Latest news with #Jallikattu
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bring back snake worship for Nag Panchami: Forest minister
Mumbai: State forest minister Ganesh Naik said that he would urge the govt to convince the courts to allow the worship of real snakes for Nag Panchami . Naik mentioned that a meeting will be held on July 7-8 with Union minister of environment, forest and climate change, Bhupender Yadav , about this. BJP MLA Satyajit Deshmukh made the demand during a calling attention motion moved by him and raised the issue of serpent worship saying that Jallikattu, a traditional and ancient bull-taming sport practised in Tamil Nadu, was restarted by the Supreme Court. "The use of elephants for ceremonial and religious purposes has also been allowed. Nag Panchami festival in Battis Shirala is a religious tradition with historical significance. The festival has found a place in school textbooks as well," he said. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Deshmukh demanded that the practice be restarted in the Battis Shirala town of Sangli district, which is part of his constituency. Several other MLAs also backed Naik's demand. The Bombay High Court in 2002 had banned the procession of cobras in the town and was stopped after wildlife conservationists moved the court, saying reptiles were captured and harmed in the process. "I will see how we can get permission to restart the practice as per the rules. The govt will find a way to ensure that the reptiles are not harmed and the religious tradition continues," Naik said. Deshmukh said on Nag Panchami, locals look out for live cobras, worship them, and release back into their natural environment without harming them. BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar backed the demand and NCP (SP) MLA Jayant Patil said govt reports that record incidents of people dying while handling live snakes during the festival were not true. According to Naik, the festival holds religious meaning for locals.
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Forest Minister to take up live snake worship demand with Centre
Forest Minister Ganesh Naik on Wednesday told the Legislative Assembly that he would raise the issue of permitting live snake worship during Nag Panchami with the Union government. Naik said he would urge the Centre to explore legal avenues, including court intervention, to allow the revival of the traditional practice, particularly in Sangli's Battis Shirala town. The Minister added that a meeting with Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav has been scheduled for July 7-8, where the matter will be discussed. The issue was brought to the House through a calling attention motion by BJP MLA Satyajit Deshmukh, who said that the long-standing religious and cultural tradition in Battis Shirala must be reinstated. Deshmukh drew parallels with the Supreme Court's decision to allow Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu and the permitted ceremonial use of elephants, suggesting that similar concessions could be made for Nag Panchami observances. 'The Battis Shirala Nag Panchami has historical and cultural importance and is even mentioned in school textbooks,' Deshmukh said. 'There is no evidence to suggest harm to the reptiles,' he said. The town is known for its unique tradition of capturing and worshipping live cobras during the Hindu month of Shravan.
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Maharashtra Assembly members seek revival of live snake worship tradition in Battis Shirala
Members of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (July 2, 2025) urged the State government to explore ways to revive the traditional practice of worshipping live snakes during the Nag Panchami festival in Battis Shirala, Sangli district — a ritual halted following a court directive in 2002. Raising the issue through a Calling Attention Motion, BJP MLA Satyajit Deshmukh said that the religious and cultural tradition of serpent worship in Battis Shirala held deep significance for the local community and had even found mention in school textbooks. He drew parallels with the Supreme Court's decision to allow the resumption of Jallikattu — the traditional bull-taming sport in Tamil Nadu — and the continued ceremonial use of elephants in religious rituals. 'Just like those practices were allowed while ensuring the welfare of animals, this tradition too can be revived by adopting safeguards,' Mr. Deshmukh said, rejecting claims that snakes were harmed during the festival. Battis Shirala, located in western Maharashtra, was once renowned for its vibrant Nag Panchami celebrations, where local residents would capture live cobras, worship them, and then release them into their natural habitat. However, the Bombay High Court banned the parading of live snakes in 2002 following concerns raised by wildlife conservation groups. Responding to the motion, Forest Minister Ganesh Naik acknowledged the religious importance of the tradition for the people of Battis Shirala and said the matter would be discussed with Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav during meetings scheduled on July 7 and 8. 'We are committed to ensuring that such cultural traditions are preserved without compromising wildlife protection norms. The government will explore options for reviving the practice in a manner that safeguards both heritage and animal welfare,' Mr. Naik said. Supporting the demand, NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil said that no injuries or fatalities had ever been reported from the handling of snakes during the festival. BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar also endorsed the appeal, pointing out that the unique ritual attracted foreign tourists and contributed to cultural tourism in the region. Mr. Deshmukh reiterated that the locals have long treated the snakes with reverence, and the ritual involves returning the reptiles unharmed to the wild after worship. 'This is not about spectacle — it is about faith and continuity of tradition,' he said.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Antony Varghese recounts ‘terrifying' IndiGo flight experience ‘straight out of movie': People were panicked, shaken
Malayalam actor Antony Varghese of Angamaly Diaries and Jallikattu fame recently had a 'terrifying' experience on an IndiGo flight. The actor took to his Instagram to post that he was on a flight from Hyderabad to Kochi last week, which had to be diverted to Coimbatore due to a technical issue. Antony Varghese shared his experience of being on an IndiGo flight from Hyderabad that had to be diverted. Antony wrote on Instagram that he was still 'in awe' of what happened aboard IndiGo 6E 67070 from Hyderabad to Kochi last week. What seemed like a 'routine flight' turned into something 'straight out of a movie', he wrote. 'As we approached Kochi, the weather turned wild. The first landing attempt was aborted just a few feet above the runway. The second try was even more intense – we were right there, almost touching down, when the pilot made a split-second decision to pull up and not land. Without even brushing the runway, she lifted the aircraft back into the skies. Goosebumps,' he wrote. Antony praised the calm with which the pilot and crew handled it all, writing, 'With incredible calm and clarity, she diverted the flight to Coimbatore for refuelling. You could feel the tension in the cabin – people were panicked, shaken. But the way the crew, all women, handled the situation was nothing short of inspiring.' The flight eventually landed in Kochi after refuelling in Coimbatore. 'As soon as the wheels touched down, the cabin erupted into applause. To the phenomenal women in the cockpit and the cabin – your quick decision, and professionalism turned a terrifying situation into a moment of deep respect and gratitude. Thank you for showing us what true grace under pressure looks like,' he wrote. IndiGo left a comment under his post, thanking him for acknowledging their staff working well under pressure. Fans also commented under the post, happy that Antony was safe, given the recent Air India plane crash that left 241 people dead. Recent work Antony, also known by his screen name Pepe, debuted in Malayalam films with the 2017 film Angamaly Diaries, in which he played Vincent Pepe. He was most recently seen in Kondal and Daveed. He will soon star in Kattalan.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Lijo Jose Pellissery's must-watch movies to stream on OTT: Churuli, Jallikattu and more
Lijo Jose Pellissery has established himself as one of the unique voices from Malayalam cinema, carving a space for his brand of movies with his trademark filmmaking. Considered one of the most prolific among the new-age directors from Malayalam, Lijo Jose Pellissery has made several notable films such as Jallikattu, Ea Ma Yau, Churuli and more. Let's take a look at some of Malayalam director Lijo Jose Pellissery's must-watch movies and where to stream them on OTT. Jallikattu, Churuli From Jallikattu to Season, discover stellar movies from maverick filmmakers in Malayalam on OTTplay Premium This action-packed film follows the chaotic events after one of the bulls of butcher Kalan Varkey's escapes and causes mayhem in the rural village. Antony Varghese and Chemban Vinod Jose lead this film, along with Sabumon Abdusamad and actress Santhy Balachandran. Highly acclaimed, the film was also selected as the country's official entry for the Academy Awards. This Lijo Jose Pellissery movie on OTTplay Premium deserves your attention. Churuli Another intriguing film from LJP's repertoire that transports us to a mysterious village named Churuli. Two cops are on an assignment to catch hold of a culprit, believed to be in the remote village. As they cross over to the village, the cops are startled to find the hostile villagers who do not shy from using swear words in their every other sentence. Vinay Forrt and Chemban Vinod Jose play the cops in the film, which also features Joju George. This Lijo Jose-directed film is currently the hot topic of discussion in Kerala media after Joju George made some allegations. Amen Amen tells the charming story of Solomon and his childhood sweetheart Soshanna, the daughter of the village's wealthy man. Solomon also plays clarinet for the village's band, and after certain events, the fate of his love story and the band get entangled. Fahadh Faasil headlines this LJP film, which also features Indrajith Sukumaran in a key role along with Kalabhavan Mani and Swathi Reddy Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam James along with his family are on their way back after visiting the church in Velankanni. En route, when their bus stops near a village in Tamil Nadu, James steps out and enters the village. Then on, he behaves as Sundaram, claiming to be a localite and refusing to acknowledge his wife or son. Mammootty leads this film, which is available for streaming on Netflix. Double Barrel Lijo Jose Pellissery has written and directed this quirky film. The plot of the film revolves around two precious stones, a don in Goa, and gangsters Poncho and Vinci. But the gangsters attempt to land a deal goes wrong, and chaos erupts. Prithviraj Sukumaran and Indrajith play the gangsters in this film, which features an ensemble cast, including Arya, Chemban Vinod Jose and Sunny Wayne.
