Latest news with #PanguniUthiram
The Hindu
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Murugan Bhakthargal conference held as a political event, says CPI(M) leader
'The Murugan Bhakthargal conference, which ought to be a religious conference, was conducted as a pure political event which was against the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court's order' said Communist Party of India (Marxist) State Secretary P. Shanmugam. Speaking at a public meeting at Tirupparankundram here on Friday, he said that the Murugan Bhakthargal conference, which ought to be a religious conference was conducted as a pure political event which was against the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court's order. He added that: 'The Madras High Court should take a Suo moto case against the Murugan Bhakthargal conference organisers as it was a contempt of the very court which passes directions.' 'Tamil Nadu government by not initiating any action against the organisers for inciting communal hatred is showing a soft corner to the Hindutva forces,' he added. He thanked the people of the State for ignoring the event, realising that it was a political event. 'When lakhs of people visit Palani hills and other Murugan temples for occasions like Thaipoosam and Panguni Uthiram, however, the Murugan conference, portrayed as a religious event, did not receive response from the people,' Mr. Shanmugam noted. As an RSS leader has spoken about the need to remove the words 'socialism,' and 'secularism,' from the Indian Constitution, their original intent has been exposed, he stated. 'If BJP had won in 2024 with an absolute majority, their first work would have been to replace the Constitution. As it is the only binding force which respects and treats every citizen equally, the BJP government did not want secularism to be followed,' he observed. Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan, addressing the gathering, charged AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswamy with a delayed reaction to the humiliation of leaders like C.N. Annadurai and Periyar. 'Annadurai and Periyar could not be just treated as political leaders as they have shaped the political landscape of the State and have driven the people towards progressive thinking,' he added. He demanded action against Hindu Munnani for passing a resolution against a religious structure which has been in the faith of people for thousands of years.
National Geographic
21-03-2025
- Health
- National Geographic
These extreme stunts aren't just magic tricks—they're a religious experience
When Pallaniyammal Sanmugam was pregnant with her second son, her gynecologist advised she would have to undergo a cesarean section. Believing a vaginal delivery would be safer for both her and her baby, Sanmugam prayed to the Hindu god Karthikeya, promising that if she delivered a healthy baby through vaginal delivery, she would express her gratitude by piercing a trident through her body during Panguni Uthiram , a Hindu festival where devotees pierce their bodies with spikes, rods, and needles to pay respects to the god and thank him for fulfilled wishes. Soon, Sanmugam's wish, too, was fulfilled. 'The following year, I had a trident pierced through my abdomen. I've done it 13 times so far, and each time, I've received what I'd asked for. If my body cooperates, I'll do it at least thrice again,' says Sanmugam, 50. 'It does not hurt. Even when they remove the trident, the bleeding stops the moment you apply some [holy ash] to your skin. The holes, too, close on their own in a week.'
