Somanathapura temple included for World Heritage Site nomination

The Belur, Halebid, and Somanathapura temples will be nominated for seeking the UNESCO World Heritage Site status and the final dossier is set for submission ahead of the September 30 deadline.

Both Belur and Halebid have been under the UNESCO’s tentative list for the last six years, and it was decided at the stakeholders’ meeting held recently to include the 12th century Keshava temple at Somanathapura as part of the serial nomination process under the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas.

The State Archaeology Department has tied up with Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Bengaluru, for the preparation of the dossier, and the work commenced in September last year.

B.R. Poornima, Commissioner of the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, told The Hindu that the final dossier has been submitted to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which represents the country at the UNESCO world heritage meetings. She said the stakeholders’ meeting with local community members has also been conducted and there would be follow-up regarding site management.

Complete news: DB

These ancient Hindu temples still exist in Pakistan

The borderline between India and Pakistan was drawn in the post-independence bifurcation, but there are still many temples that exist in Pakistan. Today, we are going to tell you about some of the famous and ancient temples that exist in Pakistan.

1- The very ancient temple of Hinglaj Devi, present in Balochistan, Pakistan, is one of the 51 maha shaktipeeths. People come from different places to visit this temple .

2 - The Katasraj temple in Pakistan's Chakwal is the largest Shiva temples in Pakistan , with a cave and a pond near the temple. People say that bathing in this pond can relieve all the suffering and diseases of the people .

3- The Tharparkar Gauri Temple in Pakistan is considered to be very revered. It is the third largest temple in Pakistan.

4- Shiva Temple Built in POK  was once very important for devotees but after partition, the temple has become a shambles.

Source: NT

Singapore: Innovative 1-in-3 Hindu Temple

The Arulmigu Velmurugan Gnanamuneeswarar Temple (AVGMT) is the first Hindu temple in Singapore to have brought three religious abodes under one roof. They are the Arulmigu Velmurugan Temple that was once in Silat Road, the Shri Krishna Bhagawan-Durga Parameswari Temple and Sri Mariamman Muneeswarar Temple which were both formerly in Jalan Kayu.

The temple is also unusual in that it is the country’s first Hindu temple built with modern amenities, such as a subsidised preschool, within its premises.

Sengkang GRC MPs He Ting Ru, Jamus Lim, Raeesah Khan and Louis Chua were accompanied by WP leaders Pritam Singh and Sylvia Lim during the visit to the temple on Sunday (Aug 30) morning.

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Kerala: Guardian Crocodile of the Ananthapura Lake Temple

Babiya is the guardian of the Ananthapura Lake Temple that stands in the namesake village in the Kasaragod District of Kerala. According to the local legend, Babiya feeds only on the temple prasad which is offered every day after the noon worship of the deity. The vegetarian prasad comprises of cooked rice and jaggery, and is fed to the friendly croc by the devotees fearlessly, by their hands.

A wonderful story associated with Lord Krishna and one of his ardent devotees throws light on the purpose of Babiya’s existence. As per it, when Sri Vilvamangalathu Swami was engaged in deep meditation to win the favour of his tutelary deity, Sri Vishnu, Lord Krishna appeared as a young boy and started playing pranks to test his devotee. Ruffled by the mischief of the little one, Vilvamangalathu Swami brushed him aside. By the time that sage realised his error, the boy-Krishna had vanished into the cave close-by. The crevice into which Krishna had disappeared is located somewhere inside the temple. And, the crocodile Babiya is the guardian appointed to safeguard the mysterious entrance.

Another legend has it that about 70 years ago, a British soldier killed the crocodile on guard at the Ananthapura Lake Temple. Surprisingly, the soldier died of snakebite sometime later, which, the locals believe, was due to the ire of the serpent deity Anantha for his heinous crime. Soon after, another crocodile appeared in the lake to replace the former guardian, and each time one dies, another one appears in its place!

Such is the legend of the temple at Lake Ananthapura and its wonderful patrolling reptilian attendants. Be sure about good luck coming your way if you chance upon Babiya swimming in the lake waters. So, the next time you plan a trip to Kerala, there is one mystery that might just give you an Agatha Christie like feel.

Detailed news and source

Ireland: First-ever Hindu temple inaugurated in Dublin

A historical moment was witnessed by the Indians living in the Republic of Ireland, as the first-ever Hindu temple was inaugurated in Dublin on August 22, 2020. It is the first center of its kind for Ireland’s growing community of Hindus to encourage and promote Hindu traditions and culture.

Before the temple was inaugurated, there was no dedicated or a permanent place where Hindus could gather and meet for worship, events, or religious festivals in Ireland. In that scenario, locations like community centers or town halls were rented out depending on availability to the Hindus to offer prayers in a group.

Complete news and source: TN

Kerala: Hindu Temple Feeds 2000 People Everyday; Maintains Age Old Practice of Anna-daana

 

London: Prince Charles Leads Silver Jubilee Tributes To UK's Largest Hindu Temple

To mark the 25th anniversary of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in north London numerous world leaders, including Britain's Prince Charles and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, posted congratulatory messages as celebrations started remotely amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Popularly called the Neasden Temple was built as per the specifications in ancient Indian scriptures but also satisfies modern British building regulations. It prides itself as a "made in India, built in London" grand monument and is among the largest Hindu temples outside the country.

In his special video message, heir to the British throne Prince Charles, who has made four visits to the temple on Holi and Diwali over the years, reflected on its role not only as a place of worship, but also as one of cultural and religious learning, celebration, peace and community service.

Complete news and reference: NDTV