Latest news with #GangaAarti
Time of India
a day ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Ganga starts receding in Varanasi, Mirzapur, Ballia
1 2 Varanasi: The water level of the Ganga river has begun to recede in Varanasi, Mirzapur, and Ballia, while it remained steady in Ghazipur on Monday. However, the river continues to flow above the danger mark in Ballia, inundating several low-lying areas. According to the daily bulletin of Central Water Commission, the Ganga was flowing 1.32 metre above the danger mark in Ballia, though a declining trend of 1cm per hour was recorded. In Varanasi and Mirzapur, the river was receding at a rate of 2cm per hour and 3cm per hour respectively. In Ghazipur, the water level remained steady, flowing just 0.01 metre below the danger mark. Despite the receding trend, the situation in Varanasi remained critical as all steps and upper platforms at the Ganga ghats remained submerged. Space for cremations at Manikarnika Ghat was extremely limited, forcing families to perform last rites in the adjoining lanes leading to Harishchandra Ghat. Besides, the daily Ganga Aarti ritual was also relocated due to the rise in water level. Meanwhile, Varanasi DM Satyendra Kumar conducted a surprise inspection of the flood-affected regions on Sunday, visiting the relief camp at Deepti Convent School in the Hukulganj area. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Global Indices Are on the Move — Time to Trade! IC Markets Learn More Undo He also surveyed the flood situation from the rooftop of a house near the Varuna river. Kumar directed municipal authorities to intensify sanitation drives and conduct anti-larvae spraying, fogging, and lime treatment in waterlogged areas. The DM further instructed the SDM Sadar to collect feedback from flood-affected residents regarding food, shelter, power supply for mobile charging, and other essential needs, and to ensure prompt redressal of their concerns. Meanwhile, UP Minister of State for Stamp and Court Registration Fees (Independent Charge) Ravindra Jaiswal visited flood-hit areas, including the Navodaya Public School in Daniyalpur. He interacted with displaced families, assured them of govt support, and distributed relief materials among them.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Ganga, tributaries maroon villages of Varanasi, Ballia
1 2 3 4 5 6 Varanasi: As level of Ganga water neared warning level of 70.26 meters in Varanasi, floodwater started entering localities along the banks of its tributary, Varuna, on Sunday. Over 1,000 people migrated to safe places while administration maintained a vigil in Ganga upstream localities. In Ballia, villages are getting marooned because of flooding of Ganga's tributary, Tons (Tamsa) river. The river submerged all ghat steps and their upper platforms, leaving less space for bathing at ghats like Dashaswamedh, where even river police outpost is submerged. As limited space was available for pyres at Manikarnika Ghat, cremations were taking place in the street leading to Harishchandra Ghat and people funeral processions waited for hours to get a vacant site. Ganga Aarti was performed on top level of the buildings by organisers. According to the Central Water Commission's daily bulletin, the water level of the Ganga reached 70.14 metres by Sunday afternoon against the warning level of 70.26 meters, while the danger mark is at 71.26 meters. The record of the maximum water level in Varanasi was 73.90 meters in 1978. The trend of increase was maintained at Phaphamau, although the water level of the river became stable at Mirzapur in the upstream after reaching one meter below the warning level of 76.72 metres. In Ballia, the river was flowing at 60.39 meters against the danger level of 57.61 meters, while in Ghazipur, it reached close to the warning level of 59.12 meters. The record of the maximum water level was recorded as 60.39 meters in August 2016 in Ballia. In Varanasi, the floodwater affected only Rampur Dhab village of Tehsil Sadar in rural areas, but in city area, the number of localities where floodwaters entered increased from six to eight, including Salarpur, Saraiya, Nakkighat, Dhelwariya, Daniyalpur, and Hukulganj, as well as areas in Badi Bazar and Konia localities along Varuna. The entry of overflowing Ganga is flooding localities on the banks of Varuna. According to district administration's report, number of families affected by flood in these localities increased to 317 from 65 as on Saturday. As many as 1,473 persons from these families shifted from low-lying areas on Varuna banks and 672 of them reached flood relief camps, while 801 moved to other areas. By Saturday, seven of 46 flood relief camps were operational, but on Sunday, four more camps were operationalised. The district administration also intensified distribution of lunch packets, fruits, milk packets and ORS while medical teams treated the ailing persons. Though Ganga was flowing 1 meter above danger mark, problems were created mainly by its tributary, the Tons river, as it started marooning localities mainly in Chitbadagaon municipal area and nearby villages. The overflowing river's water impacted many roads, homes and daily life and routine. The main road connecting the municipal area to villages like Nagwa Gai, Akhtiyarpur, Bibipur, Barhwalia, Tikri and Majurpur is submerged, halting public movement. The renowned religious site Madho Brahma Baba's location is also surrounded by water, completely stopping worship activities there.
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Climate
- Indian Express
Ganga floods Bade Hanuman temple in Prayagraj on first tuesday of Shrawan; devotees capture sacred ‘Mahasnan'
In Prayagraj, the holy rivers Ganga and Yamuna have surged significantly, rising nearly a metre overnight on Monday. By Tuesday afternoon, their swelling waters brought about a rare and deeply spiritual moment – the sacred Mahasnan (ritual bathing) – of 'Bade Hanuman' at the famed riverside temple. This natural occurrence, considered highly auspicious by locals, aligned perfectly with the first Tuesday of the Shrawan month, a day already significant in Hindu tradition. What made it even more remarkable was its timing. Typically, floodwaters reach the temple in August, but this year, for the first time in decades, it happened mid-July. According to The Times of India, water began surrounding the corridor of the Bade Hanuman temple early Monday. By the next morning, it had entered the temple premises. By 2:30 pm on Tuesday, it flowed steadily down the temple stairs, and within the hour, the reclining idol of Lord Hanuman was fully submerged. Videos capturing this have gone viral online. In them, devotees can be seen gathered around the temple, documenting the event and witnessing the half-submerged idol with reverence. Priests performed aarti (worship using lit lamps) followed by abhishekam (ritual bathing of a deity). #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Water level of River Ganga increased in Prayagraj; enters Bade Hanuman Mandir in Prayagraj. — ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2025 Mahant Balbeer Giri, the temple's head priest, told Hindustan Times, 'After the flood waters entered the temple, we performed Ganga Aarti followed by 'Abhishek' of both Goddess Ganga and Lord Hanuman. Later, we took a small idol of Hanuman and after touching it to the large idol, the same is placed above the temple and all rituals would now be performed on it right till the flood water recedes.' Following the traditions, the main chamber of the temple has now been closed for regular rituals. Meanwhile, data from the Central Water Commission indicates that the Ganga is flowing at 68.42 metres in Varanasi and is rising at a rate of 40 mm per hour. Though still below the warning mark of 70.262 metres, the steady increase is being closely monitored.
Hindustan Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Fuelled by rising xenophobia, incidents of Hinduphobia continue to escalate in Canada
Toronto: From a rath yatra in Toronto pelted with eggs and a river ritual attracting attacks to temples being vandalised, incidents of Hinduphobia continue to escalate in Canada, fuelled by rising xenophobia in the country. Ganga aarti being performed on the banks of the Credit river in the Greater Toronto Area on July 4. (Credit: Consulate General of India/X) The rath yatra or chariot fest, an annual event, organised by ISKCON in Toronto, was disrupted as eggs were tossed at the procession by unidentified miscreants on Saturday. That left members of the congregation shocked since the rath yatra is a Toronto staple, with this being its 53rd edition. 'Anti-immigration sentiment is feeding into this,' a committee member of ISKCON Toronto told the Hindustan Times. A police report was filed. In a statement, ISKCON Communications North America said it 'strongly condemns this disrespectful and potentially dangerous act. There is no place for such behaviour in a multicultural and tolerant society like Canada'. 'We are grateful that no serious injuries occurred, and we commend the prompt response of law enforcement. We urge that the individuals responsible be held accountable under applicable laws,' the released issued on Monday added. India also reacted. In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Monday, 'Such despicable acts are regrettable and are against the spirit of the festival, which seeks to promote unity, inclusivity, and social harmony.' He added that New Delhi had 'strongly taken up the matter with Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators of the act accountable' and hoped Ottawa 'will take necessary action to protect the religious rights of people'. This incident came just days after as a Ganga Aarti on the banks of the Credit river in the Greater Toronto Area or GTA town of Mississauga came in for xenophobic attacks online. The Aarti was performed on July 4 and when Mississauga city councillor Dipika Damerla posted a video of its online, some of the reaction was racist and critical. In a response, she said the post 'got a lot of love but also a lot of hate and misinformation'. 'Nothing, not even flowers were put into the river' which, along with the site, were 'left pristine' after the ritual was performed, she said. She said the Ganga aarti could be performed at any river to honour them for providing 'life sustenance to all of us'. In April, the Sri Krishna Brundavana Temple in the town of Georgetown in Ontario was vandalised. That followed a spate of incidents of vandalisation of Hindu temples across country between 2023 and 2024. At least 20 temples were targeted during that period and desecrated often with pro-Khalistan and anti-India graffiti spray-painted on their walls and exteriors. These incidents come as anti-immigration sentiment has grown in Canada in recent years following the high numbers of newcomers entering the country due to the policies of the government of former prime minister Justin Trudeau. As the largest and most visible cohort, Indians have been the principle targets of the growing xenophobic trend. 'There is anti-immigration narrative building in Canada and the growth of Hinduphobia is part of that,' immigration professional Naresh Chavda said. He added that the sentiment has been aggravated by the actions against immigrants taken by the administration of President Donald Trump in the United States. In November last year, there was a violent invasion of the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton by pro-Khalistan protesters, resulting in multiple arrests. 'It's unacceptable that in a country priding itself on multiculturalism, Hindu Canadians must constantly defend their right to exist and worship peacefully,' Rishabh Sarswat, president of the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) Canada, said. He called on all levels of government and law enforcement to 'address this growing threat seriously'. The spate of hate targeting Hindus has often been met with silence from the federal government and lack of police action in the form of arrests. In October 2023, an e-petition for the recognition of Hinduphobia in Canada was moved by GTA resident Vijay Jain and attracted over 25,000 signatures. It was presented in the House of Commons by its sponsoring MP Melissa Lantsman. However, there was no action from the government, other than an anodyne response thanking the petitioner 'for expressing their concerns regarding the growing negative stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination of Hindus in Canada'.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Ganga water level inches closer to warning mark
Varanasi: The water level of the Ganga in Varanasi has surged by over one metre in the past 24 hours, inching dangerously close to the warning level of 70.26 metres. At 8am on Monday, the river had crossed the 67.72-metre mark, continuing to rise steadily at a rate of 5cm per hour. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The rising trend was not limited to Varanasi alone. According to the bulletin issued by the Middle Ganga Division of the Central Water Commission, the Ganga is witnessing similar rise in other eastern UP districts. In Mirzapur, the river rose by 1.16 metre in the last 24 hours, while Varanasi recorded a 1.12 metre rise. Ghazipur and Ballia reported an increase of 0.66 and 0.56 metre, respectively. The rate of rise was measured at 5 cm per hour in both Varanasi and Mirzapur, and 4 cm per hour in Ghazipur and Ballia. Despite the surge, the Ganga was still flowing below the danger mark across all affected districts. According to latest information, in Ghazipur, the river was flowing 2.695 metre below the danger level while in Ballia, it was 1.075 metre below the danger mark. In Varanasi, it remained 4.542 metre below the mark and in Mirzapur, it was 4.374 metre below the warning level. However, the rise in the water level has already affected normal life in Varanasi with several ghat steps and low-lying areas submerged, disrupting the daily activities. The interconnectivity of ghats has broken and the Ganga Aarti ceremony has been relocated due to inundation. Meanwhile, authorities are closely monitoring the situation, prompting preparations to mitigate possible flooding in the coming days.
