Latest news with #Shakti
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Thousands throng Chamundi Hill for first Ashada Friday darshan
Mysuru: On the first Friday of the auspicious Ashada month, devotees from across Karnataka and neighbouring states thronged Mysuru's Chamundi Hill to seek blessings from Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of the region. Ashada is considered highly significant for the worship of Shakti deities. Every year, thousands of devotees flock to the hill temple on the four Ashada Fridays and on the Goddess's Vardhanti (birthday). This year too, massive crowds were seen lining up since the early hours. The temple opened its doors for devotees at 5:30 AM, but eager pilgrims had begun queuing up from as early as 2 AM. After the darshan, devotees were provided prasada, along with kumkum and turmeric packets outside the temple. Speaking to the media,KSRTC Mysuru Divisional Controller Viresh said that free buses were arranged from Lalit Mahal grounds at the foothills to the temple for all devotees. Over 60 city transport buses and 100 staff were deployed for smooth movement. For those who purchased the Rs300 and Rs2,000 special darshan tickets, dedicated AC buses were provided in three categories. Devotees with Rs2,000 tickets were given additional amenities such as water bottles, small Chamundi idols, kumkum packets and sweet laddus, along with separate access for hassle-free darshan. Among prominent visitors were former minister and JD(S) MLA HD Revanna, who offered prayers and wished for good rains and prosperity for the people of Karnataka. Local MLA G.T. Devegowda visited with his family and prayed for the wellbeing of the state and the nation. Popular actors Shruti and Malavika Avinash were also seen seeking the goddess's blessings. Mysuru Deputy Commissioner Lakshmikant Reddy too visited the shrine with his family. Despite massive arrangements, the heavy turnout exceeded expectations, causing long waiting times for those in general queues. Complaints were raised about insufficient drinking water and toilet facilities. In contrast, devotees who bought special darshan tickets enjoyed smoother arrangements.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shefali Jariwala met her second husband, Parag Tyagi, at a friend's party; it was love at first sight for the couple
The entertainment world is reeling from the tragic loss of Shefali Jariwala, the iconic Kaanta Laga girl who passed away at just 42. Her sudden and mysterious death has left the industry and her fans in deep sorrow. Her husband, Parag Tyagi, rushed her to Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital in Mumbai, but doctors declared her dead upon arrival. Who is Parag Tyagi? Parag Tyagi is a familiar face in Indian television, best known for his intense portrayals in shows like Pavitra Rishta and Brahmarakshas. His television journey began with the character Vinod Karanjkar in the long-running Pavitra Rishta, and he went on to play pivotal roles in Jodha Akbar, Shakti, Kaala Teeka, and Aghori. Tyagi also stepped into Bollywood with A Wednesday! and Sarkar 3, and appeared in Telugu cinema alongside superstar Pawan Kalyan in Agnyaathavaasi. A love story rooted in friendship and faith Parag met Shefali at a friend's dinner party and reportedly fell for her at first sight. Their bond grew stronger over the years, and following Shefali's 2009 divorce from musician Harmeet Singh, she found a gentle, reliable partner in Parag. After dating for four years, the two tied the knot in 2014 and shared nearly a decade of love, companionship, and public admiration. Shared spotlight, shared struggles Their chemistry shone brightly on reality shows like Nach Baliye Seasons 5 and 7. Off-screen, Parag remained Shefali's rock during some of her most vulnerable moments, including her candid revelations about battling epilepsy and mental health issues. When Parag lost his father during the 2020 lockdown, Shefali stood by his side as the two travelled to Ghaziabad to perform last rites. Celebrities react to Shefali Jariwala's death As news of Shefali's death spread, tributes poured in. Actor Aly Goni expressed disbelief, calling life unpredictable and heart-wrenching. Singer Mika Singh described her as graceful and warm-hearted, saying her absence would be deeply felt. Tehseen Poonawalla also paid respects, echoing the collective grief of an industry in mourning. Other updates regarding her demise, cremation and prayer ceremony has not been revealed yet.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Jal Shakti minister CR Patil reiterates govt stand on Indus Treaty, hits back at Pak
New Delhi India has kept the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance in the interest of the country and Pakistan's letters on the matter will not change the country's decision, Jal Shakti (water) minister CR Patil said on Thursday, when asked if India is considering renegotiating the water-sharing pact. Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to put the treaty on hold and the move will 'benefit the country', CR Patil said at a briefing. (ANI PHOTO) Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to put the treaty on hold and the move will 'benefit the country', the minister said at a briefing. Asked if India had responded to a series of letters written by Pakistan on the matter, Patil said, 'Writing letters is a natural process. To write letters, replying etc…these things keep happening. But because letters were written…there is no forward movement... there is no change.' On a question if India had stopped water to Pakistan, Patil said: 'In one line, I can say, water isn't going anywhere.' Slamming Pakistani politician Bilawal Bhutto for his recent statements, the minister said: 'Whatever Bilawal (Bhutto) has to say, that is his question, he has to do his politics. He had also issued threats that if water stops, then blood will flow. We are not scared by threats from jackals.' India announced suspending the bilateral treaty with Pakistan a day after terrorists killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22. This was followed by Operation Sindoor, a military campaign by India to strike terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. The former Pakistani foreign minister had said on June 23 in a speech that his country would wage a war with India if the latter denied Pakistan its share of water. Prior to keeping the water-sharing pact in abeyance, India had been pressing Pakistan to renegotiate the agreement, citing natural changes in the Indus river basin itself, which had diminished India's share amid a growing population. Under the treaty, the ratio of water shared between Pakistan and India stood at 80:20. The minister further added, 'We have kept the treaty in abeyance and there's nothing that can be done.' He, however, declined to go into details on India's future plans for hydropower dams on the Indus rivers but said a detailed project report for the long-delayed Tulbul navigation project, also known as Wullar Barrage, was under consideration. 'I can't go into details (on new projects on the Indus system). Answers to certain questions are available only at an appropriate time. This is also in the interest of the country,' the minister said. Following India's suspension of the treaty, the country is working to speed up power projects on the Indus rivers on its side, according to officials. Keeping the pact in abeyance also means India is no longer obliged to provide hydrological information to Pakistan, an HT report had earlier quoted Shashi Shekhar, a former Union water resources secretary, as saying. Desilting of dams is one of the immediate tasks India has lined up, which earlier was governed by the treaty. India is looking to hasten the commissioning of long-pending hydropower projects. The Union government is looking to give speedy clearance to a ₹ 22,700-crore hydropower project in Sawalkote on the Chenab, HT had reported on June 10. On being asked about Union home minister Amit Shah's recent statement that India will not change its stance of holding the pact in abeyance, Patil said, 'Amit Shah sahab is a big leader. He has also taken decisions on this. I can't answer for him. But whatever he said must be correct.' On whether India would press for changes in the Ganga water treaty with Bangladesh, another critical bilateral agreement which expires next year, Patil said it would be decided at the international level and 'we will proceed on that basis'. He however said the current political situation in the neighbour was not 'stable' for discussions on the treaty. The government has created a stage-wise plan on cleaning up the river Yamuna, Patil said. On reported objections by Uttar Pradesh on the use of Ganga water to clean the Yamuna, the minister said the home minister had offered to talk to the state's chief minister on this. 'We are checking the technical feasibility of this. From whatever sources water is required to clean the Yamuna, we will look into it and we are going ahead with this target.' The minister said the Delhi stretch of the river was the most polluted and the problem lay in two major drains. 'It is not possible to treat the water by holding it and this requires sewerage treatment plans.' Robust checks were being carried out on complaints of cost escalation in the government's ambitious Jal Jeevan mission to get piped water to every rural household, Patil said. 'If mistakes were made, they will be rectified and no one will be spared, whether it is a contractor or anyone.' The minister denied there was a delay in completion of the scheme despite the deadline for reaching water to all households being reset to 2028 from 2024. He said new households and new demand had been added since the mission was launched in 2019. The scheme aims to connect each of India's 194.2 million rural households with tap-water connections.
Deccan Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Deccan Herald
5k trained Sakhis for last-mile banking services in Karnataka
With 5,000 trained women available to provide last-mile banking services, the government sees an opportunity to target beneficiaries of the flagship Gruha Lakshmi (Rs 2,000 per month) and Shakti (free bus travel) schemes.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Ambubachi Mela 2025: Kamakhya temple opens doors to devotees, celebrating menstrual hygiene in Assam
The Ambubachi Mela is held for four days every year in Assam when the Kamakhya temple doors are closed, coinciding with the ritualistic menstrual cycle of Goddess Kamakhya. The temple doors were closed from June 22 to June 25 and no VIP or VVIP movements were allowed during the time. The doors of Kamakhya temple were opened to devotees on Thursday (June 26, 2025) at 6 am after the completion of Nivriti (closure period). What is Ambubachi Mela? The Ambubachi Mela is held in the Kamakhya temple premises during the period of June and is one of the major tourist events in Assam that attracts lakhs of visitors each year. Temple priests said the ritualistic fair celebrating the goddess' period is one of the reasons why the taboo associated with menstruation is less in Assam compared with other parts of India. The attainment of womanhood of girls in Assam is celebrated with a ritual called 'Tuloni Biya', meaning small wedding. Officials said Ambubachi Mela is also an occasion to promote awareness on menstrual hygiene. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also remarked about the mela in a post on X: 'As the doors of Maa Kamakhya open to devotees in Nibritti, which marks the completion of the 4-day #Ambubachi Mahayog, I pray to Maa Kamakhya for the welfare of Bharat.' 'May Maa Kamakhya bless everyone with abundance and steer the civilization forward. Jai Maa Kamakhya,' he added. As the doors of Maa Kamakhya opens to devotees in Nibritti, which marks the completion of the 4-day #Ambubachi Mahayog, I pray to Maa Kamakhya for the welfare of Bharat 🙏🏼 May Maa Kamakhya bless everyone with abundance and steer the civilisation forward. जय मां कामाख्या 🙏🏼 — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 26, 2025 History behind Kamakhya Temple Kamakhya temple, atop Nilachal Hills in Guwahati, is one of 51 shaktipeeths or seat of Shakti followers, each representing a body part of the Sati, Lord Shiva's companion. The temple's sanctum sanctorum houses the yoni — female genital — symbolised by a rock. Legends say the temple atop the Nilachal Hills, whose northern face slopes down to the Brahmaputra river, was built by demon king Narakasura. But records are available only from 1565, when Koch king Naranarayana had the temple rebuilt in 1565. Descendants of the medieval Koch royalty avoid the temple as the goddess is believed to have cursed the royalty after the king and his brother Chilarai — one of Assam's revered generals — had secretly watched her dance. Researchers at the Guwahati-based Centre for Koch-Rajbongshi Studies and Development said there are legends about the goddess dancing when Kendukoli, a priest during Naranarayan's reign, performed puja with his eyes shut.
