Latest news with #Chandi
India.com
7 days ago
- General
- India.com
How Chandigarh City Got Its Name: The Fascinating History Behind It
Located at the base of the Shivalik hills, Chandigarh is a city that epitomizes modernity, urbanization, and fusion of cultures. Nicknamed as the City Beautiful, it is the capital of Punjab and Haryana, two major northern states of India. But beyond its clean sectors, abundant greenery, and stunning buildings, there is a wonderful story behind the name of the city. The name of Chandigarh has a mythology, history, and the dream of a newly independent India blended within it. The Mythological Connection The term 'Chandigarh' is a combination of the title of an ancient temple 'Chandi Mandir' placed nearby the city. The temple is focused on the worship of the Goddess 'chandi,' a formidable and fierce incarnation of Goddess Parvati or Durga in Hindu Religion. The word 'Chandigarh' is a mixture of 'Chandi' which stands for the Goddess and Garh which denotes a fortress or stronghold. Hence, Chandigarh literally means 'the fortress of Chandi.' As per the local stories, it was believed that the Goddess Chandi had killed the demon Chand-Mund at this place which resulted in bountiful peace in the region. The temple, which is far older than the city of Chandigarh, has been a place of worship and pilgrimage for devotees. It is one of the most significant is accepted that this powerful temple assisted in naming the city. The name captures the powerful and spiritually active past of the area and it equally speaks of the strength and courage of the region. The Myth Behind the Name The myth refers to is of the mighty goddess Chandi, the sole protector of the settlement who resides in the marvelous fort by the name of Chandigarh, located at the foothills of the Himalayas. The remaining components of the word suggest that Chandi is a symbol of power and strength. In short, the place has been named after a fierce goddess which has great strategic significance. Individually, the fragments of 'Chandigarh' give hints that the goddess Chandi had great importance when it came to military therefore, the fort served as her temple. The location selected for the new capital was a scenic site at the foot of the Shivalik range close to the existing village of Chandigarh. The name 'Chandigarh' was selected to pay homage to the ancient Chandi Mandir and to relate the city with its culture and history. It was an attempt to link the modern city with the rich heritage of India. The Vision of a Modern City This is why Chandigarh was known as 'the city of tomorrow', free from the shackles of the world that once was. Nehru had it right when he called it 'the city of tomorrow', a place that encapsulates everything a newly free nation hopes to be. The name 'Chandigarh' brought both the past and the future together. Le Corbusier had a revolutionary vision when he developed his master plan for Chandigarh. The city was said to have a distinctive feature, which was the division of the city into sectors. Along with the high court, the secretariat and the legislative assembly, the heart of the city was a place that brought all the administrative buildings together; This is known as the Capitol Complex. Along with the hand of open monument, one of many other structures, gently kissed the ground. This structure became a representation of peace and the unity of the people. The name 'Chandigarh,' even with the cutting-edge design, has helped retain the city's essence. It acted as a reminder for the people to never forget the region's religion and history, even when the city has represented an epitome of progress and invention. Chandigarh Today Chandigarh is acclaimed not just for its architectural finesse but also for the standards of life, and npolar cleanliness and greenery. Chandigarh is one of the most well-planned cities in India and it has regularly performed well in the terms of lifestyle. 'Chandigarh,' still instills a sense of pride among the locals who relish the amenities and the modern culture which surrounds them. The name of the city is a proof of its existence in two domains—a time when the history and the future blend together perfectly. Be it the tranquil charm of Sukhna Lake, the busy shopping hubs of Sector 17 or the divinity of Chandi Mandir, Chandigarh provides an amalgamation of experiences which capture the history as well as the future of the city. Chandigarh is the City Beautiful due to its forward-looking urban designs as it's deeply rooted in tradition. The modern marvels of urban design blend in perfectly with the ancient temple of Chandi Mandir. The name Chandigarh honors the past and embraces the future. Instead, Chandigarh encapsulates the city's essence that speaks of its visionary planning. The story of how Chandigarh got its name is an amazing journey that weaves together the past and present.
India Today
23-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Mysore Shree, Aam Shree: Jaipur confectioners drop 'Pak' from sweet names
Confectioners in Jaipur have begun to remove the word 'Pak' from the names of sweets sold by them, amid tensions between India and Pakistan. The word 'Pak' in the names of some sweets is now being replaced with suffixes such as Shree or Bharat of famous delicacies earlier known as Moti Pak, Aam Pak, Gond Pak and Mysore Pak will now be sold by the names Moti Shree, Aam Shree, Gond Shree, and Mysore Shree Bikaneri Moti Pak is now Bikaneri Moti Shree, Chandi Bhasm Pak is now Chandi Bhasm Shree and Swarn Bhasm Pak is being presented as Swarn Bhasm Shree. Shopkeepers say that the change in sweet names was a result of continuous requests from customers, who said that the word 'Pak' reminded them of Pakistan and, given the current situation, it hurts their the literal meaning of 'Pak' in sweet is 'cooked' or Pakwan (delicacy). However, amid strained ties between India and Pakistan, people have started associating Pak with shopkeepers say that the customers have welcomed the change in sweets' names and call it a patriotic move made in the nation's media users are also appreciating the sweet vendors' move. People are of the view that use of words like 'Shree' and 'Bharat' in names of sweets fills them with from customers, several members of the Sweets Association of Jaipur are also supporting this name change and soon the word 'Pak' can be removed from the traditional names of sweets across between India and Pakistan hit a new low after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, in which 26 civilians were killed. In response, India also launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, destroying nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and killing over 100 terrorists.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Chithra Pournami celebrated at Siruvachur temple
A Sri 'Chandi homam' for universal prosperity was performed at the Arulmigu Mathurakaliamman temple at Siruvachur in the district on Monday in connection with the Chithra Pournami festival. The two-day 16th Chithra Pournami festival organised by the Chennai-based Sri Maha Meru Mandali commenced on Sunday. The festival started on Sunday with Akanda Sri Lalitha Sahasranama and Sri Sagambari kumkum archanai from morning to afternoon followed by 'Sri Navarana' puja in the evening. Devotees in good numbers participated. On the second day of the festival on Monday, a Sri Chandi homam was performed in the morning followed by 'abhishekams' and 'maha deeparadhana' for Goddess Sri Mathurakaliamman.
The Independent
18-02-2025
- The Independent
Polar Preet delays for a year unsupported solo trek to North Pole
A former Army physiotherapist has postponed the 'insanely hard' challenge of becoming the first woman to travel solo and unsupported to the North Pole. Harpreet Chandi, who is nicknamed Polar Preet, had hoped to set off in March from Ellesmere Island, Canada, for the trek of just under 500 miles on shifting sea ice. But the 36-year-old adventurer from Derby now says she will have to delay the expedition for 12 months. 'I wanted so badly to set off for the North Pole this year, but without the necessary funding, it just isn't possible,' she said. 'At first, I felt disappointed, but then I reminded myself, this gives me an extra year to train, prepare, and secure the support I need. 'This expedition is incredibly expensive, with costs covering aircraft drop-off, pick-up, and search and rescue. The journey can be dangerous, and having proper safety measures in place is essential. 'These costs are vital for my safety on the ice, and I wouldn't attempt the expedition without them. 'It will be the hardest challenge I've ever taken on, and the odds of success are slim. But I know one thing for sure, I can't fail unless I try. 'Just because there is a high chance of failure doesn't mean you shouldn't try anyway. The journey is worth it. 'If you know me, you know I will do everything in my power to get to that start line. I'm determined, resilient, and not one to give up. There's a lot of work ahead, but we have one year. Let's go!' Ms Chandi announced at Christmas from her training base in the Antarctic that she hoped to complete a feat only successfully undertaken by Norway's Borge Ousland in 1994 and Britain's Pen Hadow in 2003. She told the PA news agency then: 'No females have done it for a reason. It's insanely hard and not very many men have done it either. 'It's challenging, but for me it's about trying something. Even if you have a small chance of making the end goal (I think) it's worth having that journey.' She was described as an 'icon' by Guinness World Records for redefining the concept of 'push your boundaries'. Ms Chandi found a way to balance her travels with a role as a British Army captain – she served for 16 years – and earn polar success. She became the first Asian woman to complete a solo expedition to the South Pole in January 2022, after travelling 700 miles in 40 days. A year later she covered 922 miles (1,485km) in 70 days and 16 hours, breaking the record for the longest solo, unsupported, one-way polar ski expedition. She also set the female speed record from the Hercules Inlet on the Ronne Ice Shelf to the South Pole on her third expedition, covering 700 miles over 31 days, 13 hours and 19 minutes between November 26 and December 28 2023.
