Latest news with #LordJagannath
NDTV
3 hours ago
- General
- NDTV
No Hidden Chamber In Puri Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar: ASI
Puri: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Tuesday said there is no hidden chamber in the Ratna Bhandar of the Jagannath temple in Puri. The ASI has recently completed the restoration and repair of the Ratna Bhandar. In a post on X, detailing the restoration works, it said, "..there were no hidden spaces (in Ratna Bhadar)." The ASI said it was confirmed on the basis of a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey. It said the Ratna Bhandar, or treasury, comprises two parts -- 'Bhitara' Ratnabhandara and 'Bahara' Bhandara, which are separated by an iron gate, locked from the outside. "After inspecting both the chambers, it was decided to take up a GPR survey to identify if there are any hidden chambers or shelves inside the walls or under the floor," it said. "The report of the #GPR survey conducted in September 2024 confirmed that there were no hidden spaces. Following the report, conservation began on 17 December 2024. It started with scaffolding in both Bhitara and Bahara Bhandara," it added. The Ratna Bhandar is attached to the northern entrance of the Jagamohana or assembly hall of the temple, the ASI said. Constructed from khondalite stone, Ratna Bhandar was intended to house the valuables of the Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Shree Sudarshana, it said. The conservation work was carried out at the Ratna Bhandar in two phases, from December 17, 2024, to April 28, 2025, and from June 28 to July 7. As part of it, the ASI team undertook de-plastering of the inner ceiling, corbels, niches, walls, and outer facade to assess the structure. "Damaged stones and loose joints were discovered. Joints were sealed, followed by chemical cleaning, both inside and outside," it said. The damaged stone pieces were replaced with new khondalite blocks matching the original profiles. All corbel stones were examined and replaced as needed, it added. The rust-damaged wrought iron beams in the niches were also replaced with stainless steel box beams, and grouting was done in various locations, the agency said. Ratna Bhandar's flooring was also replaced with granite stone over a cushioned sandstone base, ensuring slope for drainage and smooth door operation. The inner iron grill gate was also chemically cleaned and repainted with golden preservative paint, it said. The inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar was opened after 46 years on July 14 last year for the repair work, and inventory.
Mint
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
‘Shameless': AliExpress sells Lord Jagannath 'Doormat', sparks outrage among netizens
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and former MP Amar Patnaik has condemned the "egregious" act of selling doormats featuring the sacred image of Lord Jagannath by popular Chinese-owned global e-commerce site AliExpress. The online store is also receiving massive backlash on social media from Indian users. Thousands of X users have backed the call for an apology and urged the online retailer to take the listing down immediately. The BJD leader called the act "shameless" and wrote: 'I vehemently condemn the egregious act of selling doormats with the sacred image of Lord Jagannath on AliExpress! This shameless profanity is an affront to the deepest sentiments of millions of devotees, trampling upon the revered iconography with utter disregard. It's a desecration of the highest order, and those responsible must be held accountable. The fact that Lord Jagannath's image is being used as a mere commodity is a stark reminder of the blatant disrespect towards Hinduism. Immediate action is imperative to rectify this egregious wrongdoing and restore dignity to the revered deity.' The religious row erupted after a purported image circulated on social media showing the sacred image of Lord Jagannath, a revered Hindu deity worshipped primarily in Odisha and parts of eastern India. The product description reads: "Lord Jagannath Mandala Art Mat Doorway Non-Slip Soft Water Uptake Carpet Krishna Jaganath Hindu Go..." and the price of the doormat is ₹ 787.65. There are two images: the left image shows a close-up of the mat featuring Lord Jagannath's face, while the right image shows a person standing barefoot on the mat, directly on the deity's face. The product description, referring to it as "moisture absorbent" and "anti-slip," has further fueled the outrage, with devotees condemning it as a clear display of religious insensitivity. Since the listing gained widespread attention, devotees on social media have strongly condemned the product, demanding its immediate removal along with an apology from both the seller and the platform. Hashtags such as #RespectJagannath and #BoycottAliExpress have been trending across India, intensifying calls for accountability. The episode is reminiscent of an incident in 2020, when Inc. had to take down listings of products such as briefs and doormats with Hindu sacred symbols that were being sold on its overseas websites, following a social media uproar in India. #BoycottAmazon was one of the top trending topics on Twitter in India at the time, with users sharing screenshots of Amazon listings for doormats and underwear emblazoned with insignia including the elephant god Ganesha and other symbols considered sacred in Hinduism. 'We are taking down the products in question,' Amazon had said in a statement. 'All sellers must follow our selling guidelines, and those who do not will be subject to action, including potential removal of their account.'
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Posts accusing Rahul Gandhi of 'insulting Hindu festival' use misleadingly edited speech
A misleadingly clipped video of Rahul Gandhi purportedly showing him calling a major religious festival a "drama" has circulated in posts accusing the opposition leader of insulting Hindus. Gandhi was in fact criticising a local Indian state government, saying it was serving the interests of billionaires over its own people. "Rahul Gandhi, standing on the soil of Odisha, called the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath a 'drama'!" reads part of the Hindi-language caption of a Facebook video shared on July 11, 2025. The video shows Gandhi standing at a podium and saying: "When the Jagannath Yatra takes place in Odisha, the chariot of the Jagannath Yatra comes out, hundreds of thousands of people watch it and follow it and then a drama takes place." It was shared after a deadly stampede marred the annual Rath Yatra festival honouring the Hindu deity Lord Jagannath, which was held in eastern Odisha state (archived link). At least three people were killed and around 50 others injured in the early hours of June 29, with the Times of India reporting that eyewitnesses blamed the chaos on poor planning and arrangements for VIPs (archived link). The clip was also shared in similar Facebook, Threads and X posts targeting the opposition Congress party's leader. "The Supreme Court should take cognisance of the insult of the Hindu faith and Lord Jagannath by this heretic and strict action should be taken against this heretic," read a comment on one of the posts. Another said: "When will action be taken against this corrupt stupid man? How long will he keep roaming around the country and keep talking nonsense, keep playing with the sentiments of Hindu believers?" The video, however, has been misleadingly edited. Clipped video A reverse image search on Google using keyframes from the misleadingly edited video led to a longer version published on the verified YouTube channel of News 18 Odia on July 11 (archived link). Its description states that Gandhi was speaking at Congress' "Save the Constitution" rally in Odisha's Bhubaneswar city, part of a national campaign to bolster support for the opposition party. The segment used in the false posts can be seen at the video's 32-second mark. The falsely shared clip omits Gandhi explaining what he meant by "drama". "When the Jagannath Yatra takes place in Odisha, the chariot of the Jagannath Yatra comes out, hundreds of thousands of people watch it and follow it and then a drama takes place -- the chariots are stopped specifically for Adani and his family," he says, referring to Indian billionaire Gautam Adani. The Adani Group chairman took part in the Rath Yatra with his family on June 28 (archived link). The pulling of giant chariots of Lord Jagannath and his siblings from the Lion's Gate of the Shree Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple 2.5 km (1.5 miles) away -- a key ritual in the Rath Yatra -- had been delayed by a day, according to India's The Telegraph newspaper (archived link). The newspaper said the opposition Congress party accused the Odisha state government, run by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), of deliberately delaying the ritual so the Adani family could take part. In response, Odisha law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan accused the opposition of trying to "politicise the issue". Gandhi goes on to say in his speech: "This alone reveals the true nature of the Odisha government. This is not the Odisha government and it is also not the government of poor people. "It doesn't serve the people of Odisha, but rather a handful of billionaires like Adani. Their aim is to seize your land, your forests, and your future." His remarks were also reported by The Indian Express, The Print, PTI and Times of India (archived here, here, here and here). AFP has debunked other false posts targeting the opposition leader here.
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First Post
15-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Lord Jagannath Yatra pelted with eggs in Toronto: How Hindus are targeted in Canada
The annual Lord Jagannath Yatra in Canada's Toronto was marred over the weekend when unidentified miscreants pelted devotees with eggs. India has reacted strongly to the attack, calling on Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable. This incident is the latest instance of Hindus being attacked in the North American nation — over the past few months, several temples have been defaced or desecrated read more Over the weekend, Hindus held the annual Lord Jagannath Yatra in Toronto. The procession was marred when eggs were pelted at devotees. Image Courtesy: X Hinduism is the third largest religion in Canada, as per the 2021 census. However, it appears that Hindus in the country continue to be victims of religiously motivated attacks. The latest instance — the alleged disrespect to Lord Jagannath's rath yatra in Toronto when eggs were hurled at the procession. The incident prompted India's Ministry of External Affairs to issue a statement in which it denounced the move, adding that the matter had been strongly taken up with Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This isn't a lone incident of Hindus being targeted in Canada — there have been several instances of vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples in the past few months. Does this mean Hindus are unsafe in the North American country? What's going on? Eggs hurled at Rath Yatra in Toronto Over the weekend, Hindus in Canada carried out a Lord Jagannath rath yatra in Toronto. According to a video now posted online, people are seen walking, chanting names of Lord Jagannath and dancing. However, at one point, one can hear someone say, 'Kisi ne yaha par abhi aande feke hai (Someone just threw eggs here).' Soon after, the camera turns and one can see smashed eggs on the road. Despite the egg situation, the procession didn't stop and they continued. The women, who posted the video, also said: 'Someone from a nearby building threw eggs at us…Why? Because faith makes noise? Because joy looked unfamiliar? We didn't stop. Because when Lord Jagannath is on the streets, no hate can shake us. This is not just a festival — it's an unshakable belief' India strongly reacts Shortly after the video was posted on social media, former Odisha chief minister and the state's Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik said such incidents cause deep anguish to the people of Odisha. Taking to X, Patnaik wrote, 'Deeply disturbed to know about the reports of eggs being hurled at devotees during #RathaJatra celebrations in Toronto, Canada. Such incidents not only grievously hurt the sentiments of Lord Jagannatha's devotees worldwide, but also cause deep anguish to the people of #Odisha, for whom this festival holds profound emotional and cultural significance.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The former CM also urged the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to register a strong protest with Canadian authorities over the incident. And on Monday (July 14), the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a press briefing denounced the incident, saying they had taken it up with Canadian authorities. Our response to media queries regarding an incident during the Rath Yatra procession in Toronto, Canada 🔗 — Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) July 14, 2025 Jaiswal said the disruption was caused by 'mischievous elements'. 'Such despicable acts are regrettable and are against the spirit of the festival, which seeks to promote unity, inclusivity, and social harmony,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We have strongly taken up the matter with Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators of the act accountable.' He added that the Indian side hopes the Canadian government will take 'necessary action to protect the religious rights of people'. Hindu temples under attack in Canada But the incident at the Lord Jagannath yatra in Toronto isn't a single incident. In recent years, several Hindu temples have also been vandalised across the country, often with anti-India and pro-Khalistan graffiti. For instance, earlier in April, a Hindu Laxmi Narayan Temple in Surrey, Canada was vandalised by Khalistani extremists. The Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce shared a video of the graffiti on social media platform X, calling the act 'Hinduphobia.' The organisation expressed outrage, saying, 'We strongly condemn the vandalism of Laxmi Narayan Mandir in British Coumbia (BC) by Khalistani extremists.' The Chamber further urged all Canadians to unite against hate and take swift action, declaring that 'silence is not an option.' The desecration of the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, BC in April. File image/ And almost 20 days prior to that, the Sri Krishna Brundavana Temple in the Greater Toronto Area was vandalised by two men. A video showed the two miscreants leaving a pub in the area before walking to the temple, where they were seen ripping down and damaging a sign at the entrance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Last November too, a Hindu temple was attacked in Canada. The Hindu Sabha Mandir temple in the Canadian city of Brampton, just outside of Toronto, was attacked by a violent group of men, carrying flags of pro-Khalistani groups. Videos posted to social media showed what appeared to be fist fights and people hitting each other with poles on the temple grounds. This incident even prompted condemnation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi; he asked the Canadian government to 'ensure justice and uphold the rule of law'. Activists and supporters of the Hindu Sikh Global Forum hold placards as they take part in a protest near the Canadian embassy in New Delhi against the attack on a Hindu temple in the city of Brampton, near Toronto in Canada. File image/AFP In July, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton was reportedly vandalised with anti-India graffiti, targeting PM Narendra Modi and Canadian MP Chandra Arya. This was the fourth incident since September 2022 in which a BAPS temple was targeted in Canada. Last February, burglars targeted the Vaishno Devi Mandir in Oakville, looting a significant amount of cash from the donation boxes placed before the idols, ransacking offices and stealing other items. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Many note that at the heart of rising Hinduphobia incidents in Canada is the Khalistan movement. Banned in India, the Khalistan movement continues to flourish in the North American nation, with Indian officials accusing Canada of harbouring Sikh extremists and allowing more hardline elements of the Khalistan movement to thrive. With inputs from agencies
Mint
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
India asks Canada to hold perpetrators accountable after Rath Yatra disrupted in Toronto: ‘Such despicable acts…'
India on Monday denounced the disruption of a Rath Yatra in Canada's Toronto over the weekend, saying that the matter had been strongly taken up with Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable. The procession, which was organised by the Indian community and ISKCON Toronto, was pelted with eggs, multiple media reports said. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the incident 'despicable acts' and perpetrators as 'mischievous elements'. 'We have seen reports regarding disruption created by mischievous elements during the Rath Yatra procession in Toronto. Such despicable acts are regrettable and are against the spirit of the festival, which seeks to promote unity, inclusivity, and social harmony,' Jaiswal said in a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs on Monday. 'We have strongly taken up the matter with Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators of the act accountable. We hope the Canadian Government will take necessary action to protect the religious rights of people,' the MEA statement added. Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday expressed deep concern over reports of eggs being hurled at devotees during the Rath Yatra celebrations in Toronto, Canada, calling the incident deeply disturbing and hurtful to the sentiments of devotees of Lord Jagannatha worldwide. "Deeply disturbed to know about the reports of eggs being hurled at devotees during Ratha Jatra celebrations in Toronto, Canada. Such incidents not only grievously hurt the sentiments of Lord Jagannatha's devotees worldwide, but also cause deep anguish to the people of Odisha, for whom this festival holds profound emotional and cultural significance," Patnaik said in a post on X. The remarks came in response to posts by Toronto-based Instagram user Sangna Bajaj, who alleged that eggs were thrown at devotees from a nearby building during the celebrations. "People from a building throw eggs at us," she wrote in one post. In another, she stated, 'Someone from a nearby building threw eggs at us. Have you ever experienced discrimination for your faith?' The Odisha government has started working on securing copyright for the rituals of Lord Jagannath temple in Puri to protect its traditional cultural expressions, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the titular king of the pilgrim town, said. According to a PTI report, the statement came amid resentments among the devotees of Lord Jagannath over the untimely celebration of Lord Jagannath's rituals by the ISKCON abroad and the West Bengal government's declaration of a temple in Digha as "Jagannath Dham". These are "gross violations" of sacred scriptures and ancient tradition, the Gajapati Maharaja, considered the first servitor of the Lord Jagannath, told PTI in an interview. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated a temple at the seaside town of Digh on April 30 and called it 'Jagannath Dham', much to the chagrin of the Odisha government, the Shankaracharya of the Puri Govardhan Peeth Nischalananda Saraswati and a large number of devotees.
