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Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Swami Yatindranand Giri backs 'Operation Kalanemi', calls CM Dhami's move bold and necessary
DEHRADUN: Swami Yatindranand Giri, a prominent spiritual leader from the Juna Akhara, has strongly endorsed Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's recently launched Operation Kalanemi, calling it a courageous move aimed at protecting Sanatan Dharma from impostors and criminal elements misusing religious garb. Speaking to ANI, he called it a "courageous" step and suggested that it should be implemented nationwide, aimed at distinguishing genuine Sanatan Dharma practitioners from those misusing it to defame the tradition. Swami Giri said, "Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken a very courageous decision, and I would say that such a step should be implemented across the entire country. Sanatan Dharma is a highly respected tradition, and there are many people who, under the guise of saffron robes, are actually criminal and jihadi elements trying to defame Sanatan Dharma." He alleged that the certain criminal individuals are promoting "immoral behaviour" in the guise of Sanatan Dharma. "They roam around dressed as saints, some consuming meat and alcohol, and are engaged in various kinds of fraud. These people, using saffron as a cover, are promoting immoral behavior and trying to tarnish Hindutva and Sanatan Dharma," he said. He further added, "Our Chief Minister of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, consistently makes such bold decisions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Earlier, he brought in the Uniform Civil Code and openly took a stand against land jihad." Swami Giri said that CM Pushkar Singh Dhami's decision targets those who are "like a cancer in society". He said, "Now, through Operation Kalanemi, he is targeting those elements who are like a cancer in society, who harm and defame religion. The decision to take the strictest action against such individuals roaming around disguised as saints is truly commendable. Operation Kalanemi is undoubtedly a very bold move, and for this, we extend our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. " Swami Giri expressed that saints and sages nationwide welcome CM Dhami's decision, "All the saints and sages across India are very pleased with this decision, as it aims to root out the distortions infiltrating Sanatan Dharma. Operation Kalanemi will help in restoring the purity, sanctity, and uniqueness of Sanatan Dharma. We offer our blessings to him for taking this step." Meanwhile, as part of the Operation Kalanemi, Dehradun Police on Saturday arrested 23 individuals posing as sadhus in different areas of the district. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Singh told ANI, "In line with the above instructions, all the station in-charges have been instructed to identify such persons in their respective police station areas, who disguise themselves as saints and mislead people, especially women and youth, and lure them to solve their personal or domestic problems and commit fraud with them, and take strict action against them. " According to the SSP, the arrested individuals were allegedly preying on people's religious sentiments and were involved in duping unsuspecting victims by offering fake rituals, blessings, or remedies. The SSP said, "Under this campaign, the police took action in various police station areas Saturday and arrested 23 fake babas roaming around in the guise of saints and sadhus. Among the arrested fake babas, 10 persons are residents of other states."
Time of India
10-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Kanpur gears up for Shrawan festivities
1 2 3 Kanpur: With the auspicious month of Shrawan commencing on Friday and the first Shrawan Somwar (Monday) falling on July 14, all major Shiva temples in Kanpur have begun extensive preparations to ensure smooth observance of the rituals and effective crowd management. Temples are not only being decked with decorations but are also coordinating with district authorities to implement effective crowd control measures. Decorations are underway, and temple authorities are working in coordination with the district administration to facilitate the orderly movement of devotees. At Anandeshwar Temple, rituals will be performed under the supervision of Harigiri Maharaj, chief priest and patron of Juna Akhara. The temple will be under round-the-clock surveillance, with 40 to 50 CCTV cameras installed to monitor the premises. Entry for darshan and rituals will be allowed only in a queue system, with volunteers assisting devotees throughout the process. According to Priest Aru Giri, the temple doors will open at 2 a.m. following Mangala Aarti. The daily Bhog Aarti will be performed between 12:30 pm and 1:30pm, followed by Sandhya Aarti from 7:30pm to 8:30pm, and Shayan Aarti at midnight. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2만원의 기부팔찌로 첫 후원하기 굿네이버스 더 알아보기 Undo Except on Mondays, Mangala Aarti will begin at 4am daily. At Kherapati Temple, also known as the Nag Devta Temple, a mela will be held on Nag Panchami, where snake charmers will traditionally decorate the idol of Lord Shiva with live snakes. The Khereshwar Temple in Nawabganj will open its gates at 3am daily during Shrawan. Crowd management will be handled by Civil Defense volunteers, and 28 CCTV cameras will monitor the premises. According to Jitendra Pandey, convener of the management committee, a 76-kg silver door of the Garbh Griha will be inaugurated on July 14 between 11am and 12 noon. A series of special events are also planned at Khereshwar Temple across the Shrawan Mondays At Vankhandeshwar Temple, Mangala Aarti will begin at 4am, and temple doors will open at 4:30am. On Nag Panchami, the Shiva Ling will be decorated with flowers. Approximately 1,100 lotas have been arranged for devotees to perform Jalabhishek. The Siddhanath Temple will open at 4am during Shrawan. After the morning Aarti, Rudrabhishek will be performed daily. However, the poor condition of the approach road from Jajmau Crossing to the temple could pose difficulties for devotees. Similar arrangements and devotional programs have been planned at several other temples across the city, as Kanpur prepares to welcome thousands of devotees during the sacred month of Shrawan.
The Print
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Religious leaders call HC ‘ignorant' for calling Puranic texts ‘hearsay' in Krishna Janmabhoomi case
'The things that Allahabad HC has said that Radhaji is kaalpanik (imaginary) reflect the ignorance of the court. Maybe he is not aware how religious law functions in India,' said Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati of Uttarakhand's Jyotir Math. Religious leaders–including Uttarakhand Jyotir Math Shankaracharya, Mahamandaleshwar of Niranjani Akhara Kailashanand Giri, Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara and Swami Jitendranand Saraswati of the Sant Samiti—condemned the move, saying the scriptures cannot be dismissed as hearsay. New Delhi: Several religious leaders have sharply criticised an Allahabad High Court ruling rejecting an application by the deity, Shriji Radha Rani Vrishbhanu Kumar Vrindavani (Goddess Radha), seeking to be made a party to one of the 18 suits related to the Mathura Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah after it called scriptural evidence 'hearsay'. 'He should at least have remembered that in 2019 itself, the Supreme Court had given a verdict on Ram-Janmabhoomi. The verdict was in favour of Ram Lalla. In this, too, Skanda Purana and other Hindu texts were the basis. Courts should not hurt the sentiments of crores of Sanatani Hindus,' he added. In its order dated 23 May, Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra said that 'Pauranic illustrations' cited by the applicant are 'considered hearsay evidence' and there was no proof to support the claim that the deity was a joint holder of the 13.37 acres of land in question. Mishra said the petitioner's claim is based on some reference in various Purans and Sanhitas in which Shriji Radha Rani is considered the soul of Lord Krishna. 'The Pauranic illustrations are generally considered as hearsay evidence in legal context. In the case of Pauranic illustrations, these are graphic representation of story and events and truth of events, they depict, is usually based on narrative and not on direct observation or testimony,' the court said. 'There is no evidence in support of the claim raised by the applicant that the applicant is entitled as joint holder of said land of 13.37 acres and property of the applicant is also involved in suit property claimed by the plaintiff no.1 as birth place of lord Krishna,' it added. Other religious leaders also said the court had undermined their faith. 'Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran and Gita both are part of the Mahabharat. We cannot in any way call them suni sunayi,' Jitendranand Saraswati, general secretary of Akhil Bhartiya Sant Samiti, told ThePrint. 'Thousand years ago, the Mahabharat happened, Dwarka is of Lord Krishna and Radhika ji Surya Sarovar Kurukshetra mai purnima ka snaan karne gayi thi. Every scripture of Sanatan Dharma, including Lord Ram, has been called controversial. People have called it a myth and we have seen what happened to them. If the HC has said something like this, it should reconsider its view,' he said. The Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara, Swami Yatindranand Giri, told ThePrint that in a religious dispute, such religious texts are quoted while pointing out that Puranas, Vedas and Upanishads are 'granths' (religious texts). 'Puranas are not 'suni sunayi baatein' (hearsay). They are our granths and their truth cannot be negated. The kind of things that are being said should not be told in the first place and one should be careful while making such statements as it is linked to faith,' he said. Mahamandaleshwar of Niranjani Akhara Kailashanand Giri told the media that things written in the Puranas are not hearsay but completely authentic. He said it is on the basis of the things written in the Puranas that one believes and worships the Gods. The Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute is a long-standing legal battle centred around claims that the mosque stands on a site, which Hindus believe was the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The mosque lies adjacent to the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura. (Edited by Sugita Katyal) Also Read: No option but to be powerful in face of evil forces at our borders—RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Organiser
Times of Oman
26-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Times of Oman
Prayagraj: India's Siddharth marries Penelope from Greece with Vedic rituals during Maha Kumbh
Prayagraj: Maha Kumbh 2025 witnessed a special fusion of Indian and Greek cultural heritage, Penelope from Greece and Siddharth from India decided to tie the knot during the religious congregation in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The act of 'kanyadaan,' for Penelope was done by Swami Yatindranand Giri, Mahamandaleshwar of the Juna Akhara, along with the bride's mother and other relatives. Opening on his experience, Siddharth said that they had decided to perform the marriage in the "most authentic manner" and Prayagraj currently is the best place in the "whole universe" for its divine nature. "We are very grateful just to get married to each other, she is really we decided on it, we wanted to do it in the most authentic manner which would be simple yet divine, and for that, we chose Prayagraj, Maha Kumbh, this specific date (January 26). We know that at this point of time that this is probably the best place not just in the country or in the world but the universe where all forms of divinity, pilgrimages everything is present here. You meet such great souls. We meet Maharaj ji (Swami Yatindranand Giri) and get his blessings and this is such a pleasure for the heart and the soul," Siddharth told ANI. Being asked about marrying in Prayagraj with Vedic rituals, Siddharth said 'Sanatan Dharma' is an "ancient window to the world" and marriage, an important institution had to be performed in a 'Vedic' way. "When we think about marriage, people are forgetting that marriage is a holy gives us an understanding that man and women are completers of each other, both are incomplete without the other. Following ancient tradition is not something to frown about. At the end of the day we are the one of the world's oldest is only sanatan dharma which is an ancient window to the rest of the world. Marriage being such an important institution to one's life, it had to be done that we did it today the vedic way," he told ANI. Penelope opened up on her life's new chapter and her embracing of a new culture, and called her experience "magical beyond words". She said she had never attended an Indian wedding but experienced one herself being the bride. "I think what has happened today is something magical beyond words and it is only when I see some of the pictures that I realise we were experiencing divine energy. I have never attended an Indian wedding, and today I was the bride so everything was new to me but at the same time very familiar. What happened was a ceremony, I was married with a more spiritual way, according to Vedic scriptures, and it was amazing," Penelope told ANI. When Siddharth asked Penelope whether they should marry in India or in Greece, she chose the former option. She believes their experience was more "divine" and "spiritual" as compared to many others who just use weddings as an opportunity to party and drink. "Actually he asked me where would you like to get married, Greece or India, and I am really glad that I said I want to do it in India. There are some things that have been changing over the years, like weddings are just another opportunity to party and get drunk and for us it was more divine. It was very nice to see a different perspective, a spiritual way," she said. Opening up on her journey with 'Sanatan Dharma', Penelope said she was striving for a happy and meaningful life. Stating that she was earlier associated with Buddhism, the bride said she realised that "everything comes from 'Sanatan Dharma'." "For me it is a way to have a meaningful, happy life, and be able to go beyond this circle of birth and rebirth. As a person, this is what triggered me, as I was looking for a solution for the sadness of what happened in life. It was like a puzzle, that was making some sense when you put it all together. I was into Buddhism for many years and after that, I realised that everything comes from Sanatan Dharma, so I go to the source instead of somebody else speaking," the bride added. When asked if she would be part of the holy dip in the Sangam on January 29, she said, "Of course, I wouldn't miss that, I already have had the opportunity, we have been here since the beginning and we are planning to stay for until everything is done, so I am looking for that opportunity and I am very glad that I am here, and my mother too." Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara, Swami Yatindranand Giri, who performed the 'Kanyadaan' of the bride, mentioned that the couple has been followers of 'Sanatan Dharma' for a few years now, and Siddharth has been teaching yoga in various places and spreading the message. "Today in the shivir of Maha Kumbh a new incident took place, and we did the ceremony according to Indian tradition. There is a student of mine from Greece, for the past few years she has been adopting our traditions of Sanatan and is a devotee of Shiva. Siddharth is also our devotee, he has gone to various countries to spread yoga and serve Sanatan, so today, keeping in mind the traditions, doing the 'agni phere,' (circling the fire) it was done," the Swami told ANI. The Maha Kumbh is held after every 12 years and a huge turnout of devotees is expected in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26. According to tradition, pilgrims flock to the Sangam--the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati (now extinct) rivers--to take the holy dip believed to absolve sins and grant moksha (liberation). Rooted in Sanatan Dharma, the event signifies a celestial alignment that creates an auspicious period for spiritual cleansing and devotion. The Mahakumbh Mela is expected to host over 45 Crore visitors, marking a historic occasion for India. Despite cold conditions, a large congregation of devotees gathered at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj to take a dip in the ongoing Mahakumbh. Apart from this, authorities are focusing on preparations for the upcoming Mauni Amavasya on January 29, anticipating large crowds of devotees.
