Latest news with #Mahabharata
NDTV
3 hours ago
- General
- NDTV
Woman Marries 2 Brothers: Himachal Pradesh's Polyandry Custom Explained
Two brothers from the Hatti community in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district married the same woman in a public ceremony in the presence of thousands of locals. Sunita Chauhan from Kunhat village married Pradeep and Kapil Negi of Shillai under the traditional polyandrous practice known locally as " Jodidara". The three-day wedding, held in the Trans-Giri region beginning July 12, featured folk songs, dances, and rituals unique to the Hatti culture. Sunita Chauhan said the decision was mutual and free from any pressure. What Is The ' Jodidara ' Practice In Himachal Pradesh? Jodidara is a traditional form of fraternal polyandry, where two or more brothers share one wife. The practice has historical roots among the Hatti tribe in Himachal Pradesh's Trans-Giri region. It is often linked to the Mahabharata, as the Panchala princess Draupadi was married to the five Pandava brothers, hence sometimes called Draupadi Pratha. Locals also refer to the practice as Ujla Paksh or Jodidaran. How And Why It Is Practiced Under Jodidara, the wife shifts between brothers on a mutually agreed schedule, whether nightly, weekly, or otherwise. The entire family raises the children together. While the eldest brother is typically named the legal father, all the siblings actively share parenting responsibilities. The Jodidara practice helps tribal families prevent the fragmentation of ancestral land. In Himachal's hilly regions, where agriculture sustains livelihoods, families rely on undivided land for survival. By marrying a single woman to multiple brothers, they keep the property consolidated and avoid splitting it among heirs. The system preserves unity in joint families. When brothers share a wife, they strengthen their bond and keep the household intact. This arrangement provides social and economic stability, especially in the mountainous terrain, where families work together to manage farms and daily life. Is This Practice Legal? Though the Indian law prohibits polyandry, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has acknowledged and protected this custom under " Jodidar Law", allowing it to continue among tribal groups. Hatti community leaders consider this tradition an essential cultural marker. The Hattis, living across roughly 450 villages in the Trans-Giri area, were granted Scheduled Tribe status partly because of their unique tribal traditions, including Jodidaran. Though modern values have led to its decline, the Jodidara tradition still survives in small pockets. In the last six years, families in Himachal's Trans-Giri region have solemnised five polyandrous marriages, keeping the custom alive in villages across Sirmaur.
New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
No age bar for learning: 71-year-old Jaipur man cracks CA final after retirement
RAJASTHAN : In a world that celebrates youthful achievement, 71-year-old Tarachand Agarwal from Jaipur has quietly rewritten the narrative of what's possible. The retired banker has passed one of India's toughest exams — the chartered accountancy (CA) final — at an age when most people slow down. With this, he hasn't just added a new feather to his cap but has become a beacon of inspiration for generations. A result that made headlines On July 6, when the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) declared the CA final results, a name stood out — Tarachand Agarwal, a retiree among a crowd of mostly twenty-something aspirants. While most would hesitate to pick up an academic pursuit after retirement, Agarwal not only attempted it — he aced it. The septuagenarian hails from Sangaria in Hanumangarh district. He completed his schooling there and began his banking career with the State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur (now SBI) in 1976. Over 38 years, he climbed the ranks to retire as assistant general manager in 2014. Life after retirement was content until tragedy struck. In November 2020, during the Covid pandemic, Agarwal lost his wife Darshana — his companion of over four decades. The grief was unbearable. 'We used to spend almost 21 hours a day together. When she left, I was completely shattered,' he recalls. Sinking into depression, Agarwal sought solace in spiritual reading — particularly the Bhagavad Gita. It became a turning point. 'The Gita made me realise that life is a battle, like the Mahabharata. You cannot escape it — you must face it with courage,' he says. With renewed clarity, he decided to reclaim purpose. Initially considering MCom or a PhD, it was his sons Lalit and Amit — a Delhi-based CA and a tax consultant, respectively — and granddaughter Ankika who nudged him toward something more challenging. 'Why not CA?' they asked. And just like that, his journey began.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Suryaputra Mrityunjay' explores many facets of Karna
1 2 Lucknow: The timeless saga of Karna from the epic Mahabharata was brought to life through a compelling theatrical production 'Suryaputra Mrityunjay' at UP Sangeet Natak Akademi on Saturday. The play, organized by Nisarg, was written and directed by veteran dramatist Lalit Singh Pokhariya, offering a fresh perspective on the complex character of Karna. Moving beyond the well-known narratives of Karna's life — his abandonment by Kunti, rejection by Dronacharya, Parashuram's curse, and his unwavering loyalty to Duryodhana — the production delved into lesser-known aspects of his character. "We aimed at the untold dimensions of Karna's story that often remain in the shadows," said director Pokhariya. The play's narrative reached its pinnacle in depicting Karna's final moments, where he realizes that his extraordinary qualities could have been instrumental in dismantling caste discrimination had he viewed them through a societal production featured stellar performances by a talented ensemble cast including Sangam Bahuguna, Bhanu Shankar Pandey, Anupam Malhotra, Puja Singh, Giriraj Kishore Sharma, Jyoti Singh, Ashutosh Pandey and Amit Dubey.
India.com
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana to Rishabh Shetty's Kantara: Films based on Indian mythology to release...
For years, mythological tales have been part of every Indian household, whether through books, TV serials, or bedtime stories. Now, these age-old epics are making a grand return, this time on the big screen, blending high-end visuals with modern storytelling. After the futuristic epic Kalki 2898 AD, helmed by Nag Ashwin, a wave of films inspired by mythology is set to capture the imagination of audiences once again. Here's a look at the most awaited mythological films in the coming years. Ramayana Among the most ambitious mythological projects is Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, backed up by the visionary Namit Malhotra. Promising to be the most majestic version ever made, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Raavan, Bobby Deol as Hanuman, and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. Split into two parts, the first will release on Diwali 2026 and the second on Diwali 2027. The film is expected to be a visual spectacle and will be released globally in IMAX format. Mahavatar Narasimha Klim Productions, in collaboration with Hombale Films, brings Mahavatar Narasimha, the first film in a 7-part Mahavatar Cinematic Universe. This animated film tells the powerful tale of Lord Vishnu's fourth incarnation—Narasimha, the fierce half-lion, half-human form. Releasing in 3D and across five Indian languages on July 25, the film aims to build India's largest-ever mythological franchise. Jai Hanuman Jai Hanuman marks the next chapter in Indian mytho-fiction. Directed by Prashant Verma of Hanuman fame, the film stars Rishabh Shetty as Lord Hanuman. Jointly produced by Bhushan Kumar and Mythri Movie Makers, this project is part of India's attempt to launch its own superhero universe rooted in cultural lore. The film aims to present spiritual stories in a style appealing to global audiences. Mahabharata Superstar Aamir Khan has announced his plans to produce Mahabharata, one of the biggest and most complex Indian epics. Though few details have been shared, Aamir has promised a cinematic experience unlike anything before, hinting at a massive production that could redefine Indian mythological storytelling. Kantara: Chapter 1 – A Tale from the Roots The much-awaited Kantara: Chapter 1 will take audiences back in time, unfolding the events that happened before the first film. This prequel explores the origin of the sacred bond between man, nature, and the divine. Rooted in ancient traditions, folklore, and spiritual belief, the story promises a mystical journey into the past. Directed and led by Rishabh Shetty, the film is set to release on 2 October 2025.
The Hindu
19 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
Foundation course on Ramayana for students launched in Vizianagaram
The Valmiki Research Centre (VRC) of Ramanarayanam temple, in association with National Sanskrit University, (NSU), Tirupati, on Saturday launched the three-month Roots Foundation course to help students understand the core values of Ramayana. Around 250 students from different schools across Vizianagaram enrolled their names and attended the training programme organised by the VRC director and former Vice-Chancellor of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Hanumanthu Lajipathirai, and temple trustee Narayanam Srinivas. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Lajipathirai said that the students would tread the right path and follow dharma throughout their life when they understand Indian culture, traditions and epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. 'Thavaasmi', a conversational Ramayana book writer R. Srirama Chakradhar, explained to the students about Lord Rama's simple lifestyle, crisis management techniques and efficient administration. VRC course director N.G. Nitya said that the students would attend online classes on Saturday and offline classes every Sunday for the next three months to complete the course designed by academic experts and religious scholars.
