Latest news with #Pournami
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- New Indian Express
Tiruvannamalai temple to get Rs 8-crore hall, new queue system
TIRUVANNAMALAI: A new queue system and a Rs 8 crore waiting hall for 2,000 devotees are being developed at the Annamalaiyar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, with plans to install LED screens and improve basic amenities to enhance the darshan experience, said Minister P K Sekar Babu on Thursday. Following a review meeting at the Tiruvannamalai Collectorate, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister P K Sekar Babu addressed the press and announced a series of additional measures to improve infrastructure and facilities at the temple. 'A queue system similar to the one in Tiruchendur is being implemented here, he said. 'A Rs 8-crore master plan is in progress to construct a waiting hall that can seat around 2,000 devotees. It will be equipped with fans, drinking water, toilets, and televisions to screen abhishekams and other rituals. More LED screens will also be installed across the temple to broadcast daily pujas.' The minister noted that the influx of devotees not just during Karthigai Deepam or Pournami, but on regular days as well has created pressure on temple infrastructure. He added CM Stalin directed him and Minister EV Velu to jointly formulate long-term development plans, he added. Speaking on regulating mobile phones, the minister said a final decision would be made in ten days. 'Since the temple complex is vast and often crowded, banning cell phones could make it hard to trace lost individuals. We'll take a considered call after discussion.' He also announced that a public relations officer would be appointed to manage crowd flow and assist foreign and interstate visitors, and a new deputy commissioner post would be created to strengthen administrative capacity.
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Devotees turn up in huge numbers at Kanaka Durga temple
The Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri echoed with chants of 'Jai Durga Bhavani' as devotees turned in huge numbers, here on Sunday. In view of the heavy rush, the temple authorities suspended the protocol darshan between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., prioritising public access during peak hours. The Indrakeeladri witnessed a massive influx of devotees on the occasion of 'Aashaada maasam'. The temple was abuzz with spiritual fervour as devotees from across the region gathered to offer traditional Asadhe sare (ritual offerings) to the presiding deity, Goddess Kanaka Durga. The women devotees brought 'bonum' and sari on their heads to present it to the presiding deity. Girl children decked up as the goddess visited the temple, adding to the festive fervour. Noting the unusually high turnout, Kanaka Durga temple executive officer V.K. Seena Nayak said that special arrangements were made for sare-bearing groups, at both the lift access points and the main darshan routes. The EO, who oversaw the crowd management and supervised the functioning of the queue lines within the temple premises, reviewed the operations of the free daily 'prasadam' and 'annaprasadam' (meals) distribution services. In a statement, he clarified that temple volunteers have been strategically deployed at key locations such as footwear counters, coconut-breaking areas, and cloakrooms to prevent unauthorised collection of extra fees from devotees. The EO also announced that the 'Sakambari Devi Utsavam' will be held grandly from July 8 to 10 during the period from 'Aashada Suddha Trayodasi' to 'Pournami'. As in the previous years, the three-day festival will be observed with traditional 'Trayahnika Deeksha' (three-day spiritual vow) and other rituals. Devotees are encouraged to participate in the festivities and can offer cash donations, vegetables, and fruits towards the Sakambari celebrations. The devotees were requested to contribute generously, he added.
New Indian Express
30-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
An ancient Vishnu temple close to the River Coovam
Sridevi in this temple is worshipped as Kamalavalli and Bhudevi is known as Kanakavalli which is an unique feature. The utsava-murti (processional image), also seen with Sridevi and Bhudevi, is just like the main deity except that the left hand is in varada hasta (boon-giving gesture). Although most Vishnu temples in Tamil Nadu have a shrine for Goddess Lakshmi, there are a few which do not, and this temple falls into the second category. However, the utsava-murti of this Goddess, known as Kamalavalli Thayar, is worshipped in the main sanctum. Attesting to the fact that this is an ancient temple is a Tamil inscription which had been discovered on a slab in the ardha-mandapa in front of the central shrine. This fragmentary epigraph is datable to the reign of Jatavarman Tribhuvanachakravartin Sundara Pandya Deva, king of Madurai. In all likelihood, this ruler was Jatavarman Sundara Pandya I (1251-1268 CE), an emperor who enlarged the Pandyan kingdom into an Empire. It appears to record an endowment made by this king for the expenses of celebrating the Panguni festival in the temple of Thiruvirkolam Udaiya Nayanar of Koovam alias Tyagasamudranallur. Since this inscription records that this donation was made in his 26th regnal year, it must be dated 1277 CE. The temple mentioned in this lithic record is that of Tripurantaka Swami in Koovam, about 15 km from Sattarai, which is a Padal Petra Sthalam or temple eulogised by the Nayanmars, located close to the source of River Coovam. Many festivals are celebrated in this small, but neatly maintained Karumanikka Perumal temple such as Pournami in Chittirai; Panguni Uttiram; Vaikuntha Ekadasi in Margazhi and Andal Thirukalyanam.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Eloor municipality launches project to revive fallow paddy fields
Kochi: In a major step to revive its agricultural legacy, Eloor municipality has initiated a project to bring fallow paddy fields back under cultivation. Phase I of the initiative targets Vadakkumbhagam and Kundoppadam fields. In Vadakkumbhagam, around 20 acres of long-abandoned paddy land will be brought under cultivation. The project is designed in collaboration with agriculture department. A registered paddy cultivation committee has been formed to oversee implementation, based on a decision by Wetland Protection Committee. Municipality chairman A D Sujil stated that under People's Planning Programme, municipality allocated Rs 35,000 per hectare for a total of 36 acres. The short-duration 'Pournami' rice variety, which matures in 120 days, was chosen for cultivation. Land preparation is currently under way and a transplanting festival is scheduled within next three weeks. Additionally, to support irrigation needs in the upcoming farming season, municipality sanctioned Rs 8.35 lakh to minor irrigation department for renovation of a pump and pumphouse that were damaged in 2018 floods.
Hindustan Times
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
The Raja Saab director Maruthi: Audiences will go berserk when they see Prabhas as…
Telugu superstar Prabhas is playing not one but two different characters in The Raja Saab, and one of them will have him as an older man. Maurthi Dasari, the director, opens up about this aspect, calling it one of the biggest trump cards of his film. A fan of Prabhas? Stream his films, Pournami and Varsham, on OTTplay Premium The Raja Saab is one of the most awaited films and is set for a massive release on December 5, 2025. The teaser was launched a few days ago and lived up to all the hype created. Directed by Maruthi Dasari, The Raja Saab is a horror comedy, and is the first time that Prabhas is doing a film in this genre. There was a lot of pressure on Maruthi to deliver with the teaser, and he impressed everyone with his grand storytelling and a new-age Prabhas. Speaking about the response to the teaser, Maruthi said, 'I was a bit scared as to how fans would receive the teaser, as Prabhas is playing a fun role. But ever since the teaser came out, everyone is loving the star's fun avatar, which was missing in his last few films.' The interesting bit is that Prabhas will be seen in not one, but two roles in The Raja Saab, and the second character appears in the flashback portions of the film. 'With just a small teaser, everyone is loving Prabhas so much, but I cannot wait to see how the audience will react when they see Prabhas in the old man's role in the film. When that character is introduced, everyone will go berserk,' adds Maruthi. Ever since the film was announced, fans and the general audience were quite skeptical as to how Maruthi, who had never directed a star hero to date, would handle the film. As the film's release was delayed twice, news spread that Prabhas was not happy with the output and had asked for re-shoots. Speaking about the same, Maruthi explains that since the film required a lot of VFX, the delay occurred in post-production. He also added that two fun numbers, including a massive solo introduction song featuring Prabhas, will be shot soon. TG Vishwa Prasad of People Media Factory has bankrolled the film on a massive scale. Thaman has composed the music for The Raja Saab, which has Malavika Mohanan and Niddhi Agerwal as the female leads. Maruthi has passed the initial hurdle of taking the teaser to audiences, but a lot also rides on how the trailer shapes up.
