jains-begin-fasting-to-mark-paryushana-festival

Jains begin fasting to mark Paryushana festival

Rajkot, Aug 23 (ANI): Devotees flocked Jain temples and began fasting as eight-day-long religious festival of Paryushana began. Paryushana, which means self cleansing, is significant for Jain community which marks a time of repentance, sacrifices and intense worship accompanied by fasting. During fasting period, Jains worship 24 Tirthankaras, who attained enlightenment. The two Jains sects, Shwetambar and Digambar, follow this occasion on different days. Devotees in Rajkot city of Gujarat visited the Maniar Derasar or the Maniar temple. Aug 23, 2014
it-happens-indians-soak-in-devotion-at-birth-place-of-lord-krishna

It Happens: Indians soak in devotion at birth place of Lord Krishna

Mathura, August 22 (ANI): Thousands of devotees soaked in devotion thronged birthplace of Lord Krishna in Uttar Pradesh on Monday to celebrate his birth anniversary. Chanting hymns and carrying religious offerings, people flocked temples dedicated to the Hindu god in Mathura to mark the festival of Janamashtmi with pageantry. The priests performed rituals in the temples to mark 5240th birthday of Lord Krishna. A devotee, Nishi Khurana, said she was elated to visit Mathura to be a part of the celebration. Lord Krishna is regarded as the eighth incarnation of the Hindu deity 'Vishnu', the Preserver of the Universe. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that Lord Krishna was born at the midnight hour on this day. Another devotee, Goldy Khurana, said Mathura reverberated with a different kind of enthusiasm when it came to celebrate Janamashtmi. According to the Hindu calendar, Janmashtami is observed on the Ashtami Tithi, which is the eighth day of the month of Bhadrapada (sixth month of the Hindu calendar year) in the Hindu almanac. Aug 22, 2014
it-happens-devotees-go-in-trance-during-religious-festival-in-assam

It Happens: Devotees go in trance during religious festival in Assam

Guwahati, August 22 (ANI): Devotees from various parts of the country thronged temple of Hindu goddess Kamakhya in Assam to witness three-day Hindu festival, Deodhani dance. The Deodhani dance festival is held to worship Hindu snake goddess Mansa, during which goats and pigeons are sacrificed. Deodhani dance is a semi-classical dance form, which is common across the southwest Kamrup and Mangaidoi parts of Assam. The devotees participating in the festival go through a month-long preparatory phase, during which they are not permitted to meet their families and have to stay in the temple premises with a photograph of the deity they want to represent. They also seek knowledge from their religious mentors during this period. It is believed that Hindu goddess possesses a devotee’s body during the festival to dance. As per Hindu mythology, one’s wishes come true if they wish for something special during the festival. It is believed that taking part in this festival bestows the dancers with powers from goddess Kamakhya. The temple situated atop Nilachal hills, is dedicated to goddess Kamakhya, consort of Lord Shiva. Aug 22, 2014
us-closely-monitoring-pak-political-situation-reports

US closely monitoring Pak political situation: Reports

New Delhi, Aug 20 (ANI): The United States said on Tuesday that it was closely observing the political situation in Pakistan. State Department deputy spokesperson Marie Harf said that the US ambassador in Pakistan attended meetings with Pakistani political and religious leaders. Harf also said that the US embassy is sending all updates on political crisis to Secretary of State John Kerry. US wants India -Pakistan relations to improve and the countries to resume talks, said the US ambassador in Pakistan. Aug 20, 2014
devotees-go-in-trance-during-religious-festival-in-assam

Devotees go in trance during religious festival in Assam

Guwahati, Aug 20 (ANI): Devotees from various parts of the country thronged temple of Hindu goddess Kamakhya in Assam to witness three-day Hindu festival, Deodhani dance. The Deodhani dance festival is held to worship Hindu snake goddess Mansa, during which goats and pigeons are sacrificed. It is believed that Hindu goddess possesses a devotee's body during the festival to dance. As per Hindu mythology, one's wishes come true if they wish for something special during the festival. Aug 20, 2014
religious-differences-fade-away-as-visually-challenged-hindu-and-muslim-children-recite-ramayana-tog

Religious differences fade away as visually challenged Hindu and Muslim children recite Ramayana tog

Agra, Aug 18 (ANI): India is a land of amazing diversity. Yet, people from different communities have lived together for centuries in the country in harmony. This is visible across the country. One such example comes from Agra in Uttar Pradesh. Here a blind school houses children belonging to different communities, who learn not just life skills but also about other religions. The school recently organised a gathering where children recited the Ramayana, the story of Hindu god Ram, with equal enthusiasm. Aug 18, 2014
quran-verses-written-in-calligraphic-styles-attract-visitors-in-kashmir

Quran verses written in calligraphic styles attract visitors in Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 18 (ANI): Visitors thronged Srinagar city in Jammu and Kashmir to see age old manuscripts written in different calligraphic styles put on display at an exhibition. A three-day exhibition, showcasing Quran, the Islamic holy book, written in fine calligraphy on various media attracted people. Copies on display ranged from ancient and medieval manuscripts to texts in the digital format. The exhibition was organised by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages department in a bid to aware the youths of valley regarding the religious asset. The main attraction of exhibition was one of the rarest first Quran manuscripts hand-written in 1237 AD by Fateh-ullah Kashmiri. Aug 18, 2014