Devotees throng ghost fair to be exorcised of evil spirits

Betul, Jan 08 (ANI): Thousands of devotees thronged a village in Madhya Pradesh for annual ghost fair. People from various states flocked Malajpur village, 300 kilometres from Bhopal city, to free themselves from evil spirits. The month-long fair begins on the tenth month according to the Hindu calendar. People, apparently, possessed by evil spirits are taken to Guru Deoji Maharaj temple where the priests and sorcerers perform various rituals. During the fair, devotees who are believed to be possessed by evil spirits dance in a state of trance. It is said that besides obviation from evil spirits, the devout visitors believe that all their wishes come true after praying at the temple. Jan 8, 2015
buddhist-monks-assemble-for-peace-prayers-in-bodh-gaya

Buddhist monks assemble for peace prayers in Bodh Gaya

Bodh Gaya, Jan 04 (ANI): Monks and devotees from across the world assembled at the holy shrine of Buddhists in Bodh Gaya in Bihar to offer prayers for world peace and tranquility. More than thousand monks from countries like Bangladesh, India, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Nepal are participating in the religious gathering. The 32nd Kagyu Monlam prayer ceremony is the pre-eminent event of the year for Buddhists. It is considered to be a great gathering of the highest teachers. Kagyu Monlam in Bodh Gaya was preceded by several days of extensive Mahakala practice. The ceremony is being conducted at the premises of sacred Mahabodhi Temple. During the ceremony, Buddhist monks chant teachings of Lord Buddha under the sacred Bodhi tree. The prayers will conclude on January 05. Jan 4, 2015

It Happens : India greets 2015 with special prayers

Varanasi/Amritsar/Visakhapatnam, Jan 2 (ANI): Indians on 1st January kick started the New Year celebrations by visiting shrines to offer prayers. Long queues of faithful could be seen outside major Hindu and Sikh shrines across India. The faithful believe visits to temples on the New Year day bring prosperity, good health and peace in the family. The northern temple town of Varanasi, nestled on the banks of the holy river Ganga, woke up to holy chants by priests. The temple was teeming with the faithful since early morning. Foreign tourists, who regularly visit this temple town for solace, were spellbound by the elaborate rituals. In the northern Indian city of Amritsar, devotees were seen thronging the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine of the Sikhs, since early morning. Many took a holy dip before taking part in the prayers. Some of the devotees said they looked forward to a drug free Punjab in 2015. Temples in Visakhapatnam in southern Andhra Pradesh witnessed large flow of devotees on the occasion of "Vaikuntha Ekadashi" which coincides with New Year. A special entrance gate is made on the occasion and devotees pray and make special offerings. In the central Ujjain city in Madhya Pradesh state, people gathered at the famous Mahakaal temple to offer special prayers. Mahakaal t Jan 3, 2015
security-beefed-up-in-gujarat-after-pakistani-boat-blows-off-killing-four

Security beefed up in Gujarat after Pakistani boat blows off, killing four

Gujarat, Jan 03 (ANI): Security has been beefed up at Porbandar and Gir Somnath coasts in Gujarat after a Pakistani fishing boat laden with explosives bound for India blew up, after the Indian coast guard tried to stop and search it. All four people on board the boat were killed in the explosion. Indian intelligence said the crew was planning "an illicit transaction" when the vessel was intercepted on New Year's Eve in the Arabian Sea, 365 km off the western coast, according to a government statement. The Indian Coast Guard chased the Pakistani boat for almost an hour and fired warning shots before it stopped. The crew hid below the deck and set the boat on fire. It was not possible to independently verify the Indian account. Authorities have stepped up vigil at Gir Somnath district, including the famous Somnath temple, along with the coastal areas. Meanwhile, security was stepped up at the Porbandar coast also. Reacting to Friday’s incident, Pakistan's foreign ministry said it was unclear whether the incident had happened at all. Jan 3, 2015
india-greets-2015-with-special-prayers

India greets 2015 with special prayers

Varanasi /Amritsar / Visakhapatnam / Ujjain, Jan 01 (ANI): People on Thursday kick started the New Year celebrations by visiting shrines to offer prayers. Long queues of faithful could be seen outside major Hindu and Sikh shrines across India. The faithful believe visits to temples on the New Year day bring prosperity, good health and peace in the family. The northern temple town of Varanasi, nestled on the banks of the holy river Ganga, woke up to holy chants by priests. Foreign tourists, who regularly visit this temple town for solace, were spellbound by the elaborate rituals. In Amritsar, devotees were seen thronging the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine of the Sikhs, since early morning. Many took a holy dip before taking part in the prayers. Jan 1, 2015
restoration-work-on-in-flood-hit-kedarnath

Restoration work on in flood-hit Kedarnath

Kedarnath, Dec 30 (ANI): Work is in full swing in temple town of Kedarnath, the epicentre of the worst flooding across Uttarakhand last year, which killed at least 6,000 people. The state authorities have approved a reconstruction and rehabilitation plan for Kedarnath, one of the holiest shrines of the Hindus. It is banking on the recommendations of the Geological Survey of India for planning reconstruction and rehabilitation work at Kedarnath. The institute is also building a helipad of 150 metres by 50 metres, the biggest in the town, to enable Indian Air Force's Mi-26 choppers to carry construction materials and equipments at the sites. But the weather plays truant with construction work gets hampered by the dipping temperatures. It has been decided not to allow any construction activity around the temple, which bore the brunt of the floods. Dec 30, 2014
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Security arrangement in place in Bodh Gaya, says Bihar DGP

Bodh Gaya, Dec 28 (ANI): Director General of Police (DGP) of Bihar, PK Thakur visited holy town Bodh Gaya to monitor security measures. Security has been tightened at holy Buddhist shrine Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya after the recent Taliban attack in a school in Peshawar. The DGP took stock of the situation in and around the temple and expressed satisfaction with the security. The holy shrine was last year in July hit by a series of bomb blasts that were described as “terror” attacks by the government. Two people were injured. The Mahabodhi Temple complex is the place where the Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment. Buddhist scriptures describe Bodh Gaya as the "Navel of the Earth", where pilgrims and tourists from Sri Lanka, China, Japan and the entire of southeastern Asia throng to this holiest of Buddhist shrines every year. Dec 28, 2014
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PM Modi wields broom in Varanasi to mark 'Good Governance Day'

Varanasi, Dec 25 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi takes part in Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan during the visit to his parliamentary constituency as part of Good Governance Day celebrations across nation. During his one day visit to Varanasi, Modi wielded broom at the Assi Ghat and outside near Jagannath temple in the holy city. Modi today also lauded people for helping rid the Assi Ghat of mounds of soil and garbage to restore the historical site to its old glory. He also nominated noted people and institutions for the Clean India Mission. During the visit, Modi is expected to lay the foundation stone for an inter-university centre for teachers' education to be named after Madan Mohan Malviya. Modi is also expected to launch Varanasi Mahotsav. Dec 25, 2014