Category: Culture

Ram Navami celebrations in Ayodhya: Check the key rituals that will be performed at Ram Mandir

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The auspicious festival of Ram Navami will be celebrated on Wednesday (April 17) around the world this year, which commemorates the birth anniversary of Lord Ram, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, symbolising the victory of good over evil.

The celebrations this year hold special significance as it’s the first Ram Navami after the grand opening of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in the temple town of Ayodhya on January 23, 2024.

To mark the special occasion, elaborate security arrangements have been put in place for the festivities in Ayodhya — the birthplace of Lord Ram.

For the convenience of the devotees planning to visit the Ram temple on Wednesday, arrangements will be in place starting at 3:30 AM during the Brahma Muhurta, the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust said in an advisory.

Also read | Ram Navami 2024: Best wishes, messages, quotes to share with family, friends

“The duration of Darshan has been extended to 19 hours, starting from the Mangala Aarti and continuing until 11 PM at night. The curtain will be closed only for five minutes during the four Bhog offerings. Distinguished guests are requested to visit for Darshan only after April 19th,” it stated in a post on the social media site X.

Key rituals to be performed at Ram Mandir

As per the temple trust advisory, after the Mangala Aarti, the early morning rituals at the temple, including Abhishek, Shringar and Darshan, will commence at 3:30 am on Wednesday.

The Shringar Aarti will take place at 5 am, while the ‘Darshan’ of Ram Lalla and other pooja rituals will continue simultaneously.

During the day, there will be brief intervals when a curtain will be drawn to offer Bhog to Lord Ram.

Devotees will be allowed to enter the temple until 11 pm for ‘Darshan’, followed by the Bhog and Shayan Aarti. The ‘Prasad’ will be offered to devotees near the exit of the temple after the Shayan Aarti, the advisory stated.

The temple trust has adorned the Ram Lalla idol with special hand-woven khadi cotton clothes, along with real silver and gold khadi hand block prints, inspired by Vaishnav Chinha, The Indian Express reported.

As part of the grand Ram Navami celebrations in Ayodhya, the Ram temple will receive an offering of 1,11,111 kilograms of laddoo as ‘prasad’ by the Devraha Hans Baba Trust.

This tradition extends back to January 22 earlier this year, when the same trust sent 40,000 kg of laddoo for the Pran-Pratistha or consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.

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Ram Navami 2024: Best wishes, messages, quotes to share with family, friends

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The festival of Ram Navami, which marks the birth anniversary of Lord Rama, is celebrated on the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri. The Chaitra Navratri is devoted to Goddess Durga’s nine forms and culminates on the ninth day with Ram Navami. This year, the celebration of Navratri started on April 9, 2024, and it will conclude on April 17, 2024, with Ram Navami.

This holy festival is celebrated by Hindus with great enthusiasm and devotion around the world. On this occasion, people observe fasts, offer prayers, and perform pujas to mark the victory of good over evil. Make this auspicious occasion even extra special by sending warm wishes, messages, quotes, etc. with family and friends.

Here’s a list of wishes, messages and quotes one can share with loved ones to wish them a happy and prosperous Ram Navami.

Happy Ram Navami Wishes:

– This year, let us celebrate and remember that good always wins over evil. Happy Ram Navami!

– Hope this festival brings in good fortune and happiness in your life! Happy Ram Navami!

– Happy Ram Navami to you and your family.

– May your days be filled with joy and devotion! Happy Ram Navami

– May this festival bring peace and prosperity to all. Shubh Ram Navami!

Happy Ram Navami Messages:

– I hope this auspicious festival brings lots of joy, prosperity, and success to you and your family. May your life be filled with blessings, love and happiness. Happy Ram Navami.

– Sending you warm greetings on this Ram Navami. May this festival bring joy and prosperity to you and your family!

– With the blessings of Lord Rama, may you achieve success in your life. Happy Ram Navami to you and your family!

– May this occasion bring new beginnings, opportunities, and positivity in your life. Happy Ram Navami!

– Sending warm wishes and greetings on the auspicious occasion of Navami. Happy Ram Navami!

Happy Ram Navami Quotes:

– May Lord Rama bless you with health, wealth, bliss, prosperity and long life. Happy Ram Navami 2024!

– May you achieve all the success and desires in your life with the blessings of Lord Rama. Wishing you a very happy Ram Navami.

– Wishing you love, health, peace, and prosperity on this holy occasion. Happy Ram Navami!

– May Lord Rama shower with his blessings and always guide you and your family on the right path. Happy Ram Navami!

– On this auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, may your heart and home be filled with happiness, peace, and prosperity. Wishing you and your family a Happy Ram Navami 2024.

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World Art Day 2024: 10 Must-visit Art Galleries In India

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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World Art Day is celebrated on April 15 every year. This day aims to create a bridge between artists and audiences and highlights their contribution to the development of the world. The day was officially announced as World Art Day in 2012 by the International Association of Art.

This date was specifically chosen to coincide with the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci, one of the most popular names in history, whose work continues to inspire and influence artists around the world.

Later, in 2019, UNESCO acknowledged the same in association with the International Association of Art. On World Art Day, every year special events like debates, workshops, cultural events, etc are organised around the world. The events are generally graced by well-known artists from around the globe. Ahead of the World Art Day 2024, let us look at the 10 must-visit art galleries in India:

1. Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata

The Kolkata Academy of Fine Arts is said to be one of the most prominent art galleries in India. Famous paintings like Girl with a Pitcher and A Winter’s Evening by Rabindra Nath Tagore are showcased here.

2. The Government Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh

Opened for the public in 1968, The Government Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh portrays a variety of artistic creations like Indian miniature paintings, contemporary art, portraits, etc.

3. Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai

Located in Southern Mumbai, the Jehangir Art Gallery was established in 1952 by Sir Cowasji Jehangir. The gallery houses the works of some prominent artists like MF Hussain and SH Raza.

4. National Gallery of Modern Art, Bangalore

The National Gallery of Modern Art, Bangalore, is one of the newest museums in India established in 2009. The art gallery features over 500 paintings from both traditional and modern genres.

5. National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi

Established in 1954, the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi is an initiative to promote art by the government of India. Famous paintings like Frozen Porcupine and Smoking Donkey by Karl Antao and Man with Bouquet of Plastic Flower by Bhupen Khakhar are showcased here.

6. Aakriti Art Gallery, Kolkata and Delhi

Founded in 2005, Aakriti Art Gallery has evolved into one of the most famous modern art galleries in the country. Presently operating in two cities, Kolkata and New Delhi, Aakriti Art Gallery features modern and contemporary paintings.

7. The Art Heritage Gallery

Established in 1977, this art gallery aims to promote Indian contemporary paintings and artworks. The Art Heritage Gallery in New Delhi also hosts various educational programs, talks, debates, etc with the vision to promote and educate the public about contemporary art.

8. Government Museum, Chennai

Founded in 1851, the Government Museum located in Chennai is the second oldest museum and art gallery in India. The National Art Gallery, which is a part of the museum, features paintings from the Rajput and Mughal eras along with modern paintings.

9. Indian Museum, Kolkata

Established in 1814, Kolkata’s Indian Museum is known for featuring heritage paintings and artworks by artists from various parts of India. The art gallery of the museum is divided into four sections featuring paintings from different eras and genres.

10. National Museum, New Delhi

The National Museum in New Delhi, established in 1949, features the biggest collection of miniature paintings in India. Paintings by artists from various parts of the nation are showcased here including the ones by Rajasthan, Sikh and Kashmiri artists.

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Modi manifesto promises the world to the Tamil people

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra has promised to promote Tamil, one of the world’s oldest languages, as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s manifesto, also called sankalp patra,  for the upcoming election to the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Indian Parliament).

Thiruvalluvar cultural centres will be set up to elevate the global reputation for Tamil.

The latest thrust on Tamil is part of Modi’s focus on garnering votes from Tamil Nadu where his party has had negligible presence so far. The state sends 39 members to the Parliament.

Modi has visited Tamil Nadu at least seven times in the last two months. The state has, arguably, received an inordinate amount of attention from the Prime Minister who is seeking to increase the BJP’s Lok Sabha tally to beyond 370 out of the total 543 in the Lok Sabha.

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Who is Thiruvalluvar? 

Thiruvalluvar, commonly known as Valluvar, was an ancient Tamil philosopher known for his wisdom, expressed in 1,330 couplets, on a topics ranging from ethics to economics.

Non-violence is one of the pervasive messages in the Thirukkural, the compilation of Thiruvalluvar’s works. Various estimates date the works between the third and sixth century BC.

The prefix Thiru before the name is usually added as a mark of respect, like Shri in other parts of India.

Modi has been reaching out to the voters in Tamil Nadu for a few years now.

The Hindu identity politics and nationalism that helped BJP become the juggernaut it is in other states of India do not work as well in Tamil Nadu, where the Tamil identity rings louder.

At the 74th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Modi had recited a 3,000-year-old Tamil quote by philosopher Kaniyan Pungundranar to highlight India’s commitment to inclusive policies.

In January 2022, the PM inaugurated the new campus of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil in Chennai.

Modi has released various translations of the Thirukkural including one in Gujarati as well as Tok Pisin language of Papua New Guinea.

In 2021, the ‘Subramania Bharati Chair’ on Tamil Studies was set up at the Banaras Hindu University in his home constituency, Varanasi.

Subramaniam Bharati is arguably the most famous modern poet from Tamil Nadu known for his revolutionary spirit and progressive views that inspired the freedom struggle in Tamil Nadu.

During his visit to Tokyo, Modi put the spotlight on silk mats made in Pattamadai (part of the Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu) by giving it as a gift to his Japanese counterpart.

Modi’s outreach, combined with the party’s promotion at the grassroots by the state party chief K Annamalai, is likely to provide a BJP a significant jump in its vote share in Tamil Nadu in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

However, these additional votes may not necessarily result in more Lok Sabha seats for the BJP. The opinion poll released by Network18 in March 2024 showed that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP, may get 5 seats in the state.

The NDA may have been weakened by the exit of a long-term ally, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) ahead of the polls.

The more entrenched rival, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (fighting in alliance with BJP’s national rival, the Indian National Congress) may still get the lion’s share of seats in Tamil Nadu, according to the same poll.

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Eid al-Fitr 2024: Messages to wish your friends, loved ones

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The holy month of Ramzan, when Muslims observe fast from sunrise to sunset, will conclude in a day and bring with it the Eid celebrations. Eid is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. Apart from the Eid al-Fitr prayers that Muslims offer in the morning, the people also visit friends and relatives, wear new clothes and enjoy the day with great pomp. Special Eid delicacies are prepared and shared between loved ones and friends to celebrate the holy occasion. This year, Eid will be celebrated on April 11.

We have curated a list of wishes to share with your family and friends this Eid.

1. Wishing you and your family a cheerful Eid filled with happiness, laughter, and blessings. Eid Mubarak!
2. May this Eid bring peace, joy, and prosperity to your home. Eid Mubarak to you and your family.
3. Eid Mubarak! Let’s cherish this auspicious occasion with love, respect and devotion to our Allah. May this day shower prosperity, joy and good health on you and your family.
4. Eid is a time for forgiveness, compassion, and generosity. May your heart be filled with love and your home with happiness and prosperity. Eid Mubarak!
5. Wishing you a prosperous Eid filled with happiness, peace, and endless blessings. Eid Mubarak to you and your family!
6. Eid Mubarak! Hope you get to enjoy all the delicious meals now with your friends and family!
   On this auspicious day, I send you my warmest Eid Mubarak wishes. May Allah’s blessings be with you always. Eid Mubarak!
7. May Allah fill your life with happiness, your heart with love, your soul with spirituality, and your mind with wisdom on this holy day! Eid Mubarak!
8. May the divine blessing of Allah light up your heart and bless you and your family members with happiness, peace and prosperity! Eid Mubarak!
9. May Allah open the doors of happiness, success and prosperity for you and your family. Eid Mubarak to you and your family.
10. On this auspicious day, May Allah shower his divine blessings upon you and your family. Eid Mubarak!

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Pakistan grants 2,843 visas to Sikh pilgrims on the occasion of Baisakhi celebrations

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Pakistan high commission on Tuesday said it issued 2,843 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to facilitate their participation at the Baisakhi celebrations.

Under the provision of a bilateral protocol on visits to religious shrines, Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan every year. Pakistani pilgrims also visit India every year under the protocol.

“On the occasion of Baisakhi celebrations, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued 2,843 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the annual festival scheduled to be held in Pakistan from April 13 to 22,” the high commission said.

“The pilgrims would, inter-alia, visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib,” it said in a statement.

Charge d’ Affaires at Pakistan high commission Saad Ahmad Warraich, extended his heartfelt felicitations to all those celebrating this auspicious festival and wished the visiting pilgrims a “fulfilling” yatra.

“The issuance of visas to religious pilgrims by the High Commission is in line with the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to fully implement the bilateral protocol on visits to religious shrines between the two countries,” the mission said.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow