Chamoli (Uttarakhand), Nov 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Char Dham yatra created a record of sorts with an astounding turnout of more than 47 lakh devotees this year. Besides this, the Yatra is hogging the headlines for yet another reason – for earning Rs 8 lakh from the disposal of inorganic waste during the pilgrimage season.

The Badrinath Nagar Panchayat undertook an extensive cleaning drive to restore the cleanliness and sanctity of the shrine by cleaning its premises as well as the surroundings, ahead of its closure during the winter.

A dedicated team of 50 Paryavaran Mitra carried out the operation, collecting 1.5 tonnes of waste from prominent areas such as Brahm Kapal, Astha Path, Tapt Kund, Main Bazaar, and Mana village. The initiative reaffirmed the commitment of local authorities to preserving the sanctity and cleanliness of the revered Char Dham pilgrimage site.

The municipality reported earnings of Rs 8 lakh from the disposal of 110 tonnes of inorganic waste collected during the Yatra season, according to official reports.

Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, who has been consistently championing cleanliness at Char Dham shrines, lauded the efforts of Nagar Panchayat.

This year, the Nagar Panchayat was entrusted with the task of cleaning the Badrinath city area as well as the temple premises. An intensive cleanliness campaign was carried out by Nagar Panchayat by deploying 50 Paryavaran Mitras (environment friends).

During the entire yatra period, 180.70 tonnes of garbage was collected by Nagar Panchayat Badrinath. Out of this, the Panchayat earned an income of Rs 8 lakh by marketing 110.97 tonnes of waste. Along with this, the Panchayat has earned an income of Rs 29.82 lakh through parking, Rs 1.03 crore through eco charges, Rs 28 lakh through helicopter operations and Rs 8 lakh through usage charges.

Badrinath shrine’s post-season cleanup reflects the adage “Cleanliness is next to godliness” and sets a remarkable example of devotion complemented by responsibility.

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami took to X, informing about the closure of the doors of the second Kedarnath Shri Madhyamaheshwar Mahadev.

“Today, the holy doors of the second Kedarnath Shri Madhyamaheshwar Mahadev have been closed for the winter season amidst chanting of Vedic mantras and religious rituals. May the blessings of Devadhidev Mahadev always remain on all of you. I pray to Lord Shankar for happiness, peace, prosperity and a happy life for all of you,” he wrote on X.

Source: IANS

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The Most Common Superstitions from Around the World

It does not matter if you are Novak Djokovic and you must bounce the ball a certain number of times before your service game, or if you are an online bingo player and you need to have your lucky plush toy next to you while playing your favorite pastime, superstitions come in many shapes and forms. This article will explore some of the most fascinating and kooky superstitions from around the world. And in case you want to know more, make sure you check out the infographic prepared by the BingoFind.com website for more strange superstitions. Do you believe in any of these? 

Black Cats – Norway

While black cats tend to be a bad omen in many countries around the world, in Norway, if you want to avoid any bad luck after encountering a black cat, you must spit on the ground three times or alternatively you can say ‘tvi tvi’. The latter option sounds like you are spitting, and in the old days people used to do that to remove bad luck.

Broken Dishware – Denmark

On New Year’s Eve, Danes have a habit of breaking old and unwanted dishware outside the front door of friends and family as a sign of good luck. It is believed that the more broken plates you will find outside your house, the more luck you will have during the New Year. So, if you happen to be in Denmark on December 31st, and you see a lot of broken dishes outside the house, do not be surprised, this is considered a bearer of good luck. 

Do Not Cut Nails After Sunset – India

There is an inherent logic behind this superstition that comes from India. It is believed that it is bad luck to cut your nails, both finger and toenails, after sunset. It stems from the fact that you need enough daylight to use sharp objects such as nail clippers. In the absence of light, people can hurt themselves. 

Whistling at Night – Nepal

Whistling at night in Nepal is a no-no. Apparently, Nepalese people believe that by doing so you are inviting demons and ghosts to your house. So, make sure you do not get caught whistling at night, as it is frowned upon even to this day.

Avoid Knives as Gifts - Germany

Here is a crazy superstition from Germany. If you are taking a housewarming gift to a friend or relative, make sure you cross knives off your list. It is believed that you are cutting through the friendship and it might even cause injury to the receiver of such a gift. Next time you are invited to a house and you happen to be short on gift ideas, remember, no knives are allowed. 

Keep Your Feet Away from the Broom – Malaysia

This is a funny one from Malaysia. Apparently, you are not supposed to let the broom touch your feet because bad luck will ensue. This has to do with the fact that brooms are used to sweep away dust and dirt. Other cultures who believe in the same superstition have taken it a step further. They believe that if the bristles of the broom touch someone’s feet, they will end up single for the rest of their life or even a parent would suddenly die. Talk about an active imagination!

Plant a Tree – The Netherlands and Switzerland

If you are travelling to the Netherlands or Switzerland for a wedding, make sure take them a pine tree as a gift. It is believed that some newlyweds in these two countries will plant one in their backyard as it is a symbol of fertility and good luck to their marriage. Other couples might incorporate trees to their ceremony or wedding festivities as it will bless their union. 

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         KCR, Jagan presented shawls, prasadam by Swami Swaroopanandendra 

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         Ganapati Sachidananda Ashram in Vijayawada turns into VVIP hub 

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         Kiran Kumar Sharma promoted as Uttaradhikari - Pattabhishekam in Vijayawada -

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         CMs KCR and Jagan attend Balaswamy Sanyasashrama Deeksha @ Vijayawada 

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         Jagan, KCR at Swaroopanandendra gives Sanyasa Deeksha to Kiran Kumar Sharma 

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జ‌క్క‌న్న లాంటి క‌మ‌ర్షియ‌ల్ సూప‌ర్‌హిట్ చిత్రం త‌రువాత వ‌రుస‌గా ఈడు గోల్డ్ ఎహే, క్రాంతి మాద‌వ్ ద‌ర్శ‌క‌త్వంలో చిత్రం , ఎన్ శంక‌ర్ నిర్మిస్తున్న చిత్రాల్లో ఫుల్ బిజిగా వున్న హీరో సునీల్ మోతిన‌గ‌ర్ లోని ఓ అపార్ట్‌మెంట్ లో గ‌ణ‌ప‌తి ఉత్స‌వాల్లో పాల్గోన్నారు. అన్న‌పూర్ణ ఏడేక‌రాల్లో ఈడు గోల్డ్ ఎహే షూటింగ్ సాంగ్ చిత్రీక‌ర‌ణ లో బిజిగా వున్నా కూడా గ‌ణ‌ప‌తి పై త‌న కున్న భ‌క్తిని చాటుకున్నారు. అక్క‌డ ఏర్పాటు చేసిన కొన్ని గేమ్ కాంపిటేష‌న్స్ కి పిల్ల‌ల‌కి భ‌హుమ‌తి ప్ర‌దానం చేశారు.

ఈ సంద‌ర్బంగా సునిల్ మాట్లాడుతూ.. మ‌నం ఏ ప‌ని మెద‌లు పెట్టాల‌న్నా వినాయ‌కుడికి పూజ చేసి మెదలు పెడ‌తాం. అలాంటి వినాయ‌కుడి పూజా కార్క‌క్ర‌మంలో పాల్గోన‌టం చాలా ఆనందంగా వుంది. అలాగే పిల్ల‌ల‌కి నా చేతుల మీదుగా బ‌హుమ‌తి ప్ర‌ధానం చేశాను. ఇంకా అక్టోబ‌ర్ 7 న ఈడు గోల్డ్ ఏహే చిత్రాన్ని విడుదల చేస్తున్నారు. ప‌క్కా ఎంట‌ర్‌టైనింగ్ ఫిల్మ్ అలానే ఆ చిత్రం డేట్ పోస్ట‌ర్ ని విడుద‌ల చేసిన అల్ల‌రి న‌రేష్ కి, రాజ్ త‌రుణ్ కి అలానే మీడియా వారికి నా ప్ర‌త్యేఖ‌మైన ధ‌న్య‌వాదాలు.. ఆ గ‌ణ‌ప‌తి బ్లెస్సింగ్స్ అంద‌రికి వుండాలని కోరుకుంటున్నాను. అని అన్నారు

Dancing Star Sunil participates in Ganapathi Utsavam

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Hindu American Temple and Cultural Center (HATCC), Sri Guruvaayoorappan Temple is pleased to announce that Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Vari Devasthanam (SLNSD) Yadadri, India is organizing Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Vari Kalyanam in New Jersey on Sunday 11th September 2016, at its sprawling 42 acre campus in Morganville, NJ.

Lord Narasimha, the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu is the most intense incarnation of Lord Vishnu himself and possessor of Goddess of wealth Sri Maha Lakshmi in his chest. He is known to be fierce to fight and remove all evils against His devotees and protect them from all harms. He is regarded as the embodiment of victory of good over evil.

It is believed that where Lord Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Kalyanotsavam or the divine wedding of Lord Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and Goddess Lakshmi Devi is performed that region would be bestowed with peace and prosperity.

To promote World peace and values of Sanatana Dharma, SLNSD is performing the Celestial Kalyanam at HATCC starting with Maha Sudarshana Homam followed by Abhishekam and Kalyanam. The Devasthanam is sending Utsava Vigrahas, several Veda Pundits and Archakas to our temple to perform the Celestial Wedding.

The Chairman, Executive Officer and several other officials from SLNSD are expected to grace the occasion.

It is a rare and exclusive opportunity for all of us to witness and participate in this celestial event organized by SLNSD, in the tri-state area.

The devotees can register for the Kalyanam at www.krishnatemple.org/lakshminarasimhaswamy and participate in this Devine event.

Kindly pass on this information to friends and relatives across Tri-State area and urge devotees to register at the earliest.

Media Contact:

Srinivas Ganagoni

HATCC – Publicity, Chair

(732) 429 4855

Press note released by: Indian Clicks, LLC

Yadagiri Narashimha Swami Kalyanam on Sep 11 @ HATCC

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As the soil derives its importance from the flower in bloom, as the socket derives its importance from the diamond studded in it and as the cloth derives its importance from golden thread woven in it, as Shirdi derives its importance because of Sai Maharaj and so does GROTON, Massachusetts derives its importance because of the NESSP Sai Baba Mission Center and Sai Temple. With Sadguru blessings, NESSP is building the largest SAI temple of North America.

This mission for Sai is simple but not easy. The Lord hungers for devotion, which he finds but rarely. He sells himself to the devotee who attempts for his grace with pure devotion. All devotees are dear to Lord Hari. The devotee doesn't need an Interface to Baba. Baba and devotee are connected and the environment is facilitated by NESSP. Sadguru Sai hungers for true devotion and once you visit the NESSP Temple, MA, you can see that for yourself.

With the Grace of Shri Sai and the support of devotees has made the impossible possible. The establishment of the Mission Center and Sai temple is a reality now. The construction is in full swing and is progressing as planned.

NESSP is pleased to share that it has been receiving funds across North America Although the mission center is based in Massachusetts, the overwhelming support is there from states like North Carolina, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, California, Atlanta in addition to being supported by devotees from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

In addition to being the home of Shri Sai, the new sansthan will also house the Deities of Shri Ganesh, Balaji, Shiva, Durga Mata, Ram Parivaar, Radha Krishna, Nava graham. Avail this wonderful idol sponsorship opportunity and contribute towards this gigantic project.

There is a single philosophy behind this and that the mission center is for the community by the community with the selfless service from all.

NESSP has many ways to support this divine project and for options please visit at the new page http://www.nessp.org/donate.

For the temple project details, please visit: http://www.nessp.org/page/menu_0/19090.html

The Largest Sai Temple of North America is at Groton, MA.

Come, Be part of this unique Project

Service to the Divine – Contribute towards the Shrine

For More details of temple services/volunteering Please Visit:

www.nessp.org

Email: maildrop@nessp.org

Phone: 978-528-1985

Subscribe to:

Facebook Group Page: New England Shirdi Sai Temple/ New England Shirdi Sai Parivaar

YouTube Channel: youtube.com/c/NewEnglandShirdiSaiTemple

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaiParivar

Shri Satchidananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai!!!

Press note released by: Indian Clicks, LLC

Largest Sai Temple of North America in MA

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Hyderabad/Vijayawada, Aug 12 (IANS) Krishna Pushkaralu, the once in 12 years river festival of Krishna, began in two Telugu states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Friday with fanfare and religious fervour.

Thousands took holy dip in the Krishna in the two states and offered prayers in temples located along the banks of the river.

'Pushkar ghats,' constructed by the authorities along the river course, were teeming with thousands of devotees since the early hours of the day.

Both the states have made elaborate arrangements and provided amenities to the devotees for the 12-day long festival. More than six crore people are expected to take dip in the river in the two states.

The governments in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are organising cultural shows and religious events at different places near the ghats.

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, his wife Shoba Rao, Endowments Minister Indrakaran Reddy and other public representatives took the holy dip at Gondimalla ghat in Alampur mandal of Mahabubnagar district.

Authorities in Telangana have built 90 bathing ghats for the convenience of devotees in Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda districts.

Over 13,000 policemen have been deployed in the two districts and as part of the elaborate security arrangements 555 CCTV cameras have been installed around bathing ghats.

The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) is plying 1,365 special buses from various parts of the state to the bathing ghats for transporting pilgrims.

The South Central Railway is operating 655 special trains for the convenience of the devotees in the two states.

The state government has made elaborate arrangements for the river festival at a cost of Rs 852 crore. A 12-day holiday has been declared for schools and colleges in the two districts of Telangana as the staff has been assigned for Pushkaram duties.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and his cabinet colleagues took a holy bath at Durga Ghat in Vijayawada. Naidu along with his wife Bhuvaneshwari performed puja.

Authorities have made elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of the festival in Kurnool, Krishna and Guntur districts by building 178 bathing ghats.

The festivities began on Thursday night with 'Nava Harathi' at Pavitra Sangamam, the confluence of Godavari and Krishna rivers, in Krishna district.

Priests performed the rituals at 9.28 p.m., which was presumed to be the time of entry of Pushkar into Krishna river. However, as no holy dip can be taken after sunset as per 'shastras', the devotees started taking the dip on Friday.

In Andhra Pradesh, about 30,000 policemen have been deployed as part of the massive security arrangements for the festival.

The authorities are taking extra security measures to prevent any untoward incident. A stampede at a ghat in Rajahmundry during Godavari Pushkaralu last year had claimed 29 lives.

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Smitha's International Yoga Day Photo Shoot

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It’s matter of great pride for our country that the entire world has come together to take yoga to the next level after the United Nations declared 21^st June as “World Yoga Day” or the “International Day of Yoga”. Yoga is not a religion; it is a way of living with the aim of achieving a healthy mind and a healthy body. The ultimate goal, however, is to transcend the self and travel on the path of self-realization.

My journey in yoga began seven years ago at Isha. I feel blessed to have got this opportunity to experience the benefits of yoga in this lifetime with the grace of a realized master - “Sadhguru”.

On the occasion of 2^nd “world Yoga Day” on 21^st June 2016, Designer Shravan Kumar has organized a yearly event, a fashion show - “Ode to weaves and weavers of India” at Hyderabad. I am sharing a few pictures from the “Yoga Line” that he has created for the event.

I Wish everyone a wonderful and blissful “International Day of Yoga”.

Smita

Pop Star Smita wishes everyone a wonderful and blissful “International Day of Yoga"

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Good News to Sai Devotees in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC Metro Area. Sai Datta Peetham's Historic Paaduka Yatra has successfully finished 1 year, showering blessings to Thousands of Sai Devotees across 32 states of US.

Paaduka Yatra is back to DC Metro area now, During this visit Paadukalu will be bought to devotees home and will be offered prayer in their house.

Sai Datta Peetham Objective

Sai Datta Peetham (http://saidattanj.org/index.aspx) is organizing a grand project called Shirdi in America. The objective of this project is to construct a temple in USA similar to Shirdi in India. Phase-I of this project, called Sthala Seva, is process of acquiring 23 acres of land.

SDP envisions the process of acquiring this site as a community process and wishes to involve atleast 100,000 devotees to be able to contribute towards the land. Hence, through this Paaduka Yatra, the SDP is meeting devotees across USA. Through this seva Yatra, the Shirdi in America message is spread and opportunity is extended to many devotees to participate.

Purpose

The purpose of this yatra is to identify 1,11,111 Sai devotees and collect $11 Only from each one of them. In this process, we Kindly request you all to host Baba Paaduka pooja in your home or community such that we can reach many baba devotees with your help, So far 50,000 devotees were part of this sthala seva project.

The Peetham Founder - Raghu Sankaramanchi fondly called as Raghuji (Formerly served in Vijayawada, Dilsukhnagar Baba Temple, NY, NJ Baba temples)  along with two other priests and Peetham volunteers are taking Baba Padukas on a 'Rath' (RV) to devotees places all across North America.

How to invite Baba to your home:

For Inviting Baba Paadukas to your home please contact  info@saidattanj.org or you can call directly below.

SRI RAGHU SANKARAMANCHI (HEAD PRIEST & FOUNDER) 516 359 8178

RAJ POTLURI 732 501 8040, MURALI 408 332 1372

Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/saidattanj/?fref=ts

Press note released by: Indian Clicks, LLC

Historic Sai Paduka Yatra in DC Metro

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Pope Francis leads a mass in the sanctuary of the Virgin of Charity in El Cobre, on the last day of his visit to Cuba, 22 September 2015. EFE/Orlando Barria

Vatican City, Feb 26 (IANS/AKI) In a new book, Pope Francis has said the toughest decisions he has to take involve sacking staff.

"There are many hard choices, but I have to say that the type of decision that is most difficult for me is to remove someone from a responsible job or a position of trust, or a path they are following, for reasons of unsuitability," Francis said.

In "Love Before the World", Francis answers a question from an eight-year-old boy in Britain and 30 others across five continents.

The book contains 31 letters and drawings sent to Francis by children from various Jesuit schools around the world. The Pontiff's replies to their questions and requests for advice on a wide range of topics.

The book's title is drawn from the Pope's answer to a question put to him in one of the letters: "What did God do before the world was made?"

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Pope Francis leads a mass in the sanctuary of the Virgin of Charity in El Cobre, on the last day of his visit to Cuba, 22 September 2015. EFE/Orlando Barria

Vatican City, Feb 26 (IANS/AKI) Pope Francis on Friday met delegates at an international conference organised by the Vatican's "Cor Unum" aid body.

The conference "Love will never end" was organised to mark the tenth anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s first encyclical on charity, "Deus Caritas Est".

Pope Francis said the message of the encyclical remains timely, especially in the Catholic Church's current Jubilee year of mercy.

The love which we receive from God and share with others, he said, is "the fulcrum of the history of the Church and of the history of each one of us", according to Vatican Radio.

The act of charity, the Pope said, is not simply almsgiving to ease one’s conscience, but rather a "loving attentiveness towards the other" and a desire to share friendship with God.

Even if we turn away from God, the Pope told participants, it is in God’s nature to communicate his love and mercy to us.

The mission of charitable organisations is vital, he said, because, it is not with words, but with concrete love that we can make every person feel loved by God.

Living in this spirit of receiving and sharing God's love with others makes Christians more authentic, Francis said, thanking all those working daily for Cor Unum around the world.

Pope meets participants at innternational aid meet

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Three of them were handed prison terms while one was sentenced to juvenile custody by the court, Al-Ahram newspaper reported.

The charges against the four boys stem from a complaint filed by Muslim residents in Minya governorate, accusing a Coptic teacher, Gad Youssef Younan, and five of his students of insulting Islam.

Younan and his students were reportedly filmed in a video clip showing them mocking the Islamic State militant group while on a church outing in February 2015.

On January 30, Younan was sentenced to three years in prison for contempt of religion.

Coptic Christians make up roughly 10 percent of Egypt's population of 90 million and have long complained of discrimination and persecution.

Egyptian courts have recently convicted several individuals, both Muslim and Christian, of contempt of religion.

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Pope Francis leads a mass in the sanctuary of the Virgin of Charity in El Cobre, on the last day of his visit to Cuba, 22 September 2015. EFE/Orlando Barria

Vatican City, Feb 25 (IANS/AKI) Pope Francis' audiences were cancelled on Thursday as he has a temperature and is slightly unwell, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said.

"He has a slight fever and is a bit under the weather. It's nothing serious," Lombardi said.

"Indeed this morning, he celebrated mass at Santa Marta (the guesthouse for priests, where Francis lives).

"He is resting and usually recovers quite quickly. However, we'll see," he added.

Pope's audiences cancelled due to ailment

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Hyderabad, Feb 23 (IANS) The government, law enforcing agencies, religious scholars and media have to work together to stop Indian Muslim youth from getting attracted to terror outfit Islamic State, eminent religious scholars said on Tuesday.

Maulana Sajjad Nomani, Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani and others said fatwas, or edicts, alone can't prevent the youth from joining the ranks and called for going to the root of the problem.

Nomani, who is a member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said that leaving the issue of stopping the youth to scholars is not fair.

Stating that injustice is the root of the problem, the scholars said the ulema have to come forward to ensure that the disgruntled youth follow the right path to get justice in a democratic way and in accordance with the constitution.

The scholars were addressing a select gathering of senior police officers and intellectuals at the end of a three-day international conference on life and teachings of Prophet Muhammed.

Telangana's Director General of Police Anurag Sharma was among the officers who attended the event, presided over by AIMPLB secretary Maulana Wali Rahmani.

Nomani narrated an incident of Maharashtra's Kolhapur in which some police officials were caught on camera while trying to frame a Muslim youth for alleged links with the IS. If the law enforcing agencies handle the issue like this, it would not be easy to stop the youth, he said.

He pointed out that hundreds of Islamic scholars across the world have given fatwas that those working for Islamic State don't represent true Islam. "They (IS) misunderstood Islam. They are misguided," he said.

The scholar said that IS a strong but misguided reaction to the repression let loose by the international forces and youth from the countries which witnessed severe repression got attracted to the organisation.

But unlike other countries, very few youth in India tried to join IS, he said.

The conference, attended by 300 scholars from India and abroad, passed eight resolutions. "The terror outfits like the ISIS are not even remotely associated with the idea of Islam. Their deeds and actions are absolutely un-Islamic and against humanity," said one of the resolutions.

Stating that Islamic law forbids killing of innocent people, a resolution called upon all to refrain from extremism and unjust use of power.

The conference, hosted by Al Mahadul Aali Al Islami (Institute for research and specialisation in Islamic sciences), decided to prepare and distribute among people literature on the life and ways of Prophet Muhammed.

"Muslims must follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammed and strike to make their live and social conduct according to the exemplary life of the Prophet. Muslims must respect the principles of peaceful interfaith coexistence and equality of human race," said another resolution.

Calling for respect of spiritual leaders of all faiths, the conference demanded a legislation to punish those who hurt religious sentiments through academic syllabi or any media.

It voiced concern that history books in India are tampering with the history and sometimes publishing baseless stories about Prophet Muhammed and his companions. It urged the government to look into the matter seriously and ensure that before publishing any religious matter about any faith, the scholars of those faiths are consulted.

Islamic scholars call for collective effort to stop youth from joining IS

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Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 23 (IANS) Every inch of space of the famed Attukal Bhagavathi temple was on Tuesday taken over by women devotees who have come to take part in the Attukal Pongala festival and have begun cooking sitting on either side of the road.

The most important function in the 10-day festival is reserved for the penultimate day which falls on Tuesday and at 10 a.m. the fire from the sanctum sanctorum of the temple was brought out to light up the main kiln in the complex.

The priests passed the fire across the 12 km radius of the temple to the women who then light up their kiln to prepare the dish, which is either a payasam or a dish made of rice.

Earlier a festival of Hindus, it has now become a secular event and for many years one regular participant is former Defence Minister A.K. Antony's wife, Elizabeth Antony.

"This is a festival beyond the realms of religion, and all you need to participate in the event is to be a woman," said Antony.

Another high profile participant on Tuesday was the wife of Kerala Governor P. Sathasivam besides those from the glamour world of the film and TV industry.

State ministers K. Babu and K. Mohanan's wives were also present in the temple.

"This is the 14th time that I am taking part and believe me, I really get more than adequate divine intervention after participating in this festival," said popular TV and film actress Chippi.

Popular singer Rajalekshmi sang a few lines in praise of Attukal Devi even as she was busy preparing the dish.

"I came from Dubai yesterday (Monday), just for taking part in this festival and I am returning on Thursday. The devi is so powerful and benevolent to the wishes that we put forward," said Reshmi Nair, a resident of Dubai.

More than 3,500 policemen were on duty, 100 CCTVs were being monitored and over two dozen fire engines were parked at various places in the city.

Various social and cultural organisations provided free food, drinking water and transport facilities to the participants.

The state government has ensured additional bus services and directed the railway authorities to operate Tuesday's trains with additional stops.

On the flip side a section of the state transport employees also took part in the Pongala. They wished for the present Oommen Chandy government to retain power in the upcoming assembly polls and for the health of the 72-year-old chief minister.

Last year, an estimated 3.5 million (35 lakh) women took part in the event which entered the Guinness World Records in 2009 for the maximum participation of women.

This year the participation was expected to cross four million.

The temple is dedicated to Attukal Bhagavathi, a goddess believed to be an incarnation of Kannaki, the central character of Tamil epic "Silappathikaaram".

The state government announced a half-day on Monday and a holiday on Tuesday in Thiruvananthapuram district.

Even the Kerala assembly session has been given a two-day break.

By 1.30 p.m. when the holy water from the temple is sprayed by the priests, the women return home.

According to the Tamil epic, Kannaki destroyed Madurai in Tamil Nadu after its king wrongfully imposed the death penalty on her husband.

After that, Kannaki travelled to Kerala, where she rested for a while at Attukal where women were said to have cooked Pongala to please her.

Millions of women take part in Attukal Pongala

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Pope Francis leads a mass in the sanctuary of the Virgin of Charity in El Cobre, on the last day of his visit to Cuba, 22 September 2015. EFE/Orlando Barria

Vatican City, Feb 22 (IANS/AKI) Pope Francis on Monday told Vatican officials to tend to their parishioners with generosity and mercy and has urged them to become a "model" for all.

"Pastors are first of all required to have God himself who takes care of his flock as a model.

"This kind of behaviour is the sign of love that knows no boundaries. It is faithful, constant, unconditional dedication, so that even the weakest may be reached by His mercy," he said during his sermon at mass in St Peter’s Basilica as he celebrated the Feast of the Chair of Peter and the Jubilee of Mercy for the Vatican government and its various institutions, the Vatican Radio reported.

Pope Francis also urged strong pastoral attitude within the workplace, "especially towards the people we meet every day".

"May no one - he said - feel neglected or mistreated, may everyone experience the loving care of the Good Shepherd," he said.

The Jubilee Year of Mercy declared by Francis runs until November 30.

Practise mercy daily, Francis tells Vatican officials

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Kumbakonam: Devotees during ​the final day of​ Mahamaham festival in Kumbakonam of Tamil Nadu on Feb 22, 2016. (Photo: IANS)

Chennai, Feb 22 (IANS) Lakhs of devotees took a dip in the Mahamaham tank in Kumbakonam on Monday on the occasion of Mahamaham festival celebrated once in 12 years.

Part of Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu, Kumbakonam is a famous temple town about 300 km from here.

The festival began on February 13 with flag hoisting in various temples in Kumbakonam.

According to officials, over three lakh people had a dip in the tank on Monday.

Around 40 lakh people have taken a dip in the temple tank since February 13, officials said.

According to legend, holy rivers like Ganges, Yamuna, Saraswati, Sarayu, Godavari, Mahanadhi, Narmada, Pavoshnl and Cauvery once approached Lord Shiva and said that they have to wash off the sins left by humans taking a dip in them.

Hearing their plea Lord Shiva told them to take a dip in the Mahamaham tank to wash off the sins left by the humans, states Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department.

The belief is that on this day, taking a dip in Mahamaham tank where there will be a confluence of all the holy rivers, would absolve humans of all their sins.

The tank has 20 wells named after Indian rivers.

Before taking a dip in the Mahamaham tank, devotees should have a dip in the Cauvery river.

Since the holy dips are performed in the Cauvery river and the Mahamaham tank the festival is also known as Maha Kumbh Mela.

Lakhs of devotees take dip in Mahamaham tank

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Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayer at Shri Guru Ravidas Janmsthan Mandir, Seer Goverdhanpur, in Varanasi on Feb 22, 2016. (Photo: IANS/PIB)

Varanasi, Feb 22 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday prayed at the Sant Ravidas temple here.

Modi drove to the temple at Seer Govardhan, considered the 'karma bhumi' of the mystic poet-saint, from the Banaras Hindu University.

Due to security reasons, all houses near the temple were taken over by commandos and SPG personnel and shops were shut down.

Sant Niranjan Das, a prominent seer, was stopped by security personnel from going to the premises during Modi's visit. Irked by this, some of his supporters raised slogans like 'Modi go back'.

Later Monday, which is being observed as Ravidas Jayanti, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will visit the temple.

The Bahujan Samaj Party is also organising an event in Varanasi. Uttar Pradesh's ruling Samajwadi Party is holding a function in Lucknow.

Sant Ravidas was a poet-saint of the Bhakti movement and has a wide following in northern India in particular.

Modi prays at Sant Ravidas temple

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Amritsar: Cricketer Virat Kohli pays obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, on Feb 19, 2016. (Photo: IANS)

Amritsar, Feb 20 (IANS) Indian Test captain Virat Kohli opted to pray for divine blessings ahead of the upcoming World T20 with a visit to the Golden Temple with his family.

Kohli was accompanied by his mother and sister during Friday's trip, which also included a visit to the Wagah border.

"I felt really good here. I had been planning to visit the Golden Temple for a long time. I felt really good and peaceful here," Kohli was told reporters here.

Kohli was rested for the recent three-match Twenty20 series at home against Sri Lanka but is due to return to the India team ahead of the Asia Cup T20 competition which begins in Bangladesh on February 24.

The Golden Temple has been visited by several high-profile cricketers in the past, including Yuvraj Singh, Gautam Gambhir and Harbhajan Singh.

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Mumbai, Feb 19 (IANS) The Haji Ali Dargah Trust, which manages the five-century-old Haji Ali shrine in the Arabian Sea off Worli, will complete 100 years on Saturday (February 20) and a host of celebrations are planned to commemorate the centenary, an trust official said.

The chief minister will be laying the foundation stone for the restoration and refurbishment of the Dargah premises, while a Sufi qawwali programme by the world-renowned qawwali singers, Fanna-Fi Allah from California and other events are planned, said trustee Suhail Khandwani.

The Fanna-Fi Allah party is currently on a three week long tour of India and has lined up qawwali concerts in New Delhi, Bhopal, three concerts in Mumbai, one at the Guru Ravidas Jayanti in Jalandhar, at the World Sufi Spirit Festival in Jodhpur and rounding off with a show in Srinagar on February 28.

Revered by followers of all religions, the Haji Ali Dargah is ranked among the top and most photographed tourist landmarks of Mumbai, resting on rocks around 500 yards from the Mumbai seashore off Worli. It is approachable only during low tides from a narrow windy stony lane connecting it to the shore.

The original structure was erected on high rising rocks and attained its present shape in the early 19th century after the Haji Ali Dargah Trust was formed on February 20, 1916, Khandwani said.

Housing the tomb of Muslim saint, the Iranian-born Pir Haji Ali Shah Bikhari, and a mosque, it is extremely popular with locals, domestic and foreign tourists round the year.

The tomb has white domes and minarets, typical of the Mughal architecture of that era and attracts around 20,000 devotees and tourists of all religions daily, with the figures jumping to nearly double on Thursdays, Friday and Sundays.

During major Muslim festivals like Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha, millions swoop to pray at the tomb and the pathway, dargah complex and the main promenade see a sea of humanity.

The saint had never married, has no descendents and the dargah passed down five centuries through generations of the caretakers and trustees here.

There are claims of many miracles that happened before and after the saint's death.

According to a legend, he was once busy in prayers at a lonely place in his hometown when a woman passed from there crying and screaming.

When he enquired, she showed an empty vessel in her hand and said she had dropped oil from it and would suffer a beating from her husband if she returned home.

The Pir calmed her down and went to the place where the oil was dropped, took the vessel from her and pushed the earth with his thumb. The oil gushed from there like a fountain, and the woman filled the vessel and went away happily.

However, later, the saint was tormented by dreams of having "wounded" the earth and became full of remorse and grief. He later travelled to India with his brother, and reached the then small island of Worli, some place near the present day tomb.

His brother returned to his hometown, along with a letter from the saint to his mother that he was in good health, and he had decided to live there (Worli) permanently for propagating Islam.

He continued to impart knowledge of Islam to people and the devotees and years later he instructed his followed not to bury him but drop his body in the ocean in such a manner that it would be buried by the people wherever it was found.

They obeyed his wish and later, the body was found at the rocks off Worli, the same site where it came to rest, perching itself on a small mound of stones jutting out of the Arabian Sea.

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Warangal: People participate in Medaram Sammakka Saralamma Jatara in Warangal on Feb 18, 2016. (Photo: IANS)

Warangal (Telangana), Feb 19 (IANS) Hundreds of thousands of devotees paid obeisance to tribal deities in Medaram of Telanagana's Warangal district on Friday, the third day of Sammakka Sarakka jatara, said to Asia's largest tribal fair.

Medaram and surrounding villages in Eturanagaram forests were teeming with massive crowds of devotees, participating in the biennial event.

The devotees were waiting for hours to have 'darshan' of Samakka and Sarakka installed on special platform for the four-day festival.

Performing the unique rituals associated with the fair, the devotees offered jaggery to the deities while women believed to be possessed by goddesses were seen dancing.

There was hardly any space available at Jampanna rivulet, where in the devotees are taking a dip with the belief that this will wash off their sins.

The devotees from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra and other states have raised temporary sheds and makeshift kitchens. Most of them were seen buying live chickens and preparing their food.

Sammakka and Sarakka were legendary warriors from the Koya tribe who fought against the Kakatiya empire 800 years ago and were killed in battle.

Large-scale arrangements made by Telangana government have ensured smooth conduct of the festival so far. The authorities have spent Rs.180 crore to provide best facilities to the devotees. These include uninterrupted water and electricity supply.

Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari said 50 lakh devotees were expected on Friday. He said all steps had been taken to ensure smooth conduct of the jatra, which is Asia's biggest tribal festival and the first to be held after formation of the Telangana state.

Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) was operating buses from all districts of Telangana. TSRTC officials said they so far transported four lakh people by operating over 10,000 buses. A heavy rush expected on Friday and Saturday.

Railways are also operating 16 special trains for the devotees. A private aviation firm also launched helicopter service from Hyderabad and Warangal to Medaram.

The Hyderabad-Medaram-Hyderabad trip on a Bell 429 four-seater costs Rs.65,000 per head and a Warangal-Medaram-Warangal trip costs Rs.26,500 per head.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who was scheduled to visit the jatra on Friday, cancelled his visit. Officials said the chief minister cancelled the visit due to "unavoidable reasons". It was not clear if he will be visiting Medaram on the last day.

Telangana assembly Speaker Madhusudhana Chary, Commercial Taxes Minister T. Srinivas Yadav, and Director General of Police Anurag Sharma were among those who offered prayers on Friday.

Popular actor and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) legislator N. Balakrishna and his wife visited Medaram. The couple had darshan of the deities. He told reporters that they prayed for the happiness and well-being of people. He described the festival as reflection of Telangana's rich culture.

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Mexico City, Feb 19 (IANS) Republican front-runner Donald Trump "is not Christian" if he calls for the deportation of undocumented immigrants and pledges to build a wall between the US and Mexico, Pope Francis said on Thursday.

The Pope, who was travelling back to Rome from Mexico, where he urged the US to address the "humanitarian crisis" on its southern border, did not tell American Catholics not to vote for Trump, CNN reported.

But Francis left little doubt where he stood on the polarizing issue of immigration reform.

"A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian. This is not the gospel," the Pope told journalists who asked his opinion on Trump's proposals to halt illegal immigration.

Trump immediately fired back, calling Francis' comments "disgraceful".

"No leader, especially a religious leader, should have the right to question another man's religion or faith," he said in statement. Trump added that the government in Mexico, where Francis spent the past five days, has "made many disparaging remarks about me to the Pope".

"If and when the Vatican is attacked by IS, which as everyone knows is IS' ultimate trophy, I can promise you that the Pope would have only wished and prayed that Donald Trump would have been president," Trump said.

The tussle between Trump and Francis -- two outsized personalities who seldom shy from speaking their minds -- seems to have been building for some time. Before the Pope traveled to Mexico, Trump cast the pontiff as a political naif who "doesn't understand the dangers" at the US-Mexican border.

Asked whether American Catholics should vote for Trump, Francis demurred.

"As far as what you said about whether I would advise to vote or not to vote, I am not going to get involved in that. I say only that this man is not Christian if he has said things like that," he said.

The Pope appeared somewhat unaware of Trump's exact stance on illegal immigration, though, saying that he would give him "the benefit of the doubt" until he had heard exactly what the billionaire businessman had said.

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Rome, Feb 18 (IANS/AKI)

"We hope the Pope's visit to Rome's mosque will take place during the Jubilee," Rayed Krimly told Adnkronos International (AKI).

"We are still waiting for an answer from the Vatican to fix a date for this visit, but we all know how full the Pope's diary is," said Krimly, who is also president of Rome's mosque and Islamic Centre, and headed a delegation of Muslims who last month presented an official invitation to Francis to visit the mosque.

The Vatican audience took place on January 20, just days after Francis made a landmark visit to Rome's synagogue.

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Warangal (Telangana), Feb 17 (IANS) Hundreds of thousands of people have reached Medaram in Warangal district for Sammakka Sarakka jatara, India's largest tribal fair, which began on Wednesday.

Devotees, both tribal and non-tribal, from different parts of Telangana and other states like Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and AKarnataka are participating in the four-day fair, also known as Medaram jatra.

Medaram and surrounding villages in the forest, about 100 km from district headquarters, have turned into a sea of humanity for the tribal festival, organised once in two years. Men and women took a dip in Jampanna stream, which they believe wash away their sins.

Devotees belonging to different states and speaking different languages throng the forests to pay obeisance to tribal goddesses Sammakka and Sarakka.

The unique rituals, which include devotees offering jaggery to the deities, will begin Wednesday night with the customary arrival of Sarakka's image from Kannepally village which will be placed on a platform. The image idol covered in red cloth was brought in a vessel laden with vermilion and turmeric powder.

The idols of Sarakkaa's father Pagidigidda Raju and husband Govinda Raju will also be brought to Medaram.

Serpentine queues of devotees were seen even before the formal launch of the festivities, which will reach the peak on Thursday when the image of Sarakka's mother Sammakka will arrive from Chilalagutta village.

Sammakka and Sarakka were legendary warriors from the Koya tribe who fought against the Kakatiya empire 800 years ago and were killed.

The festival, which marks the celebration of tribal traditions, has grown in size during last few years with authorities making elaborate arrangements for the transport of the devotees and smooth conduct of the mega event.

As the jatra this year is the first in Telangana state, the government has gone all out to make massive arrangements. According to officials, more than Rs.180 crore had been spent to make fool-proof arrangements.

Two state ministers - A. Indrakaran Reddy and A. Chandulal - had been camping in Medaram for the last couple of days to supervise the arrangements. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will visit Medaram on Thursday to make the offerings to tribal goddesses.

According to Warangal District Collector Vakati Karuna, as many as 30,000 people have been engaged to ensure smooth conduct of the event. They include 9,000 policemen, 5,000 sanitation staff, forest officials, doctors, paramedical staff and volunteers.

Officials expect more than 10 million people to participate in the festival this year.

The South Central Railway (SCR) has announced that it will running 16 special trains for passengers attending the jatra while Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) will operate 4,000 special buses. This is in addition to thousands of private vehicles.

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Patna, Feb 17 (IANS) A lower court on Wednesday issued summons to Lord Hanuman for an appearance in court in connection with a roadside temple dedicated to him in Rohtas district, a government lawyer said.

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate in Rohtas asked the monkey god to appear in his court after hearing a complaint of encroachment filed by the Public Works Department.

The court's order was pasted on the idol of Lord Hanuman at the temple in Dehri-on-Sone in Rohtas district by district officials.

The department, in its complaint, sought the court's intervention to remove the 'Panchmukhi' Hanuman temple as it caused obstruction to movement of traffic.

A group of Bajrang Dal activists and local Bharatiya Janata Party workers have opposed the court notice to Lord Hanuman and demanded its withdrawal.

Early this month, a district official issued an encroachment notice against 'Bajrang Bali' regarding a roadside temple constructed in his honour in Lohia Nagar area in Begusarai district.

However, protesting Bajrang Dal workers forced the authorities to dump the notice.

On February 1, a lawyer in the Bihar's Sitamarhi district complained against Lord Ram and his brother Laxman.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Rash Bihari rejected the case as 'not maintainable' and 'beyond logic and facts' the petition that sought registration of a case against Lord Ram and his brother Laxman for banishing Sita into exile 'without proper justification".

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Pope Francis leads a mass in the sanctuary of the Virgin of Charity in El Cobre, on the last day of his visit to Cuba, 22 September 2015. EFE/Orlando Barria

San Cristobal (Mexico), Feb 16 (IANS/AKI) The importance of the family is being undermined by modern ideologies and needs to be protected, Pope Francis said during a five-day visit to Mexico.

"Today we see how on different fronts the family is weakened and questioned," Francis told families at a mass held on Monday in a packed soccer stadium in Tuxtla Gutierrez, capital of the Mexican state Chiapas.

"It (family) is regarded as a model which has done its time, but which has no place in our societies. These, claiming to be modern, increasingly favour a model based on isolation," the pontiff said.

Francis admitted that living in family was not always easy and could cause its members pain and stress.

"But, as I have often said referring to the Church, I prefer a wounded family that makes daily efforts to put love into play, to a society that is sick from isolationism and habitually afraid of love.

"I prefer a family that makes repeated efforts to begin again, to a society that is narcissistic and obsessed with luxury and comfort. I prefer a family with tired faces from generous giving, to faces with makeup that know nothing of tenderness and compassion."

The family is often seen as a social safety net in Mexico although official statistics show people are marrying less, divorcing more and increasingly living in non-traditional families.

During his trip to Mexico, which ends on Thursday, Francis has deplored crime, the evil of drugs, forced emigration and the condition of the country's often impoverished and exploited indigenous populations.

Mexico is the world's second most populous Catholic nation after Brazil.

--IANS/AKI
mr/

( 279 Words)

2016-02-16-20:00:03

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Mata Chintpurni Devi Temple Himachal Pradesh

Shimla, Feb 16 (IANS) One of the busiest shrines in Himachal Pradesh, the Mata Chintpurni temple, has decided to perform tonsure ceremony for girl child free of cost to address gender imbalance and discrimination, an official said on Tuesday.

"We have decided to perform 'mundan' or tonsure ceremony of all girl children free of cost on the temple premises. This is an attempt to highlight the importance of the girl child," temple commissioner Abhishek Jain told IANS.

He said the decision would help to change gender bias among the people.

Jain said the parents who wanted to avail of this facility could approach the temple officer. The items used for the ceremony would be provided by the temple.

The temple is famous among the Hindus for the traditional 'mundan' ceremony.

More than 40 lakh pilgrims last year visited Mata Chintpurni shrine, one of the richest in the state, to pay obeisance.

Now you can offer prayers and make offerings at the Mata Chintpurni shrine with just a click of a mouse.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh last month launched a website of the temple, which will allow devotees to participate in the daily "arti" -- both in the morning and evening -- and could make offerings online.

The website is in Hindi, English and Punjabi languages.

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Visakhapatnam, Feb 15 (PTI) Human hair worth around Rs 10 lakh was stolen from the premises of the famous Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple near her, police said today.

Unidentified persons stole 10 bags of "special grade" human hair valued at around Rs 10 lakh from the temple at Simhachalam, they said.

Preliminary probe suggests that temple insiders may be involved, DCP (Zone-II) G Ram Gopal Naik said.

Thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine every day from various parts of Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Devotees tonsure their head and offer the hair to the deity there.

Staff of Kesh Kandana Sala (tonsuring centre) of the temple collect the hair and segregate them as per length and quality, which is then auctioned.

Executive Officer of the temple K Ramachandra Mohan said around 15 bags containing "special grade" human hair were stored in a room near the Kesh Kandana Sala of which 10 bags were stolen.

The thieves entered the store room of the temple, from the terrace using a rope. They cut the grille door on the terrace to enter the first floor and then unscrewed the pivot to gain entry into the store room, temple sources said.

On a complaint filed by the temple management, police inspected the spot and pressed dog squad into service to gather clues.

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 John Paul II  (Photo by Francois LOCHON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

London, Feb 15 (IANS) Hundreds of letters and photographs that tell the story of Pope John Paul II's close relationship with a married woman, which lasted more than 30 years, have been revealed, BBC reported on Monday.

The letters to Polish-born American philosopher Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka had been kept away from public view in the National Library of Poland for years.

The documents reveal a rarely seen side of the pontiff, who died in 2005, after an almost 27-year reign. In 2014 he was declared a saint.

However, there is no suggestion the Pope broke his vow of celibacy.

The friendship began in 1973 when Tymieniecka contacted the future Pope, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, then Archbishop of Krakow, about a book on philosophy that he had written. The then 50-year-old travelled from the US to Poland to discuss the work.

Shortly afterwards, the pair began to correspond. At first the cardinal's letters were formal, but as their friendship grew, they become more intimate.

The pair decided to work on an expanded version of the cardinal's book, 'The Acting Person'.

Photographs which have never been seen before by the public reveal Karol Wojtyla at his most relaxed. He invited Tymieniecka to join him on country walks and skiing holidays - she even joined him on a group camping trip.

The pictures also show her visiting him at the Vatican.

The letters also revealed that Cardinal Wojtyla gave Tymieniecka one of his most treasured possessions, an item known as a scapular - a small devotional necklace worn around the shoulders.

In a letter dated September 10, 1976, he wrote: "Already last year I was looking for an answer to these words, 'I belong to you', and finally, before leaving Poland, I found a way - a scapular. The dimension in which I accept and feel you everywhere in all kinds of situations, when you are close, and when you are far away."

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Tirupati, Feb 13 (PTI) A devotee from Coimbatore in Tamil Naidu today made an offering of a diamond-studded crown at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara near here.

A temple official told PTI that the devotee, who did not want to be identified, along with his wife handed over the offering worth about Rs 90 lakh to temple officials this morning.

The offering would be adorned on the processional idol at the shrine, the official said.

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