Temples: history, architecture and distribution

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Live web casting of Tirumala Brahmotsavam from sept.25</b>

TIRUPATI, SEPTEMBER 12 (TIRUPATITIMES.COM)

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) which manages the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala near here is all set conduct this year's nine-day annual Brahmotsvam festivals from September 25 to October 3, temple sources said.

According to TTD Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad's Manager, Mr.Y.Sivasankara Reddy,arrangements are being made for live "web casting" of the sacred processions of the Lord daily in the morning and night during the festivals for the benefit of tens of millions of devotees all over the world and the sacred songs and other traditional musical programes performed on the hills during the festival too can be heard from morning to night daily on the web of the India's richest temple.

The hyderabad Doordashan Kendra would telecast live the sacred processions of festivals, the temple sources said. The most sacred event of the mega festivals – Garuda Seva Procession of Lord- would take place on September 29 at 9 pm while the Chariot procession be conducted on October 2, the sources said.

Unprecedented security arrangements and beautification preparations including dozens of very huge illuminated Hindu Mythological cutouts are also made on the hills.
http://www.tirupatitimes.com/ <http://www.tirupatitimes.com/><!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Guest]

<b>Makreri Subramanya Temple</b>

Makreri Subramanya Temple is the only temple in Kerala where the main thanthri (Pujari) is Hanuman. Hanuman, in Thretha Yugam, has installed the main deity and He still does all the Pujas. Hence the power of this temple is unimaginable, though it is in the interiors and known to lesser number of people.

This temple is situated in a place called Makreri (short form of Markkadasseri) near Tellicherry in the district of Cannanore in Kerala. Even though this place is in a remote location from the main town, the temple has been determined by experts to be thousands of years old.

Through the latest online version www.makreri.com the temple gives its devotees an excellent opportunity to do all their poojas even when they are not in the physcial location in front of the Lord. Book your poojas through the system by entering your details and the poojas will be done on your names.

This temple is situated in a place called Makreri (short form of Markkadasseri) near Tellicherry in the district of Cannanore in Kerala. Even though this place is in a remote location from the main town, the temple has been determined by experts to be thousands of years old. The temple consists of two structures, where the same deities are installed. The main deity here is the Valli Parinaya Subramaniyan (Marriage of Subramaniyan and Valli).
This deity was installed by the Supreme among the Markkadas (monkey), Hanuman and hence this place is called Markkadasseri and later known as Makreri. It is still believed that Hanuman does all the Pujas and there is a vigraham (idol) of Hanuman in the main Thanthri’s (pujari’s) position. The temple thanthri (pujari) is considered as a helper to the main thanthri and he, after asking the permission of Hanuman, does all the pujas.

Very few people know the story behind this temple, even though it is clearly documented in The Ramayana.

During the exile period of Sri Ramachandra, Sri Lakshmana and Sita Devi, it so happened that they had to stay in a place inside the forest called Perallasseri. During this stay, it so happened that Hanuman also had the blessing to stay with this divine group in this place for sometime. The tribal people who were in this forest, upon knowing the divine power of this group started to provide all the help needed for them. They began to pray to this group for their blessings. Seeing this Hanuman wanted to create a temple in this location for the people to pray to Sri Ramachandra and Sita Devi for blessings and removing this pain. On hearing Hanuman’s request, Sri Rama told Hanuman that they are in exile and of the Human form and hence creating an idol of them is not correct according to the Shasthras.


Sri Rama suggested an alternative, saying that if Hanuman could find an equivalent vigraham (idol), Sri Rama would do the prathishta in the same location. Hanuman thought about this for some time and found that the only idol that will be equivalent to Sri Rama and Sita Devi together will be the Valli Parinaya Subramaniyan. Through his njana drishti (6th sense), Hanuman found that he could find this vigraham from Sarayu River in Northern part of Bharatha (India).


Sri Hanuman told Sri Rama about his idea for which, Sri Rama immediately agreed with a pleasant smile telling the right moment for the ceremony. After saying adieu to all, Sri Hanuman immediately started to get the vigraham from Sarayu River before the fixed time. However, since Hanuman was unaware of his unlimited strength and power, he took more time to find the vigraham.


As the decided time approached, Sri Rama, not seeing Hanuman, decided to do the prathishta with his Peruvala (large bangle). That is why this place came to be known as Peruvalasseri and later Perallasseri. Immediately after the prathishta ceremony was over, Hanuman returned with the idol and seeing the ceremony got over, he became very sad. Seeing the tears and parama bhakhi of Hanuman, Sri Rama asked him to install the vigraham one foot West of the current prathishta. Moreover Sri Rama told everyone that to get his blessings, anyone who prays at Perallasseri needs to pray at Makreri too else the prayers go unanswered.

Hearing this Hanuman became very happy and immediately installed the idol one foot West. However for doing the prathishta ceremony as well as for the pujas, he couldn’t find punya theertham (holy water) and hence he used his powerful tail to smash on the ground to create a chira (a small pond containing punya theertham).

Since the main thanthri is Hanuman who himself is a punya athma, the prathishta got uncontrollable power. In order to control this power as well as to give daily darshan to parama bhakta hanuman, Sri Rama took His original form of Maha Vishnu sand installed himself on the three sides of the temple.

The noted South Indian music director Sri Dakshinamurthy is one of the staunchest beleiver of the power of the Lord here.

A New Saraswathy Mandapam being constructed by Sri Dakshinamurthy Swami
The Saraswathy Mandapam being constructed by Sri Dakshinamurthy Swami will house his pooja temple with Lingams, Saligram and other Vigrahas, for which the poojas have been done unpertubed for the last five decades. Swami discloses that all his happiness and success were the direct results of these constant and unrelenting poojas. The poojas will be continued in the temple by the priest for many more coming decades as per Swami's ambition.

He, being a musician, would be delighted to conduct all functions and occasions related to music in this mandapam and it is a common notion in the music community that any "arengettam" (the first public performance) done in the presence of these powerful vigrahas will attain success with much ease.

The public can also offer their worships to these vigrahas once the Saraswathy Mandapam is fully constructed.

Sri V. Dakshinamoorthy will be conducting the yearly Thyagraja Akhanda Sangeetha Aradhana Yagnam as well as Anjaneya Sahasra Nama Laksharchana, which is his Athmaradhana on December this year. The Sangeetha Aradhana Yagnam will be conducted from 29th December and will end on 31st December 2006. The Anjaneya Sahasra Nama Laksharchana will commence from 8:30 AM on December 29th 2006. The musical offering will commence on 30-12-2006 at 8 AM and will continue for 24 hours.

Devotees who are interested in knowing more about these programs, please contact us directly

[Guest]

got this in email:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->YS Jagan, son of YS Rajasekhar Reddy blows up a Hindu temple

Friday, 08 September 2006


http://www.andhrajyothy.com/mainshow.asp...sep/5main8
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, son of Y S Rajasekhar Reddy once again publicly affirmed his family's intolerance towards Hindu religion by blowing up Sunkulamma temple in Obullapuram village in Anantapur district. Jagan and his friend Janardhan Reddy used powerful bombs and grounded the temple which is highly revered by locals. Though some congressmen claimed that Jagan did that as part of his illegal iron mining business, questions are being raised whether he would have blown up a church under similar circumstances.

http://www.crusadewatch.org/index.php?op...&Itemid=91

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Can anyone confirm this?

[Guest]

Hello all,

Found this forum when searching some reference on medieval Indian history. Basically I’m a travel geek from south India with additional interest in history.

Additional interests, photography and I’m in the process of setting up a tiny site (looks like at least an year to go ) on Hampi with my photo collections, articles on Hampi, Vijayanagara Empire are so on….

<!--emo&--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> gohampi

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Government ploy to take over 4 lakh temple trusts:
Mosques excluded </b>
http://www.hindujag ruti.org/ eng/phpnews/ news.php? action=fullnews& id=943
26 September, 2006

HJS decided to challenge the Anti-Hindu policies of
the Government with all its strength

<i>(The Government has appointed its officer even on the
Siddhivinayak Trust and misappropriated Trusts funds.
Now it wants to take over even other temples. Hindus
should realize that under the guise of secularism, the
Government run by both the Congress Parties is trying
to assault Hindus places of worship. If Hindus do not
unite against the Government, the places would be
destroyed soon. Editor) </i>


Mumbai: Maharashtra Government is planning to take
over trusts of temples and financial trusts under its
15th Regulation. As per the report of the committee
formed in this respect, the government is going to
take over these trusts and appoint their
representative. The information was given by Shri.
Mangalprabhat Lodha, a BJP MLA.

In a meeting to oppose the Governments move leaders
of Jain sect planned to hold agitations in three
stages. More than 600 staunch Hindus attended the
meeting and decided to participate in the agitation.
Under article 25 and 26 of State Regulations on
Secularism, everyone has freedom to follow any
religion. Even then, the State Government is planning
to pass such black Act against Hindus. At the same
time, the Government is trying to exclude 80,000
Muslim Trusts from the purview of this Act. The
Committee will decide further course of action after
taking legal advice from prominent persons in the
field.

Anti-Hindu policies of the Government will be
challenged with all strength HJS

The Congress Government always has an eye on the funds
belonging to Hindu temples. It is looting the
Government coffers and on the other hand, it is now
planning to seize the milking cow. On one hand, it is
declaring financial aid to madarassas and on the other
hand, the Government is planning to take over Hindu
temples. The malpractices in managing funds of Sree
Siddhivinayak temple trust makes Governments motive
in having control, quite clear. A few days back,
Karnataka High Court had admonished the State
Government that they can not take over only Hindu
temples. Even then, the State Government in
Maharashtra is planning to take over Hindu temples.
Shri. Ramesh Shinde, the States Spokesperson of HJS
said that the Samiti would fight the anti-Hindu ploy
of State Government will all its strength.

<i>Source: Daily Sanatan Prabhat</i>

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[ramana]

Deccan Chronicel, 15 Oct., 2006. The townis also famous for being the home town of PV Narasimha Rao.

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Abode of mantras
 
Heritage

<b>Karimnagar: A heritage museum has been set up by the Sri Seetharama Sevasadan of Manthani to familiarise the new generation with the resplendent heritage of the temple town, which was called Mantrakuta in the days of ore. </b>The museum, named Mantrapuri Darshanam, is an attempt to chronicle and highlight the way of life and customs of Manthani people for ages.

According to legends, Lord Gautameswara (Shiva), the presiding deity of the town, created it as a refuge for sages who were being pestered by demonic beings.  The word Mantrakuta literally means centre of mantras or chants of the Vedas. <b>There is also another belief that the temple town derived its name from the hermitage of Sage Gautama, where people from far-off places came to learn Veda mantras.</b>

Historians also agree that the temple town is very old. References to Manthani are found in the Skanda Purana and inscriptions at Gaya, proving its long history. Archaeologists found similar inscriptions in the Hanuman temple at Manthani.  During the sixth century AD, Adi Sankaracharya visited the town. There are records of the Jagadguru’s visit at Dwarakapeetam and Pushpagiripeetam.

The area was under the rule of Kakatiya kings and later came under the control of Mohammad-bin-Tuglaq and his deputies, until it became part of the Nizam’s territory in 1724 AD. All these legends and vignettes have found place in the museum, wherein wide range of tools and artefacts from bygone eras have been displayed. They were collected painstakingly by volunteers of the sevasadan.

The heritage museum, a brainchild of Narayana Guruji, the founder of the sevasadan, was formally opened for visitors by government whip D. Sridhar Babu, a native of Manthani, on April 3. “It is a commendable effort,” said Mr Sashi Bhushan Kache, former sarpanch of Manthani. “The old building housing the museum is itself an instance of the distinctive architectural culture of our town.”

Visitors can see artistically carved earthen pots, brass and steel utensils, intricately designed wooden furniture, various household articles, ornaments, musical instruments and traditional dresses reflecting the judicious blend of Telangana and Marathi cultures. Town dwellers have also done their mite. M. Savitri, a resident of Manthani, donated the Uyyala, dangling wooden furniture preserved by her forefathers. Another resident, Krishna Mohan, gifted the large Naagali (traditional agriculture tool used to till the land) dating back over a century.  “It reminds us of the glory of the past and the rich lifestyle of our forefathers”, said S Rakesh, an intermediate student of Manthani. “It’s entertaining and informative.”
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[Guest]

<b>Sri Lankan minister in Punjab to procure idols of Hindu gods</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Chandigargh, September 26:<b> THE Seetha Eliya Temple (Ashok Vatika) located in the Central Province in Sri Lanka will soon have idols of Hindu gods (Ram Darbar) that are being procured from Punjab.</b>

Sri Lankan Central Province minister V Radhakrishnan, who reached Chandigarh today for the purpose, said the temple, where Goddess Sita was kept in captivity by Ravana, would be promoted on the religious tourism circuit for which talks were being pursued by both the countries.

The minister will collect the idols at the end of a spiritual function to be held at village Banga in Nawashahr on Wednesday. The idols are being donated by Ashok Kanth, the director of Pizza Hut, Kawait, who hails from Punjab. SAD president Prakash Singh Badal and senior BJP leaders including Harjit Singh Grewal and Vijay Sampla will also be present on the occasion tomorrow.

Talking to mediapersons today, V Radhakrishnan, who is also the temple trustee, said over 5,000 people including foreigners descend on the temple every week to pay obeisance<b>. Besides being the place where Goddess Sita was kept by Ravana, V Radhakrishnan said the temple site also has footmarks of Lord Hanumana. He said the temple site was being renovated with voluntary donations pouring in from India and Sri Lanka. BJP’s Harjit Singh Grewal said the process would strengthen religious and cultural ties between the two countries</b>. BJP Youth leader Vineet Joshi was also present on the occasion.
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[Guest]

Mahabalipuram. 625-674 AD
<img src='http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/bevans/Art101/Art101B-0-India/WebPage-ImageF.00061.jpeg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Bhuvaneshwar Mukteshwar Temple
<img src='http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/bevans/Art101/Art101B-0-India/WebPage-ImageF.00078.jpeg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Bodhgaya, Bihar
<img src='http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/bevans/Art101/Art101B-0-India/WebPage-ImageF.00017.jpeg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Guest]

Bodhivriksha, Bodhgaya. Gautama Buddha attained Bodhatva meditating under this tree. King Asoka had sent the saplings from this tree to different places as far away as Sri Lanka.
<img src='http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/bevans/Art101/Art101B-0-India/WebPage-ImageF.00018.jpeg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Varah Avatar. Udayagiri cave.
<img src='http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/bevans/Art101/Art101B-0-India/WebPage-ImageF.00054.jpeg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat. Tower of Bayon.
<img src='http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/bevans/Art101/Art101B-0-India/WebPage-ImageF.00103.jpeg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Guest]

General layout differences between Bauddha stupa, North Indian temple-style and South-Indian temple style:

While Southern temples have a cap-stone on top, Stupas usually have Chhatra or umbrella, and North-Indian temples have Kalasha/Amalaka.

Also for Main dome/Chaitya, Stupas usually have hemisperical hollow, Southern temples usually are in shape of a Rath or Vimana, while North Indian classical temples usually have a Shikhar or mountain-like structure.

<img src='http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/bevans/Art101/Art101B-0-India/WebPage-ImageF.00058.jpeg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Classic example of the three are below:

[Guest]

a) Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh, constructed between 50 B.C. to A.D. 50
<img src='http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/bevans/Art101/Art101B-0-India/WebPage-ImageF.00022.jpeg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

b) Great Temple of Madurai, TN. 17th century, Vijayanagar/Nayak dynasty.
<img src='http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/bevans/Art101/Art101B-0-India/WebPage-ImageF.00082.jpeg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

c) Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Khajuraho. 1000 AD by Chandel Dynasty (c. 800-1350)
<img src='http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/bevans/Art101/Art101B-0-India/WebPage-ImageF.00074.jpeg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Guest]

<b>Shiv temple turns into slaughterhouse in Pakistan</b>
http://www.hindujagruti.org/temple/index.php?id=10

A self-proclaimed Muslim cleric have seized a century old historic Shiv temple located in Pawaldass compound of Lyari town, Karachi, Sindh province. This Shiv
temple has been turned into a slaughter area by local butchers. (Ref: The News)

Shocking facts

"They have erased the pictures of Hindu deities from the tiles of the temple, and forced Hindu worshippers to move to a small nearby room, where not more than two people can worship at a given time." - Iqbal Haider, general secretary of the HRCP Baghdadi police reportedly allow the Muslims to slaughter the cows inside the compound’s walls to insult Hindu religion and scare the community. Whenever there are any Hindu religious ceremonies, like Holy, Deewali, Janam Ashtmi or the birthday of Shiva Jee, inside the compound, the Muslim extremists throw stones and filth to stop the functions and the police do not intervene at all to stop these acts. Several Hindu girls have been reportedly raped within the compound but the Baghdadi police showed no willingness to register the cases. According to the All Pakistan Minority Alliance, this year has already seen roughly 25 girls from the Hindu community allegedly forced to convert to Islam in the province of Sindh. The method of choice to convert the girls who are abducted is to have them marry within the Muslim community.
The concerned compound is exclusively earmarked for Hindu families by the Sindh provincial government under the Evacuee Property Act 1957 but land grabbers have been forcibly evicting residents in this compound with the help of Baghdadi police in Kakri ground, Lyari town. As a result of this the number of families
have decreased to 35.
A petition.... ......... ......... ..We demand that -

1. The encroachment should be evicted and the temple be handed over to the Hindu families who have been living there.
2. The sanctity of the temple be reinstated and made suitable for worship of Hindus.
3. Those involved in this dastardly act be punished.
4. Protection should be granted to the temple to prevent recurrences of such instances.
5. The Pakistan Government to intervene in this matter and see that atrocities against Hindus are stopped and respect given to Hindus.
6. The Indian Government to lodge their protest against this and protect the rights and respect of the Hindus in Pakistan.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_ detail.asp?id=27636

<b>Temple turns into slaughterhouse</b>

KARACHI: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan strongly condemned the encroachment of the premises of the Hindu temple located at Pawaldass Compound in Lyari that has been turned into a slaughter area by local butchers.

Residents of the area have brought to the attention of HRCP the fact that butchers are turning the compound on which a temple is situated into a slaughter area, says a statement released by the organisation on Monday.

Confirming the veracity of the complaint made by the Hindu community, the HRCP says that this action is not only illegal, but has provoked the sensitivities of Hindus. They have demanded the Sindh government and the City Nazim take immediate action against this encroachment to protect the rights of the Hindus and in the larger interest of communal harmony.

In a letter addressed to the provincial government, HRCP draws immediate attention regarding the Baghdadi police’s alleged collaboration with the alleged perpetrators in a series of attacks on over 100 Hindu families living in the century old residential compound in Lyari town of Karachi.

According to the information received by Muhammad Ejaz Ahsan, Program Coordinator HRCP, the concerned compound is exclusively earmarked for Hindu families by the Sindh provincial government under the Evacuee Property Act 1957 but land grabbers have been forcibly evicting residents in this compound with the help of Baghdadi police in Kakri ground, Lyari town. As a result of this the number of families have decreased to 35.

Mr. Ahsan was also informed that Baghdadi police were themselves involved in helping the Muslim land grabbers by allegedly forcing the Hindu residents to sign on the residential document in exchange for a very small amount, which subsequently gives the right of using the land to the land grabbers.

“It is shocking to learn that the Baghdadi police reportedly allowed the Muslims to slaughter the cows inside the compoundís walls that is an insult Hindu religion and also took over the Shiv Mander temple and transformed it into a place for Muslim worship,” said Mr. Ahsan

On behalf of HRCP, he urged the Government of Pakistan to strictly enforce the laws to protect rights of religious minorities and take strong measures against law enforcement officials who collaborate with the alleged perpetrators and fail to take proper action into the concerned cases.

[Guest]

Periyar's statue near Srirangam temple draws protest

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Guess what the secular has done now? Well, it has deemed it fit to instal the statue of E V Ramasamy Naicker - Periyar for the devotees of Dravidianism in front of the Rajagopuram of Srirangam temple.

        He was a man who made a life out mocking the Hindu sensibilities and sentiments. But he did that in his individual capacity. By installing his statue where Hindus congregate in large numbers, the government, seems to have given institutionalised legitimacy to his acts.

        This is perhaps the secularism of Dravidian vintage.

        The installation of the statue of a known Hindu-baiter near a hoary temple has obviously hurt the sentiments of many.
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[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->
<!--QuoteBegin--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->There should be reasonable limits to the pursuit of liberty.  Secularism does NOT mean denial of aadhyaatmika or aagama traditions. Secularism means pantha-nirapekshataa, neutrality as to pantha. A Constitution which enshrines Fundamental Duties is a respec for Sanatana Dharma which is the greatest secular tradition. In fact, the Hindi version of the Constitution whose preamble was amended during Indira Gandhi regime translates secularism as 'pantha-nirapekshataa'.

Sentiments of crores of Hindu should be respected. There are sacred, pilgrimage sites which should not be subjected to sacrilege by naastika or insults to the Hindu who practice sanatana dharma, esha dhammo sanantano.

There should be a demand to declare Srirangam as a sacred, pilgrimage city and there should be no sale of maamsam or alcoholic drinks around the entire temple premises. The pavitrataa of the site should be celebrated.

It is notable that even AP government has declared Tirumala as a sacred city and out of bounds for proselytizers.  Govt. of Haryana has declared Kurukshetra as a sacred city and banned the sale of maamsam in that city.

The planned move to instal the EVR statue in front of the Rajagopuram should be given up. Why was the particular site chosen? Why not in front of a church or mosque?

---

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EVR statue installed amidst protests
Wednesday November 22 2006 10:57 IST
TRICHY: Amidst strong protests by various Hindu organisations, a life-size statue of EVR Periyar was installed in front of the 'Rajagopuram' of Sri Ranganathaswami Temple, Srirangam, on Tuesday.

According to sources, the decision to install the statue was taken years ago and a resolution to that effect was adopted by the Srirangam Municipal Council during the chairmanship of Y Venkateswara Dikshitar in 1973.

Based on the resolution, the government had issued an order (G O No 162 dated 24.01.1973) allocating a piece of land measuring 144 sq ft (S F No 720/1A2) near the Srirangam police station for the purpose. A notice was also issued to the secretary of 'Suyamariyadhai Kazhagam' on February 25, 1975.

Subsequently, Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) general secretary K Veeramani laid the foundation stone on December 4, 1996. But, the installation of the statue was getting delayed due to the stiff opposition by the Hindu fronts. The move to dig up the ground in May 2006 and lay the basement for the statue were also abandoned due to the opposition.

However, work on the installation began on Saturday last after the district office-bearers of the DK held discussions with Veeramani.

Against this backdrop, the DK activists installed the statue on the masonry construction on Tuesday. However, the pedestal and platform are yet to be constructed.

According to DK office-bearers, the work is yet to be completed. However, they expressed confidence that it would be completed before December 24, the death anniversary of EVR, and the statue would be unveiled by Veeramani.

The installation, as expected, has triggered displeasure among the devout.

According to BJP State working committee member S Ramakrishnan, DK activists had offended the sentiments of the Hindu believers by the installation the statue of EVR, who was an atheist, in front of the world- renowened Srirangam Rajagopuram.

''Srirangam is one of the 108 Vaisnavite kshetrams where urchavams are taking place throughout the year. By installing the statue of EVR, who had described believers as ''fools'', DK activists have hurt the sentiments of Hindu believers,'' Ramakrishnan told this website's newspaper.

Ramakrishnan, however, clarified that Hindus were not opposed to the installation of the statue of EVR elsewhere.


http://tinyurl.com/yb4oma
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[Guest]

Wait for Govt sanction, says HC Bench - Periyar statue not for now

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->A Division bench comprising Justices D Murugesan and P Murugesan, hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a devotee seeking stay on installation, asked the installation committee to 'wait for permission from the government for unveiling the statue.'

        It was argued on behalf of the petitioner that a statue in front of the temple would infringe upon the right to freedom of religion guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution. Moreover, the act would also attract various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the City Police Act.

        A Government Order (221of 1998) requiring the sanction of State for the installation would also be violated if the statue was unveiled.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Hauma Hamiddha]

The vaikhAnasas appear to represent an archaic branch of vaiShNavas who are distinct from the more popular and numerous pA~ncharAtrins. The vaikhAnasas however were and are still influential in few south Indian temples including the world's most famous shrine, venkaTAdri (Other examples being the viShNu temple of vANamAmalai). The vaikhAnasas belong to a kR^iShNa yajurvedic shAkhA founded by the descendent of the ancient R^iShi of the A~Ngirasa clan, vikhAnas. The vaikhAnasas seem to have adopted a form of vaiShnavism early on, and are probably even amongst the earliest of the vaiShNavas alluded to in the nArAyaNIya section of the mahAbhArata. They possess many unique tantras of their own. One such collection is the vaikhAnasa mantra pATha which is a striking collection of mantras used in the private vaikhAnasa ritual. Their main tantras pertaining to the installation and worship of idols are the bhR^igu, atri, kAshyapa and marIchi saMhitAs. The bhR^igu work mainly convers temple rituals. atri too covers these topics at great depth including the design of temples. kAshyapa's Agama is mainly in sutraic form. Like many other great traditions of India we notice medieval historical references to the vaikhAnasa Agamas from both the extreme north of India- kAshmIra and the drAviDa and Andhra countries to the south. It finds mention in both the literary works of Sanskrit writers from drAviDa, like daNDin and jayanta bhaTTa of kAshmIra.

The vaikhAnasas describe five fold states of viShNu, which is parallel to the pA~ncharatric doctrine. 1) viShNu is the sarva vyApin, the primary source, the eternal state from which all arise. 2) From him differentiates the puruSha, which is a distinct entity or the property of existence, termed consciousness. 3) From viShNu also emanates satya, the which is the matter comprising the universe. 4) acyuta is the time-invariant aspect of all matter. 5) aniruddha is the ultimate atomic particle of all existence. These five states of viShNu are represented by the vaikhAnasas as the 5 vedic fires: 1) gArhapatya, 2) AhavanIya, 3) dakShiNAgni, 4) anvAhArya and 5) sabhya. While viShNu is their primary deity, the vaikhAnasas, like the early pA~ncharAtrins worship the rest of the Hindu pantheon with a series of elaborate oblations and tarpaNaMs.

The vaikhAnasa tantras usually dialate upon: 1) karShaNa- construction of shrines 2) pratiShTha- installation of idols of gods and goddess 3) pUjA- worship of the idols 4) snApana- the abhisheka or bathing of idols 5) utsava- festivals and processions 6) prAyashchitta- expiatory rites relating to utsavas and errors in rituals. Interestingly for all these rites the vaikhAnasa priests are organized as per the traditional vedic division into hotA-s, udgAtA-s and adhvaryu-s and brahmA-s deploying the 4 vedic saMhitAs. All the rituals for the above procedures depend upon oblations in the vedic fires.

The bhr^igu, marichI and atri saMhitAs in particular go into different aspects of architecture of vaikhAnasa viShNu temples, while other fragments cover chitra karma or painting of pictures of deities. The basic plan of a temple is termed the vimAna. The atri saMhitA enumerates 96 different plans of vimAnas, which are described as belong to the several basic classes termed brahmA, viShNu, rudra, indra, soma and those of various brahmins. The paddhati of ishAnashiva mishra, the siddhAnta tantric, also mentions 96 vimAnas for the construction of shiva temples, many of which match the vaikhAnasa set implying that basic hindu temple architectures had an early common ancestor in the form of the proto-agAma. The old viShNu temples over South India represent many of these 96 vimAna forms suggesting the wide use of the vaikhAnasa tradition before their take over by the pA~ncharatrins.

5 different idols are made for the vaikhAnasa temple. The dhruva idol is the permanent idol of viShNu whom may be in standing (Tirupati), sleeping (Shrirangam) or sitting (Urakam, Kanchi) poses and display vIra (heroic), yoga (yogic) or bhoga (relaxing or amorous) disposition. Stone, copper, clay or wood may be used for the dhruva idol. The next idol is the kautuka idol, made of gems, stone, copper, silver, gold or wood and it 1/3 to 5/9 the size of the dhruva. This idol is used for all offerings. The snApaka idol is smaller than the kautuka and is used for abhisheka and made similarly. The next idol is the utsava idol always made of metal and is used in festival processions. The final idol is the bali made of shiny metal and is daily taken around the central shrine when offerings are made to indra and other devas, as well as jaya and vijaya. For matsya and kUrma idols no kautuka is made and the oblations are made into the gArhapatya. In case of various fiery and watery varAha-s the offerings are made in the sabhya fire. vaikhAnasa-s make only simple nR^isiMha images and install him with offerings in the AhavanIya. trivikrama and bhArgava are installed with oblations in the anvAhArya fire. For rAmachandra and balabhadra the dakShiNagni is used, while for devakIputra and kalkI the paunDarIka fire is used. For garuDa and viShvaksena the AhavanIya is used.

[Guest]

Aerial attack carried out by the Buddist Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) on the Historic Hindu Temple
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->erial attacks were carried out by the Buddist Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) on the well known Historic Hindu Sithirivelautha Swami (Murugan) Temple located in Verugal in Eachchilampathu division, south of Trincomalee district. Temple buildings have been completely damaged in the aerial strike on Thursday. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->According to historians, the Koneswaram temple was built during 1300 BC and was destroyed by Portuguese in 1624 AD on Tamil New Year day.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[ramana]

bodhi, Thanks for the sketches and pics of the stupa and the temples. Is the stupa a hollow dome or is it solid?

never mind here is the wiki page on Stupas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stupa

looks interesting that mosques have similar elements as the stupas!

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Pakistani soil for dream Kashi temple  </b>   

UNITED NEWS OF INDIA

Varanasi, Jan 5: In a novel cultural linkage between India and Pakistan, soil from across the border is likely to provide the pristine genesis to the first of its kind temple in the ancient city, dedicated to father of Sanskrit grammar Maharishi Panini.

‘’The Maharishi Panini Smarak temple, the first of its kind devoted to Maharishi Panini anywhere, will come up in four years time at the sprawling campus of Panini Kanya Mahavidyalai engaged in imparting Sanskrit and Vedic education to girls for the last three decades,’’ Panini Smarak Mandir Nirman Samiti coordinator Nandan Satyam told UNI here Friday.

‘’The grammarian par excellence was born in Lahur village in Attock in Pakistan’s Punjab provence. We propose to send a delegation across the border to bring soil from the native village of Maharishi Panini, where a stupa still exists in his memory. The pristine soil from Panini’s land will be used in laying the foundation of the grand temple to be built at a cost of Rs five crore,’’ Dr Satyam added.

‘’We are in touch with the External Affairs ministry and Islamabad and clearance for sending the delegation for the sacred objective is likely before the Basant Panchami day (January 23 next) when the foundation of the dream temple cum model centre for Sanskrit learning and research will be laid,’’ he maintained.

‘’The Pakistan government has built the stupa in Panini’s memory at his village besides releasing a commemorative postal stamp in his memory two years ago, which makes us believe that clearance for our visit will not be difficult,’’ Dr Satyam said.

‘’If at all the clearance is not given by the two governments in time, the foundation of the temple will be laid with soil of Kashi only, but whenever in future we get to go to the village, the soil from there will be brought to be utilised in the construction of a stupa in the Sanskrit genius’s memory inside the temple dedicated to him,’’ he added.

To be built solely out of white marble, the temple will host inscriptions of the 4,000 ‘sutras’ of from Panini’s Ashtadhyayi, which has long served the basis of Sanskrit grammar.

‘’Through the Ashthadyayi Grammar, a Sanskrit student can acquire knowledge of the Vedas the Upanishads, Bhagvad Gta, Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata and other sacred Sanskrit scriptures. The temple with the 4,000 sutras engraved on its walls will provide the ultimate learning experience to girl students studying at the Mahavidyalay to become Sanskrit Acharyas and Purohits,’’ one of the eight teachers at the institution Acharya Surya Devi Chaturveda said.

The temple will also comprise a grand ‘yajna sthali’ which will play a seminal role in teaching the basics of ‘Vedic Karmakanda’ to girl students aspiring to become ‘Mahila Purohits,’ Ms Chaturveda added.

The temple will be constructed by a team of artisans led by Tamil Nadu based sculptor R Balgangadharan, who claims to have built at least 300 temple in southern India based on the ancient Chola, Pallava and Pandya styles.

http://www.greaterk ashmir.com/ Home/Newsdetails .asp?newsid= 2335&Issueid=110&Arch=
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[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Some Shocking Facts about Corruption in Hindu Nationalized Temples</b>.

There are as many as 2,07,000 temples in Karnataka and the total
income of these temples amounts to 72 crores and only a sum of Rs. 6
crores is being spent by the Government for their upkeep. On the
other hand, the Government spent a phenomenal amount of Rs.50 crores
for the madrasas and Rs.10 crores for the churches, and for the Hindu
temples only a partly sum of Rs.6 crores is being spent.

Why the Church is the biggest landlord in the country-Church was the
biggest landlord in the country and all of them get protected because
of the Societies Registration Act of 1860, which was enacted by the
British only for the purpose of protecting the church. All of them
had taken the protection of this Act.

Legislation is made by the representatives elected by the people-
This legislation is made by the representatives elected by the
people. There are 550 Lok Sabha members in this country, 250 Rajya
Sabha members 300 MLSs, 700 MLCs, 500 Zilla Parishad members, 39,600
Panchayat Samiti members, 28,000 Corroborators, 3,700 Municipal
presidents, 11,200 Municipal members, 12,600 other Board members.

The draconian law of Karnataka affecting the Matadhipathis and
Acharyas - Many Acharyas have highlighted the problems faced by them
because of the clutches of the Endowment Act. In the year 1992-93,
the Government of Karnataka, in the process of bringing a common law
for all the five sub-regions in the State, as per the directions of
the Supreme Court, came out with a draconian law as per which a
Matadhipathi, an Acharya, who we treated as equal to God, had to take
permission for making any expenditure above Rs.100 and that
permission had to be got from Government official of the level of a
Tahsildar and not even at the level of an Assistant Commissioner.

It has, been claimed that, in 1997, the Karnataka Government
received a revenue of Rs 52.35 crore from 2,64,000 temples. Of this,
Rs 17.33 crore was returned to the temples for maintenace; Rs 9.25
crore allocated for Madrasa development and Rs 3 crore for church
development. The balance Rs 22.77 crore was diverted towards
Government programs. The situation was much the same in 1998.

However, in 1999, it is alleged, the State collected Rs 65.35 crore
in revenue; gave Rs 15 crore for temple maintenance, and diverted Rs
27 crore to Madrasa development and Haj subsidy and Rs 8 crore for
church development. No details were available about the use of the
balance Rs 17.35 crore.

In 2000, the temples generated a revenue of Rs 69.96 crore, but
received only Rs 13.75 crore for maintenance. The Madrasa-Haj subsidy
rose to Rs 35 crore. In 2001, temple revenue further rose to Rs 71.60
crore, while maintenance grants shrank to Rs 11.50 crore, and Madrasa
development funds rose to Rs 45 crore. Church development received Rs
10 crore.

In 2002, the State received Rs 72 crore as revenue, returned Rs 10
crore for temple maintenance, and granted Rs 50 crore for Madrasas
and Rs 10 crore for churches. Hindu friends protest that this studied
neglect of temples under the direct control of the State Government
could cause as many as 50,000 of the 2.6 lakh temples in Karnataka to
close down within five years. Many ancient temples are in extremely
poor condition, and their managements and priests carp about
inadequate funds. Even salaries are not disbursed regularly, and
priests are forced to survive on donations made by devotees in the
aarti plate.

There is a move to take away Tirumala temple lands and distribute
them among poorer sections in the name of social justice. Around
3,000 acres of temple lands have been identified for takeover.

70% (Rs. 50.00 Crores) of Hindu Temples money is diverted for Muslim
Madarasas and Haj by Indian Government.
5,000 Temples in Karnataka to be closed down due to lack of funding
and maintenance.

During Kumbh Mela in Nasik each Hindu was forced to pay Rs.25 to
Rs.50 for a dip in the holy water. Congress, BJP and Shiv Sena said
nothing about this (while giving money to Muslims and Christians).
Today, if a Hindu or Sikh wishes to visit holy places in Kailash
Mansarovar or Gurudwara in Pakistan, leave alone subsidiary, they are
forced to shell out large amount of money to visit their holy places
(while Islam enjoys massive 70% share of Hindus hard earned money to
visit Haj in Saudi Arabia)

The Congress Government of Karnataka has made another breakthrough
in appeasing the Minority Communities in Karnataka. The Government
passed a bill in the assembly that all private owned temples and the
temple comprising of trustees in Karnataka must pay minimum tax to
the Government every year. Failing to which, the authorized people of
the temple would be liable and or would be prosecuted. This law is
being passed in order to generate income for the development of
Madarasas and provide subsidies to Haj Pilgrims in Karnataka
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