No permission for new traditions during Ganga Dussehra, Eid fests
Varanasi: During a district-level peace committee meeting on Wednesday, police commissioner Mohit Agarwal and district magistrate Satyendra Kumar appealed to people to celebrate Ganga Dussehra on Thursday and Eid ul Azha on Saturday without initiating any new traditions.
Both officials interacted with each member of peace committee at police lines, listening to their issues and instructing department officials concerned to resolve them responsibly. The committee members were also advised to exercise necessary caution regarding security and other arrangements.
Agarwal emphasised that all festivals be celebrated peacefully and with dignity. Meetings of local peace committees have already been conducted in all police stations of the district.
He urged all peace committee members to report immediately any fake or misleading news to district administration or nearest police station, so that necessary actions could be taken to maintain peace, law and order in the district.
He instructed caution regarding previously identified locations during peace committee meetings held at police stations. Sensitive areas will be monitored using drone cameras. He appealed to everyone to cooperate with the administration.
Police cell will keep a strict watch on social media. Additional commissioner of police provided detailed information on important security points. The district magistrate said all festivals in past year were celebrated peacefully and harmoniously. All district residents will celebrate the upcoming Ganga Dussehra and Eid ul Azha festivals traditionally, with joy and peace. No new traditions will be initiated in the district.
He advised against any actions that might hurt anyone's sentiments.
He instructed electricity department to ensure there were no poles in need of repair, cables, or wires hanging and bare at any location. On being informed by committee members about road, sewer and drain blockages in Dalmandi, Lohata and Ravindrapuri areas, departments concerned were instructed to take immediate action. Instructions were given to ensure availability of tankers for water supply at key locations.
The municipal corporation was directed to ensure cleanliness arrangements at all major places, including ghats.
DM also sought suggestions from members who attended the peace committee meeting for resolving issues, ensuring they were addressed smoothly. He emphasised that problems related to specific departments be resolved timely. The meeting was attended by ACP Shivhari Meena, along with officials from administration and police department.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Six, including two minors, rescued from drowning in Yamunanagar canal
Six people, including two minors, were rescued from drowning at the Visarjan Ghat of the Western Yamuna Canal (WJC) in Yamunanagar on Thursday during Ganga Dussehra celebrations. The group comprised two women, two minor boys, a temple priest, and his son. According to Neha, a resident of Saharanpur, the families had gathered at the ghat to take a ritual dip in the Yamuna when some members decided to wade deeper into the canal, believing the current was slow. Diver Rajeev, who assisted in the rescue, said the women initially returned to the bank, but the boys stayed longer in the water and began to drown. Hearing their cries, the women jumped back in to save them but were unable to swim. A nearby temple priest tried to rescue the women but also struggled to return to the riverbank. His son then rushed in to help. 'We were nearby and immediately dived in. We first pulled out the boys, who were on the verge of drowning, and then rescued the others with the help of locals,' Rajeev said.
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Historic moment for Ayodhya as Ram Darbar unveiled
It was a historic moment for Ayodhya on Thursday when the pran pratishtha (consecration) of the white marble idol of Raja Ram (Ram in royal form) was conducted and the Ram Darbar ceremonially unveiled amid the chanting of Vedic mantras on the first floor of the grand Ram temple. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath, whose 53rd birthday coincided with the occasion, presided over the pran pratishtha of Ram Darbar, which consists of the idols of Lord Ram and Mata Sita seated on a throne, with Hanuman and Bharat depicted in a prayerful posture at their feet, Lakshman and Shatrughan standing beside them. The throne was placed on a platform made of white marble. Adityanath anointed all the idols after which the Ram Darbar was unveiled as the collective voice of priests, acharyas and sadhus, the blowing of conch shells and the fragrance of havan enhanced the spiritual atmosphere of the temple premises. The day, coinciding with the occasion of Ganga Dussehra, came over 16 months after the consecration of Ram Lalla on the ground floor of the temple on January 22, 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had presided over the 2024 event. Modi on Thursday said Ayodhya has witnessed another proud and historic moment following the consecration of 'Ram Darbar' along with the installation of idols in eight newly built temples inside the Ram Janmabhoomi complex. In a post on X, the prime minister said the auspicious occasion of the consecration of the divine and grand 'Ram Darbar' will fill the devotees of Ram with devotion and joy. The PM also said he hopes that Lord Ram bestows his blessings of happiness, health and prosperity upon the countrymen. The entire Ayodhya wore a festive look and the 13-km stretch of Ram Path from Lata Mangeshkar Chowk up to Ayodhya bypass was decked up to welcome devotees on the grand occasion. In a culmination of three-day celebrations, the final day's rituals began at 6.30 am with an invocation and offerings at the yagya mandap, followed by a havan at 9am. Subsequently, a centrally coordinated pran-pratishtha ceremony was held across all temples. The main pran pratishtha rituals were performed during the auspicious Abhijit Muhurat from 11:25 am to 11:40 am. Adityanath, who also offered prayers to Ram Lalla at the Ram temple and visited Hanumangarhi temple, posted on X: 'Today, in the holy birthplace of Lord Shri Ram, Ayodhya Dham, we are getting the great fortune of becoming a witness to the programme organised for the Pran-Pratishtha of the holy idols of gods in the eight temples, including Shri Ram Darbar, on the first floor of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.' . Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust member Anil Mishra, was present at the ceremony as the host, along with his wife. RAM DARBAR AND THE SCULPTOR The Thursday's ceremony was a moment of personal redemption for Jaipur-based sculptor Satya Narain Pandey and his team which has crafted the Ram Darbar. Pandey's idol design had lost out to that of Mysuru-based artist Arun Yograj ahead of the 2024 ceremony. 'I was dejected when I came to know that my idol was not shortlisted (for the 2024 ceremony). But due to Lord Ram's blessings, I once again got the opportunity to be associated with the Ram Mandir,' said Pandey. In January 2024, the Trust selected Arun Yogiraj, the Mysuru-based artist's idol for the pran pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla. The Ram Lalla idol is made of Krishna shila (black schist) and depicts the deity as a five-year-old boy. 'The main reason behind the decision was the selection of Krishna shila (black stone) over white marble for Ram Lalla's idol,' said Satya Narain Pandey. 'It was altogether a different experience as I had to carve Lord Ram's idol as a grown-up person and not his child form,' said Pandey. 'The sculpting of the Ram Darbar took approximately three months. During this phase, artisans performed daily prayers and rituals seeking divine blessings,' said Pandey. 'We paid close attention to the subtle nuances of the idol, aiming to infuse it with the essence of Lord Ram's character,' he said. Pandey explained that Lord Ram is revered as the embodiment of compassion and the sustainer of the universe. 'Artisans sought to capture this essence in the idol's facial expression, conveying the divine qualities of Lord Rama,' he said. 'Artisans' meticulous attention to detail and their commitment to creating an idol that reflects Lord Rama's character have made this idol a masterpiece of devotion,' said Champat Rai, general secretary of the Trust. OTHER TEMPLES IN RAM JANMABHOOMI COMPLEX Alongside the Ram Darbar, deities enshrined in the other temples in the Ram Janmabhoomi complex on the day included Lord Shiva in the northeast (Ishan) corner, Lord Ganesh in the southeast (Agni) corner, Lord Hanuman midway along the southern side, Lord Surya in the southwest (Nairitya) corner, Goddess Bhagwati in the northwest (Vayavya) corner, and Goddess Annapurna in the middle of the northern side. All idols are made of white makrana marble. Earlier, the chief minister reached Ayodhya at 10.30am where he was received at the Ram Katha Park by cabinet minister Surya Pratap Shahi.
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Ram devotees faced bullets once, now welcomed with flowers: Yogi Adityanath in Ayodhya
Ram devotees once faced bullets and lathi-charges but today they are welcomed with flower showers, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said in Ayodhya on Thursday. He was addressing a gathering at Ram Katha Park after the pran pratishtha of the Ram Darbar held earlier in the day on the first floor of the Ram temple. 'Pran pratishtha of Ram Lalla on January 22, 2024, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marked the end of a 500-year-long wait and symbolised the restoration of India's ancient glory,' Adityanath said. 'Ayodhya has transitioned into a global symbol of 'Atithi Devo Bhava' in recent years. Once Ram devotees faced bullets and lathi-charges. Today, they are welcomed with flower showers and served RO-purified water,' the chief minister said. Aditynath described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the 'Bhagirath of modern India', crediting him for the success of the Namami Gange campaign. 'Before 2014, the Ganga was severely polluted due to the unplanned and unscientific activities of previous governments. But through Namami Gange, the river has regained its purity and uninterrupted flow. Over 66 crore (660 million) devotees witnessed this during the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj,' the chief minister said. He also extended greetings on the occasions of Ganga Dussehra, Saryu Mahotsav and World Environment Day. Highlighting the significance of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign launched by the PM, he said if every citizen plants a tree in their mother's name, an environmental crisis can be averted. Stating that one river will be rejuvenated in every district, he said an extensive plantation campaign will be conducted along riverbanks from July 1 to 7 as part of this mission. Commenting on Ayodhya's transformation, the chief minister said the temple town was once plagued by irregular power supply, water shortages, and cleanliness issues, but it has now emerged as a clean and beautiful spiritual destination. 'Earlier, the number of devotees barely crossed a few lakhs, Ayodhya welcomed over 16 crore (160 million) pilgrims last year alone—a testament to the (Ayodhya) Municipal Corporation's improved management and facilities,' the chief minister said. He congratulated Ayodhya mayor Girish Pati Tripathi, along with all councilors and officials, on completing two years in office. He praised the municipal corporation's performance, particularly in urban development and civic management. He highlighted key development works in Ayodhya, including the establishment of an international airport, beautification of temples and expansion of Ram Ki Paidi. The chief minister called on the citizens of Ayodhya to take a pledge to revive at least one river in the region and help the local administration in this campaign. Adityanath inaugurated development projects worth ₹30 crore and laid the foundation stone for projects valued at ₹33 crore. DMs asked to revive rivers Adityanath directed all district magistrates to revive at least one river in their respective districts. He said no sewage, drains or carcasses should be dumped into rivers. He also directed that a large-scale tree plantation drive be carried out along riverbanks. 'This year, 35 crore (350 million) saplings will be planted along rivers,' the chief minister said. The chief minister also inaugurated the 13th Saryu Jayanti Mahotsav organized at Anjaneya Seva Sansthan, Ayodhya. He highlighted the historical, cultural and environmental importance of Ayodhya. He also spoke about river revival efforts, ongoing development projects, and the emerging identity of Uttar Pradesh. 'Rivers are the foundation of Mother Earth, and protecting them is essential to safeguard the environment, wildlife, and human life,' he said. Referring to the grand Mahakumbh held in Prayagraj earlier this year, the chief minister said the world witnessed this festival on the banks of the Ganga, which stands as a symbol of India's cultural and spiritual strength. Ayodhya is witnessing the dawn of a new era, he said, adding, 'The consecration of Lord Ram has ended a 500-year-long wait and sparked a cultural renaissance in India.' 'Visitors are now amazed by the transformation of the city. Ayodhya today boasts four-lane and six-lane roads, water ATMs, and other modern public amenities,' the chief minister said. 'It is fitting that Ayodhya—the capital of the Suryavanshi dynasty—is now a solar city,' he said. Plantation drive on June 23 The Bharatiya Janata Party will launch a tree plantation drive on June 23, the death anniversary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee. CM attends birthday celebrations of Mahant Nritya Gopal Das Chief minister Yogi Adityanath attended the 87th birthday celebrations of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust chairman Mahant Nritya Gopal Das on Thursday. Nritya Gopal also heads the Mani Ram Das Chhavni, the most prominent body of saints in Ayodhya. Highlighting the legacy of the Mani Ram Das Chhavni, he said: 'From the 18th to the 21st century, this sacred site has been a centre of unwavering devotion.' He credited Mahant Nritya Gopal Das's leadership for the success of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, adding that Ayodhya is now evolving into one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
