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The Print
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Religious leaders call HC ‘ignorant' for calling Puranic texts ‘hearsay' in Krishna Janmabhoomi case
'The things that Allahabad HC has said that Radhaji is kaalpanik (imaginary) reflect the ignorance of the court. Maybe he is not aware how religious law functions in India,' said Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati of Uttarakhand's Jyotir Math. Religious leaders–including Uttarakhand Jyotir Math Shankaracharya, Mahamandaleshwar of Niranjani Akhara Kailashanand Giri, Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara and Swami Jitendranand Saraswati of the Sant Samiti—condemned the move, saying the scriptures cannot be dismissed as hearsay. New Delhi: Several religious leaders have sharply criticised an Allahabad High Court ruling rejecting an application by the deity, Shriji Radha Rani Vrishbhanu Kumar Vrindavani (Goddess Radha), seeking to be made a party to one of the 18 suits related to the Mathura Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah after it called scriptural evidence 'hearsay'. 'He should at least have remembered that in 2019 itself, the Supreme Court had given a verdict on Ram-Janmabhoomi. The verdict was in favour of Ram Lalla. In this, too, Skanda Purana and other Hindu texts were the basis. Courts should not hurt the sentiments of crores of Sanatani Hindus,' he added. In its order dated 23 May, Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra said that 'Pauranic illustrations' cited by the applicant are 'considered hearsay evidence' and there was no proof to support the claim that the deity was a joint holder of the 13.37 acres of land in question. Mishra said the petitioner's claim is based on some reference in various Purans and Sanhitas in which Shriji Radha Rani is considered the soul of Lord Krishna. 'The Pauranic illustrations are generally considered as hearsay evidence in legal context. In the case of Pauranic illustrations, these are graphic representation of story and events and truth of events, they depict, is usually based on narrative and not on direct observation or testimony,' the court said. 'There is no evidence in support of the claim raised by the applicant that the applicant is entitled as joint holder of said land of 13.37 acres and property of the applicant is also involved in suit property claimed by the plaintiff no.1 as birth place of lord Krishna,' it added. Other religious leaders also said the court had undermined their faith. 'Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran and Gita both are part of the Mahabharat. We cannot in any way call them suni sunayi,' Jitendranand Saraswati, general secretary of Akhil Bhartiya Sant Samiti, told ThePrint. 'Thousand years ago, the Mahabharat happened, Dwarka is of Lord Krishna and Radhika ji Surya Sarovar Kurukshetra mai purnima ka snaan karne gayi thi. Every scripture of Sanatan Dharma, including Lord Ram, has been called controversial. People have called it a myth and we have seen what happened to them. If the HC has said something like this, it should reconsider its view,' he said. The Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara, Swami Yatindranand Giri, told ThePrint that in a religious dispute, such religious texts are quoted while pointing out that Puranas, Vedas and Upanishads are 'granths' (religious texts). 'Puranas are not 'suni sunayi baatein' (hearsay). They are our granths and their truth cannot be negated. The kind of things that are being said should not be told in the first place and one should be careful while making such statements as it is linked to faith,' he said. Mahamandaleshwar of Niranjani Akhara Kailashanand Giri told the media that things written in the Puranas are not hearsay but completely authentic. He said it is on the basis of the things written in the Puranas that one believes and worships the Gods. The Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute is a long-standing legal battle centred around claims that the mosque stands on a site, which Hindus believe was the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The mosque lies adjacent to the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura. (Edited by Sugita Katyal) Also Read: No option but to be powerful in face of evil forces at our borders—RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Organiser
News18
26-05-2025
- General
- News18
Vat Savitri Vrat 2025: What Is The Rare And Auspicious Combination This Year?
Last Updated: Vat Savitri Vrat, observed by married women for their husbands' long life, falls on Monday, 26 May this year, coinciding with the rare and auspicious Somvati Amavasya In the rich tapestry of Indian traditions, certain fasts hold deep emotional and cultural value—one such is the Vat Savitri Vrat. Observed with devotion by married women across the country, this fast is dedicated to praying for the long life and happiness of their husbands. This year, the vrat falls on Monday, May 26, making it even more special as it coincides with the rare and auspicious Somvati Amavasya. Mythological Significance According to mythology, the Vat Savitri Vrat commemorates the devotion of Goddess Savitri, who brought her husband Satyavan back to life by pleading with Yamaraj, the god of death. The fast symbolises unwavering faith, love, and dedication. Astrologer Pandit Manoj Shukla from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, told Local18 that worship is performed under a Vat (banyan) tree on the Amavasya tithi. Women circumambulate the tree 108 times, tying a raw cotton thread around its trunk and offering prayers for their husbands' long life. He further added that women observe a nirjala (waterless) fast, listen to the story of Savitri-Satyavan, and perform rituals with devotion. This year, the Amavasya tithi begins at 12:31 pm on May 26 and will remain effective until 8:30 am on May 27, making this occasion particularly rare and auspicious. Importance of the Fast The significance of the Vat Savitri Vrat is mentioned in ancient scriptures like the Skanda Purana and Bhavishya Purana. Pandit Shukla explained that the fast is believed to be especially beneficial for married women. It not only has mythological importance but also serves as a celebration of faith, devotion, and the strength of the marital bond. More than just a religious observance, the Vat Savitri Vrat fosters community spirit, connecting women through shared rituals, prayers, and faith.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC Sambhal order a historic step: MLA
Lucknow: Welcoming Allahabad high court 's decision allowing the ASI survey of the Jama Masjid in Sambhal, BJP's Sarojininagar MLA Rajeshwar Singh called it a historic step towards restoring India's cultural identity and Sanatan values. "This is not merely a survey—it is the reawakening of our faith and identity," he said. Singh emphasised that Sambhal is a sacred land deeply rooted in Sanatan Dharma, with references in scriptures like the Skanda Purana as the future birthplace of Lord Kalki. He highlighted Sambhal's glorious past, from the reign of the Panchal kings and Emperor Ashoka to its political significance under Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan and Mughal rule. He said the 1529 demolition of the Harihar Mandir, reportedly replaced by a mosque on Babur's orders, is documented in the Baburnama and Ain-i-Akbari. Singh also recalled the 1978 communal violence that led to over 180 Hindu deaths and a sharp demographic shift. The recent reopening of an ancient Shiva temple after 46 years, he said, marks the symbolic return of Sanatan spirit. Singh hailed the high court's stand as bold and truthful, stating that it has reaffirmed the nation's spiritual and cultural consciousness.
Hans India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Majhi urges Mamata to refrain from referring Digha temple as ‘Jagannath dham'
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Tuesday, wrote a letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressing concern over the naming of the recently inaugurated Jagannath temple at seaside town of Digha in the neighbouring State as 'Jagannath dham'. He requested the West Bengal government to refrain from referring Digha Jagannath temple as Jagannath dham. 'The Odisha government expresses its deep concern over naming of the recently established Jagannath temple at Digha, West Bengal, as 'Jagannath dham,' wrote Majhi. He also said that it is well-known that Shree Jagannath dham in Puri is one of the sacred 'Char Dhams' of Hinduism and it holds unparalleled religious, spiritual, and cultural significance, not just for the people of Odisha, but for millions of devotees across India and the world. 'The name Jagannath dham holds a unique and sacrosanct identity linked to Puri, and its usage in reference to any other temple or location hurts sentiment and emotion of millions of pilgrims, devotees, and the general public, besides diluting the distinct heritage of Shree Jagannath dham, Puri,' the Odisha Chief Minister noted. While appreciating the devotion towards Lord Jagannath across regions in the country and outside, Majhi, however, asserted that the use of the term 'Jagannath dham' in official and promotional contexts for the Digha temple is likely to cause confusion among devotees, dilute the historical identity of Puri as the original and revered abode of the Lord, and hurt the religious sentiments of the people of Odisha. 'In view of this, I request the West Bengal government to reconsider the usage of the name 'Jagannath dham' in relation to the Jagannath temple recently established at Digha and refrain from using the term 'Jagannath dham' in its official naming, communication, and promotional materials. I sincerely hope that the West Bengal government will uphold the spirit of inter-State respect and cultural sensitivity in this matter and take necessary steps to address our concerns,' urged Majhi. Earlier, the King of Puri, Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, the 'Adya-sevak' or First Servitor of Lord Jagannath, on Monday, asserted that as per the sacred scriptures like Skanda Purana, Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, etc, it is only Puri which can be called as 'Shree Jagannatha dham' and not any other place or temple because it is Puri, which is the eternal Holy Abode of the Supreme Lord -- Shree Purushottama-Jagannatha. Majhi urged the Digha Jagannath temple authorities to desist from referring to the Digha temple as 'Jagannath dham' and honour the age-old traditions and heritage of Moola-peetha Shreemandira at Puri.
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Jagannath Dham refers to Puri only: Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb
BHUBANESWAR /PURI: Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb on Monday urged the authorities of Jagannath temple at Digha in West Bengal to desist from naming the shrine as 'Jagannath Dham' or 'Jagannath Dham Cultural Centre'. Names such as 'Jagannath Dham', 'Purushottama Kshetra', 'Shreekshetra' and 'Neelachala Dham' refer to Puri and cannot be used for any other place where 'Chaturdha Daru Vigrahas' (four wooden idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Sudarshan) have been consecrated, said the Puri king in a release. Following the Digha temple controversy, Deb, who is the chairman of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, sought the opinion of the Mukti Mandap Pandit Sabha of Srimandir on the matter. According to the Mukti Mandap, the 'moola peetha' of Shree Jagannath Mahaprabhu is Puri, also called Purushottama Kshetra, he said. Refering to 'Shree Purushottama Kshetra Mahatmyam' contained in 'Vishnava Khanda' of Skanda Purana by Maharshi Veda Vyasa, the Gajapati said a plain reading of the scripture will leave no doubt that it is only Puri which can be called as Shree Jagannath Dham and not any other place or temple because Puri is the eternal holy abode of the Lord. Also, Brahma Purana, Neeladri Mahodaya and other sacred scriptures conclusively establish that Puri is the abode of Lord Jagannath.
