment of salvation. Another bathing sequence will take place on 'Vasant Panchami' (January 23). On this day people pray for a bumper harvest. 'Magh Purnima' (February 2) is the third day of the main bathing days. And finally, devotees will take a bath on 'Mahashivratri' (February 15-16). It is the day when devotees all over India worship Shiva. It is the fourth day of the main bathing day. Tight security arrangements have been put in place to prevent any untoward incident. Bomb and mine disposal squads along with sniffer dogs have been deployed in the mela area. Thousands of security personnel have also been deployed. The Ardh Kumbh Mela is celebrated every six years ahead of the Maha Khumbh Mela, the biggest bathing festival of Hindus that comes after 12 years. Allahabad is one of four spots where Garuda, the winged steed of Hindu god Vishnu, is said to have rested during a titanic battle with demons over a pitcher of divine nectar of immortality. Garuda's flight lasted 12 divine days, or 12 years of mortal time, leading to the celebration of the Maha Kumbh Mela every 12 years. Legend says gods and demons fought a celestial war, spilling heavenly nectar at the confluence of three-rivers in Prayag. According to mythology, the midway point between two such celebrations is also considered highly auspicious as the position of the sun and the moon are the same as during the 'Maha Kumbh'. The Maha Kumbh Mela in 1989 had attracted 15 million pilgrims and the Guinness Book of Records dubbed it the largest gathering of human beings for a single purpose. It was bettered by the festival in 2001, which drew between 50 and 70 million people.
Jan 19, 2007

Sikhs throng Bajidpur gurudwara every 'Amavas'
by Sharwan Chaudhary

          Bajidpur (Ferozepur): Sikh devotees throng in large numbers to pay their respects to Guru Gobind Singh every new moon night (amavas) at the Gurudwara Jamni Sahib in Bajidpur. Near Ferozepur on the Moga road. The Gurudwara Jamni Sahib is an ancient hamlet that was once visited by Guru Gobind Singh. It was here that Guru Gobind Singh received his enlightenment and preached the doctrine of 'True Promise' to his fellow Sikhs. "Every amavas, a huge fair is held. People from far off places come here to hail the nectar of the Guru Gobind Singh. On that special day, the Sikh devotees receive the blessings of the Guru," said Bhai Mahender Singh, the Head Granthi of the Gurudwara. According to a legend, a 'Jaat' had taken a loan from the Guru, which he later refused to pay back. To get his money back, the Guru let his 'baaj', the Gyrfalcon to kill a `Teetar' (Partridge) sitting on the 'Jand' tree. "To get his Jamni (the authority) back, Guru Gobind Singh played a game. From Muktsar, when the Guru reached there, a 'Teetar' (Partridge) came and sat on a 'Jand' tree. The Guru let his 'baaj' (Gyrfalcon) fly off towards the bird to kill it. That incident saw the Guru get back his loan and the spot became famous as Gurudwara Jamni Sahib," said Singh. At the Gurudwara complex, two 'Jand' trees still exist. It was at this tree, at the main entrance, that the Guru's `baaj' had killed the `Teetar', while at the other the Guru had tied his horse. Visitors offer prayers with great sincerity to these trees and tie a thread to have their wishes fulfilled. It is believed that when the Guru reached this spot, there was no drinking water available. The Guru's horse hit the ground where a spring appeared. It was later converted into a tank. Recently, while cleaning the tank, a natural hole in the ground was discovered.
Jan 18, 2007

A Shiva-Parvati temple draws unmarried youth
by Juhan Samuel

          Thiruvairanikkulam (Kerala): Devotees, especially unmarried youngsters, worship at the famous Shiva-Parvati temple at Thiruvairanikkulam village in Kerala. Most of the faithful come here to seek the blessings of Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva, one of the supreme Gods in Hinduism. All of them come here during a special period of 12 days, as it is only during this time--'Thiruvathira' in Dhanu month (December-January)--that the sanctum sanctorum of the Shiva- Parvati temple is accessible to devotees. Spellbound by the din of bells, chants and a mixed odour of incense and jasmine flowers, lakhs of devotees pray at the Shiva- Parvati temple each year which is considered propitious for unmarried men and women. Hindus in this part of the country believe praying at the temple helps the unmarried individuals suit their match. This year, the temple was open from 2nd to 14th January for devotees. "When unmarried boys and girls come here and pray in front of Devi Parvati, they get blessed and by the time the temple gets re-opened the next year, they get married," said the Temple priest Narayana Namboodari adding that after 12 days every year, the temple is closed. Though daily worship is performed round the year inside the temple but it remains closed for devotees. Legend has it, Parvati the wife of Lord Shiva, one of the supreme Gods in Hinduism, used to worship in the temple that was a forbidden place for others. However, once a curious maid of Goddess Parvati barged into the secluded area. The breach of privacy enraged Parvati and she decided to leave the place forever. Nevertheless, later moved by the remorseful maid's appeals, she agreed to visit the place once in a year for 12 days. Hence, the temple has the reputation as a place of redemption from evil spirits that hinder a person's wedding. "I am having some problem in getting married and we got to know about this temple from someone. Hence, I decided to visit the place with my family. I believe that next year I will visit the temple with my husband," said Jaya Kumari, an unmarried girl. "I had problems in getting a good wedding proposal. Hence, I visited the temple, after that I got married. Since then I have been visiting the place continuously during the 12 days when it is open for devotees," said Jalaja Mani, another devotee. Over the years the temple has witnessed devotees, especially, the unmarried youngsters thronging the temple from across the country. A huge number of young girls and boys visit the temple along with their parents and friends and pray here wishing for a suitable matrimonial match.
Jan 16, 2007

Mahodadhi pooja: Jagannath Temple starts new ritual
by Sarada Lahangir

         Puri: The priests of the world famous Jagannath temple have started a new worship, of Mahodadhi, the Sea God, everyday in the evening. On Wednesday evening, a special prayer was conducted on the beach, where a number of devotees gathered along to participate in the ceremony. The new ceremony has come on the lines of daily evening prayers of River Ganga being performed for centuries. The sea along with "Vayu", "Samdura (or, the wind and earth) holds significance for Hindus, as it has been mentioned in many ancient epics. The priests associated with the Jagannath Temple, along with dozens of devotees, took out a procession from the Jagannath temple to the sea beach for the ceremony. According to the Chief priest of Puri, the newly introduced ceremony would attract more devotees to the place, and help it become the spiritual capital of the country. "We want it to be famous as the spiritual capital of India, from where one can get the message of world peace. Everyone should be independent and intelligent, and follow the path of truth and welfare," said Swami Nishchalanand Saraswati, the chief priest of Puri. On the first day, a traditional Naga dance of the northeast region was organised. Besides, the devotees chanted hymns and performed prayers at the beach amidst huge lamps and torches. Water was taken out of the sea as a part of the religious ceremony, and sprinkled on all as a gesture of the Sea God's blessings on its devotees.
Jan 4, 2007

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