Solar fence to mitigate human-elephant conflict
15K bighas of satra land encroached upon: CM
The 'satras' — monastic institutions within Assam's neo-Vaishnavite tradition — have lost over 15,000 bighas of their land to encroachment. Taking a serious view of it, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma noted that an area twice the size of Dispur had been encroached upon. 'The sheer scale of encroachment of the satras is a direct assault on Assam's culture and identity. Not anymore. We are dealing firmly with this,' he posted on X. The Satra Aayog, constituted by the government for reviewing and assessing the problems of satra land in Assam, has submitted its final report to Sarma with its recommendations.
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New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Chennai artisans craft twin pure-gold swings worth Rs 12 crore for Ram Lalla's Shravana ritual
LUCKNOW: In a dazzling new addition to the opulent offerings at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, two intricately designed 24-carat gold jhoolas (swings), crafted by Chennai-based artisans, will soon be used to ceremonially seat Ram Lalla during the auspicious month of Shravana beginning July 11. Each swing weighs approximately 5.5 kg and together they are valued at an estimated Rs 12 crore. The twin jhoolas, created with exquisite precision and devotion, are among the most ritually significant artefacts added to the temple's already lavish collection. The latest addition to the glittering trove of donations enhances the temple's grandeur even further. Notably, the sanctum sanctorum is adorned with 42 gold-coated doors, a majestic throne featuring Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, his four brothers and Lord Hanuman; and several other sacred items including crowns, bows, arrows, chhatras and the kalash atop the temple's spire, all of which have captured public and media attention since the consecration. According to sources from the temple trust, the jhoolas have been designed in consonance with traditional Vaishnavite aesthetics, featuring lotus-petal-shaped borders, Shankh and Chakra motifs, and delicate floral filigree.
News18
6 hours ago
- News18
Ayodhya Temple Gets Rs 12-Crore Twin Gold Swings For Ram Lalla's Shravana Rituals
Last Updated: The swings will be maintained under temperature‑controlled conditions. Daily aarti rituals with Ram Lalla on the gold swings are expected to commence soon after July 17. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya has unveiled its most opulent new treasures: two 24‑carat gold jhoolas (swings), each weighing approximately 5.5 kg, combining to a total of about 11 kg of pure gold, and valued at an estimated Rs 12 crore. A Glittering New Addition to an Already Golden Legacy This latest donation enhances the temple's long-standing reputation for grandeur, joining a prestigious collection that includes 42 gold‑coated doors (totaling ~100 kg of gold), a majestic throne, crown, bow, arrow, chhatra, and the kalash atop the temple's shikhar – all of which have garnered significant public and media attention since the temple's consecration. Design and Craftsmanship The design of the jhoolas embodies classical Vaishnavite aesthetics – featuring lotus-petal scallops, conch and chakra motifs, and fine floral filigree. The seats are suspended by elaborately carved chains and embellished with miniature temple mandapa pillars along the frame. Each swing is equipped with cushioned red velvet seating inset with gold brocade. According to temple trust officials, veteran artisans from Chennai – whose lineage spans over 200 years of temple craftsmanship – crafted these jhoolas under the guidance of master goldsmiths. These craftsmen drew inspiration from descriptions in the Valmiki Ramayana and used a combination of modern design precision with traditional repoussé techniques, hand-chasing, and gem-studded detailing. These swings are not decorative pieces alone; they hold ritual significance, having been created specifically for Ram Lalla to be ceremonially seated and gently swung during the holy month of Shravana, which begins in mid-July. Their purity, symbolic detailing, and dedicated ritual purpose make them an extraordinary blend of devotion, heritage, and artistry, unmatched in contemporary temple traditions. Significance for Shravana Rituals Shravana, the sacred month when Lord Ram is traditionally swung in a jhoola, begins around July 17, 2025. The shrine's priestly custodians explain that the ornate swings will be installed in the sanctum for daily use. This ceremonial act is believed to refresh devotees' spiritual bond with the deity, offering an immersive ritual experience featuring rhythmic movement and melodic bhajans. Temple Trust Speaks Champat Rai, General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust said, 'These twin jhoolas are not merely ornaments but a devotional offering of the highest order. Their construction by master craftsmen from Chennai brings traditional artistry to Ayodhya, enhancing the temple's sanctity. We look forward to their use during Shravana as Ram Lalla partakes in the cherished ritual of jhoola‑swinging." Regarding the cost and donation, Rai said, 'At an estimated Rs 12 crore for both swings, these jhoolas reflect the depth of devotion among our donours. Every detail – from the lotus motifs to temple pillar chains—is imbued with spiritual symbolism." Temple's Gold Narrative So far, the temple has utilised approximately 45 kg of gold, valued around Rs 50 crore, in the doors and throne of Lord Ram. The first golden door – 12 feet high and 8 feet wide – was installed on January 10, 2024, and plans called for the installation of 13 more, ultimately resulting in 46 doors, with 42 treated in gold plating using around 100 kg of gold. The jhoolas, however, stand apart in their ritualistic function and proximity to the deity – designed not as static artefacts but as active participants in worship during Shravan. Their unveiling signals a new chapter in the temple's evolving spiritual tapestry. With Shravana approaching, the temple conservatory is finalising installation and ceremonial protocols. The jhoolas will be maintained under temperature‑controlled conditions to preserve the gold's sheen. Daily aarti rituals with Ram Lalla on the jhoola are expected to commence soon after July 17, accompanied by devotional singing and temple processions. First Published: July 02, 2025, 15:20 IST
News18
a day ago
- News18
Mid-Monsoon Mayhem In 'Mahabahu' Brahmaputra: Are Chinese Dams 'Arm-Twisting' Nature's Flow?
Many question whether upstream activities in China—especially the construction of mega dams—are disturbing the Brahmaputra's natural hydrological rhythm The mighty Brahmaputra —revered as 'Mahabahu" for its wide arms and wild temperament—has once again displayed its unpredictable nature this monsoon. But beyond natural fury, a new wave of concern is rising across Assam: are upstream activities by China constricting the natural flow of this transboundary river? In June 2025, ferry services in Majuli, the world's largest river island, were severely disrupted. Multiple ferries, including RPL Digaru, MV Saptashwari, and SB Jalatari, got stranded mid-river, not due to mechanical failure, but due to shifting sandbanks—a consequence of unusual sedimentation and riverbed exposure. These incidents led to a suspension of services vital to the river island district of Assam. While these occurrences seemed isolated initially, they are now raising alarm among experts and locals. Many question whether upstream activities in China—especially the construction of mega dams—are disturbing the Brahmaputra's natural hydrological rhythm. The Brahmaputra, known as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, originates in the Himalayas and flows through China, India, and Bangladesh. While the river largely depends on India's monsoon-fed catchments, the upper reaches in Tibet provide critical early flow, especially during lean seasons. China's aggressive dam-building spree on the Yarlung Tsangpo, including the proposed world's largest hydroelectric dam near the Great Bend (close to Arunachal Pradesh), has triggered fears in India. The concern is not total water stoppage but flow manipulation, particularly during pre-monsoon months. However, this time it's the monsoon mayhem. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has directly addressed these concerns. He recently clarified that China contributes only about 30% of the Brahmaputra's total discharge. The rest—65% to 70%—comes from India's northeast region, thanks to heavy monsoon rainfall and contributions from tributaries like Subansiri, Lohit, and Kameng. Still, CM Sarma acknowledged that large-scale Chinese infrastructure projects could destabilise the river's seasonal rhythm, making downstream areas more flood-prone during monsoon and dry during other months. 'If this dam comes," Sarma said, 'then the Brahmaputra ecosystem will become fragile and dry… we will depend on rainwater from Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan." Despite fears, experts agree that China cannot fully choke the Brahmaputra's flow into India, geographically or politically. Geographical limitation: Only 14% of the Brahmaputra's annual flow is within China's control before it enters India. Even massive dam projects can't store or divert the sheer volume of monsoon-fed discharge that arrives from India's side of the basin. Technical hurdles: The Tibetan plateau, where these mega dams are planned, is one of the world's most seismically active zones. Large-scale infrastructure here is vulnerable to earthquakes, landslides, and massive structural risks. Geopolitical risks: A sudden release or manipulation of water could cause downstream disasters in India, which would not only damage bilateral relations but also dent China's international reputation and strategic interests. Nevertheless, China can regulate the flow to a degree, especially during non-monsoon months. This could lead to seasonal dryness, sedimentation changes, and ecological imbalances downstream, potentially linked to ferry stranding and unusual elephant migration patterns witnessed in Majuli. However, the million-dollar question is why all these issues arise during the monsoon. Majuli's woes: Nature's whim or human interference? The mid-June incidents in Majuli seem to reflect altered hydrodynamics in the riverbed. Ferries ran aground on newly formed sandbars, indicative of either reduced water flow or sudden sediment deposition. While it is difficult to conclusively blame Chinese dam activity for these events, the correlation between upstream manipulation and downstream consequences is growing harder to ignore. India's countermove—the Siang Upper Project India, not sitting idle, has proposed the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh. Aimed at generating 11,000 MW of clean energy, this mega dam also intends to assert control over the Brahmaputra's downstream flow and counter China's upstream leverage. However, local communities and environmentalists have raised strong objections. They fear ecological destruction, displacement, and irreversible damage to the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. The way forward: Cooperation over confrontation The Brahmaputra is more than a river—it is a cultural, ecological, and geopolitical lifeline. India and China do have a water-sharing information exchange agreement, but experts argue it's not sufficient. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Assam Brahmaputra China flood Location : Guwahati [Gauhati], India, India First Published: July 01, 2025, 18:09 IST
