indian-boxers-preparations-in-full-swing-ahead-of-2014-asian-games-in-incheon

Indian boxers' preparations in full swing ahead of 2014 Asian Games in Incheon

Patiala, Sep 17 (ANI): Eyeing a rich haul of medals, including several golds, the Indian boxers have been sweating and toiling at the last training camp before leaving for the Asian Games in South Korea's Incheon. The boxers, who returned from recently-ended Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with a less-than-expected five medals, are training to perfect the knock-out punch for the September 19-October 4 event. Shiva Thapa, one of the boxers who will be representing India at the Asian Games, said the training had gone as per plan and the squad was feeling fighting-fit. Manoj Kumar said Indian boxers were feeling very confident going into the event and expected to come back with a bag full of medals. Akhil Kumar, who has been training hard at the National Institute of Sports camp in Patiala, said the standard of boxing had improved dramatically over the past few years and there were no clear favourites. Sep 17, 2014
abbott-meets-modi-india-and-australia-seal-nuclear-deal

Abbott meets Modi, India and Australia seal nuclear deal

New Delhi, Sep 06 (ANI): Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Friday met his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in New Delhi and returned two antique statues ahead of delegation-level talks. In an apparent bid to remove an irritant between the two nations, Abbott handed over to Modi a statue of Lord Shiva, worth $5 million in the international market, that was illegally trafficked and a stone statue that had been displayed in an Australian gallery. Abbott also promised that Australia would never act as receiver of stolen goods. Later, Abbott sealed a civil nuclear deal to sell uranium to India in New Delhi, offering to ramp up supplies of energy to help the emerging Asian giant overcome chronic shortages. After holding formal talks with PM Modi, Abbott's government signed the deal to sell uranium for peaceful power generation. Sep 6, 2014
it-happens-vibrant-indian-culture-draws-tourists-to-fair-in-rajkot

It Happens: Vibrant Indian culture draws tourists to fair in Rajkot

Rajkot, Sept 5 (ANI): Tourists from across the globe flocked at a fair in Rajkot to be a part of Indian culture and heritage. The four-day long ‘Tarnetar Fair’, which commenced on August 28 in Thangadh village, is an important event in state’s calendar as it is dedicated to Hindu Lord Shiva. Local as well as foreign tourists attended the fair and got attracted to traditional dance and songs. The fair attracts more than 600,000 tourists every year from countries like Germany, USA, Holland, Poland, etc. Foreign tourists were seen clicking photographs of men dressed in traditional attire. Earlier, Tarnetar fair was also one of the most important matchmaking fairs where young Tribal people, elegantly dressed holding large colourful embroidered umbrellas, came in search for their brides. Sep 5, 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
it-happens-devotees-throng-temples-as-month-long-hindu-festival-nears-end

It Happens: Devotees throng temples as month-long Hindu festival nears end

New Delhi, August 8 (ANI): Devotees carrying religious offerings, thronged Hindu temples on last Monday of auspicious month- long Shravan (monsoon) festival.Thousands of devout Hindus thronged temples dedicated to Lord Shiva on Monday to offer special prayers. According to the Hindu calendar, Shravan is the fifth holy month which ends on ‘Shravan purnima’, or full moon day. Devotees seek blessings of Lord Shiva for peace and prosperity and also take holy baths. Devotees gathered to offer milk, curd, ghee, honey and holy water to Shiva Lingam, a representation of Hindu Lord Shiva. A priest, Ramesh Yadav, in Madhya Pradesh wished peace for devotees and the nation. The saffron-clad devotees also known as ‘kanwarias’ undertake journey of foot to Hindu pilgrimage places of Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand to fetch holy waters of Ganges River. A devotee, Vinod Shankar Patel, said that on this occasion Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati had met. The auspicious Shravan festival started on July 14 and will conclude on August 10. Aug 8, 2014
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Amarnath Yatra enters last leg as 'Chari Mubarak' leaves for Amarnath

Srinagar, Aug 6 (ANI): The Amarnath Yatra entered its last leg as 'Chari Mubarak', the holy mace of Lord Shiva, today left for the 3,880 meter high holy cave shrine in south Kashmir. Meanwhile, lakhs of pilgrims have paid obeisance to the ice-lingam.The saffron-robed mace was taken from its 'Dashnami Akhara' abode at Budshah Chowk here to Pahalgam by a group of priests and pilgrims led by its custodian Mahant Deependra Giri. The Chari Mubarak will be offered prayers at various temples en route to Pahalgam, which serves as the traditional base camp for the annual pilgrimage. Aug 6, 2014