Latest news with #Hindu
Hans India
8 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Punjabi TV actress Isha Kaloya to make Hindi fiction debut with show ‘Jhalee Ki Kahani'
Mumbai: Punjabi TV actress Isha Kaloya, who was last seen playing the lead role of Heer in the popular the show 'Heer Tey Tedi Kheer,' is all set to make her debut in Hindi television industry with upcoming show 'Jhalee ki kahani'. Isha, who will be seen essaying the role of one of the leads, named Amrit, expressed her excitement and said: 'I'm super excited for this show as this is my debut to the magical TV industry. Also co-incidentally my character name is Amrit, and I'm from Amritsar. I'm enjoying this connection.' She added: 'It's a name with deep roots in Hindu and Sikh traditions, often associated with divine sustenance and the elixir of life.' Tagging it as a 'dream come true', she said: 'I'm all thankful to the producers, Pradeep sir and Rajesh Ram sir." She continued it's a celebration time for me and my family. "My dad (Mr. Ashok Kaloya) and mom (Mrs. Jyoti Kaloya) are overwhelmed and already counting days to see me on screen. They are back in my hometown Amritsar. When I told my parents about this opportunity, they were really happy.' She said it was a happy yet emotional moment for them. 'My success is all because of the blessings I get from them. They always trust and believe in me which motivates me. I look forward to earning more love from my audience," she said. The show which will also star Vishal Gandhi and Apeksha Malviya and be produced by Predeep Kumar and Rajesh Ram Singh's production house Cockcrow and Shaika Entertainment. The banner has previously given shows such as Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin, Choti Sarrdaarni, Teri Meri Doriyaann, Deewaniyat etc. Talking about 'Heer Tey Tedhi Kheer', which also stars KP Singh, revolves around clumsy yet cheerful Heer, who after getting married to a rigid DJ, discovers that married life means embarking on the challenging journey of becoming a mother-in-law to three older women.
India.com
8 minutes ago
- India.com
Unlock The Secrets Of Mumbai's Ancient Temples And Their Deep Astrological Connections
Mumbai functions as a 'City of Dreams' throughout its metropolitan essence that extends beyond its records of high-rise buildings and Bollywood film industry. The urban modern aspect of Mumbai conceals a centuries-long cultural heritage of history as well as religion and heritage which persists to this day. The energetic city of Mumbai shows several historical temple sites that are revered both spiritually and astrologically. For numerous generations devotees have honored these sacred sites which provide knowledge about Vedic astrology along with planetary effects and cosmic power. The Role of Temples in Vedic Astrology Through their function as religious establishments Hindu temples establish channels that connect human existence to divine power. Based on the teachings of Vedic astrology, which is known as Jyotish Shastra, planets together with stars affect human life based on their birth planetary positions. Religious sites which honor specific deities perform two functions by reducing harmful planetary effects together with amplifying beneficial cosmic energy. People worship Lord Shiva because Mars controls him while Goddess Parvati answers to Venus (Shukra) and Lord Ganesha receives devotion through Ketu—a shadow planetary force. During antiquity builders designed numerous temples in Mumbai according to concepts found in Vastu Shastra and the astronomical field. The proper alignment of temples follows cosmic arrangements which lets them effectively direct spiritual power. Visitors to these shrines ask for divine help to integrate their existence with cosmic harmonies and break free from planetary hindrances that affect their lives. Siddhivinayak Temple: A Beacon of Auspicious Beginnings The Siddhivinayak Temple within Prabhadevi area represents one of Mumbai's premier landmarks because it worships Lord Ganesha who removes obstacles. The temple brings in millions of worshippers each year because its spiritual power stands unmatched according to devotees. The Vedic tradition indicates that Ganesha worship provides both emotional calmness to Ketu and spiritual growth during difficult moments. According to spiritual belief the temple features its main deity facing north to bring positive success and prosperity. Before starting new projects dedicated followers of the religion uphold prayers at this place to secure heavenly assistance for the commencement. The temple exerts a magnetic power because it was built according to astrological principles which create a sacred space to find direction from celestial influences. Mahalakshmi Temple: Invoking Prosperity and Balance The Mahalakshmi Temple adjacent to Malabar Hill holds astrological significance as one of the shrines in the city. Crowds of devotees visit this shrine which honors Goddess Lakshmi to gain her blessings for abundance and wealth because they seek to worship Jupiter (Guru) and Venus (Shukra). Vedic astrological teachings demonstrate that material gains fall under the planetary domain of Jupiter whereas relationships are managed by Venus. The temple originated in 1784 on top of a hill above the Arabian Sea which connects the Earth with Water and Sky in one view. The temple construction follows Vastu guidelines precisely to support the natural distribution of universal energy. The temple organizes specific religious ceremonies known as pujas throughout Navratri festivals together with other celebrations to seek divine financial wealth and emotional contentment blessings. At the temple visitors can find worship figures of Goddess Saraswati for wisdom and Kali for power which unite together as three manifestations of feminine cosmic energy. Walkeshwar Temple: Harnessing Lunar Energy The ancient Walkeshwar Temple stands on Malabar Hill as a Shiva temple that apparently accumulates lunar spiritual power. Historical documents along with religious legends suggest Pandavas built this temple during their exile period but actual reconstruction work was undertaken by the Silhara dynasty in the 12th century. Religious devotees seek the peaceful sanctuary to eliminate the detrimental astral influences from Saturn (Shani) and Rahu that create delaying issues and confusion. People seek sacredness at the natural spring of Banganga Tank which flows from the Ganges River. Folks view bath rituals in this water source as a means to eliminate karma-related obligations while making their souls pure. The activity at this shrine reaches its peak on moonlit nights due to increased spiritual energy which supports both meditation and mind examination. Babulnath Temple: Seeking Redemption Under Shiva's Grace The Babulnath Temple stands at a short distance from Girgaum Chowpatty which demonstrates how deeply Mumbai connects to astrological principles. Babulnath Temple serves the same purpose as other Shiva temples by providing people with solace from Mars (Mangal) and Ketu-related matters. People use 'Om Namah Shivaya' mantra chanting to reduce passionate nature and erase the effects of previous lives' actions. The panoramic city view from the temple strengthens the belief that Shiva holds supreme oversight of both creation and destruction. The religious practice of Rudrabhishekam which involves bathing the lingam with milk, honey and ghee takes place frequently to obtain blessings and eliminate harmful energy. Mumba Devi Temple: Honoring the Guardian Deity A study of astrological heritage in Mumbai must include the Mumba Devi Temple located within Bhuleshwar. The temple dedicates itself to worshiping the goddess who founded Mumbai. People turn to Mumba Devi for her attributes of protection and strength because she helps solve problems related to Sun (Surya)-based energy such as egos clashes or leadership disputes. The temple began its existence in 1737 while maintaining a straightforward appearance that emanates an incredible amount of power. Through seasonal rituals and regular attendance at worship services a devotee gains solar cosmic power which develops strength together with life force. Conclusion The ancient temples of Mumbai function as vibrant expressions of eternal Indian knowledge by integrating faith and scientific principles. Architecture demonstrates through perfectly crafted designs and strategic placement and long-lasting cultural traditions how astrology deeply penetrates into the field of design. The holy sanctuaries remain sources of spiritual strength that grant blessings and discharge negative planetary effects for countless individuals.
NDTV
18 minutes ago
- Politics
- NDTV
China, Pakistan, And The Trouble With Keeping Snakes In Your Backyard
India's Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, is in China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting and has used the important multilateral forum to highlight New Delhi's concerns on cross-border terrorism. Driving home the point subtly, Jaishankar has reminded Beijing that the SCO's raison d'être was combatting terrorism, separatism, and extremism, and that the "three evils" often occur together. The remarks were made in the context of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 this year, in which 26 tourists were gunned down. The government's assessment of this dastardly terror attack has been that it was aimed at creating a chasm, given that the perpetrators singled out their victims on the basis of their religious identity. The objective of the Pakistan-sponsored terrorists was also to dent the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, which had been thriving on tourism since its return to normalcy. In the context of Jammu and Kashmir, the three-fold evils of terrorism, separatism, and extremism have indeed been reinforcing and compounding. The Munir Doctrine Pakistan mobilised terror groups in the Valley in the 1980s and pushed foreign fighters, which ultimately led to the killings of the local Hindu population and their subsequent exodus. The terror groups, whom Islamabad branded as 'freedom fighters', were seeking to carve out a separate state. Girding this approach is Pakistan's philosophy, that it was founded as a homeland of Muslims, and that Jammu & Kashmir is an unfinished agenda of the Partition of 1947. In fact, Pakistan's Field Marshal, Asim Munir, had openly publicised this viewpoint before the Pakistan Overseas Convention just before the Pahalgam terror attack, dusting off the "two-nation theory" in his address and referring to Kashmir as Pakistan's "jugular vein". Incidentally, also, when the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing attack took place, in which around 40 Indian service personnel were martyred, Munir was heading the Inter-Services Intelligence. Jaishankar, Unfiltered In his address to the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Jaishankar underscored that the UN Security Council had condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and called for the perpetrators, organisers, financiers, and sponsors of terrorism to be held accountable and brought to justice. The Foreign Minister has thus tried to contextualise India's actions, such as keeping the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance and striking terror training camps and military infrastructure in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Jaishankar also exhorted SCO members to stay on course with the grouping's founding goal - combatting 'terrorism, separatism, and extremism' - if the multilateral grouping really wishes to present an uncompromising stance on the challenge. This positioning throws a poser to China, which has its own worries about separatism and extremism and brings into question Beijing's duplicitous role. In his first visit to China since the military standoff, Jaishankar has underscored China's two-faced stand on terror. The Dragon's Steady Support In 2019, China joined hands with Pakistan to raise the Kashmir issue at the UN Security Council after India scrapped the erstwhile state's special status. While Beijing had floated the SCO ostensibly to fight terrorism, it has been instrumental in protecting the perpetrators of acts of terror committed on Indian territory. In the past, China has also blocked initiatives to place Jaish-e-Mohammad's Rauf Asghar and the Lashkar-e-Taiba's Sajid Mir and Abdur Rahman Makki on the UN sanctions list. China harbours Indian separatist leaders on its soil, and its state-backed publications threaten India with this supposed leverage. China's formal position on Operation Sindoor has been to describe India's action as 'regrettable', urging New Delhi and Islamabad to arrive at a 'settlement' through political 'dialogue'. Not just that, but a recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has stated that 63% of Beijing's arms exports between 2020 and 2024 went to Pakistan. The Indian Army has also publicly revealed the details of the Chinese-made armaments, such as PL-15E long-range missiles, which were developed by China's Aviation Industry Corporation and used by Pakistan during the conflict. The official assessment of the Indian Army, expressed by Deputy Chief of Army Staff General Rahul Singh, is that China, along with Turkey, backed Pakistan by providing real-time inputs of India's actions during Operation Sindoor. While declaring that China opposes all forms of terrorism, its foreign ministry further asserts that it seeks to play a constructive role in fostering amity. Does Beijing really think it can present itself as an honest broker even as it acts like a behind-the-scenes instigator? China should remember well former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's sage advice, that snakes would eventually come to bite those who nurtured them in their backyard. (Harsh V Pant is Vice President, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi. Kalpit Mankikar is Fellow, China Studies, at ORF.)
India Today
38 minutes ago
- India Today
I am innocent: UP's Chhangur Baba on mass religious conversion allegations
Jamaluddin alias Chhangur Baba, the alleged mastermind in the Uttar Pradesh religious conversion racket, has broken his silence on the allegations."I am innocent. I don't know anything," Chhangur Baba and his aide Nasreen are being taken from the Community Health Centre after medical Chhangur Baba conversion case involves Jamaluddin, alias Chhangur Baba, a self-styled spiritual leader from Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, who is accused of orchestrating a large-scale illegal religious conversion The case gained significant attention after his arrest by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) along with his associate, Neetu alias Nasreen. The probe has revealed an elaborate network allegedly involved in luring and coercing vulnerable individuals, particularly Hindu women and minors, into converting to Islam, often through deceit, emotional manipulation, and financial inducements.A significant aspect of the allegations involves a massive financial trail. Investigations by the ATS and Enforcement Directorate (ED) have uncovered that over Rs 500 crore was allegedly funneled into around 40 bank accounts linked to Chhangur Baba and his associates from foreign sources, primarily from Gulf countries and possibly Pakistan. These funds are suspected to have been used to finance the conversion operations, with a "fixed incentive structure" based on the caste of the person being converted, reportedly ranging from Rs 8-10 lakh for other castes to Rs 15-16 lakh for Brahmin, Sikh, or Kshatriya women.- Ends
India.com
2 hours ago
- India.com
Kanwar Yatra EXPLAINED: Mapping 210-km Delhi-Haridwar Route, 60 Million Devotees Expected Amidst Security & QR Code Controversy
Crores of saffron-robed pilgrims have started the month-long annual Kanwar Yatra, a religious yatra in honor of Lord Shiva, that started on July 11. With recitation of 'Har Har Mahadev' echoes, pilgrims are embarking on a spiritual odyssey, at times barefoot, to sacred shrines to fetch holy Ganga water to perform 'jalabhishek' rituals during the Hindu calendar month of 'Shravan'. This year, the Uttar Pradesh government is expecting a record 60 million pilgrims, among which seven million are women, to travel through the Kanwar Yatra route across the state. Delhi has also turned into an important transit point, with 15 to 20 lakh Kanwariyas passing through on their way to the holy Ganga ghats of Haridwar and Rishikesh. Charting the 210-km Devotional Route from Delhi to Haridwar The tiresome 210-kilometer road distance from Delhi to Haridwar and Rishikesh is broken by various authorized pitstops, which are well-provided with tents, medical camps, and restaurants to cater to the pilgrims. Partapur Village, Uttar Pradesh: Around 60 km from Delhi, this initial key stop has some five police tents, 15-20 devotee camps, and two to three medical camps, with a fire tender ready in case of any emergency. Modipuram, Uttar Pradesh: This 90 km distance from Delhi features in excess of a dozen camps and has over 500 police officers deployed. Khatauli and Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh: These are important stops before Uttarakhand. A notable Shiva temple in Muzaffarnagar is a very important point, according to reports, attracting more than one million Kanwariyas every year. "The yatra is not complete without a parikrama at the Shiv temple," head priest Harish Bhardwaj said in a report to Hindustan Times. Roorkee: The second last point before pilgrims arrive at Haridwar to fetch Ganga water. Some come back from Haridwar to their hometowns, while others go to Rishikesh to see the Neelkanth temple, which saw six lakh devotees last year on a single day. To provide a safe and hassle-free experience for the huge pilgrimage, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched a massive security drive. The drive involves deploying 587 gazetted officers, 2,040 inspectors, 13,520 sub-inspectors, and 39,965 constables of police and paramilitary personnel. Adding strength to this, 1,486 women sub-inspectors and 8,541 women constables are present on the ground supported by 50 companies of PAC and central forces and 1,424 home guards. Yatra Under Fire: Hooliganism, Traffic, and Controversial Directives Though rooted in religious sanctity, Kanwar Yatra has come under the spotlight of late with concerns about sporadic cases of hooliganism, vandalism, and blanket traffic snarls. Recently, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered after glass shards were found strewn on a Kanwar Yatra route in northeast Delhi's Dilshad Garden. Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena shared a video of the site on social media, confirming that the crime branch is investigating the matter to ascertain any malicious intent or communal angle. According to a report by Quint, the 2024 Kanwar Yatra witnessed at least 20 documented cases of violence. Adding to the complications are some directives issued by state governments, which have raised controversy and led to charges of religious profiling. The Uttar Pradesh government headed by Yogi Adityanath has ordered that restaurants and food stalls on the 540-km Kanwar yatra route stretching from Meerut to Muzaffarnagar should have a QR code displayed. The QR code is intended to bring forth important information like the identity of the owner, FSSAI license, reports of cleanliness, and vegetarian or non-vegetarian status of the food being offered. The Supreme Court of India has requested a response from the government of Uttar Pradesh on a petition against this order. This comes after a similar intervention last year, when the top court stayed similar orders issued by BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh governments, which had mandated restaurants along the Kanwar Yatra routes to display the names of their owners and workers publicly.
