Vaishnodevi: Security tightened for Navaratras

          Katra (Jammu): Security has been tightened at Vaishnodevi as large numbers of devotees thronged the holy cave. On the first day of Navaratras, devotees from all across the country have converged in Katra, the starting point of the12.5 km yatra. There has been a large turnout in the number of devotees this year as people have started coming her even before the beginning of the Navaratras, an official of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Trust said. "This is the first time that we have come here and it's a nice feeling. There is excitement around and proper management has been done," said Kawaljeet Kaul, a devotee from Gurdaspur. The popularity of the shrine has reached far and wide, as number of people coming from states like Gujarat and Maharashtra has now increased manifold. "I have come to take the blessings of Mother on Navaratras," said Dr. Siwan Kumar Srivastava, a devotee from Bihar, who has been visiting the shrine for the seventh consecutive year. Security has been beefed up and frisking of luggage and passengers is being done in view of the recent terror attacks in different parts of the country. This year the number of security personnel deployed in an around the area is also high compared to earlier times. The convoy of buses from Jammu to Katra, frisking devotees are being checked at various stoppages to keep a check on anti-social elements.
- Sept 23, 2006

Amarnath: Board accepts Mahant Giri's resignation

         Srinagar: The resignation of Mahant Deependra Giri as member of the Amarnath Board has been accepted. Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt. General S K Sinha, in his capacity as Chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), accepted the resignation. Mahant Deepdenra Giri in a letter written to the Lt. General Sinha on September 15 had expressed his desire to resign from the Board membership. A SASB spokesman has said that the Chairman has accepted the resignation of Mahant Giri with effect from September 15, and added that Mahant has been disposed from Board's activity after he was found guilty of violating Section 11 of the Jammu and Kashmir Shri Amarnathji Shrine Act, 2000. Earlier, the Chairman, in a communication to the Mahant on September 11, had asked him to confirm whether he had made certain comments to the press against SASB outside the Board meetings. And if so, why did he not consider it appropriate to contact the Chairman or the Chief Executive Officer about any of these matters before rushing to the press, as both of them were present in Srinagar and he could have readily contacted them. Mahant Giri, though being part of the meeting, which unanimously decided to extend the annual Amarnath Yatra to two months, later criticised for extending the period. He had also reportedly to have made allegations about the 'man- made' shiv lingam at the Holy cave that created a huge furore. A one-man judicial inquiry commission was later established by the Jammu and Kashmir Government to look into the allegations under Justice KK Gupta who after making inquiry gave a clean chit to the SASB over the 'artificial lingam' controversy. "We see no hand of any official of the Sri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) in formation of the snow Shiv Lingam or tampering of the natural Ice Shiv Lingam, which in fact had not been tampered during the yatra period announced by SASB", Justice Gupta inquiry commission wrote. Mahant Giri also failed to appear before the inquiry commission.
- Sept 18, 2006

Allahabad court stay on Haj subsidy lifted

          New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the order of the Allahabad High Court to stop subsidies for Haj pilgrims. However, a Bench headed by Chief Justice Y K Sabbhawal said the order pertains to the Haj pilgrimage of 2006 only. While staying the interim order of the Allahabad High Court, the court took also into consideration the arrangements made by the government for this year's Haj scheduled for November. The Bench asked the High Court to deal expeditiously with the pending petition in this regard. Solicitor General G E Vahanvati had sought a stay of the High Court order, contending that it has a far reaching effect as the entire arrangements done for the Haj would be affected and it would be a big setback for the country in terms of international image. Further, it said there has been an arrangement with the Saudi Airlines for the Haj pilgrims and if it was cancelled, there would be a huge economic loss to the state exchequer. Vahanvati said the Government had already entered into agreement with Saudi Arabia about the accomodation of 1.49 lakh people. The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has, in its interim order on August 25, restrained the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government from providing funds or financial subsidies to Haj pilgrims and pilgrimages of any other community. However, the High Court had allowed them to make arrangements to ensure law and order and safety of the people going on pilgrimage. The order was passed on a petition filed by a Shiv Sena leader in 1995. His petition had said the Union and state governments should not pay any subsidy to Haj pilgrims out of the central or state exchequers.
- Sept 18, 2006

Hajis protest draw of lots for Haj
by Suhail Ahmed

          Srinagar: Protest demonstrations were held here by Hajis, who had applied for the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, against a State Government decision to select the Hajis through draw of lots. People in Srinagar District have rejected this process and are insisting that all be allowed to go or else no one from Srinagar would go for the pilgrimage this year. The Haj Committee, Mumbai has fixed a quota of 6,617 for Haj 2006-II for Jammu and Kashmir, but so far 12,893 people have applied for the pilgrimage this year, according to the state Hajj Committee. For Haj 2006-I, the Hajj Committee had accepted the applications of all 9,198 applicants. "If they had limited seats, then why did they extend the date for the submission of forms from June 27 to July 27. Now, we all will go together or else no one from here will go this year," said Gulzar Ahmed an aspiring Haji who was chanting slogan "We all will go or else no one will go". The protesters assembled outside the main entrance of the civil secretariat and blocked the main road leading to the entrance. The ministers and senior officials were seen waiting in their cars on road. Police were forced into closing the gates to the secretariat for about 30-minutes, as the protesters started to offer namaz on the road. "Everyone knew that we are going for Haj this year and our relatives came to our homes to congratulate us. But now, what will we tell them," said Ghulam Mohammad, another protester. National Conference president and Member of Parliament Omar Abdullah has also appealed to the Ministry for Haj Affairs to step in and resolve the issue. Union Water Resources Minister Professor Saifuddin Soz had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to seek an increase in the quota for Haj pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir and had also submitted a memorandum to this effect.
- Sept 11, 2006

Kinner Kailash trekking begins

          Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh): Pilgrims have begun trekking to the Kinner Kailash shrine. Kinner Kailash is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva in Himachal Pradesh. The three-day annual pilgrimage, in which Buddhists also take part, involves crossing mountain slopes and steep precipices. Devotees said they are looking forward to praying at the rock shrine. "Thousands of pilgrims go to 'Kinner Kailash' every year to get their wishes fulfilled and, they are never disappointed. On the way, one has to spend a night in a cave. The path is dangerous, full of mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and there is a danger of landslides," Rajani, one of devotees said. "Devotees would not go through so much for nothing, their wishes are fulfilled. The pilgrimage has been going on for centuries. Lord Shiva has blessed many," added Ram Dayal Negi. 'Kinner Kailash' is situated 6050 meters above sea level in the Himalayas.
- Sept 11, 2006

Previous File

Index File

Overseas Tourist
Offices

Tourist offices
in India

Helpline