Latest news with #Vijayanagara
The Hindu
07-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP slams Congress over poll rigging allegations, Tipu-KRS claims in Karnataka
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) flayed the Congress for its allegations of 'vote theft' and claims that the foundation stone for the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) in Karnataka was laid by Tipu Sultan. Addressing media persons in Mysuru on August 7, BJP Mysuru district president and former MLA L. Nagendra and senior party functionary M.A. Mohan accused Congress of spreading misinformation, distorting history, and attempting to divert public attention from its failures in governance. Responding to the claims by Congress spokesperson M. Lakshman that about 1.45 lakh votes that ideally should have gone to the Congress, was 'diverted' to the BJP, Mr. Nagendra said such statements are without basis, and are misleading. 'Mr. Lakshman should realise that he got far more votes in this parliamentary election than in any previous contest where he was repeatedly defeated. If votes were truly stolen, how did he manage to lead in the N.R. Assembly constituency? Why no complaints there?'' The BJP accused the Congress of playing a fraud on voters by trying to bribe them, and yet was defeated. Mr. Nagendra said the Lok Sabha elections were free and fair, and people voted for BJP candidate Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar given his calibre and the contribution of the Wadiyars of Mysuru to Karnataka. 'People have made their choice. Creating confusion now is irresponsible,' he added. On Mr. Lakshman's allegation of 'missing votes', Mr. Mohan said, 'Even Congress workers don't see him as a deserving candidate. Let him introspect instead of blaming EVMs or the BJP, and also answer how the Congress won 136 seats in the 2023 Assembly elections,' said Mr. Mohan. The BJP described the allegations as a diversionary tactic adopted by the Congress to mislead people and draw their attention away from administrative collapse in Karnataka. The Congress has raised the prices of essential commodities while local body elections have not been conducted, as the ruling party is 'reluctant' to face voters, said Mr. Nagendra and Mr. Mohan. What about contribution of Chalukyas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara kings? Ridiculing the Congress narrative that Tipu Sultan laid the foundation for the KRS dam, Mr. Mohan said the Srirangapatna fort existed before Tipu and Hyder Ali. 'If left unchallenged, the Congress will credit construction of Vani Vilas Sagar dam in Chitradurga — which was built by the Wadiyars — to Tipu Sultan,' he added. Mr. Mohan questioned the 'selective glorification' of Tipu Sultan by Congress. 'Other dynasties too have made tremendous contribution to Karnataka culture, including the Chalukyas, Hoysalas, and Vijayanagara kings. But the Congress only talks of Tipu Sultan,' he said while accusing the ruling party of distorting history for vote bank politics.
India.com
03-08-2025
- India.com
Planning A Trip To South India? Here's Why Tirunelveli Should Top Your List!
Tirunelveli is a city located in south Tamil Nadu, India. It is a place that has been deeply etched with history and culture which gives it a natural beauty. Some call it Oxford of South India and some as City of piety which shows that at this point in today's world we are better off than our fathers. This can be attributed to its historical relevance, cultural heterogeneity, gastronomic delights and scenic splendor. Why it matters historically: The city has a long history dating back many centuries which can still be seen from its temples, monuments and other landmarks. At different times the city played important roles for many dynasties like the Pandya-, Chola- or Vijayanagara place grew rich because of its location on the ancient trade routes that lead into the hinterland. The Nellaiappar Temple is one such spot visited by tourists while Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal speaks volumes about the royal life of this town. Cultural diversity: It has various cultures, languages and traditions making it a vibrant inclusive society. There are people from different ethnicities living together in harmony thus enriching their society's fabric. A great spectacle that attracts devotees and tourists alike is the annual Car Festival at Nellaiappar Temple due to its deep-rooted religious practices and emotions. Additionally, classical music concerts or dance performances are organized each year to highlight cultural diversity within this region as well as showcase talented artists. Sampling Food Delicacies: The fame about tirunelveli cannot end without eating food there since it is known for being authentic which gives unique flavors' experience. The food here is tasty with typical recipes prepared using spices aromas combined with fresh ingredients only found buds come alive with every bite of Tirunelveli Halwa that is made from wheat, ghee, and sugar as well as the traditional taste of Idiyappam and Kuzhi Paniyaram. It is also very common to find food lovers waiting at street corners or in local restaurants enjoying traditional cooking. Scenic Splendor: This scenic beauty of Tirunelveli encompasses a range of landscapes from dense forests and waterfalls to quiet rivers. The city has natural features such as Courtallam Waterfalls also known by many as 'South Indian Spa' where running streams have a soothing effect on the body amidst greenery. The Thamirabarani River flows through the heart of Tirunelveli providing not only life for this region but also peace and serenity. Visitors can take a trip to the countryside or trek in Western Ghats mountain range, thus appreciating nature's tranquility in its full glory. Conclusion The fame associated with Tirunelveli transcends time and national boundaries prompting travelers from far away places to get enthralled in its enchantment. These are some of the reasons why one would like to go back to history, know more about culture, eat their delicious food or just gaze at their beautiful surroundings. Even today people still visit it because it's got everything you could ever want or need; an unchanging image within every change which makes us think how many things our fathers can actually envy us for.
New Indian Express
02-08-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Andhra CM lays stone for Rs 78 crore Gandikota tourism project
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu unveiled a master plan to transform Gandikota into a world-class tourism destination, likening its scenic landscape to the 'Grand Canyon' and highlighting its historical significance from the Kakatiya and Vijayanagara eras. Speaking at the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Investors Meet held in Gandikota of Kadapa district, Naidu laid the foundation for a Rs 78 crore tourism project under the SASCI (Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment) scheme. The initiative aims to turn the region into a major tourism hub with a distinct identity. Agreements worth Rs 500 crore were signed during the event with companies including EaseMyTrip and Hilton Hotels. These cover projects involving hotels, adventure sports, kayaking, high ropes, and jet skiing across Gandikota, Srisailam, Mantralayam, and Tirupati. Furthermore, the Chief Minister also announced that the Gandikota Utsavalu would be celebrated grandly on December 26 and 27, with several eco-friendly attractions planned, including a viewpoint, tent city, boating facilities, and enhanced fort lighting. Other proposed features include a ropeway, a glass-bottom walkway, and immersive light-and-sound shows. A tent city will be operational by year-end, and heli-rides offering aerial views of Gandikota will begin in September. Caravan tourism will cater to visitors from Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
Economic Times
30-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Inside Andhra's monsoon diamond rush: Farmers, fortune-seekers and Rs 5 crore finds
Agencies Inside Andhra's monsoon diamond rush: Farmers, fortune-seekers and Rs 5 crore finds Hundreds stream in on bikes, cling to autorickshaws, or trudge barefoot across the dusty plains of Vajrakarur in Anantapur and the parched farmlands of Jonnagiri, Tuggali and Maddikera in Kurnool. There are no banners or bands here, only whispers carried by the monsoon winds: the diamonds are here. In a special report for The Times of India, Umamaheswara Rao writes that as the first rains of June and July wash away the topsoil, these mandals transform into makeshift treasure fields. The morning after a downpour, hopefuls armed with sieves, sticks, and even kitchen ladles fan out across the land. On a good day, one or two people might unearth stones worth Rs 1–2 lakh, sometimes even up to Rs 50 lakh. Word of each find spreads fast, drawing larger crowds. Unofficial estimates suggest that Maddikera and Tuggali alone yield diamonds worth nearly Rs 5 crore each monsoon season. What began as chance finds by farmers has evolved into a full-blown annual spectacle. Entire families camp under trees or village temples, turning these rural belts into seasonal mining hubs. Traders hover nearby, snapping up stones in discreet cash deals before ferrying them to Mumbai and May 2019, a Jonnagiri labourer unearthed a Rs 14 lakh diamond while tilling his field. That same season, a Peravali farmer sold a Rs 2 lakh stone to a local merchant. Over just three days, neighbouring villages netted diamonds worth Rs 10 lakh. In the Sirivella and Mahanandi zones, locals estimated finds worth Rs 4 2021, the stakes grew higher. Two labourers in Jonnagiri sold stones for Rs 70 lakh and Rs 50 lakh. In July, a driver named Kasim struck a Rs 1.2 crore diamond, while three prospectors camping nearby recovered stones worth Rs 2.4 crore in just two days. The frenzy continued into 2024. In May, four finds in Tuggali and Maddikera fetched Rs 70 lakh collectively. A month later, a Jonnagiri farmer traded a Rs 15 lakh stone for Rs 12 lakh in cash and five tolas of gold. This June, a woman tilling her paddy plot in Tuggali stumbled upon a gem she sold for Rs 10 TOI visited Jonnagiri and Vajrakarur, the influx was evident. Prospectors now come from Telangana and Karnataka, drawn by the promise of life-changing luck. Among them were N Veeresh from Jadcherla, who arrived with his wife and daughter, and 75-year-old Nolli Ramanamma, camping at a temple in Jonnagiri. 'I come every monsoon, hoping this is the year,' said Shaik Akram, a carpenter from all locals welcome the rush. 'Crowds trample over newly sown crops. It's a headache,' said Khayyum Khan, a farmer in Vajrakarur. The Wajrakarur Kimberlite Field (WKF) spans Anantapur, containing over 45 kimberlite pipes—volcanic conduits that carry diamonds from the mantle. A University of Madras study noted that during the Vijayanagara era (1000–1500 AD), diamonds over 25 carats were reserved for the surveys by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) confirm high-potential alluvial belts in Jonnagiri, Tuggali, Maddikera, and Vajrakarur. Monsoon runoff erodes soil and reveals colluvial deposits, relics of ancient river systems like the Penna and frenzy traces back to Golconda's famed mines, whose legacy includes the Kohinoor. Stretching 300 km along the Krishna-Tungabhadra basin, these fields once fed a glittering trade that enthralled the world. Today, that history fuels a dream that keeps thousands returning each the rains recede, the crowds vanish, leaving behind trampled earth and unfulfilled hopes. But for many, next monsoon will bring another chance—the promise that somewhere beneath the red soil of Andhra lies a stone that could change their lives. With inputs from ToI
New Indian Express
29-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Publish inscriptions of Nataraja temple in book format: Villupuram MP Ravikumar
VILLUPURAM: After the union government failed to confirm in Parliament whether it plans to publish inscriptions from the Chidambaram Nataraja temple in book format, Villupuram MP D Ravikumar on Monday asked the Tamil Nadu government to take the lead in compiling and releasing the records, free of cost. 'These inscriptions are vital not just to the history of the Chidambaram temple, but to over a thousand years of Tamil Nadu's cultural, political and social evolution,' Ravikumar said, urging Minister Thangam Thennarasu to prioritise the initiative. Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, Ravikumar had sought details from the Union government on the status of documentation of inscriptions at the temple, which contains epigraphical records dating back to the 10th century CE, including those from the reign of Aditya Chola I, the Pandyas, and Vijayanagara rulers. In a written reply, Union Minister for Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the Epigraphy Branch of the ASI has documented 297 inscriptions from the temple, mostly from the period of Rajendra Chola I and later. While summaries of these inscriptions were published in the Annual Reports on Indian Epigraphy (1888-1963), and 157 full texts appear in the South Indian Inscriptions series, these publications are available only for purchase at ASI offices, museums, and protected monument sites.
