Karnataka Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan Monday said Muslims were not against Ram temple at Ayodhya but pitched for construction of both Mandir and Masjid.

Khan, who is from the Congress in the party’s coalition government with the Janata Dal-Secular, hit out at the BJP for raking up the issue for political reasons, ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

“Muslims are not against the construction of Ram Mandir, we want Ram Mandir, also Babri Masjid,” Khan said.

“What we want is peace. Muslims have never opposed Ram Mandir. We have two wishes- one side we want Masjid, one side we want Ram Mandir.”

Khan’s statement comes days after another Congress MLA and former minister Roshan Baig asked, “If Ram Mandir is not constructed in India, will it be built in Pakistan” and said Muslims respected the sentiments of “Hindu brothers.”

The chorus for bringing in a law to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya is growing louder among the Sangh Parivar following the Supreme Court’s decision to defer hearing on the RamJanmabhoomi land dispute case to January.

Pointing out that the case was pending before the Supreme Court, the Minister said, there was no use in talking about it, as the issue has to be decided in the court.

Flaying the BJP for “politicising” the issue ahead of Lok Sabha elections, he questioned as to why the saffron party did not remember about the Mandir for the last four-and-a-half years after they came to power at the Centre.

“All of a sudden they want to construct Ram Mandir. What happened for the last four-and-a-half years? Elections (Lok Sabha) are due in five or six months, now they remember Ram Mandir, Babri Masjid issue,” he said.

Reiterating that Muslims were not opposed to Ram Mandir, Khan said, “what we want is the construction of both Mandir and Masjid.”

Karnataka Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan Monday said Muslims were not against Ram temple at Ayodhya but pitched for construction of both Mandir and Masjid. Khan, who is from the Congress in the party’s coalition government with the Janata Dal-Secular, hit out at the BJP for raking up the issue for political reasons, ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Karnataka Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan Monday said Muslims were not against Ram temple at Ayodhya but pitched for construction of both Mandir and Masjid. Khan, who is from the Congress in the party’s coalition government with the Janata Dal-Secular, hit out at the BJP for raking up the issue for political reasons, ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. “Muslims are not against the construction of Ram Mandir, we want Ram Mandir, also Babri Masjid,” Khan said. “What we want is peace. Muslims have never opposed Ram Mandir. We have two wishes- one side we want Masjid, one side we want Ram Mandir.” Khan’s statement comes days after another Congress MLA and former minister Roshan Baig asked, “If Ram Mandir is not constructed in India, will it be built in Pakistan” and said Muslims respected the sentiments of “Hindu brothers.” The chorus for bringing in a law to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya is growing louder among the Sangh Parivar following the Supreme Court’s decision to defer hearing on the RamJanmabhoomi land dispute case to January. Pointing out that the case was pending before the Supreme Court, the Minister said, there was no use in talking about it, as the issue has to be decided in the court. Flaying the BJP for “politicising” the issue ahead of Lok Sabha elections, he questioned as to why the saffron party did not remember about the Mandir for the last four-and-a-half years after they came to power at the Centre. “All of a sudden they want to construct Ram Mandir. What happened for the last four-and-a-half years? Elections (Lok Sabha) are due in five or six months, now they remember Ram Mandir, Babri Masjid issue,” he said. Reiterating that Muslims were not opposed to Ram Mandir, Khan said, “what we want is the construction of both Mandir and Masjid.”

Muslims not against Ram Mandir, want both temple, Masjid: Congress leader

&nbsp;In an astonishing incident, a woman chopped off her tongue in Tarsama village of Madhya Pradesh`s Morena district to offer it in a temple.

The family member said that they came to know about the incident when she saw blood oozing out from her mouth.

The woman sacrificed her tongue in front of the deity at Bijasan Mata temple, where she offers prayer every day.

She was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where she was given initial medication.

"A women was admitted, whose tongue was chopped off the tongue. We later came to know that she offered the same to a temple where she used to pray regularly," said the doctor.&nbsp;

The family member said that they came to know about the incident when she saw blood oozing out from her mouth.

In an astonishing incident, a woman chopped off her tongue in Tarsama village of Madhya Pradesh`s Morena district to offer it in a temple. The family member said that they came to know about the incident when she saw blood oozing out from her mouth. The woman sacrificed her tongue in front of the deity at Bijasan Mata temple, where she offers prayer every day. She was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where she was given initial medication. "A women was admitted, whose tongue was chopped off the tongue. We later came to know that she offered the same to a temple where she used to pray regularly," said the doctor.

Madhya Pradesh: Woman chops off tongue to offer it to deity

As part of his three-day visit from March 2 to 4, Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang, who aims to strengthen their partnership to ward off China&#39;s growing influence, will hold talks with his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang also paid tribute at Raj Ghat in New Delhi on Saturday morning.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Delhi: President of Vietnam Tran Dai Quang pays tribute at Raj Ghat. <a href="https://t.co/uQ9uzqeq4S">pic.twitter.com/uQ9uzqeq4S</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/969824529731158017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

The visiting dignitary will also attend a Vietnam-India Business Forum and the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Days in India 2018.&nbsp;

The Vietnamese President is leading an 18-member delegation, including ministers, party leaders, and businessmen.

President Quang is also expected to interact with prominent Indian businessmen.

External Affairs Minister called on visiting Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang and discussed ways to further deepen the bilateral relationship.

&quot;Discussion focused on steps to further strengthen our comprehensive strategic partnership by expanding cooperation across all sectors,&quot; External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.&nbsp;

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s visit to Vietnam in 2017 the bilateral relationship was elevated from Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.&nbsp;

Modi and Quang will hold a bilateral meeting later in the day following which a number of agreements are expected to be signed.

Quang arrived in Delhi on Friday night and was received by President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon his arrival. He also received a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar took to Twitter and said, &quot;And this is how we welcome our esteemed guest! Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang was accorded a ceremonial welcome @RashtrapatiBhvn in the presence of President Shri Ram Nath Kovind and PM @narendramodi.&quot;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
And this is how we welcome our esteemed guest! Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang was accorded a ceremonial welcome <a href="https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RashtrapatiBhvn</a> in the presence of President Shri Ram Nath Kovind and PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> <a href="https://t.co/QKpc9pHELd">pic.twitter.com/QKpc9pHELd</a>
&mdash; Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/969788731195523073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

Quang also received a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi

As part of his three-day visit from March 2 to 4, Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang, who aims to strengthen their partnership to ward off China's growing influence, will hold talks with his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang also paid tribute at Raj Ghat in New Delhi on Saturday morning. Delhi: President of Vietnam Tran Dai Quang pays tribute at Raj Ghat. pic.twitter.com/uQ9uzqeq4S — ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2018 × The visiting dignitary will also attend a Vietnam-India Business Forum and the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Days in India 2018. The Vietnamese President is leading an 18-member delegation, including ministers, party leaders, and businessmen. President Quang is also expected to interact with prominent Indian businessmen. External Affairs Minister called on visiting Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang and discussed ways to further deepen the bilateral relationship. "Discussion focused on steps to further strengthen our comprehensive strategic partnership by expanding cooperation across all sectors," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Vietnam in 2017 the bilateral relationship was elevated from Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Modi and Quang will hold a bilateral meeting later in the day following which a number of agreements are expected to be signed. Quang arrived in Delhi on Friday night and was received by President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon his arrival. He also received a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar took to Twitter and said, "And this is how we welcome our esteemed guest! Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang was accorded a ceremonial welcome @RashtrapatiBhvn in the presence of President Shri Ram Nath Kovind and PM @narendramodi." And this is how we welcome our esteemed guest! Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang was accorded a ceremonial welcome @RashtrapatiBhvn in the presence of President Shri Ram Nath Kovind and PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/QKpc9pHELd — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) March 3, 2018 ×

Vietnam President to hold bilateral talks, aims to strengthen partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday offered prayers at the famous 125-year-old Shiva Temple in Muscat.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Oman: Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Shiva temple in Muscat <a href="https://t.co/Qnfl9f4Sk9">pic.twitter.com/Qnfl9f4Sk9</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/962954077507325953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Also known as Motishwar Mandir, the temple is situated near Sultan&rsquo;s Palace, about 35km from Seeb Airport.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> performed Abhishekam at the historic Lord Shiva temple at Muscat and interacted with the members of the Temple Management Committee. It was constructed 125 years back by the Merchant Community from Gujarat and renovated in 1999. <a href="https://t.co/d9D7LpMsnK">pic.twitter.com/d9D7LpMsnK</a>
&mdash; Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/962964353266913281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

PM Modi also met the Indian community standing outside the temple to catch his glimpse.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Oman: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Indian community outside Shiva temple in Muscat <a href="https://t.co/58br6DUSiU">pic.twitter.com/58br6DUSiU</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/962956689254297600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

The temple has a Gujarat connection and is believed to have been constructed by the Bhatia merchant community from Kutch, which settled in Muscat as early as 1507. &nbsp;

The power the community wielded in Muscat, said to be the first home for Gujarati traders away from the subcontinent. can be seen through the various temples and shrines that have come up in Oman&rsquo;s capital since the 16th century. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The temple is situated near Sultan’s Palace, about 35km from Seeb Airport.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday offered prayers at the famous 125-year-old Shiva Temple in Muscat. Oman: Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Shiva temple in Muscat pic.twitter.com/Qnfl9f4Sk9 — ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2018 × Also known as Motishwar Mandir, the temple is situated near Sultan’s Palace, about 35km from Seeb Airport. PM @narendramodi performed Abhishekam at the historic Lord Shiva temple at Muscat and interacted with the members of the Temple Management Committee. It was constructed 125 years back by the Merchant Community from Gujarat and renovated in 1999. pic.twitter.com/d9D7LpMsnK — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 12, 2018 × PM Modi also met the Indian community standing outside the temple to catch his glimpse. Oman: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Indian community outside Shiva temple in Muscat pic.twitter.com/58br6DUSiU — ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2018 × The temple has a Gujarat connection and is believed to have been constructed by the Bhatia merchant community from Kutch, which settled in Muscat as early as 1507. The power the community wielded in Muscat, said to be the first home for Gujarati traders away from the subcontinent. can be seen through the various temples and shrines that have come up in Oman’s capital since the 16th century.

PM Modi offers prayers at Shiva Temple in Muscat

Facing the charge of practising &quot;soft Hindutva&quot;, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today defended his visits to temples and religious places, asserting that he would continue it.

&quot;I like going to temples, wherever I get a religious&nbsp;place I go there. I feel good and feel happy, and I will&nbsp;continue (to go),&quot; Gandhi told reporters here.

On a four-day election campaign in poll-bound Karnataka, Gandhi was responding to BJP state President B S Yeddyurappa&#39;s &quot;Election Hindu&quot; jibe at him.

&quot;I heartily welcome #ElectionHindu @OfficeOfRG to Ballari. The #Congress President will fulfill our dream of a&nbsp;#CongressMuktKarnataka,&quot; Yeddyurappa had said in a tweet, ahead of Gandhi&#39;s visit to the state from February 10.

Gandhi&#39;s temple run in his election itinerary which began in the run-up to the Gujarat assembly polls has invited the criticism from the BJP that it was an election exercise.

Other critics have called it &quot;soft Hindutva.&quot;

During his current tour to north Karnataka, Gandhi visited Goddess Huligamma temple, a famous shrine in the region, and Gavi Siddheshwara Mutt, a mutt of the majority Lingayat community.

He also visited a Dargah in Raichur today.

In his brief interaction with reporters, Gandhi asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Yeddyurappa to inform people about the reasons why ministers during BJP rule in the state had to go to jail.

He said &quot;Modiji comes here and speaks about&nbsp;corruption. Yeddyurappa is someone who had gone to jail and&nbsp;come.&quot;

&quot;When Yeddyurappa and Modiji speak about corruption, they should inform people that during BJP rule four ministers had?gone to jail, Yeddyurappa himself had gone to jail and 11&nbsp;ministers had to resign. Let them explain it,&quot; he said.

Gandhi again questioned the prime minister about the Rafale fighter jet deal, reiterating his charge that the contract was taken away from HAL and given to Modi&#39;s &quot;friend&quot;.

&quot;Why did you take away the contract from HAL? Why did you ake away jobs from youth of Karnataka? Why did you do this to give it to your friend? What was the logic behind it?&quot; he asked.

Questioning whether the requisite permissions were? taken from the cabinet committee on security, Gandhi asked? what the aircraft&#39;s price was.

&quot;Earlier Defence minister said she will share the price details to the country. After three to four months she is saying the matter is a state secret. Was it not state secret earlier,&quot; he asked.

Attacking the Modi government for demonetisation and GST terming it as &#39;Gabbar Singh Tax&quot;, the Congress leader said the measures have &quot;shut&quot; all businesses in the country.

He asked Modi to speak about how BJP president Amit Shah&#39;s son Jay Shah made Rs 80 crore out of Rs 50,000 in three months.

Amit Shah has rejected the charge of corruption.

His son has filed a criminal defamation suit against the news portal which claimed his business fortunes had zoomed after BJP came to power in 2014.&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi also visited a Dargah in Raichur today

Facing the charge of practising "soft Hindutva", Congress president Rahul Gandhi today defended his visits to temples and religious places, asserting that he would continue it. "I like going to temples, wherever I get a religious place I go there. I feel good and feel happy, and I will continue (to go)," Gandhi told reporters here. On a four-day election campaign in poll-bound Karnataka, Gandhi was responding to BJP state President B S Yeddyurappa's "Election Hindu" jibe at him. "I heartily welcome #ElectionHindu @OfficeOfRG to Ballari. The #Congress President will fulfill our dream of a #CongressMuktKarnataka," Yeddyurappa had said in a tweet, ahead of Gandhi's visit to the state from February 10. Gandhi's temple run in his election itinerary which began in the run-up to the Gujarat assembly polls has invited the criticism from the BJP that it was an election exercise. Other critics have called it "soft Hindutva." During his current tour to north Karnataka, Gandhi visited Goddess Huligamma temple, a famous shrine in the region, and Gavi Siddheshwara Mutt, a mutt of the majority Lingayat community. He also visited a Dargah in Raichur today. In his brief interaction with reporters, Gandhi asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Yeddyurappa to inform people about the reasons why ministers during BJP rule in the state had to go to jail. He said "Modiji comes here and speaks about corruption. Yeddyurappa is someone who had gone to jail and come." "When Yeddyurappa and Modiji speak about corruption, they should inform people that during BJP rule four ministers had?gone to jail, Yeddyurappa himself had gone to jail and 11 ministers had to resign. Let them explain it," he said. Gandhi again questioned the prime minister about the Rafale fighter jet deal, reiterating his charge that the contract was taken away from HAL and given to Modi's "friend". "Why did you take away the contract from HAL? Why did you ake away jobs from youth of Karnataka? Why did you do this to give it to your friend? What was the logic behind it?" he asked. Questioning whether the requisite permissions were? taken from the cabinet committee on security, Gandhi asked? what the aircraft's price was. "Earlier Defence minister said she will share the price details to the country. After three to four months she is saying the matter is a state secret. Was it not state secret earlier," he asked. Attacking the Modi government for demonetisation and GST terming it as 'Gabbar Singh Tax", the Congress leader said the measures have "shut" all businesses in the country. He asked Modi to speak about how BJP president Amit Shah's son Jay Shah made Rs 80 crore out of Rs 50,000 in three months. Amit Shah has rejected the charge of corruption. His son has filed a criminal defamation suit against the news portal which claimed his business fortunes had zoomed after BJP came to power in 2014.

'I like going to temples,' Rahul says on charge of practising 'soft Hindutva'

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) iconic buildings were lit up in colours of the Indian flag on Friday night ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s visit to the country.&nbsp;

The world&#39;s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, the headquarters of state-owned oil company Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the building termed as world&#39;s largest picture frame - the Dubai Frame - showcased bright colours of the national flag a day before Modi&#39;s visit.&nbsp;

Navdeep Suri, Ambassador of India to the UAE, posted pictures on Twitter and said, &quot;Burj Khalifa, Dubai Frame &amp; ADNOC headquarters are lit up in Indian flag colors ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s visit to UAE.&quot;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
When pictures speak louder than words <a href="https://t.co/5JP3EVvte1">pic.twitter.com/5JP3EVvte1</a>
&mdash; IndAmbUAE (@navdeepsuri) <a href="https://twitter.com/navdeepsuri/status/962177171778252801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

PM Modi will reach Abu Dhabi on Saturday evening. The UAE is all set to get its first Hindu temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his second visit to the UAE, will lay the foundation of a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.

The temple is likely to get completed by 2020.

He may also have bilateral talks with Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Saturday evening, followed by a signing ceremony of agreements and Memorandum of understandings (MoUs) and a banquet hosted by Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed.

Modi will also meet UAE leaders and a keynote address at the World Government Summit in Dubai on Sunday, in which India is the guest country.

The world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa, the headquarters of state-owned oil company Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and the building termed as world's largest picture frame - the Dubai Frame - showcased bright colors of the national flag a day before Modi's visit

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) iconic buildings were lit up in colours of the Indian flag on Friday night ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the country. The world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa, the headquarters of state-owned oil company Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the building termed as world's largest picture frame - the Dubai Frame - showcased bright colours of the national flag a day before Modi's visit. Navdeep Suri, Ambassador of India to the UAE, posted pictures on Twitter and said, "Burj Khalifa, Dubai Frame & ADNOC headquarters are lit up in Indian flag colors ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to UAE." When pictures speak louder than words pic.twitter.com/5JP3EVvte1 — IndAmbUAE (@navdeepsuri) February 10, 2018 × PM Modi will reach Abu Dhabi on Saturday evening. The UAE is all set to get its first Hindu temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his second visit to the UAE, will lay the foundation of a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. The temple is likely to get completed by 2020. He may also have bilateral talks with Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Saturday evening, followed by a signing ceremony of agreements and Memorandum of understandings (MoUs) and a banquet hosted by Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed. Modi will also meet UAE leaders and a keynote address at the World Government Summit in Dubai on Sunday, in which India is the guest country.

Dubai's iconic buildings light up in colours of Indian Flag ahead of Modi's visit

The UAE&nbsp;is all set to get its first Hindu temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his second visit to the UAE, will lay the foundation of a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.&nbsp;

PM Modi had sought land for the purpose during his last to the country in the year 2015.&nbsp;

The crown prince of UAE allotted 13.6 acres of land for the construction of the temple.&nbsp;

The temple will be designed, constructed and managed by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.&nbsp;

The temple will not just be a place to worship, its premises will also have a visitors&rsquo; centre, prayer halls, learning areas, sports area, thematic gardens, water features, food court and other facilities to celebrate various festivals.

&quot;It will be built at Abu Mureikhah, off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Highway, and will incorporate all aspects and features of a traditional Hindu temple as part of a fully functional, social, cultural and spiritual complex. The stones will be carved by temple artisans in India and assembled in the UAE,&quot; noted the official release.&nbsp;

The temple is likely to get completed by 2020.

PM Modi will reach UAE tomorrow from Palestine and will engage in bilateral engagements in Abu Dhabi followed by a banquet.&nbsp;

The temple is likely to get completed by 2020.

The UAE is all set to get its first Hindu temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his second visit to the UAE, will lay the foundation of a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. PM Modi had sought land for the purpose during his last to the country in the year 2015. The crown prince of UAE allotted 13.6 acres of land for the construction of the temple. The temple will be designed, constructed and managed by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. The temple will not just be a place to worship, its premises will also have a visitors’ centre, prayer halls, learning areas, sports area, thematic gardens, water features, food court and other facilities to celebrate various festivals. "It will be built at Abu Mureikhah, off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Highway, and will incorporate all aspects and features of a traditional Hindu temple as part of a fully functional, social, cultural and spiritual complex. The stones will be carved by temple artisans in India and assembled in the UAE," noted the official release. The temple is likely to get completed by 2020. PM Modi will reach UAE tomorrow from Palestine and will engage in bilateral engagements in Abu Dhabi followed by a banquet.

Abu Dhabi to get a taste of PM Modi's 'temple diplomacy'

Women will now have to provide an age proof document for visiting Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala, Kerala, where the entry for women between ages 10-50 is banned.&nbsp;

The Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the temple, passed the order during an ongoing pilgrim session following the increasing number of women devotees trying to trek to the hillock shrine defying the restrictions.

&quot;The decision was taken in view of a number of women belonging to the banned age group trying to visit the shrine recently,&quot; TDB President A&nbsp;Padmakumar said.&nbsp;

Although, this will not be a proper verification. Only the ones suspicious will be asked to show the necessary documents - which could be any ID approved by the government.&nbsp;

&quot;Carrying an authentic age proof document will help avoid unnecessary arguments between women pilgrims and the police and Devaswom officials who carry out checks,&quot; Padmakumar&nbsp;said.

However, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Annie Raja slammed the temple authorities, saying that the directive was a violation of the rights of women to worship.

&quot;It is once again denying the rights of women to worship any God. Women were actually demanding entry into the Sabarimala Temple, but it is unfortunate that the temple authorities deny and are now demanding age proof,&quot; Raja said.&nbsp;

&quot;God does not discriminate between man and woman but these custodians of God are denying the women their rights to worship,&quot; she added.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

The Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the temple, passed the order during an ongoing pilgrim session following the increasing number of women devotees trying to trek to the hillock shrine defying the restrictions

Women will now have to provide an age proof document for visiting Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala, Kerala, where the entry for women between ages 10-50 is banned. The Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the temple, passed the order during an ongoing pilgrim session following the increasing number of women devotees trying to trek to the hillock shrine defying the restrictions. "The decision was taken in view of a number of women belonging to the banned age group trying to visit the shrine recently," TDB President A Padmakumar said. Although, this will not be a proper verification. Only the ones suspicious will be asked to show the necessary documents - which could be any ID approved by the government. "Carrying an authentic age proof document will help avoid unnecessary arguments between women pilgrims and the police and Devaswom officials who carry out checks," Padmakumar said. However, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Annie Raja slammed the temple authorities, saying that the directive was a violation of the rights of women to worship. "It is once again denying the rights of women to worship any God. Women were actually demanding entry into the Sabarimala Temple, but it is unfortunate that the temple authorities deny and are now demanding age proof," Raja said. "God does not discriminate between man and woman but these custodians of God are denying the women their rights to worship," she added. (With inputs from ANI)

Age proof mandatory for women to worship at Lord Ayyappa Temple

Pakistan Supreme Court has sought an explanation from Evacuee Trust Property Board(ETPB) after Hindu idols went messing in&nbsp;Katas Raj temple complex in the mineral-rich Chakwal district in Pakistan.

The ancient Katas Raj Temple in Pakistan venerated by Hindus is surrounded by a pond and is interconnected with a series Hindu temples through walkaways. The Katas temples, according to ancient mythology were created by teardrops of Shiva.&nbsp;

There are two temples within the Katas Raj complex - &nbsp;Hanuman temple and Ram Mandir.

A Supreme Court judge expressed shock over the disappearance&nbsp;of the Hindu idols and questioned the authorities on their failure to protest the idols. The pilgrims who visited the holy site had to bring their own idols to perform their rituals, reports said.

&quot;Do the authorities even have the idols or have they been displaced?&nbsp;the judge asked curtly.&nbsp;

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar also ordered the tubewells in the area to be closed.

Pakistan media had reported that the temple complex pond was drying up because cement factories nearby were drawing a large amount of water from the pond.

The Katas temples, according to ancient mythology were created by teardrops of Shiva

Pakistan Supreme Court has sought an explanation from Evacuee Trust Property Board(ETPB) after Hindu idols went messing in Katas Raj temple complex in the mineral-rich Chakwal district in Pakistan. The ancient Katas Raj Temple in Pakistan venerated by Hindus is surrounded by a pond and is interconnected with a series Hindu temples through walkaways. The Katas temples, according to ancient mythology were created by teardrops of Shiva. There are two temples within the Katas Raj complex - Hanuman temple and Ram Mandir. A Supreme Court judge expressed shock over the disappearance of the Hindu idols and questioned the authorities on their failure to protest the idols. The pilgrims who visited the holy site had to bring their own idols to perform their rituals, reports said. "Do the authorities even have the idols or have they been displaced? the judge asked curtly. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar also ordered the tubewells in the area to be closed. Pakistan media had reported that the temple complex pond was drying up because cement factories nearby were drawing a large amount of water from the pond.

Pakistan Supreme Court angry after Hindus idols go missing from Katas Raj temple

A temple under construction in Mianzhu City of southwest China&#39;s Sichuan Province caught fire on Sunday. No casualties were reported.

The fire burned down two halls of the temple that is half completed and a 15-story wooden pagoda, which is reported to be the highest wooden pagoda in Asia.

The pagoda was being renovated after the original structure dating back to the 16th century was destroyed at a major earthquake in May 2008.

Witnesses said the fire started at a temple hall and spread to the other two buildings with the wind.

&quot;The fire started at the Great Buddha Hall and spread to the Jade Emperor Hall. Then the wind was blowing and the pagoda was also on fire,&quot; said Yu Guixiang, a witness.

The fire lasted over four hours before firefighters brought it under control at 17:00.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is still underway.

The fire burned down two halls of the temple that is half completed and a 15-story wooden pagoda, which is reported to be the highest wooden pagoda in Asia

A temple under construction in Mianzhu City of southwest China's Sichuan Province caught fire on Sunday. No casualties were reported. The fire burned down two halls of the temple that is half completed and a 15-story wooden pagoda, which is reported to be the highest wooden pagoda in Asia. The pagoda was being renovated after the original structure dating back to the 16th century was destroyed at a major earthquake in May 2008. Witnesses said the fire started at a temple hall and spread to the other two buildings with the wind. "The fire started at the Great Buddha Hall and spread to the Jade Emperor Hall. Then the wind was blowing and the pagoda was also on fire," said Yu Guixiang, a witness. The fire lasted over four hours before firefighters brought it under control at 17:00. An investigation into the cause of the fire is still underway.

Watch: Temple under construction catches fire in China

The demolition of the Babri Masjid proves that the idea of India remains contested, and that the RSS wants to alter the character of the nation in its own image.

Ayodhya was the first successful experiment whereby Muslim votes became electorally irrelevant as a consolidated Hindu vote propelled the BJP to power under Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Ayodhya is also a reminder of the fact that accountability in politics is a faraway dream.

As of today, there has been no legal conclusion as how the conspiracy to bring down the disputed structure was hatched.

Ayodhya is also the first case where faith got the better of the constitutional imagination of the country. The violence which broke out 25 years ago challenged, irrevocably, the separation of state and religion. Religion has seeped into the political arena and mainstreamed a style of politics under which Muslims can live side-by-side with Hindus but will be politically disempowered.

Twenty-five years down the line, it has become okay to say the minority vote does not matter. This is not to say the Congress did not pamper minorities politically and created a rift at the grassroots level. In fact, Ayodhya should also be seen in the context of the Shah Bano judgement, and the subsequent intervention by Rajiv Gandhi which sent home the message that the mainstream parties discriminated against Hindus.

This was coupled with the Mandal agitation which, in the name of social justice, lifted opportunistic politicians into the chairs of power. It was this tension between Mandal and Kamandal politics that allowed Ayodhya to evolve into a political project. 
&nbsp; 
Ayodhya further changed the character of Hinduism. Ayodhya is an attempt to build the identity of the Indian state around one sampradaya (sect) of Hinduism. Hinduism, unlike other religions, has a plethora of gods. Shakta and Saiva are two of the hundreds of sampradayas which exist in India.

Ayodhya also injected an element of &lsquo;true to faith&rsquo; into Hinduism.

<div class="ui-state-default">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Ayodhya was an attempt to redefine the concept of a national around shared religious belief that would take us beyond caste-based divisions of the Hindu society.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Ayodhya was an attempt to redefine the concept of a national around shared religious belief that would take us beyond caste-based divisions of the Hindu society.">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

Ayodhya is a challenge to Indian multiculturalism which is being belittled in the name of secularism and liberalism. Ayodhya is being used as a cure for casteism on which Hinduism rests. The idea is to dissolve internal deficits by creating a crisis of identity and future. Ayodhya was an attempt to redefine the concept of a nation&nbsp;around shared religious belief that would take us beyond the caste-based divisions of Hindu society. 
&nbsp; 
The only worry is that 25 years down the line, Ayodhya is not a contested idea anymore. There is a temple in Ayodhya and no sane person will consider removing it. So, the discussion is not about title, culpability, or where a temple should be built. The debate has boiled down to how and when. Through consensus or judicial process?

I don&rsquo;t call Ayodhya a wound either from the Muslim or the Hindu perspective. It is not an unresolved project. Ayodhya is the beginning of a bigger project which blends a crude majoritarianism and nationalism that is always trying to search for the &quot;other&quot;&nbsp;to validate itself. 
&nbsp; 
The process is helped by the country&#39;s undemocratic liberal elites who fail to take into account how modernity is reshaping Hinduism in the country. They failed to see the crassness and corruption of the so-called social justice calls of the caste-based parties that only ended up perpetuating dynasties.

The liberal elites felt that they would be the solution to illiberal and majoritarian politics. That was not to be. In turn, the Sankritisation of OBCs created Hindu mascots out of them, further squeezing out the liberal elites who failed to understand that India had started to consider them as outsiders and the political project of Hinduism is the real thing. Today, Ayodhya is not about the birthplace of Ram, it is about Hindu vanity.

It is about a sense of power. It is about a sense of assertion. It is not about renunciation, which Ram did at the drop of a&nbsp;hat when asked to leave the throne for Bharat. There is no maryada either. Afterall&nbsp;Ram has been known as the&nbsp;maryadapurushottam Ram. Maryada was crossed when one political class wanted to bring down the mosque and the other wanted to cooperate so that the problem would get resolved. 
&nbsp; 
The nation cannot retrace its steps. That is not possible, although we are coming close to the horrible and morbid politics of Pakistan which differentiates between its own people.

It is a choice which India will have to make. The truth is that the temple will stand in Ayodhya forever, but the challenge is what we make of it.

Can we come together and pray that similar violence in the name of God never takes place. It will require sanity from both sides. It will require forgiveness from both sides.

(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Ayodhya is the beginning of a bigger project which blends a crude majoritarianism and nationalism that is always trying to search for the 'other'?to validate itself

The demolition of the Babri Masjid proves that the idea of India remains contested, and that the RSS wants to alter the character of the nation in its own image. Ayodhya was the first successful experiment whereby Muslim votes became electorally irrelevant as a consolidated Hindu vote propelled the BJP to power under Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Ayodhya is also a reminder of the fact that accountability in politics is a faraway dream. As of today, there has been no legal conclusion as how the conspiracy to bring down the disputed structure was hatched. Ayodhya is also the first case where faith got the better of the constitutional imagination of the country. The violence which broke out 25 years ago challenged, irrevocably, the separation of state and religion. Religion has seeped into the political arena and mainstreamed a style of politics under which Muslims can live side-by-side with Hindus but will be politically disempowered. Twenty-five years down the line, it has become okay to say the minority vote does not matter. This is not to say the Congress did not pamper minorities politically and created a rift at the grassroots level. In fact, Ayodhya should also be seen in the context of the Shah Bano judgement, and the subsequent intervention by Rajiv Gandhi which sent home the message that the mainstream parties discriminated against Hindus. This was coupled with the Mandal agitation which, in the name of social justice, lifted opportunistic politicians into the chairs of power. It was this tension between Mandal and Kamandal politics that allowed Ayodhya to evolve into a political project. Ayodhya further changed the character of Hinduism. Ayodhya is an attempt to build the identity of the Indian state around one sampradaya (sect) of Hinduism. Hinduism, unlike other religions, has a plethora of gods. Shakta and Saiva are two of the hundreds of sampradayas which exist in India. Ayodhya also injected an element of ‘true to faith’ into Hinduism. Ayodhya was an attempt to redefine the concept of a national around shared religious belief that would take us beyond caste-based divisions of the Hindu society. × Ayodhya is a challenge to Indian multiculturalism which is being belittled in the name of secularism and liberalism. Ayodhya is being used as a cure for casteism on which Hinduism rests. The idea is to dissolve internal deficits by creating a crisis of identity and future. Ayodhya was an attempt to redefine the concept of a nation around shared religious belief that would take us beyond the caste-based divisions of Hindu society. The only worry is that 25 years down the line, Ayodhya is not a contested idea anymore. There is a temple in Ayodhya and no sane person will consider removing it. So, the discussion is not about title, culpability, or where a temple should be built. The debate has boiled down to how and when. Through consensus or judicial process? I don’t call Ayodhya a wound either from the Muslim or the Hindu perspective. It is not an unresolved project. Ayodhya is the beginning of a bigger project which blends a crude majoritarianism and nationalism that is always trying to search for the "other" to validate itself. The process is helped by the country's undemocratic liberal elites who fail to take into account how modernity is reshaping Hinduism in the country. They failed to see the crassness and corruption of the so-called social justice calls of the caste-based parties that only ended up perpetuating dynasties. The liberal elites felt that they would be the solution to illiberal and majoritarian politics. That was not to be. In turn, the Sankritisation of OBCs created Hindu mascots out of them, further squeezing out the liberal elites who failed to understand that India had started to consider them as outsiders and the political project of Hinduism is the real thing. Today, Ayodhya is not about the birthplace of Ram, it is about Hindu vanity. It is about a sense of power. It is about a sense of assertion. It is not about renunciation, which Ram did at the drop of a hat when asked to leave the throne for Bharat. There is no maryada either. Afterall Ram has been known as the maryadapurushottam Ram. Maryada was crossed when one political class wanted to bring down the mosque and the other wanted to cooperate so that the problem would get resolved. The nation cannot retrace its steps. That is not possible, although we are coming close to the horrible and morbid politics of Pakistan which differentiates between its own people. It is a choice which India will have to make. The truth is that the temple will stand in Ayodhya forever, but the challenge is what we make of it. Can we come together and pray that similar violence in the name of God never takes place. It will require sanity from both sides. It will require forgiveness from both sides. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Demolition of Babri Masjid proves idea of India remains contested

The Janata Dal (United) on Sunday ridiculed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its chief Amit Shah and said the party should bring an amendment in the constitution following which an individual will be certified as a Hindu.

&quot;Mr. Amit Shah and the BJP should bring an amendment to the constitution which says in order to qualify to be a Hindu every claimant must visit temples at this frequency per day, per week, per month, per year. Only then will Mr. Amit Shah certify if one is a Hindu or not,&quot; JDU leader Pavan Varma told ANI.

A heated controversy on religion emerged after the BJP raised a question on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi after his name was allegedly listed as a non-Hindu visitor in the visitor-book during his visit at Gujarat&#39;s Somnath Temple.

The controversy started when party&#39;s media coordinator Manoj Tyagi allegedly entered names of Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Ahmed Patel in the special register for non-Hindus visiting the temple.

Later, Rahul Gandhi had said his family is devotee of Lord Shiva, but does not believe in using it for political gain.The Congress also issued a clarification on Twitter saying, &quot;There is only one visitor&#39;s book at Somnath Temple that was signed by Congress VP Rahul Gandhi. Any other image being circulated is fabricated. Desperate times call for desperate measures.&#39;&#39;

The Janata Dal (United) on Sunday ridiculed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its chief Amit Shah and said the party should bring an amendment in the constitution following which an individual will be certified as a Hindu

The Janata Dal (United) on Sunday ridiculed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its chief Amit Shah and said the party should bring an amendment in the constitution following which an individual will be certified as a Hindu. "Mr. Amit Shah and the BJP should bring an amendment to the constitution which says in order to qualify to be a Hindu every claimant must visit temples at this frequency per day, per week, per month, per year. Only then will Mr. Amit Shah certify if one is a Hindu or not," JDU leader Pavan Varma told ANI. A heated controversy on religion emerged after the BJP raised a question on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi after his name was allegedly listed as a non-Hindu visitor in the visitor-book during his visit at Gujarat's Somnath Temple. The controversy started when party's media coordinator Manoj Tyagi allegedly entered names of Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Ahmed Patel in the special register for non-Hindus visiting the temple. Later, Rahul Gandhi had said his family is devotee of Lord Shiva, but does not believe in using it for political gain.The Congress also issued a clarification on Twitter saying, "There is only one visitor's book at Somnath Temple that was signed by Congress VP Rahul Gandhi. Any other image being circulated is fabricated. Desperate times call for desperate measures.''

JDU takes on BJP over Rahul Gandhi temple entry row

Indonesian police have pledged to bar Islamist groups from staging a rally on Friday at the Borobudur Buddhist temple in central Java to protest against the persecution of Myanmar&#39;s Rohingya Muslims.

Islamist groups say they plan the demonstration close to the stupa-topped Borobudur temple, which dates from the 9th century and is a popular tourist site, to call for an end to violence against the religious and ethnic minority in Myanmar.

Indonesia has the world&#39;s largest population of Muslims and there have been a number of anti-Myanmar protests in Jakarta and the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur over the treatment of Buddhist-majority Myanmar&#39;s roughly 1.1 million Rohingyas.

Almost 125,000 Rohingyas have been forced to flee clashes between Rohingya insurgents and the army in the northwest Rakhine state. Tens of thousands have crossed the border into neighbouring Bangladesh.

&quot;The action at Borobudur temple will be prohibited,&quot; National Police Chief Tito Karnavian told reporters, according to media.

&quot;This is not just part of the heritage of Indonesia, but that of the world. There is no need for protests in response to the Rohingya conflict because the Indonesian government is taking action on it already.&quot;

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Monday met Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and top security officials to call for a halt to the bloodshed. Marsudi was due in Dhaka, the Bangladeshi capital, on Tuesday.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif expressed &quot;deep anguish at the ongoing violence against the Rohingya Muslims&quot; and urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to take &quot;immediate and effective action to bring an end to all human-rights violations against innocent and unarmed Rohingya Muslim population&quot;.

An organiser of Friday&#39;s planned protest said the groups wanted to protest peacefully near the Borobodur temple to show Indonesia&#39;s tolerance.

&quot;The Borobudur is an extraordinary symbol of tolerance,&quot; said Anang Imamuddin. &quot;We want the world to know that it is in a majority Muslim country but it is safe. Buddhist monks are safe here too.&quot;

Islamist groups say they plan the demonstration close to the stupa-topped Borobudur temple, to call for an end to violence against the religious and ethnic minority in Myanmar.

Indonesian police have pledged to bar Islamist groups from staging a rally on Friday at the Borobudur Buddhist temple in central Java to protest against the persecution of Myanmar's Rohingya Muslims. Islamist groups say they plan the demonstration close to the stupa-topped Borobudur temple, which dates from the 9th century and is a popular tourist site, to call for an end to violence against the religious and ethnic minority in Myanmar. Indonesia has the world's largest population of Muslims and there have been a number of anti-Myanmar protests in Jakarta and the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur over the treatment of Buddhist-majority Myanmar's roughly 1.1 million Rohingyas. Almost 125,000 Rohingyas have been forced to flee clashes between Rohingya insurgents and the army in the northwest Rakhine state. Tens of thousands have crossed the border into neighbouring Bangladesh. "The action at Borobudur temple will be prohibited," National Police Chief Tito Karnavian told reporters, according to media. "This is not just part of the heritage of Indonesia, but that of the world. There is no need for protests in response to the Rohingya conflict because the Indonesian government is taking action on it already." Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Monday met Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and top security officials to call for a halt to the bloodshed. Marsudi was due in Dhaka, the Bangladeshi capital, on Tuesday. Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif expressed "deep anguish at the ongoing violence against the Rohingya Muslims" and urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to take "immediate and effective action to bring an end to all human-rights violations against innocent and unarmed Rohingya Muslim population". An organiser of Friday's planned protest said the groups wanted to protest peacefully near the Borobodur temple to show Indonesia's tolerance. "The Borobudur is an extraordinary symbol of tolerance," said Anang Imamuddin. "We want the world to know that it is in a majority Muslim country but it is safe. Buddhist monks are safe here too."

Indonesia to bar Myanmar protest at world's biggest Buddhist temple

Archaeologists in Mexico have discovered a canal system under a temple in the Mayan ruins of Palenque that experts believe could be a symbolic gateway to the underworld for the ancient civilisation. 
 
The hydraulic system was uncovered using sonar technology at the Temple of the Inscriptions, which houses the seventh-century tomb of the Mayan ruler Pakal. The significance of the ancient ruler and the temple have lead many to conclude that the canal is of particular significance to the Mayan afterlife. 
 
An inscription in Pakal&#39;s tomb also gives weight to the theory as it states that to be accepted into the Mayan underworld the dead must be submerged in water. 
 
Images released by Mexico&#39;s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) provides the first glimpses into the ancient canal network which has different levels and still has running water. 
 
&quot;There are 17 linear metres, which is as far as we could get although we can see in the images that at the furthest point they [the channels] still continue. These 17 metres (55 linear feet), if one puts it on a map to scale, we are almost at the threshold of the northern wall of the burial chamber. The case here is interesting, important for being under the Temple of the Inscriptions and for being the most important building of the site,&quot; said INAH archaeologist, Arnoldo Gonzaldez. 
 
There are still many unanswered questions regarding the canal system such as its length and where it begins but archaeologists have determined the hydraulic system was built before the construction of the Temple of the Inscriptions. 
 
&quot;With this discovery, the perspective changes a little of how it was done or how the temple was built. The initial approach - well, this construction was ripped out with the construction of the burial chamber and from there, all the bodies, the nine bodies that make up the temple were put with the building in the upper part. Now with this new information, we can clearly think of it in a different way,&quot; added Gonzaldez. 
 
The Mayan ruins at Palenque is one of Mexico&#39;s most mysterious with new discoveries made regularly. Last year, investigators finally decoded the hieroglyphic name of the Mayan King Pakal at the temple decades after the modern-day discovery of the site. 
 
The Maya civilisation, which developed hieroglyphic writing, a calendar and astronomical system, reached its peak of influence between AD 250 and 900, extending its reach over what is now Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. 
 
Palenque was its most important city of the low western lands during the late Classic period, reaching its peak between 600 and 800 AD. 
 
Along with Tikal and Calakmul, it was one of the most powerful Classic Mayan cities, as well as the seat of the distinguished Pakal dynasty. 
 
(Reuters)

An inscription in 7th century ruler Pakal's tomb indicates that Mayans will be accepted into the underworld if they are submerged in water

Archaeologists in Mexico have discovered a canal system under a temple in the Mayan ruins of Palenque that experts believe could be a symbolic gateway to the underworld for the ancient civilisation. The hydraulic system was uncovered using sonar technology at the Temple of the Inscriptions, which houses the seventh-century tomb of the Mayan ruler Pakal. The significance of the ancient ruler and the temple have lead many to conclude that the canal is of particular significance to the Mayan afterlife. An inscription in Pakal's tomb also gives weight to the theory as it states that to be accepted into the Mayan underworld the dead must be submerged in water. Images released by Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) provides the first glimpses into the ancient canal network which has different levels and still has running water. "There are 17 linear metres, which is as far as we could get although we can see in the images that at the furthest point they [the channels] still continue. These 17 metres (55 linear feet), if one puts it on a map to scale, we are almost at the threshold of the northern wall of the burial chamber. The case here is interesting, important for being under the Temple of the Inscriptions and for being the most important building of the site," said INAH archaeologist, Arnoldo Gonzaldez. There are still many unanswered questions regarding the canal system such as its length and where it begins but archaeologists have determined the hydraulic system was built before the construction of the Temple of the Inscriptions. "With this discovery, the perspective changes a little of how it was done or how the temple was built. The initial approach - well, this construction was ripped out with the construction of the burial chamber and from there, all the bodies, the nine bodies that make up the temple were put with the building in the upper part. Now with this new information, we can clearly think of it in a different way," added Gonzaldez. The Mayan ruins at Palenque is one of Mexico's most mysterious with new discoveries made regularly. Last year, investigators finally decoded the hieroglyphic name of the Mayan King Pakal at the temple decades after the modern-day discovery of the site. The Maya civilisation, which developed hieroglyphic writing, a calendar and astronomical system, reached its peak of influence between AD 250 and 900, extending its reach over what is now Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. Palenque was its most important city of the low western lands during the late Classic period, reaching its peak between 600 and 800 AD. Along with Tikal and Calakmul, it was one of the most powerful Classic Mayan cities, as well as the seat of the distinguished Pakal dynasty. (Reuters)

Passage to Afterlife: Canals discovered beneath ancient Mayan temple

A Hindu temple worker was hacked to death in western Bangladesh today, police said, the latest in a series of attacks on religious minorities by suspected Islamists. 
 
Shyamananda Das, who helped conduct prayers at the Radhamadan Gopal Bigraha Math in Jhenaidah district, was killed by three men on a motorcycle as he was walking on a highway adjacent to his temple early in the morning, police said. 
 
&quot;They hacked him on his neck three times and there was one stabbing mark in his head,&quot; deputy police chief of the district Gopinath Kanjilal told AFP. 
 
&quot;He died after he was brought to a hospital.&quot; 
 
Kanjilal said Das, also known as Babaji, was &quot;a priest&quot; in the temple. But local police station chief inspector Hasan Hafizur Rahman told AFP the 50-year-old man was &quot;a temple volunteer who helps conduct prayers&quot;. 
 
&quot;He was an itinerant temple volunteer who travels from one temple to another to serve the Hindu devotees. He came to this temple only yesterday,&quot; he said. 
 
Police said no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but that it the bore the hallmarks of the recent murders of people from the country&#39;s religious minorities by suspected home-grown Islamist militants. 
 
&quot;The pattern of the killing is similar&quot; to ones carried out by local Islamist militants, Rahman said. 
 
Last month a Hindu priest, 70-year-old Ananda Gopal Ganguly, was also hacked to death in a rice paddy field in the same district near his home. 
 
Deputy police chief Kanjilal said a student activist from the country&#39;s largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, has been arrested over the attack and he had allegedly admitted his role in the killing. 
 
Bangladesh is reeling from a wave of murders of secular and liberal activists and religious minorities that have some 50 people dead in the last three years. 
 
Victims of the attacks by suspected Islamists have included secular bloggers, gay rights activists and followers of minority religions. 
 
Although it is officially secular, around 90 per cent of Bangladesh&#39;s 160 million-strong population is Muslim and about one in ten are Hindu. 
 
(AFP)

Police say the attack bears the hallmarks of the recent murders of people belonging to the country's religious minorities

A Hindu temple worker was hacked to death in western Bangladesh today, police said, the latest in a series of attacks on religious minorities by suspected Islamists. Shyamananda Das, who helped conduct prayers at the Radhamadan Gopal Bigraha Math in Jhenaidah district, was killed by three men on a motorcycle as he was walking on a highway adjacent to his temple early in the morning, police said. "They hacked him on his neck three times and there was one stabbing mark in his head," deputy police chief of the district Gopinath Kanjilal told AFP. "He died after he was brought to a hospital." Kanjilal said Das, also known as Babaji, was "a priest" in the temple. But local police station chief inspector Hasan Hafizur Rahman told AFP the 50-year-old man was "a temple volunteer who helps conduct prayers". "He was an itinerant temple volunteer who travels from one temple to another to serve the Hindu devotees. He came to this temple only yesterday," he said. Police said no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but that it the bore the hallmarks of the recent murders of people from the country's religious minorities by suspected home-grown Islamist militants. "The pattern of the killing is similar" to ones carried out by local Islamist militants, Rahman said. Last month a Hindu priest, 70-year-old Ananda Gopal Ganguly, was also hacked to death in a rice paddy field in the same district near his home. Deputy police chief Kanjilal said a student activist from the country's largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, has been arrested over the attack and he had allegedly admitted his role in the killing. Bangladesh is reeling from a wave of murders of secular and liberal activists and religious minorities that have some 50 people dead in the last three years. Victims of the attacks by suspected Islamists have included secular bloggers, gay rights activists and followers of minority religions. Although it is officially secular, around 90 per cent of Bangladesh's 160 million-strong population is Muslim and about one in ten are Hindu. (AFP)

Hindu temple worker hacked to death in Bangladesh

Indian authorities today decided to suspend all Internet services across northern Indian region of Jammu to stop spread of rumours on social networking sites following the desecration of a temple here last evening. 
 
All mobile and broadband-based Internet services have been suspended, a district official said. 
 
&quot;To stop rumour mongering on social networking sites in the wake of the desecration of Shiv temple in Nanak Nagar area, the authorities decided to temporarily suspend all Internet services including mobile and landline Internet services,&quot; the official said. 
 
One more temple was allegedly desecrated in Jammu yesterday, leading to tension briefly in parts of the city. 
 
&quot;A man entered a temple in the Nanak Nagar area and tried to vandalise it. The man has been identified and arrested,&quot; deputy commissioner of Jammu Simrandeep Singh had said. 
 
A large number of people came onto the roads after news spread. Shopkeepers in the area downed their shutters and held a protest demanding action against the accused. 
 
&quot;Though some people held protest in the area, the situation is normal and under control. Adequate police personnel have been deployed to foil any untoward incident in the area,&quot; Singh said. 
 
The incident took place even as normalcy had returned to Jammu following alleged desecration of a temple in another area Roopnagar on Tuesday by a man who was described by police as &quot;mentally disturbed&quot;. The city had witnessed violence and arson over that incident.&nbsp; 
(PTI)

Protests were held demanding action against a man who tried to vandalise a temple in Jammu

Indian authorities today decided to suspend all Internet services across northern Indian region of Jammu to stop spread of rumours on social networking sites following the desecration of a temple here last evening. All mobile and broadband-based Internet services have been suspended, a district official said. "To stop rumour mongering on social networking sites in the wake of the desecration of Shiv temple in Nanak Nagar area, the authorities decided to temporarily suspend all Internet services including mobile and landline Internet services," the official said. One more temple was allegedly desecrated in Jammu yesterday, leading to tension briefly in parts of the city. "A man entered a temple in the Nanak Nagar area and tried to vandalise it. The man has been identified and arrested," deputy commissioner of Jammu Simrandeep Singh had said. A large number of people came onto the roads after news spread. Shopkeepers in the area downed their shutters and held a protest demanding action against the accused. "Though some people held protest in the area, the situation is normal and under control. Adequate police personnel have been deployed to foil any untoward incident in the area," Singh said. The incident took place even as normalcy had returned to Jammu following alleged desecration of a temple in another area Roopnagar on Tuesday by a man who was described by police as "mentally disturbed". The city had witnessed violence and arson over that incident. (PTI)

Jammu authorities suspend Internet in a bid to stop rumour mongering

Thai wildlife authorities found 40 tiger cub carcasses in a freezer in Thailand&#39;s infamous Tiger Temple on Wednesday as they removed live animals in response to international pressure over suspected trafficking and abuse.

The Buddhist temple in Kanchanaburi province west of Bangkok had become a tourist destination where visitors snapped selfies with bottle-fed cubs.

But the temple has been investigated for suspected links to wildlife trafficking and abuse. A raid that began on Monday is the latest move in a tug-of-war since 2001 to bring the tigers under state control.

Tiger parts are used in traditional Chinese medicine.

The 40 dead tiger cubs were found in a freezer in a kitchen area, said Adisorn Nuchdamrong, deputy director-general of the Department of National Parks.

&quot;They must be of some value for the temple to keep them,&quot; he said. &quot;But for what is beyond me.&quot;

Officials wearing protective masks displayed the bodies of the cubs to media at the temple. Also on display was the body of a Binturong, a protected species commonly known as a bearcat, which the authorities found with the cub carcasses.

Monks at the temple were not immediately available for comment.

Officials have moved 52 live tigers from the temple since Monday, Adisorn said, leaving 85 still there.

Thailand has long been a hub for the illicit trafficking of wildlife and forest products, including ivory. Exotic birds, mammals and reptiles, some of them endangered species, can often be found on sale in markets.

On Tuesday, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals group said the temple was &quot;hell for animals&quot; and called on tourists to stop visiting animal attractions at home and abroad.

Wildlife authorities found 40 tiger cub carcasses in a freezer in Thailand's infamous Tiger Temple on Wednesday as they removed live animals in response to international pressure over suspected trafficking and abuse

Thai wildlife authorities found 40 tiger cub carcasses in a freezer in Thailand's infamous Tiger Temple on Wednesday as they removed live animals in response to international pressure over suspected trafficking and abuse. The Buddhist temple in Kanchanaburi province west of Bangkok had become a tourist destination where visitors snapped selfies with bottle-fed cubs. But the temple has been investigated for suspected links to wildlife trafficking and abuse. A raid that began on Monday is the latest move in a tug-of-war since 2001 to bring the tigers under state control. Tiger parts are used in traditional Chinese medicine. The 40 dead tiger cubs were found in a freezer in a kitchen area, said Adisorn Nuchdamrong, deputy director-general of the Department of National Parks. "They must be of some value for the temple to keep them," he said. "But for what is beyond me." Officials wearing protective masks displayed the bodies of the cubs to media at the temple. Also on display was the body of a Binturong, a protected species commonly known as a bearcat, which the authorities found with the cub carcasses. Monks at the temple were not immediately available for comment. Officials have moved 52 live tigers from the temple since Monday, Adisorn said, leaving 85 still there. Thailand has long been a hub for the illicit trafficking of wildlife and forest products, including ivory. Exotic birds, mammals and reptiles, some of them endangered species, can often be found on sale in markets. On Tuesday, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals group said the temple was "hell for animals" and called on tourists to stop visiting animal attractions at home and abroad.

Dead tiger cubs found in Thai temple amid trafficking fears

temple

Temple, News on Temple, stories on Temple, articles on Temple, Temple stories at Wion, Temple news, Temple latest news