Latest news with #Ayodhya
Times of Oman
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
PM Modi brings Ram Mandir replica, Sarayu water to Trinidad and Tobago
Port of Spain: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his first official visit to Trinidad and Tobago, addressed the Indian community in Port of Spain where he spoke about their ancestral links to India, praised their cultural contributions, and said it was an honour to bring with him a replica of the Ram Mandir and holy water from the river Sarayu in Ayodhya, recalling the community's earlier gesture of sending 'shilas' and sacred water for the temple's construction. Addressing the event, PM Modi said, "I am aware of your deep faith in Prabhu Shri Ram... Ram Leelas here are truly unique... Ramcharitmanas says that the Holy City of Prabhu Shri Ram is so beautiful that its glory is praised across the world. I am sure that all of you welcomed the return of Ram Lalla to Ayodhya after 500 years... You had sent Holy water and 'Shila' for building the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. I have also brought something here with a similar sense of devotion. It is my honour to bring a replica of Ram Mandir and some water from the Holy Sarayu..." He also reflected on his previous visit to Trinidad and Tobago more than two decades ago. "When I last visited 25 years... between then and now, our friendship has grown even stronger. Banaras, Patna, Kolkata, and Delhi may be cities in India, but there are also names of streets here. Navaratra, Mahashivratri, and Janmashtami are celebrated here with joy, spirit and pride. Chautal and Bhaitak gana continue to thrive here. I can see the warmth of many familiar faces here. I see curiosity in the bright eyes of the younger generation, keen to know and grow together. Our bonds go well beyond geography and generations..." Praising the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago, he said, "They left Ganga and Yamuna behind but carried Ramayana in their heart. They left their soil but not their soul. They were not just migrants, they were messengers of a timeless civilisation. Their contribution has benefited this country culturally, economically and spiritually." He added, "The journey of the Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago is about courage. The circumstances your ancestors faced could have broken even the strongest of spirits. But they faced hardships with hope. They met problems with persistence." Calling the Indian diaspora "our pride," PM Modi said, "As I have often said, each one of you is a Rashtradoot, an Ambassador of India's values, culture and heritage." Referring to Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's ancestral ties, PM Modi said, "Prime Minister Kamala ji's ancestors lived in Buxar, Bihar. Kamala ji herself has visited there. People consider her a 'Bihar ki Beti' (daughter of Bihar). Many people present here have ancestors who came from Bihar itself. Bihar's heritage is a matter of pride not only for India but for the entire world. Be it democracy, politics, diplomacy, or higher education, centuries ago, Bihar showed the world new directions in many such fields. I am confident that even for the 21st-century world, new inspirations and opportunities will emerge from the land of Bihar." Welcoming PM Modi, Persad-Bissessar said, "We are graced by a leader whose visit is not just a matter of protocol but a profound honour for us and so I'm deeply privileged to welcome one of the world's most respected, most admired visionary leader, the honourable Shri Narendra Modi ji, Prime Minister of Republic of India." She praised his leadership and described him as a major force in global politics. "Your presence is a great inspiration for all of us, particularly to Indo-Trinidadian community whose roots are planted in the same blessed Indian soil from which you emerge. We honour the revered cultural bonds between our people. These bonds transcend time and distance, uniting us in a shared history and shared future. PM Modi you are a transformational force who has refined governance of India and positioned your country as a prominent and dominant global power," she added. This is PM Modi's first visit to Trinidad and Tobago as Prime Minister and the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Caribbean nation since 1999. The visit is taking place at the invitation of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Entrepreneur
01-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
AppsForBharat Raises USD 20 Mn in Series C Round to Scale Sri Mandir Devotional Platform
The newly raised capital will be deployed to strengthen and scale temple partnerships in over 20 temple towns across India, including Varanasi, Ayodhya, Ujjain, and Haridwar. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. AppsForBharat, the parent company of leading faith-tech platform Sri Mandir, has raised INR 175 crore (approximately USD 20 million) in a Series C funding round led by Susquehanna Asia Venture Capital. Existing investors: Fundamentum (co-founded by Nandan Nilekani), Elevation Capital, and Peak XV Partners, also participated in the round. The newly raised capital will be deployed to strengthen and scale temple partnerships in over 20 temple towns across India, including Varanasi, Ayodhya, Ujjain, and Haridwar. The Bengaluru-based company also plans to expand its services and commerce verticals, set up logistics and fulfillment hubs for prasad and ritual item deliveries, and enhance user experience with AI-powered features. "With this fundraise, we are entering the next phase of growth—scaling temple partnerships, improving digital infrastructure for temples, and building AI capabilities to serve our users better," said Prashant Sachan, Founder and CEO of AppsForBharat. "We've grown 2X in the last six months and are bringing consistent, year-round income to priests and local vendors in temple towns by digitising devotional services." Founded in November 2020 by IIT Bombay alumnus and serial entrepreneur Prashant Sachan, AppsForBharat has quickly emerged as a category leader in the faith-tech space. Its flagship app, Sri Mandir, has seen over 4 crore downloads, enabling devotees to participate in online pujas, send offerings (chadhava), receive prasad, and consume devotional content—all from their homes. In the past year alone, Sri Mandir has facilitated 52 lakh online pujas and chadhavas across more than 70 temples in India. The app also claims to have a strong global footprint, with nearly 20% of its demand coming from the Indian diaspora in countries like the US, UK, UAE, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. At events like the Mahakumbh Mela 2025, Sri Mandir acted as the exclusive digital partner for Vedashram Trust, serving over 3 lakh devotees with hybrid devotional experiences and personalized pujas. It has also helped smaller temples in regions like Uttarakhand and Tirunelveli increase engagement and income, with digital puja bookings driving 25–30% additional revenue. "Sri Mandir has evolved from a service marketplace to a comprehensive spiritual platform," said Sai Araveti, Investment Advisor to Susquehanna Asia VC. "We're excited to support their mission to blend tradition with technology." With this round, AppsForBharat's total funding crosses USD 50 million, positioning it as a transformative player in India's spiritual and digital landscape.
Times of Oman
05-06-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Elon Musk's father visits Ram temple in Ayodhya
Ayodhya: Errol Musk, father of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, arrived in Ayodhya on Wednesday and offered prayers at the Hanumangarhi Temple and Lord Ram Temple. "I feel great, wonderful," Errol Musk told ANI about his visit to Ayodhya Earlier, talking to the media, Errol Musk praised India, saying the people are full of love, kindness and "probably the best people you can meet". "India is a wonderful place. As many people as possible should come to India. There are a lot of Indians in the country where I come from, so I know the Indian culture. The people are full of love, kindness--probably the best people you can meet. We have some smart (business) plans which are being looked at. I think India-US relations will be very good," Errol Musk said. Vishnu Dasji Maharaj, a saint, said that Elon Musk's father's visit to Ayodhya reflects India's spiritual strength. "People around the world are drawn to Ayodhya. I welcome and congratulate him, and pray that God continues to guide him with wisdom," he said. Echoing the sentiment, Sitaram Das Ji Maharaj said, Lord Ram stands for the welfare of all humanity.
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Tapkeshwar Dham to get Kashi-style makeover: UP CM Yogi
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday announced that Tapkeshwar Dham in Sant Kabir Nagar district will be redeveloped on the lines of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor. Addressing a public gathering at the site, the CM said preserving cultural heritage was central to the state's development agenda. Tapkeshwar Dham is believed to be associated with Mata Kunti, a revered figure in Hindu mythology. The CM recalled visiting the site years ago and described the planned redevelopment as a way to revive religious tourism in the region. Referring to past infrastructure challenges at Kashi Vishwanath temple, he said, 'The area now accommodates 5,000 visitors simultaneously, compared to earlier constraints when even 50 devotees struggled to gain entry.' He said the transformation of Kashi Vishwanath, Ayodhya Ram Temple, and Maa Vindhyavasini Temple reflected coordinated development efforts by the double-engine government. He also announced that Sant Kabir Nagar district will be linked to the Gorakhpur Link Expressway, which is expected to boost connectivity and open new avenues of growth. Later, the CM offered prayers at the Gorakhnath Temple.
Skift
23-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
The Leela's $400 Million IPO to Fund Luxury Expansion in India
The Leela plans to pay down debt and expand its luxury footprint across spiritual, heritage, and wildlife destinations. No new brands. Niche luxury segments. That is what The Leela is planning post its IPO – $400 million (INR 35 billion) offering set for Monday. Parent company Schloss Bangalore aims to use proceeds to pay down debt, said Ankur Gupta, managing partner at Brookfield Asset Management, which acquired The Leela in 2019. The remaining IPO proceeds are meant to be used for acquisitions, marketing, and other initiatives at the company, which has 13 properties, including five owned hotels. In a press conference Friday, the company shared more on its future plans. Here's what we learned: Sticking with luxury: Schloss Bangalore is not planning to move away from luxury and ultra-luxury. 'There is a lot of opportunity in this space,' said CEO Anuraag Bhatnagar. No new brands: Unlike its competitors, it will not be adding brands. It will open hospitality assets under The Leela brand, further segmented into Palaces, Hotels, and Resorts. The pipeline: In its Red Herring Prospectus, the company said it has a pipeline of seven hotels with 678 keys in development. They are expected to be operational by 2028. Niche luxury segments: It is planning to enter spiritual luxury accommodation segment with an upcoming property in Ayodhya, the hill station leisure space in Srinagar and Gangtok, wildlife offerings in Bandhavgarh, and heritage space in Agra and Ranthambore. New business segment: It is also entering the business segment with serviced apartments in Mumbai. Staying domestic: The Leela currently has no plans for international expansion, but it is considering options, and noted that locations such as Maldives and Dubai are under-penetrated by Indian luxury brands. Pipeline Details By 2028, The Leela's inventory will reach 4,200 keys, about 18% of the total luxury rooms in the country, Bhatnagar said. Currently, the company accounts for over 10% of the rooms in the luxury hotels space in India, according to The Leela's estimates. The pipeline is a part of The Leela's efforts to diversify its luxury offerings in different niche segments. In its prospectus, The Leela said that it will focus on gateway cities such as Mumbai, wildlife destinations, heritage spaces, wellness destinations, and spiritual tourism destinations for expansion. Most of the properties in its current pipeline have a low room inventory to maintain the luxury experience. For instance, the upcoming property in Ranthambore is expected to have only 76 rooms, while the Bandhavgarh resort is currently slated to have 30 keys. Diversifying in the Luxury Space 'We have refined and perfected ourselves in the luxury space,' Bhatanagar said, when asked about why the company is choosing to remain in the luxury segment and not diversify. He also cited examples of global companies such as Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental, which continue to operate in the luxury space without getting 'distracted by any other brand or any other sub-segment.' Chief financial officer Ravi Shankar claims The Leela commands a 40% premium in its revenue per available room (RevPAR) and non-room revenue over the average in the luxury space. The company is also planning to launch a members-only club called Arq in its New Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai properties to offer exclusive experiences. In October last year, The Leela announced the launch of Arq by The Leela - its collection of 'ultra-luxury villas,' which debuted at The Leela Palace Udaipur. The offering is meant for ultra high-net worth individuals and elite guests and more of these villas are expected to be added in the company's portfolio. While it is currently open to all, The Leela is hoping for this segment to reach a stage in terms of demand where members of the Arq club will get preference over non-members in booking the villas.
