Latest news with #Nagpanchami
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
No puja of live cobra this Nagpanchami as well in Battis Shirala, MLA appeals to residents to abide by court order
Kolhapur: The residents of Sangli's Battis Shirala were hopeful of getting permission from the authorities to perform puja of live cobra, a tradition they claimed to be seven centuries old. However, local MLA, Satyajit Deshmukh has appealed to them to follow the Supreme Court's guideline banning live snake worship. During the campaign for the assembly elections, Amit Shah had reportedly assured the residents that the traditional Nagpanchami of Shirala would be restored. Deshmukh later met him in Delhi, raised the issue in the assembly, and secured a meeting with the Union forest minister. Desmukh said since the process involves an amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act, it would take some time to restore the traditional Nagpanchami celebrations involving live snake workship. Therefore, he requested the residents to follow the SC guidelines for the upcoming festival on July 29. "We have succeeded in raising the issue at appropriate platforms. We are hopeful that someday a way out will be found, and the Shirala residents will again perform puja of live snakes. The Supreme Court order had banned the practice in 2014. I have appealed to the residents to abide by the SC order for the upcoming Nagpanchami celebrations." The residents said performing the puja of a live cobra snake is part of their culture and should be allowed like the way Jallikattu and bullock cart races, which were earlier banned, and are now allowed. The old texts mention the puja of a live snake. Even the Britishers were fascinated by the tradition and mentioned about this in the Gazette during their reign, they said. A senior official from Sangli said police and forest staffers would stage a march in the town informing resients that violators of the SC order would be punished. The forest department uses drone cameras to keep watch on snake catchers. It has been found that the believers catch snakes and hide them in matkas or gunny bags and take them out on Nagpanchami. The women, who believe the snake to be their brother, gather in the houses where the snake is kept and perform puja. The tradition was banned by the courts after wildlife activists brought to their notice that cobra snakes, which are protected species, are harmed during the procession and while holding competitions over whose cobra snake lifts its head high, looks healthy, and beautiful. The organisers have denied any such harm to the animal.
News18
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
‘Celebrate Ganeshotsav Like Never Before': Shelar Blames Urban Naxals For Attack On Hindu Fests
Ashish Shelar in Pen: 'There has been a systematic attempt to undermine our festivals like Ganeshotsav, Dahi Handi and Nagpanchami under the guise of environmental concerns." Maharashtra's Cultural Affairs Minister Adv Ashish Shelar on Sunday made an emotional appeal to the people of the state to celebrate this year's Ganeshotsav with unmatched fervour and pride, declaring it a State Festival while warning of a 'well-crafted plot" by so-called urban Naxals to target Hindu traditions. Speaking in the heart of Pen — a small town that has, for generations, given life to millions of Ganesha idols adorning homes and pandals across the country — Shelar's message struck a deeply personal chord with the community of sculptors whose livelihoods are entwined with this beloved festival. Addressing a packed gathering of artisans, local leaders, and residents at Tambadshet, of Raigad district, which is also known as hub of artisans, Shelar did not mince words. 'There has been a systematic attempt to undermine our festivals like Ganeshotsav, Dahi Handi and Nagpanchami under the guise of environmental concerns. But behind this is a deliberate conspiracy by urban Naxal elements with backing from Congress, the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena," Shelar said, receiving thunderous applause from idol makers who see their craft as a sacred tradition. Shelar recalled how the ban on Plaster of Paris (POP) idols, which once threatened to choke the local economy of places like Pen, was part of this larger narrative. 'Had we not stood firm, thousands of idol makers would have been left without work. Our Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ji and I fought this battle shoulder to shoulder — in the courts, on the streets and with the people — and we won," he said, promising continued protection of age-old practices. For many sculptors in attendance, Shelar's announcement that Ganeshotsav will now be officially celebrated as Maharashtra's State Festival felt like justice served. 'This festival feeds our families, binds our communities and keeps our traditions alive. Today we feel seen," said Abhay Mhatre, President of the Maharashtra Ganesh Sculptors' Association. As Shelar ended his address with chants of 'Ganapati Bappa Morya!", the message was loud and clear — this Ganeshotsav, Maharashtra will not just worship an idol but also stand guard against forces that, he said, seek to dilute its cultural soul. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Schools shine in Youth Olympics
Kanpur: KDMA school and DPS Azad Nagar clinched the boys and girls chess titles respectively at the Youth Olympic held on Tuesday at Allen House public school Khalasi Line. In the boys group, Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Sanatan Dharam Vidyalya and Nurture International school Kalyanpur secured second and third positions respectively. In the girls group, Chintels school Kalyanpur and Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Sanatan Dharm Vidyalaya finished second and third respectively. Wrestling trials – Selection trials for district and divisional level wrestling teams are scheduled at Raj Narayan Khel vikas Sansha Lalhepur Udaypur Kanpur on July 19. The selected divisional team will compete in the state senior men wrestling championship at sports stadium, Gorakhpur during Nag panchami on July 28 and 29. As per the regional sports officer, interested wrestlers should meet officials at the venue with their birth and aadhar certificate or at the regional sports office Green Park on working days.
