Latest news with #Jyotirlingas
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ahilyadevi Holkar's legacy must be known to youth: CM
PUNE: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasised the need to make the younger generation aware of the exemplary governance and legacy of Punyashlok Rajmata Ahilyadevi Holkar, stating that her contributions to Indian history are often overlooked. Fadnavis was speaking at an inspirational event for the youth organised by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha on the occasion of the 300th birth anniversary of Ahilyadevi Holkar. Fadnavis noted that history often wrongly teaches that India moved from Mughal to British rule without acknowledging the regional rulers who governed during the interim 100 to 125 years. 'Ahilyadevi Holkar ruled for 28 years with great administrative vision wherein the common man was at the centre of governance. She was a queen who led with compassion and efficiency. Many government schemes are now named after her, but her full legacy must be known to the youth,' Fadnavis asserted. The chief minister highlighted that Ahilyadevi Holkar played a critical role in preserving India's cultural and spiritual heritage at a time when foreign invaders were targeting temples and sacred sites. 'She restored temples, rebuilt pilgrimage spots, and ensured that all Jyotirlingas remained intact. Her leadership was marked by economic strength, drought management, fair taxation, and transparent governance,' Fadnavis said. Praising Ahilyadevi Holkar for her efforts towards the empowerment of women, Fadnavis drew parallels to modern initiatives such as 'Operation Sindoor' saying, 'What Ahilyadevi did for empowering women centuries ago echoes today in the work we are doing under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She recognised the need for self-reliance and created job markets by inviting weavers and artisans to Maheshwar,' Fadnavis said. The programme - held at Modern College, Shivajinagar - was attended by higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil; Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Vikrant Patil, Yogesh Tilekar and Hemant Rasane; and many youth and women leaders. On this occasion, a costume competition was organised to honour the queen's legacy, with awards distributed by the chief minister. Women who have made notable contributions to various fields were also felicitated.
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
CM Devendra Fadnavis praises Ahilyabai Holkar, highlights 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and women empowerment
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], May 31 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, praised the contributions of Ahilyadevi Holkar, calling her a visionary reformer, and drew parallels between her leadership and modern India's progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Chief Minister also praised India's progress in giving women leadership roles. Referring to Operation Sindoor, he said, 'During Operation Sindoor, we saw two women officers giving the briefing, and that was possible because our Prime Minister gave women the status and opportunity to lead from the front-whether in combat operations, warfare, or aviation. Even in those ancient times, Ahilyabai formed an entire battalion of women in her army, gave them training, and ensured security.' Speaking about India's spiritual heritage, Fadnavis said that foreign invaders attacked not only the country but also its culture. Fadnavis said, 'When foreign invaders attacked not just India but also its culture, they knew that India's unity came from its spiritual strength. That is why they tried to destroy it -- whether it was the Ram Temple, the Jyotirlingas, or various Shakti Peeths and inspirational sites. So during that time, Ahilyadevi (Holkar) took the initiative to restore these temples and places of inspiration. She was not limited to her kingdom in Maheshwar or Indore -- she worked everywhere. The unworthy Aurangzeb destroyed many temples during his time, to such an extent that worship had to be done in small, cramped spaces. Ahilyadevi renovated such temples and ghats that had been demolished by the Mughal rulers. The history we were taught makes it seem like the Mughals left and the British arrived, and nothing happened in between. But during that time, rulers like Ahilyadevi existed. Even though she was a queen, she was called 'Punyashlok' (blessed with virtue).' The chief minister will also attend Ahilyabai Holkar's 300th birth anniversary celebrations in Pune, Maharashtra, on Saturday (May 31). Ahilyabai is remembered for her people-centric policies and deep commitment to economic and socio-cultural issues, especially those that affected the lives of women. She encouraged the education of women and their participation in the social and religious life of the local community. She supported and encouraged women weavers to make Maheshwari sarees. Her contributions were wide-ranging, from infrastructure development (water bodies, roads, dharamshalas) to the reconstruction and revival of temples across the length and breadth of the land. The edifices she created have not only left an indelible mark on India's cultural and spiritual landscape but also stood the test of time. Also, while speaking on the alleged irregularities in Ladki Bahin Yojana, the chief minister said, 'When the Ladki Behna Yojana was launched, several people took advantage of it through false applications. But from the beginning, we have been continuously investigating. Those who have taken benefit of the scheme through wrongful means are being identified and removed from the scheme. This action is ongoing, and once it is complete, we will provide a full report.' Earlier this month, on May 4, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut launched a scathing attack on the Maharashtra government, claiming that the Ladki Bahin Yojana has been 'closed down' and accusing the ruling coalition of reneging on election promises. He said that while earlier promises included a payout of Rs 2,100, women are now getting only Rs 500. The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction has consistently criticised the Mahayuti-led Maharashtra government over the scheme's implementation. Party leader Aaditya Thackeray called it a 'shameless policy' that undermines the very promises made during elections. The Ladki Behen Scheme aims to provide financial assistance to eligible women across the state. However, UBT leaders alleged that the government is deliberately trying to lower the number of beneficiaries, raising concerns about its commitment to women's welfare and fulfilling electoral promises. (ANI)
New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Monsoon rush for Andhra Pradesh's scenic Srisailam temple
KURNOOL: With the onset of monsoon, bringing down scorching temperatures, the serene hills of Srisailam nestled in the lush Nallamala forest have turned into a major attraction for pilgrims and tourists alike. The rains have transformed the landscape into a green expanse, drawing thousands to the temple town. Tourists arriving at Srisailam are being greeted by cool breezes and breathtaking views of misty hills, gushing waterfalls, and dense forest cover. The changing climate has provided much-needed relief from the summer heat, making May to June first week, a perfect time for sightseeing and pilgrimage. As the schools are set to reopen on June 12, many families have taken the opportunity to visit Srisailam with their children, enjoying the natural beauty of the Nallamala forest, taking refreshing dips in the local waterfalls and exploring spiritual sites. The influx of visitors has led to heavy footfall in the temple streets and surrounding areas, with the town witnessing a festive atmosphere. The Srisailam temple, often referred to as Dakshina Kasi (the Varanasi of the South), is one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas. Which is a home to Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi. The temple complex, rich in mythology and tradition, includes sacred sites like the Triphala Vruksham believed to bless childless couples alongside Sivalingas installed by the Pandavas, and the Vrudda Mallikarjuna and Sahasra Lingeswarudu shrines linked to Lord Rama and Sita. Surrounding the temple are attractions such as the Patala Ganga river reservoir, a hydel project power station, ropeway rides, and natural viewpoints that offer a complete spiritual and recreational experience. In addition to Srisailam, other revered temples in the Nallamala forest region like Mahanandi and Ahobilam in Nandyal district are also witnessing increased tourist activity. These forest temples, located amidst the Eastern Ghats' rocky terrain and valleys, are proving to be ideal summer-end getaways for students, nature lovers, and spiritual seekers.
Pink Villa
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Exploring spiritual significance of Rasha Thadani's first tattoo, WATCH as she follows mom Raveena Tandon's lead
Raveena Tandon's daughter Rasha Thadani is quite a popular star-kid in Bollywood. She followed her mother's footsteps and stepped into the industry earlier this year with Azaad. Now, influenced by her mother's love for tattoos, Rasha got her first ever tattoo. It was only earlier this week, joined by the Welcome to the Jungle actress, the star-kid got herself inked. A video originally posted by Kraayonz shows Rasha Thadani joined by her mother, Raveena Tandon, for her first tattoo. The video that is now going viral on the internet shows the star-kid getting a butterfly with a trishul (trident) in the middle on the nape of her neck. During the process, Rasha was seen lying on the chair, and Tandon was supervising the making, ensuring it was perfect. On the other hand, talking about her tattoo, the young star shared in the video, 'Yeah, definitely my mother's comfort of getting tattoos has inspired me. But I've always wanted one." Watch video Notably, Raveena has the names of her children on her back and also an ink featuring paws dedicated to the four-legged creatures of this planet. Nothing much has been specified about Rasha's choice of the tattoo. However, the trident is associated with Lord Shiva in Hinduism and spiritual inclination of the mother-daughter duo towards him is not hidden from anyone. In fact, during the promotions of Azaad, the debutant was also seen wearing multiple kaala dhaaga (black threads) on her wrist, which were from each Jyotirlinga she had visited. For the unversed, Jyotirlingas are Hindu shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, and at the age of 19, she had already visited 19. She had also expressed her desire to visit the 12th Jyotirlinga before the year ends. Thus, ticking a wish off her bucket list, Rasha visited the Nageshwar (Gujarat) temple a couple of weeks after Azaad's release. She was joined by her mother, and a multi-picture post made on social media from her visit was captioned, "Nageshwar, my 12th Jyotirling, and Dwarkadhish. Feeling blessed and thankful." On the professional front, Raveena will be next seen in Welcome to the Jungle, while Rasha has reportedly been signed in for Pati Patni Aur Woh 2.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Launch QR code-based grievance portal: CM
Ranchi: Before leaving for Delhi to attend the 10th meeting of the governing council of Niti Aayog scheduled on Saturday, chief minister Hemant Soren made a slew of directives for a smooth Shravani Mela, a monthlong event which will begin on July 11 in the temple town of Deoghar. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now One of the biggest religious events of Jharkhand, Shravani Mela attracts lakhs of pilgrims to Babadham or Baidyanath Dham, a prominent temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, from around the globe every year. Babadham is one of the 12 revered Jyotirlingas located across the country. Chairing a review meeting for the event, Hemant directed the departments concerned to ensure the safety and security of the pilgrims during the month-long mela in Deoghar, which is expected to witness a grand presence of around 50 lakh devotees this year. "Shravani Mela is a significant event of our faith and has given a unique identity to Jharkhand globally. Every year, lakhs of devotees visit Babadham. We are working towards making the fair grander every year by introducing new elements and ensuring that devotees have an enhanced experience and return with cherished memories," Hemant said. The CM also directed the departments to coordinate among themselves and ensure the availability of basic amenities during the fair. He asked chief secretary Alka Tiwari to monitor the preparedness. He also stressed ensuring smooth traffic movement on the routes to Babadham and Basukinath Dham. In another significant directive, the CM also asked officials to implement a QR code-based complaint system, enabling devotees to register their grievances promptly if they encounter any issues. "It will be a mechanism to swiftly and effectively resolve the complaints," he added.
