10 Must-visit BAPS Temples Around The World
Consecrated in February 2024, it is the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
22 minutes ago
- NDTV
He Was Complaining Over Flood Rescue Hurdles, Then Omar Abdullah Arrived
Kishtwar: Chashoti village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district has turned into a site of outpouring grief, as families wait anxiously for the bodies of their loved ones who were killed or buried alive under the slush during Thursday's flash flood. At least 60 people have been confirmed dead in the cloudburst that flooded the village that marks the starting point of an annual Hindu pilgrimage - Machail Mata Yatra. As rescue operations entered the third day, the grief turned into anger. A man from Jammu, who is waiting for the bodies of over a dozen relatives, alleged that the rescue site has become a place for photo ops for the politicians, and that's hampering the relief work. "20 JCBs are here, but only two are functioning. The rest aren't. The ministers and MLAs are visiting multiple times. They are not letting the police and army do their (relief) work. It has been three days and only two rocks have been removed. Is this work? Whenever the ministers visit, they turn off the JCBs. Don't we have families?" he told NDTV. Another man chipped in, "Our little children are missing." "If not alive, give us the dead body," urged the man from Jammu, adding, "The MLAs are bringing 10 others with them; they are stopping the (relief) work to get their photos clicked." Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who happened to visit the cloudburst site this morning, arrived at the spot at that moment and enquired, "What happened? Tell me" He reiterated the same complaint to the Chief Minister and urged, "Please give us the dead bodies." "That's what we are doing since the day this tragedy occurred," replied the Chief Minister. As he tried to reassure him, he cut the politician in between, "Sir, meri suno (listen to me). The police and the army are working. Each MLA is getting a minister 10 times, and (saying) 'stop the JCB and click our photos'. Are photos needed everywhere? We are helpless and worried." He told the Chief Minister that 13 members of his family are missing, including his mother and her sister (mausi). Another man said his wife, two children, and two other relatives have gone missing since the cloudburst on Thursday. "The JCB down there - it started after you arrived. Only two JCBs have been working since yesterday. We don't want anything, just give us the dead bodies," appealed the man from Jammu. When told that everyone was impacted by the tragedy, he replied, "If it had occurred to an MLA or minister, if it had happened to you, then action would have been faster." Mr Abdullah had visited the cloudburst site in Kishtwar earlier this morning and taken stock of rescue and relief operations. Speaking to NDTV, he assured that every effort was being made to retrieve the bodies. At least 80 people are still missing, he said.
Indian Express
22 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Hidden Stories: A Pune temple where Rajmata Jijamata, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj once prayed
At Someshwar Temple in Pune's Pashan, a fortress-like wall separates the outside world from the realm of the gods. In this Hindu month of Shravan, lakhs of devotees step in through the thick, wooden doors of the temple to spend time with the divine. 'On August 18, the last Monday of Shravan, we expect 10,000-20,000 people,' says Popatrao Jadhav, chairman of the Shri Kshetra Someshwar Devasthan Trust. The temple is bustling, and the gates stay open from early morning to late evening. 'A majority of the devotees are regulars. In the mid-17th century, Rajmata Jijamata, the mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was a regular. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a child, and Rajmata Jijamata would bring him here to pray. It was she who was instrumental in carrying out the renovation of the temple. Since then, the temple has been maintained as a heritage structure,' says Jadhav. Black stone and a discovery of gold coins The Someshwar Temple, which is spread over 3.5 acres, is believed to be 900 years old. Popat says that its earliest history is lost in time. Located beside the Ramnadi, with three gates, the temple is dedicated to Shiva, but the imposing complex contains several other shrines to Ganesha, Maruti and Bhairavnath. A giant banyan tree, a deepmala or tiered lights that tower at 40 ft, and a yajna mandap are among the other sites. The temple is built of black stone, which creates an imposing character. The architecture is in the Hemadpanti style, named after Hemadri Pandit of the Yadava dynasty, in which black stone and lime, rather than mortar, are used to construct interlocking masonry. Devotees make their way to the main temple, where the sanctum stands below the ground level. Most families get their darshan from a distance, from a white domed hall at a higher level where wall art depicts armies on horses engaged in war. This is where history merges with myth, and devotion holds supreme. The Swayambhu Shivalinga, i.e. a shiva linga that has occurred naturally and was not created by human hands, gives the temple its reputation of being jagrut (the deity is believed to be residing within the idol) and wish-fulfilling. Popat says, 'During the Peshwa era, Shivram Bhat Chitrav Swami discovered some gold coins, and gave these to Nanasaheb Peshwa. According to the wishes of Chitrav Swami, Nanasaheb Peshwa carried out renovation work at Someshwar Temple.' Sculpted stones depict fading figures. 'There is a lot of history in the temple. We find that the devotees are interested in understanding our connection to the past,' says Popat. After ritual prayers are over, a number of devotees make their way to a permanent exhibition of temple models from across India, such as Shri Somnath Jyotirlinga in Gujarat and Shri Mallikarjun Jyotirlinga. 'These are the 12 jyotirling that were installed in 2015 so that devotees can get a glimpse of these pilgrimage sites,' says Popat. For a deeper contemplation, the temple has a hall where one can meditate.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
On Janmashtami, Yunus says committed to keeping bond of communal harmony 'unbroken'
Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Saturday greeted the country's Hindu community on Janmashtami, saying Lord Krishna's teachings will help strengthen "mutual goodwill and brotherhood" and maintain the nation's "existing order and communal harmony". Yunus' greetings came amid widespread concerns over repeated incidents of alleged attacks on members of the Hindu community and their places of worship after he came to power in August last year. In a message, Yunus said that Lord Krishna's values centred on "devotion to the creator and the establishment of peace in society" continue to inspire people of all faiths, the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Shooter Action MMO Crossout Play Now Undo "I call upon everyone to remain vigilant so that no one can undermine the existing order, fraternity, and communal amity in society. I believe that the ideals and teachings of Lord Sri Krishna will further strengthen the bonds of mutual goodwill and brotherhood," he said. Yunus said that communal harmony is a "unique hallmark" of Bangladesh's culture and its people have practiced their respective religions while preserving "an enduring spirit of harmony" for centuries. Live Events He stressed that his interim government is "committed to keeping this bond of harmony unbroken". "Let us, through our collective efforts, build a new Bangladesh free from discrimination and enriched with communal harmony," Yunus added. The relations between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the interim government headed by Yunus came to power last year in August. India has been expressing concerns over attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in the country. Janmashtami is a public holiday in Bangladesh to mark the birth celebration of Lord Krishna. PTI
