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New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Upa Lokayukta takes suo motu action over neglect of ancient Srirama temple
BENGALURU: Taking suo motu cognisance of the dilapidated condition of the Srirama temple, a protected monument situated in Kudluru of Channapatna taluk in Bengaluru South district, Upa Lokayukta Justice K N Phaneendra registered a case against all the concerned authorities and sought an explanation for their inaction. Justice Phaneendra's action came after he took note of the sorry state of affairs of the temple after he visited it while he was on his way to check the rampant pollution and encroachment of lakes on July 7, along with Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru South District Yashavanth V Gurukar, other officials. Justice Phaneendra noted that this is one among the famous temples constructed on the bank of the river Kanva between the fourth and fifth centuries ago by the Ganga empire, and it was declared a protected monument on May 5, 1987. The compound of the wall and retaining wall on the right side of the stone pillar outside the temple are nearly collapsing, the stone wall in in the sanctum sanctorum is slipping, it also developed cracks inside the walls of the temple- all of these could led to a big disaster, if not paid attention to immediately, Justice Phaneendra noted. The Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of the Archaeological Department, Tarakesh, who was present, told Upa Lokayukta that the compound wall collapsed due to erosion of the bund of the river, which was exploited severely for sand mining. When enquired, Mohan, Executive Engineer (EE), CNNL, informed the Upa Lokayukta that the construction of the retaining wall will be taken up by them if the proposal comes from the state government. However, this monument has been neglected by the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, CNNL, Revenue Department, which amounts to 'Maladministration' under Section 2(10) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, he said. Therefore, in order to take action against them as well as remedial measures to protect the monument, he registered a suo motu case against officials Tarakesh, Mohan, and Mohammed Zeeshan Ali Khan, who is the Tahsildar of Muzrai Department, Bengaluru South District.
India Today
28-06-2025
- Science
- India Today
Buried for 4,500 years: Rajasthan dig uncovers evidence of lost civilisation
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has unearthed a 4,500-year-old civilisation in Rajasthan, discovering statues, utensils and metal weapons dating back to the Mahabharata era and the Maurya and Shunga dynasties. advertisementDuring the research, ASI identified a spot in Bahaj village in Deeg district, around 40 kilometres from Bharatpur, where some evidence related to ancient civilisation was found. Notably, Bahaj village is a significant spot as it is a part of the Braj region, which also comprises Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. After getting permission from the government, the ASI team started excavation in Bahaj village in January. During the excavation that went on for about six months, ASI officials found statues, utensils and metal weapons dating back to as early as 2,500 BC. advertisement A human skeleton was found during the excavation and was sent to Israel to ascertain how old it was. The statues found in the excavation were sent to the Archaeological Department in Jaipur and some of them were kept in the museum of Deeg Jal Mahal and others. "After getting permission from the government, the department conducted a survey for the excavation that began on January 10. We achieved success during the excavation and it will be continued further. There are chances of finding more evidence of ancient civilisation," said Dr Vinay Gupta, the Director of Archaeological Department, the ASI conducted excavation in Nauh village of Bharatpur tehsil from 1961 to 1963 to collect evidence of ancient civilisation in the area.- Ends(with inputs from Suresh Foujdar in Bharatpur) IN THIS STORY#Rajasthan
Hans India
13-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
Village youth restore 14th century Venugopalaswamy Temple
Chamarajnagar: More than 50 youths of the village have given a new look to the Sri Venugopalaswamy temple in Haradanahalli village of the taluk, which has a historical background and dates back to the 14th century. The youth of the village, who have formed an association named Sri Vinayaka Bhakta Mandali, have taken up the task of renovating the temple under the association. Despite repeated requests to the concerned departments, including the Archaeological Department, to renovate the dilapidated temple, it was of no use. Therefore, the youths came together and took up the task. As the temple belongs to Muzrai Department, it falls under C Grade category and there are no funds provided from the government for its maintenance. So Madusudhan HN, police constable and a team of kids along with the help of the elders from the village have rejuvenated and protected the Venugopal Swamy temple which is more than 700 years old and has its own history. 'The entire temple is built of stones. Many religious programs were held in the temple, which attracts attention with its attractive art and architecture. As days passed, the temple started to fall into disrepair. Tall plants grew in the premises and became the abode of lizards, snakes and scorpions. The Muzrai and the Archaeological Department did not take up the cleanliness work. That is why we took up the renovation five years ago,' said one of the board members. 'The tuition programme took shape when Madhusudhan and a group of youngsters decided to restore an ancient temple and its kalyani (stepped tank) in their village. As the villagers supported their efforts, they took the initiative a step further and started free tuition classes to support students from government schools. We started keeping Ganesha idol in 2012 for Ganesh Chaturti, from that moment I decided to conduct classes for these kids. As i was into NCC and NSS, I always had the urge to serve public', says Madusudhan. Special Puja Special Pujas are held for Sankranti, Ugadi and Gokulashtami. There is a procedure to build a cradle on Vaikuntha Ekadashi and keep the festival idol from 6 am to 6 pm. It has been 9 years since our youth wing board came into existence. Every year we install Ganapati here. We organize pujas and programs,' he said. So far Rs 22 lakhs have been spent on the renovation of the temple. This has been financially supported by villagers and people from all communities. He says that many more development works need to be done. Since the temple premises are now clean, children are given free homework in the hall. Interested teachers and children come. 'Donors are providing tiles for the temple, stones for the floor, cement, etc. The renovation work is also being done with the help of their finances and the villagers. The government has removed the cement laid last year for a year. Therefore, whenever we get time, we get small works done by the board,' he said. 'The youth used to do Shramadaan for two hours from 6 in the morning. We used to work with them. As a result, the temple is beautiful today. Such work should be done in all villages,' says Mahadev of the village. 'There are many people in our team, including teachers, police officer, and self-employed people. Everyone takes responsibility and works,' said teacher R Chandru. Location details of temple The temple is located 6 km from the district headquarters. It is located near Haradanahalli on the Satyamangala Road. The sanctum sanctorum, Sukhanasi pillars and the installed walls, octagonal corners are attractive. There is a beautiful art painting of Lord Venkatesha inside. The wooden door of Sukhanasi has the name of Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar. The temple was expanded during his time. It is built with materials brought from Shaiva temples. The idol in the sanctum sanctorum is in the Hoysala style. It is said that a treasure was found in the area four years ago when Muslims were digging behind the temple. Since then, the Muzrai department has instructed that wedding programmes should not be held in this temple, according to the villagers. Dakshinabhimukha Anjaneya: There is a rare south-facing Abhaya Anjaneya temple outside the temple. More than 100 devotees come every Thursday and Saturday. Also, more devotees and tourists also visit on special puja days.
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Allahabad High Court upholds lower court's order appointing Advocate Commissioner to survey Sambhal mosque
The Allahabad High Court on Monday (May 19, 2025) upheld a lower court's order appointing an Advocate Commissioner to survey the 'disputed' Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal. The mosque committee had approached the High Court challenging the survey, which was ordered under the suit filed by Hindu plaintiffs claiming the mosque had been built on the site by Mughal emperor Babur in 1526 after demolishing the Harihar temple, dedicated to Kalki, the last avatar of Lord Vishnu as per mythology. Last November, a civil court in Sambhal ordered a survey of the mosque by an Advocate Commissioner. Soon after, Ramesh Raghav, the designated officer, conducted a harried survey of the mosque. The survey was followed by communal violence in the town, leading to the death of four persons. The mosque committee, in its arguments, submitted that the dispute regarding the mosque had already been settled in the year 1877 and could not be adjudicated in the instant suit. Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal observed that the lower had not committed any error, irregularity or illegality in allowing the survey. 'The argument set up by advocate SFA Naqvi that dispute in regard to Masjid already stood settled in 1877 and decree having been confirmed by this Court cannot be accepted at this stage in view of the fact that judgment of 1877 speaks of an old building, whereas in 1920 Juma Masjid was declared as a protected monument under the Act of 1904,' the court noted. The court added that if the title suit was decided in favour of the mosque committee in the year 1877, then, why had it entered into an agreement in the year 1927 subjecting the structure in dispute to the Act of 1904 as the alleged agreement does not reveal the ownership of the mosque committee and clearly noted that the structure needed to be protected in pursuance of the Act of 1904 by Archaeological Department. The court also noted this was not a case where any conversion of place of worship was taking place or any religious character of the place of worship was being changed and that the Hindu petitioners had only sought the right to access to a protected monument declared in the year 1920, under Section 18 of the Act of 1958. 'Once, it is an admitted position that the structure in question has been declared as a protected monument in 1920 and the same remained unchallenged till date, it is bound to be governed by provisions of law which existed when the notification was made and, thereafter, the laws enacted to govern such protected monument,' the court said. It added that once the revisionist himself has subjected to the Act of 1904 (Act to provide for the preservation of Ancient Monuments) and, thereafter, to 1958 (Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act), he cannot take shelter of the Places of Worship Act of 1991 that aims to prevent the conversion of any place of worship and maintain the religious character as it was on August 15, 1947.
Hans India
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Buddhavanam bedecked to welcome Miss World contestants
Hyderabad: The State government machinery has completed all the arrangements at Buddhavanam near Nagarjuna Sagar for the arrival of some contestants who have come to participate in the Miss World pageant being held in Hyderabad. The contestants from about 30 countries participating in the Miss World pageant will visit Buddhavanam located at the Nagarjuna Sagar project in Nalgonda district on Monday. First, they will leave Hyderabad and stop for a while at a guest house near Chintapalli in Nalgonda district. Then they reach Vijay Vihar. After a photo session there, they will reach Buddhavanam. On this occasion, about 24 Lambada artists will welcome them with a Lambada dance. After the welcome at the Maha Stupa, there will be a photo session. Necessary arrangements were being made for this. After entering the Stupa, representatives of the Archaeological Department would explain the details of the Stupa. After the world beauties meditate there, 25 Buddhist monks will perform Bailikuppa Maha Bodhi Puja here. Later, they will visit the Jataka Van. Archaeology and Tourism Representative Shivanagi Reddy will explain the importance of the Buddhavanam to the world beauties. After visiting the Jataka Van, they will watch a performance by 18 artistes on the life of Buddha. After dinner, they will return to Hyderabad.
