it-happens-hindus-mark-second-shravan-monday-with-special-prayers-and-offerings

It happens: Hindus mark second Shravan Monday with special prayers and offerings

Varanasi, July 25 (ANI): Carrying assortment of religious offerings, devout Hindus thronged lord Shiva temples in north India to offer special prayers, as they marked the auspicious second Monday of month long 'Shravan' festival. The devotees on Monday gathered in large numbers to offer milk, curd, ghee, honey and holy water to Lord Shiva in wee hours of morning. Long queues of people waiting with assortment of religious offerings like joss sticks, red vermilion and flowers were seen outside the temples. The saffron-clad devotees of Lord Shiva known as Kanwaria take their foot journey to the Hindu pilgrimage places of Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand to fetch holy waters of Ganges River. Raj Kumar Yadav, one among the Kanwarias said that during this month long Shravan festival, believers perform rituals and make offerings especially on Monday because it is considered auspicious for bringing peace and prosperity to every household. According to the Hindu calendar, Shravan is the fifth holy month and Shravani mela begins on Shravan Amavasya, no moon day in Shravan month and ends on Shravan purnima, full moon day in Shravan month. Devotees come to sought blessing of Lord Shiva for peace and prosperity of their families. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, during the month devotee Jul 25, 2014
hindus-mark-second-shravan-monday-with-special-prayers-and-offerings

Hindus mark second Shravan Monday with special prayers and offerings

Varanasi, July 21 (ANI): Carrying assortment of religious offerings, devout Hindus thronged lord Shiva temples in north India to offer special prayers, as they marked the auspicious second Monday of month long 'Shravan' festival. The devotees on Monday gathered in large numbers to offer milk, curd, ghee, honey and holy water to Lord Shiva in wee hours of morning. Long queues of people waiting with assortment of religious offerings like joss sticks, red vermilion and flowers were seen outside the temples. The saffron-clad devotees of Lord Shiva known as Kanwaria take their foot journey to the Hindu pilgrimage places of Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand to fetch holy waters of Ganges River. Jul 21, 2014
pilgrims-en-route-amarnath-shrine-content-with-hospitality-in-kashmir

Pilgrims en route Amarnath shrine content with hospitality in Kashmir

Srinagar, July 18 (ANI): The devotees who have undertaken the pilgrimage to sacred shrine of Amarnath expressed satisfaction with the hospitality in Jammu and Kashmir. The holy Amarnath cave containing the shrine of Lord Shiva is located at a snow-capped mountainous peak of the Himalayas. Although the authorities of the shrine board and the state government of Jammu and Kashmir have made all arrangements for the pilgrims, the much needed aid is provided by the Kashmiri residents irrespective of cast and creed. Jul 18, 2014
devotees-throng-temples-on-first-shravan-monday

Devotees throng temples on first Shravan Monday

Haridwar /Gorakhpur / New Delhi, July 14 (ANI): Thousands of devout Hindu thronged the temples of Hindu lord Shiva across the country and offered special prayers to mark the first auspicious Monday of month long 'Shravan' festival. The devotees gathered in large numbers offering milk, curd, ghee, honey and holy water to Lord Shiva in wee hours of morning. Long queues of people were waiting with assortment of religious offerings such as incense sticks, red vermilion and flowers. Pathak Sharma, a priest of the temple in Haridwar said on Monday that during the auspicious Shravan month pilgrims have to offer different forms of liquids to Lord Shiva for their wish-fulfilment. Jul 14, 2014
saffron-clad-pilgrims-begin-their-foot-journey-to-ganges-to-fetch-holy-waters

Saffron-clad pilgrims begin their foot journey to Ganges to fetch holy waters

Ranchi, July 13 (ANI): Thousands of saffron-clad pilgrims in eastern India on Sunday began their foot journey to the Ganges to fetch the holy waters. Devotees of Lord Shiva offered special prayers to mark the beginning of a month long Hindu festival. The devotees of Lord Shiva known as Kanwaria in Deoghar district of Jharkhand began their foot journey to the Hindu pilgrimage places of Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand to fetch holy waters of Ganges River. Every year more than five million devotees from different parts of the country visit temple over a period of 30 days in Deoghar to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva during Shravani mela. Jul 13, 2014
religious-organisations-set-up-community-kitchens-to-serve-pilgrims-in-kashmir

Religious organisations set up community kitchens to serve pilgrims in Kashmir

Kathua, July 06 (ANI): Keen volunteers set up community kitchens providing free food, temporary shelter and medical care in a bid to help devotees undertaking the annual Hindu pilgrimage, Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir. President of a religious organisation, Baba Barfani Sewa Mandal, Chander Sheikher Sood, said on Sunday that various kitchens enroute to Amarnath are being run by his volunteers and arrangements for nearly 5,000 pilgrims have been made. Pilgrims said they were happy with the arrangements made for them and their journey was made easier through the efforts of the volunteers. The holy Amarnath cave containing the holy Shiva shrine is located at a snow-capped mountainous peak of the Himalayas. Jul 6, 2014
job-offers-and-proposals-pour-in-for-kerala-nurses-post-their-return

Job offers and proposals pour in for Kerala nurses post their return

Kochi, July 06 (ANI): The Kerala nurses who returned from Iraq on Saturday are making headlines in the local as well as national newspapers. Television channels, online media and social networking sites are filled with reports of the nurses who are being highlighted as war heroes returning back home. Local, national and international channels flew to the tiny coastal region to cover the news of their reunion with their families. From the government's side, a formal notice has been released by the Health Minister V.S. Shiva Kumar offering jobs at Shree Uthuradam Thirunal Hospital Trivandrum. Jul 6, 2014
it-happens-fertility-festival

It Happens: Fertility Festival

Guwahati, June 27 (ANI): Amid the clash of cymbals and blowing of conch shells, saffron-robed Hindu holy men performed mystic rituals to celebrate the annual fertility festival at the revered shrine of Goddess Kamakhya in the northeastern Indian city of Guwahati. The four-day festival also known as 'Ambubachi fair', which began on June 22, is held with the grand arrival of monsoon in Assam. As per Hindu mythology, Kamakhya is one of the most mystical religious sites in India. The festival is based on the belief that during this period the goddess goes through her annual menstrual cycle - symbolizing fertility. The temple has no image of the goddess but a natural underground stream which emanates from a fissure in a rock that symbolizes Lord Shiva's wife Sati. During the time of the festival the water turns red due to iron oxidation resembling menstrual fluids. The main gate of the temple remains closed for the visitors for three days and devotees wait outside the temple till the fourth day, when the temple is opened. The festival is also a major draw for the practitioners of occult with a large number of pot smoking ascetics descending on the shrine, lending a mystic aura to the whole atmosphere. Holy men and priests danced to religious hymns as they camped outside the temple, wa Jun 27, 2014
first-batch-of-amarnath-yatra-pilgrims-flagged-off-in-jammu

First batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims flagged off in Jammu

Jammu and Kashmir, June 27 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir tourism minister Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Friday flagged off the first batch of Amarnath Yatra from Jammu. Due to heavy snowfall at Pahalgam-Chandanwari route, the yatra will start from Baltal route on Saturday and further review of the traditional Pahalgam route will be taken on June 30. Security has been stepped up on various routes and forces have been deployed to ensure safety of devotees. Devout Hindus chanted name of Lord Shiva as they left for the base camp from Jammu. Amarnath Yatra commences in the last week of June every year and concludes in early August. Jun 27, 2014