Connect with us
Wednesday,25-December-2024
Breaking News

National News

Shanti Homam, 4-Hr-Long Ritualistic Cleansing Held At Andhra’s Tirupati Temple Amid Animal Fat In Laddoo Row

Published

on

Shanti Homam, 4-Hr-Long Ritualistic Cleansing Held At Andhra's Tirupati Temple Amid Animal Fat In Laddoo Row

Amid the controversy over the alleged presence of animal fat in Tirupati laddoos, a four-hour purification ritual known as Shanti Homam Panchagavya Prokshana is being performed at the Tirumala temple on Monday. According to temple officials, this ritual aims to cleanse and undo any desecration that allegedly occurred during the tenure of the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) government.

Details Of The Cleansing Rituals

The purification ceremony began today in the morning, involving the establishment of three homa gundas (sacrificial fire pits) where the rituals were conducted in strict accordance with the Shastras, traditional Hindu scriptures. According to an India Today report, eight temple priests, under the guidance of three Agama Shastra experts, conducted the Shanti Homam, which began at 5:40 am and lasted about two hours.

Alongside this, the Vastu Homam was also performed, focusing on cleansing the space and ensuring the sanctity of the temple. This included the purification of all the vessels, machines and ceremonial areas involved in the preparation of the prasadam, a sacred offering at the temple.

As part of the rituals, the Panchagavya Prokshana, a sacred sprinkling with a mixture of five cow products (milk, curd, ghee, urine, and dung) was performed to sanctify the environment. These rituals are aimed at seeking divine forgiveness from Lord Venkateswara Swamy for the alleged sacrilegious acts, including claims that animal fats were used in the preparation of Tirupati laddoos.

What Is The Controversy?

The controversy surrounding the laddoos erupted after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu recently claimed that substandard ingredients, including animal fat, were discovered in the laddoos served at the temple during the previous government led by Jagan Mohan Reddy. Naidu cited a private lab report from Gujarat, which allegedly found traces of beef tallow, lard (pig fat) and fish oil in the ghee used for the prasadam.

However, former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy vehemently denied these allegations, stating that no such violation occurred during his administration. He also accused Naidu of using religion for political gain, calling him a pathological and habitual liar. Reddy further criticised Naidu for engaging in ‘politics in the name of God,’ attempting to dismiss the claims as politically motivated.

On Sunday, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Executive Officer J. Shyamala Rao reiterated that the ongoing rituals aim to dispel any negative influences and restore the spiritual purity of the laddu prasadam, ensuring the well-being of the temple’s devotees.

disaster

Three dead, several injured as bus falls into gorge in Nainital, rescue operations underway

Published

on

Nainital, Dec 25: In a tragic accident, three people were killed and several others injured as a bus carrying 27 people plunged into a 1,500-feet-deep gorge on the Bhimtal-Ranibagh road in Uttarakhand’s Nainital district on Wednesday.

The bus was en route from Almora to Haldwani when the incident occurred on the Ranibagh road.

Rescue operations were initiated immediately by the police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the fire department, with significant assistance from locals. However, the steep terrain has made the efforts challenging.

Using ropes, the rescuers and locals carefully aided the injured, carrying them on their shoulders to safety.

The injured were provided first aid before being rushed to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Bhimtal. Fifteen ambulances have been dispatched to Haldwani for further medical assistance.

As of now, 24 passengers have been rescued, and operations are still underway to ensure no one is left behind.

Videos of the incident show the bus was shattered on impact.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the accident and directed the local administration to ensure immediate relief and rescue operations.

Taking to social media platform X, Chief Minister Dhami stated, “The news of the bus accident near Bhimtal is very saddening. The local administration has been directed to carry out immediate relief and rescue operations. I pray to Baba Kedar for the safety of all the travellers.”

Further updates on the incident and the condition of the injured are awaited as rescue efforts continue.

Last month, in a similar incident, at least 20 passengers lost their lives when the bus they were travelling in, was careened off the road and fell into a 200-metre-deep gorge in Almora district.

Among the victims were several children, heightening the tragedy of the incident.

The bus, transporting passengers from Garhwal to Kumaon, was reportedly overloaded at the time of the accident.

Continue Reading

disaster

Jaipur LPG tanker blast: Three more succumb to injuries, death toll rises to 18

Published

on

Jaipur, Dec 25: Three more individuals, including a severely burnt woman, succumbed to their injuries on Wednesday at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital, taking the death in the Jaipur LPG tanker blast to 18.

Vijayata (22), a resident of Pratapgarh, passed away at around 4 a.m., and Vijendra (36) from Pawta (Jaipur) died at around 9:30 a.m. Later, Banshilal (35) also succumbed to his injuries at 1 p.m. Vijay and Vijendra had suffered 70 per cent burns. All three were Rajasthan natives, said officials.

Currently, 15 patients with severe burns are receiving treatment in the burn ward of the SMS Hospital.

The bodies of the deceased have been placed in the hospital mortuary and will be handed over to their families after post-mortem examinations conducted by a medical board. On Tuesday, two more victims, Naresh Babu from Etah (Uttar Pradesh) and Yusuf from Nuh (Haryana), passed away.

Dr Rakesh Jain, a plastic surgeon at SMS Hospital, confirmed that a total of 18 people have died so far. Following the deaths of two individuals on Tuesday, three more fatalities were reported on Wednesday– two in the morning and one in the afternoon. Among the victims were two men and a woman, he added.

One critically injured patient is currently on a ventilator, while 15 others remain under treatment. Additionally, five patients have been discharged — three on Monday and two on Tuesday, he said.

The accident occurred near Bhankrota on the Jaipur-Ajmer Highway on December 20 in which four people were burned alive on the spot, while eight others died the same day during treatment at SMS Hospital. One death was reported at Jaipuria Hospital.

On Tuesday, police interrogated Jaiveer Singh, the driver of the LPG tanker involved in the accident. He revealed that the incident occurred when he made a U-turn to access the ring road at 5.44 a.m. A truck collided with his tanker from behind, leading to the blast. The police have also summoned Anil, the truck owner and a resident of Delhi, for questioning.

Jaiveer Singh recounted that he was alone in the tanker at the time of the accident. After realising the severity of the situation, he fled immediately. The gas leak ignited, creating a massive “ball of fire” that spread across the road. Singh managed to reach the ring road and informed the truck owner, Anil Kumar, about the incident before switching off his phone.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the blast and the circumstances surrounding this devastating incident.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Rs 2 crore assistance by Allu Arjun, makers of ‘Pushpa-2’ for family of stampede victim

Published

on

Hyderabad, Dec 25: Actor Allu Arjun, producers and director of ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ have announced Rs 2 crore for the family of the woman who was killed and her son who was critically injured during the premiere show of the movie at Sandhya Theatre on December 4.

Allu Arjun’s father and well-known producer Allu Arvind made the announcement on Wednesday after meeting Sri Teja, who is undergoing treatment at KIMS Hospital.

Allu Arvind told media that the cheque was handed over to Dil Raju, chairman, Telangana State Film Development Corporation.

Allu Arvind said to support the boy and his family, the film unit decided to give financial assistance of Rs 2 crore.

While Allu Arjun has given Rs 1 crore, Mythri Movies, the producers of the movie have extended assistance of Rs 50 lakh. Film’s director Sukumar has also given Rs 50 lakh to the family.

Allu Arvind said they spoke to doctors and were happy to know that he is recovering.

Allu Arjun had announced Rs 25 lakh for the family two days after the incident. He had also assured all support to the family including treatment expenses of the boy.

Sri Tej’s father Bhaskar had said on Tuesday that he received a demand draft of Rs 10 lakh from Allu Arjun.

Bhaskar said that the actor’s manager is also in regular touch with the family to get updates on the boy’s condition.

The family is receiving support from both the Telangana government and Allu Arjun.

Bhaskar said Minister for Roads & Buildings and Cinematography Komatireddy Venkat Reddy gave them a cheque of Rs 25 lakh.

The boy’s father said after 20 days, they noticed some body movement.

“He also opened his eyes but did not recognise any of us,” he said.

A woman named Revathi died and her son Sri Tej was critically injured in the stampede at Sandhya Theatre.

Actor Allu Arjun was arrested in the case on December 13 and was released on interim bail the next day.

The Chikkadpally Police, which registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, interrogated Allu Arjun for more than three hours on Tuesday.

Continue Reading

Trending