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NDTV
13-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Reporter's Diary: "When Bombs Don't See Your Religion"
I wasn't there in Pahalgam. But I read several reports - stories that felt like a heavy burden I couldn't shake off. The victims' relatives said the terrorists asked names and religion before pulling the trigger. Those who weren't Muslims were shot. It wasn't just violence, it was a question of identity. And suddenly, a new wave of rhetoric began to rise, drawing sharp lines across religion and repeating an old tale of division. I was visiting Rajouri and Poonch when the firing resumed, this time from across the border. Bombs fell without questions. No one asked who you prayed to before blowing off your roof. At Poonch Bazaar, I was outside Mohammad Hafiz's house. Seventeen people lived under one roof, before it stopped existing. "They did not spare the temple or the mosque or the gurdwara," he told me. He wasn't angry, but tired. "They don't target religion, they target India." The firing continued all night. It roared through the mountains like a monster without a face. And in the morning, they targeted our city, Poonch - not once, but relentlessly. Thirteen of our people died. Fifty people were wounded. I've never witnessed something like this. I can't help but remember Atal ji's words. He had said: "This issue must be resolved once and for all." And truly, we are fed up now. Tired of waking up to the fear of death, wondering whether our children will see another day. And on the morning of May 8, Pakistan did it openly. They did not see the religion. They did not target a Hindu or a Muslim or a Sikh. They targeted India. They targeted the Akhara in Geeta Bhawan too. And then they talk about Kashmir. Kashmir is ours. This country is ours. This army is ours, not their father's. And now, the only solution is to unite both sides of Kashmir. I walked through Sindi Gate, Ward 10, through blackened bricks, cracks walls and smoke. But what lingered most wasn't the smell of destruction, it was brotherhood. "I just wanted to check, are you okay," Niranjan Singh, a neighbour came running when the bombs fell. No one asked who was inside the house, but only whether they were safe. Mohammad Sadiq said it was the neighborhood that saved them. A few kilometres away, in Dingla, I met Khalil Ahmed. He looked worried - that unmistakable anxiety you see in someone who isn't just imagining danger, but living it. He told me he was leaving to stay at his father-in-law's house because residents have been asked to evacuate the area. "I am scared," he admitted softly. "I have children." But then - in the same breath - he said : "May Allah protect India." It wasn't said as a political statement. It wasn't for effect. It was instinctive and natural. From the heart of a man whose home might be the next target. From someone who has nothing left to hold on to, except faith, in the land he calls his own. Here in Poonch, the war is real. The blood is real. The fire, the silence, the debris - it doesn't ask which God you bow to. When the fire came, it was their Hindu and Sikh brothers who helped put it out. The night was filled with the sound of drones - an eerie whirr, slicing through silence. And then shelling. In Rajouri and Poonch, you don't count hours. You count breaths between blasts. Yet in the middle of all this, I met men like Mohammad Intekhab Alam, who is not a native to Jammu & Kashmir. As he walked down the road with a bag, his parents back in West Bengal called him. They cried over the phone, begging him to come back. He looked at me and said: "If we live, we'll earn again." When I asked if he would return someday, he said: "Why not sir? This is my country." Another person, Dilbar Alam from Bihar's Kishanganj, also readies to leave because of pressure from home. But he promised to return. "The people here are good. I'll come back to work," he said. When Additional District Development Commissioner Raj Kumar Thapa stepped out of his government accommodation at 5.30am, he found a shell. His house was damaged, his car was destroyed. Let us say this out loud - yes, there is an atmosphere of war-mongering in the country, there are questions about the ceasefire agreement. But watching war on television while sipping tea in cities far away from the borders is a different thing. Sitting in a studio and turning conflict into noise and rhetoric is a different thing. Holding debates on religion is one reality. But when bombs fall along the border, they don't ask who you are. They don't ask which God you believe in. They only see that you are an Indian. Thus, you become a target. For those living along the Line of Control, this is not politics; it is life and death. Their roofs are burnt, windows broken, children buried. When I returned from Rajouri, the contrast hit me like a wave. On my way back, the dhabas near Delhi were buzzing with songs and the air was filled with the smell of buttery parathas. There was laughter at the airport. In Bhopal, people were seen sipping tea at the corner of streets, the children were jogging, the sky was clear. I wondered if the sound of bombs were softer the farther you are away from the border? Does the pain fade with the distance? Or is it that we don't want to listen? I keep asking myself - what kind of a country do we become when blood unites us but peace keeps us apart?
News18
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
This Aussie Tourist Loved Getting Tossed Around In The Mud More Than He Loved Taj Mahal
Last Updated: Australian tourist Tom visited the Taj Mahal and wrestled with locals at the Brahmin Akhara in Agra, respecting customs and gaining admiration An Australian tourist visiting the Taj Mahal in Agra on Saturday showcased an unexpected enthusiasm for Indian culture and traditional sport. After touring the iconic monument, Tom and his German companion ventured towards Dussehra Ghat, where they came across the Brahmin Akhara, a traditional Indian wrestling arena. Rather than remaining a spectator, Tom expressed interest in experiencing the sport first-hand. Donning a traditional langot (loincloth), he stepped into the arena and engaged in a friendly bout with local wrestler Shivaji Dubey. The two wrestled for 8 to 10 minutes, attracting a curious crowd. Though Tom didn't claim victory, he immersed himself in the Akhara tradition and made an effort to learn its techniques. Sundar Dubey, who oversees the arena, praised Tom for respecting the Akhara's customs and rules. 'He wore the proper attire, followed the rituals, and genuinely tried to grasp the basics of Indian wrestling," he said. The unusual sight of a foreigner participating in a desi Akhara quickly went viral on social media, drawing admiration for his sporting spirit and cultural respect. Tom later said the experience was a highlight of his visit, adding that the warmth of the people and richness of Braj's traditions left a deep impression on him.
NDTV
30-04-2025
- General
- NDTV
Ayodhya's Hanuman Garhi's Head Seer Breaks Tradition To Visit Ram Temple
Ayodhya: Mahant Prem Das became the first head seer of Ayodhya's Hanuman Garhi to step outside the revered temple's premises in over 300 years as he led a procession to the Ram temple on Akshaya Tritiya festival. Das visited the newly consecrated Ram Temple in a grand 'Shahi Juloos' (royal procession) in a historic and emotional departure from a centuries-old religious tradition that forbade the head priest from ever leaving the 52-bigha premises of Hanuman Garhi during his lifetime. Thousands of Naga Sadhus, devotees and disciples joined the procession, which featured elephants, horses, camels and musical performances by local troupes. The spiritual journey began at the banks of the Saryu River, where Mahant Prem Das and others performed a ritual bath, before proceeding to offer prayers at the Ram Temple. "This tradition has been followed for 288 years, since 1737," said Mahant Sanjay Das, a senior seer of Hanuman Garhi. "The Mahant's role is to devote himself entirely to Lord Hanuman. Once he is anointed to the seat, he lives and dies within the temple premises. His body can only leave after death." Mahant Ramkumar Das, chief of the Nirvani Akhara, told PTI that due to the presiding seer's deep desire to visit the Ram Temple, he was granted this "once-in-a-lifetime permission". According to the constitution of Hanuman Garhi, formalised in 1925, these traditions were recognised and enforced by the Naga Sadhus. "Even in civil matters, the courts have respected this tradition," said Sanjay Das. "If needed, a representative of the Akhara appears in court. In fact, in the 1980s, the court itself held sessions inside Hanuman Garhi to record statements from the Mahant," he said. However, the recent decision was not taken lightly. It came only after the 'Panch' (governing members) of the Nirvani Akhara -- the esteemed religious body that oversees HanumanGarhi -- unanimously permitted the Mahant's wish to visit Ram Lalla's temple. Mahant Ramkumar Das, chief of the Nirvani Akhara, said, "The presiding seer's deep desire to visit the Ram Temple was heartfelt. After ritual discussions and overwhelming spiritual consensus, the Akhara granted this once-in-a-lifetime permission." The procession carried the Akhara's 'Nishaan' (insignia) with immense reverence and symbolism. Alongside the Mahant were large groups of temple disciples, local shopkeepers and worshippers who saw the event as a powerful expression of religious unity and devotion.
Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Chief priest steps out of Hanuman Garhi, visits Ram temple in ‘Shahi Juloos'
letters@ : A nearly 300-year-old tradition was broken at Ayodhya's famous Hanuman Garhi temple for the first time in nearly 300 years when the chief priest (Gaddi Nasheen) Mahant Prem Das stepped out of the premises on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on Wednesday and visited the Ram temple in a procession after taking a ritual bath in the Saryu river. According to the centuries' old tradition of the Hanuman Garhi temple, it is mandatory for the presiding Mahant (chief priest) to never leave the premises, which is defined as an area of 52 bighas, for the rest of his life after being ordained to the position of Gaddi Nasheen. But on Wednesday, riding on elephants, horses and camels, hundreds of Naga sadhus took part in the 'Shahi Juloos' (procession) led by Mahant Prem Das with the Nirvani Akhara's 'Nishaan' (insignia) to the accompaniment of music and dances by local performers who followed. The departure from tradition came after the Panch (members) of Nirvani Akhara, which manages the Hanuman Garhi temple, were moved by the desire of the chief priest to visit the Ram temple and they unanimously granted him permission to do so. Mahant Sanjay Das, a senior mahant (priest) of Hanuman Garhi temple, said: 'The tradition (of the chief priest not stepping out of the premises) has been going on for 288 years (since 1737). This is because the head priest is dedicated solely to serving Lord Hanuman. The constitution of Hanuman Garhi was documented in 1925, where the traditions that had been followed since the beginning were formally recognised by the Naga Sadhus. After assuming the position, the head priest resides within the Hanuman Garhi complex. They serve Lord Hanuman there, and their only their body can leave the premises (after death).' Sanjay Das, a senior mahant (priest) of Hanuman Garhi said, 'The civil court also respects this rule of Hanuman Garhi. In any civil lawsuit, the representative of the Akhara appears in court instead of the presiding Mahant. If necessary, the court itself comes to Hanuman Garhi to record the statement of the presiding Mahant.' Though the distance between Hanuman Garhi temple and Ram temple is just about 1 km, the entire Wednesday's event lasted about seven hours with the procession covering a distance of about 6 km. The procession first reached the banks of the Saryu River (2 km from Hanuman Garhi). Thereafter, the chief priest and Naga Sadhus took a ritual bath in the river. Next, the procession moved towards the Ram temple, said Mahant Ramkumar Das, the chief of Nirvani Akhara. The procession returned to Hanuman Garhi from Ram Temple at around 1 pm.
New Indian Express
30-04-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Hanuman Garhi chief priest ends 288-year-old seclusion, visits Ram Lalla temple
PATNA: Ayodhya witnessed a historic and emotional moment on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya when Mahant Prem Chand Das Ji, the 70-year-old Gaddi Nasheen and chief priest of Hanuman Garhi temple, broke a 288-year-old tradition by stepping out of the temple premises to have darshan of Ram Lalla at the Ram Janmbhoomi site. This marked the first time in nearly three centuries that a Gaddi Nasheen ventured beyond Hanuman Garhi's 52-bigha boundary, defying a strict tradition that had barred all previous occupants of the post from ever leaving the temple compound. Mahant Prem Das Ji, who has held the revered seat as the 22nd Gaddi Nasheen for the past eight years, had never stepped outside the temple in that time. 'I am overwhelmed after taking darshan of Ram Lalla from the front. I felt as if he is saying something. The deity often speaks but we are not able to understand,' he said after the visit. According to temple sources, the custom dated back to the 18th century and was so binding that even legal obligations could not compel a Gaddi Nasheen to appear in court. However, this year, the Mahant expressed a long-held desire to visit the Ram temple. A meeting of the Nirvani Akhara, which owns Hanuman Garhi, was convened on April 21, where it was unanimously decided to allow the Mahant to visit Ram Lalla. On Wednesday morning, Ayodhya's streets were filled with devotees eager to witness the rare procession led by the Gaddi Nasheen. Elephants, camels, horses, and the Akhara's nishaan (insignia) accompanied the colourful procession from Hanuman Garhi to the Ram temple. The Mahant was also accompanied by Naga sadhus, disciples, devotees, and local traders. The journey began with a traditional bath at the banks of the River Saryu at 7 am, after which the procession made its way towards the Ram temple. 'After a wait of 500 years, the Ram Lalla temple has been constructed. Therefore, the Gaddi Nasheen of Ayodhya's Hanuman Garhi went to have darshan of Ram Lalla. He was accompanied by saints from all four sects after taking a bath in the Saryu River on Akshaya Tritiya. It marked the beginning of a new tradition in Ayodhya,' said Acharya Mithilesh Nandini Sharan, a saint of Hanumat Niwas. Another priest, Sanjay Das of Hanuman Garhi, revealed that for the past three months, Lord Hanuman had been spiritually inspiring the Mahant to visit Shri Ram Lalla. During the darshan, 56 types of bhog (offerings) were presented to the deity on behalf of the Hanuman Garhi temple. The Gaddi Nasheen spent nearly an hour on the temple premises, completing a deeply symbolic and spiritually significant journey that has now laid the foundation for what saints call a 'new tradition' in Ayodhya. On January 22, 2024, the idol of Ram Lalla was consecrated at the newly constructed temple, marking a milestone in a movement that had lasted centuries.
