Latest news with #NandaDevi
Time of India
17-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Rare 4-horned lamb found in Chamoli, may lead next yr's Nanda Devi yatra
1 2 3 4 Dehradun: A five-month-old male lamb with four fully formed horns has been found in the hill village of Koti near Karnaprayag in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district — sparking both religious anticipation and scientific inquiry. The lamb, born to a local herder's flock, is being hailed by residents as the possible Chausingha Khadu, the sacred four-horned ram destined to lead the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra in 2026 — a 280km, 19-day pilgrimage held once every 12 years. The yatra, among the most spiritually resonant traditions in the central Himalayas, traces the mythical journey of goddess Nanda Devi from her paternal home in the hills to her consort Shiva's abode in Mount Kailash. Traditionally, the procession begins in Nauti village and passes through alpine meadows, glacial paths, and remote settlements before culminating at Roopkund and Homkund — high-altitude lakes wrapped in legend. At the forefront of this procession is the ram — not merely an animal, but a divine emissary. This year's discovery was unexpected. Harish Lal, a goat herder for two decades, noticed something unusual about one of his newborn lambs a few weeks after its birth. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo Its horns had split into two distinct pairs. "We've raised livestock for years," said his son, Gaurav. "This has never happened. It's a matter of luck if the committee chooses him. " The family offered the lamb — free of cost — to the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Samiti, the organising committee. Gautam Mingwal, a local social worker and former village head, was the first to pass the news to the committee. He described the discovery not as a miracle, but as a deeply meaningful return of a cultural symbol. "A four-horned Khadu doesn't appear often," he said. "When it does, it means something." Rakesh Kunwar, president of the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Committee, confirmed the offer but noted that the final decision would follow scripture and ritual. "Only the Maudvi rite has been completed so far. The full programme and the selection of the Chousingha Khadu will be announced on Basant Panchami," he said. The Maudvi rite is a traditional purification and invocation ceremony performed in Nauti village to formally begin preparations for the yatra. It involves worship of goddess Nanda Devi and the ritual declaration of the yatra's intent and schedule. The lamb's four horns are likely the result of a rare polycerate mutation. "It's an extremely uncommon occurrence," said S K Gupta, senior scientist at the Wildlife Institute of India. "Placental samples from this Khadu and its parents could offer meaningful insights, especially if these anomalies are geographically localised to the central Himalayan belt." Professor B N Shahi, from the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at GB Pant University, added that this particular breed is found only in Uttarakhand and is currently under phenotypic study. "There is a scientific story unfolding here alongside the spiritual one," he said. The Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra is sometimes called the Himalayan Kumbh, not because of its scale alone, but because of the generational memory it carries. As legend has it, when Nanda Devi leaves her paternal home, the skies weep in her honour — the pilgrimage begins with torrential rain. For now, the lamb remains in Koti, tethered in a stone-walled shed, unaware of its possible fate.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UTDB CEO reviews temple mission, pushes for cleanliness and timely completion
UTDB CEO reviews temple mission, pushes for cleanliness and timely completion Shri Dheeraj Singh Garbyal, secretary tourism and CEO of the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB), conducted a review of the ongoing Manaskhand Mandir Mala Mission, focusing on progress across all three phases. He specifically assessed beautification and sanitation work at Nanda Devi and Hatkalika temples under Phase 1, directing officials to prioritise cleanliness and timely execution. The meeting also reviewed the Paryatan Udyami Protsahan Yojana, which offers Rs 1–5 crore in financial aid to local entrepreneurs investing in tourism projects. Garbyal highlighted that 207 MoUs worth Rs 5,543 crore have been grounded in the tourism sector since the Uttarakhand Investors' Summit 2023. He urged all departments to fast-track pending works to boost spiritual tourism and local development.
Khaleej Times
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Suniel Shetty's Kesari Veer gets a new release date
The release date of the Suniel Shetty-featuring period drama film Kesari Veer has been postponed. The film was scheduled to release on March 14, 2025. Panorama Studios, the film's official distributor, announced that the release date of Kesari Veer has been pushed to May 16, 2025, to ensure a "more impactful worldwide launch" in theatres. The film also stars Sooraj Pancholi and Vivek Oberoi in lead roles. While announcing the new release date of the film, Panorama Studios wrote, "The love and anticipation for Kesari Veer have been overwhelming. To ensure a more impactful worldwide launch, we are now moving the release date to 16th May 2025." Panorama Studios announced the new release date through its Instagram handle. According to a press note, the Kesari Veer delves "into the inspiring tale of unsung warriors who fought and sacrificed their lives to protect the Somnath Temple from invaders in 14th century AD." Sharing his passion for the project, Producer Kanu Chauhan said that the story was deeply personal to him and a dream as he longed to bring this lesser-known chapter of history to light. Prince Dhiman described how the narrative moved him emotionally, sparking thorough research to ensure every detail reflects historical accuracy. More details regarding the film are awaited. In the coming months, Suniel will also be seen in other projects including The Legend of Somnath, Welcome to the Jungle, Nanda Devi, and Hunter 3.
