Allahabad prepares for Magh Mela pilgrims

• Allahabad prepares for Magh Mela pilgrims

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  • The Mela is likely to draw nearly 20 million devotees during the six main religious bathing days. The first bathing day is on the occasion of Paush Purnima Dec 31.

    It is believed that taking a holy dip in Sangam during Hindu month of Magh strengthens life and makes it disease free. The Magh Mela will end Feb 12 on Mahashivratri.

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World Bank to loan India $1 billion to clean up Ganges

• swissinfo
  

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  • Image Caption: Indian Hindu takes a dip in polluted waters of river Ganges in Allahabad, India. (reuters_tickers)
  • The World Bank will loan India $1 billion (600 million pounds) over the next five to seven years to clean up the Ganges, the holy river that is one of the world's most polluted, the country's environment minister said on Wednesday.
    The lender will also help India access $4 billion in funds for stopping dumping of untreated waste into the Ganges, according to a joint statement issued by Minister Jairam Ramesh and World Bank President Rober Zoellick in the Indian capital.
  
  • The government has planned to end discharge of untreated waste into the Ganges by 2020.
    Earlier attempts to clean the river have failed, including a plan to make its water drinkable by 1989.

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Security in place ahead of Dec 6 in Ayodhya

• Security in place ahead of Dec 6 in Ayodhya

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  • Restrictions have been imposed on darshan at the makeshift temple at Ayodhya as part of security measures ahead of Babri Masjid demolition anniversary.

     

    From Thursday, not more than two persons will be allowed to enter the Ram Janambhoomi campus at a time and they will be accompanied by two security personnel. Darshan will be allowed from a distance of 200 metres. The restriction will continue for a week. The district administration has denied the Vishwa Hindu Parishad permission to hold a shila pujan at the spot. It has also decided not to allow any procession in the town.

  • Security personnel deployed at the Charbagh railway station in Lucknow in the wake of Babri Masjid demolition anniversary on December 6. Vishal Srivastav

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Pratahkal - शक्तिपीठ का अनूठा सामूहिक विवाह समारोह

• Pratahkal - शक्तिपीठ का अनूठा सामूहिक विवाह समारोह

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  • बांसवाड़ा
  • बुधवार को जिले के राजराजेश्वरी भगवती श्री त्रिपुरा सुदंरी मंिदर शक्तिपीठ में पंचाल समाज चोदह चौखरा के सामूहिक विवाह में सतरह जोड़ो ने सात फेरे लेकर सात जन्मों का सफर शुरू किया। पंडित निकुंञमोहन पंड्या के आचार्यत्व में हिंदु रिती रिवाज के साथ मंत्रोच्यार के बीच सतरह जोड़े एक दुसरे का सात जन्मों तक साथ निभाने का वादा कर चौदह चोखरों के समक्ष एक सूत्र में बंधे।
    इस अनूठे सामूहिक विवाह की सबसे बड़ी उपलब्धि यह रही कि गरीबी रेखा से नीचे जीवन यापन करने वाले घरो में बहुलक्ष्मी के साथ लक्ष्मी का पदार्पण हुआ। एक तरफ जहां विधवा महिलाओ की आखों में खुशी के आंसू झलक रहे थे। इन महिलाओं ने कभी सपने में भी नही सोचा  कि उनके पुत्र-पुत्रियो व संतानो की शादी में परिवारजन ही नहीं वरन सम्पूर्ण चौदह चौखरा का समाज साक्षी और सम्मिलित होगा। इसी तरह घर में बिजली के नाम पर मात्र एक बल्ब जलाने के हालातों में रहने वाले लोगो ने भी यह नही सोचा था कि उनके संतानो के विवाह में न केवल रोशनी जगमगाएगी। वरन पटाखे भी छुटेगें।

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Katiyar to make 'revelations' about Babri demolition Dec 6

• Katiyar to make 'revelations' about Babri demolition Dec 6

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  • Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vinay Katiyar on Thursday said he will make certain 'startling revelations' about the razing of the Babri Mosque in Ayodhya Dec 6, 1992, on the 17th anniversary of the incident on Sunday.

    'While some people would hail Dec 6 as 'victory day' and others would condemn it as 'black day' , I have decided to observe the 17th anniversary of the demolition of the mosque as 'the day of truth', whereby I would make certain vital disclosures,' Katiyar, who was among the front-line leaders of the Ayodhya movement, told IANS over telephone from Ayodhya.

  • The founder chief of Bajrang Dal, Katiyar, who was twice elected to the Lok Sabha from Faizabad, has convened a meeting of 'sadhus' and activists of the Ram temple movement at his residence in Ayodhya Dec 6.

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