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UP’s Khatu Shyam Temple Comes Up With Dress Code For Devotees

By LokMarg 30th June 2023

The Khatu Shyam temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur has come up with a dress code for its devotees. In an order issued by the temple committee, devotees have been requested to wear ‘decent’ clothes to the temple.

“It is a humble request to all women and men to wear decent clothes to the temple. Please have darshan from outside when you come wearing short clothes, half pants, Bermuda, mini skirt, night suit, torn jeans, etc. Please cooperate,” the order mentioned.
The Khatu Shyam temple’s decree came weeks after three major temples under Mahanirvani Akhara in Uttarakhand came up with a dress code for their devotees. The temples include Daksh Prajapati Temple at Kankhal in Haridwar, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple in Pauri district and Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple in Dehradun.

Earlier in June, Shrimahant Ravindra Puri, Secretary of Mahanirvani Akhara and President of Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad told ANI that women and girls cannot wear short clothes and enter the three temples that come under Mahanirvani Akhara.

“Women and girls cannot enter these three temples wearing short clothes. These three temples come under Mahanirvani Akhara,” Puri had said.

He further said that the Akhara has appealed to the devotees visiting the temple that the temple is a place for introspection and not for entertainment.

“On behalf of Mahanirvani Akhara, an appeal has been made to women and girls that if they are coming for temple worship, then they should wear clothes according to Indian tradition. Only then they will get entry into the temple”, he added.

Shrimant Ravindra Puri had appealed to women as well as their family members to come to the temples only with at least 80 per cent of their body covered. (ANI)

Ambubachi Mela, Guwahati: Devotees Offer Prayers To Goddess Kamakhya

By LokMarg 26th June 2023

A large number of devotees on Monday offered prayers to Goddess Kamakhya after the main door of the temple reopened after Nivritti ceremonies at the Ambubachi Mela.

The annual four-day-long Ambubachi Mela commenced on June 22, and after the Pravritti ceremonies, the temple’s main door was closed for three days and three nights, scheduled to reopen on June 26.
As per the visuals, the devotees could be seen waiting in a long queue on the temple premises.

After performing Nivritti, the main door of the historic temple was reopened on Monday morning.

The Ambubachi Mela is an annual Hindu fair held at the historic Kamakhya Temple, and it is the celebration of the yearly menstruation course of goddess Maa Kamakhya. Kamakhya Temple is located atop the Nilachal Hills in Assam and is one of 51 Shaktipeeths in the country. Devotees believe that Mother Earth becomes unclean for three days during the Goddess’ menstrual cycle and during this time any farming work is not taken on.

The Assam government and Kamakhya Temple management committee had made all arrangements for this year’s Ambubachi Mela. The state government had arranged food, drinking water, and toilet facilities and set up several tent houses for the devotees. The devotees came from all over the country and even outside it.

Himadri Sarma, a priest at the Kamakhya temple said that the VIP system for Darshan would be stopped this year after the reopening of the gates, and the general devotee line would be the only way to visit the Goddess Kamakhya.

“The Pravritti will be performed and for three days and three nights from June 22 to June 25, the Nivritti will be performed. On June 26 morning, after sunrise, Nivritti will conclude. After the Pravritti, the temple’s main door will be closed and reopened after the performance of Nivritti. The special VIP Darshan will be stopped on June 26 and 27, and the general devotees will be given preference. People can perform puja, and visit the Goddess Kamakhya in the general line,” he had said.

He further added that the security deployment was increased during this year’s Mela. (ANI)

Devotees Throng Ghats, Temples Across Country On New Year

By LokMarg 1st January 2023

To give an auspicious and promising start to the first day of 2023, devotees lined up in various temples and ghats across the country to seek blessings.

The country ring in New Year with massive celebrations, gleaming fireworks, and merriment. Cities across the country welcome 2023 with enthusiasm and splendor.

The city of ghats, Varanasi welcomed the New Year with a splendid Ganga Arti. The Arti was performed in the early morning hours of the New Year 2023 on the Assi Ghat.

Devotees in large numbers thronged to the bank of the Ganga river to witness the priests performing glorious Ganga Arti with the blowing of conch shells and clanging of Puja bells.

Meanwhile, in Ujjain, devotees assembled at Mahakaleshwar Temple to get a glimpse of ‘Bhasma aarti’ on Sunday.

Devotees from various cities gathered at the spiritual city of Ujjain to watch the magnificent Bhasma aarti of Lord Shiva which was performed in the early morning hours at the Mahakaleshwar Temple.

In the national capital, devotees visited Delhi’s famous Jhandewalan temple to offer prayers on the occasion of New Year 2023.

Heading to the western peninsular region of India Maharashtra, the New Year was greeted with the devotees gathering for ‘Aarti’ at the Shri Siddhivinayak Temple.

Inching towards Northern India, the people in the agricultural state of Punjab, embraced the New Year by seeking blessings at the Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar.

People thronged to Puri beach to witness the first sunrise to give a promising start to New Year.

In Southern India, devotees offered prayers at St.Luke’s Church in Anna Nagar, Chennai.

People offered prayers at Infant Jesus Church in Coimbatore on the occasion of New Year 2023.

Meanwhile, in Odisha, devotees in large numbers visited Puri Jagannath Temple to offer prayers on the occasion of New Year 2023. (ANI)