Thursday, September 2, 2010

Incessant rains wash away hopes of carpet industry in Varanasi

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 By Girish Kumar Dubey

Varanasi, July 14 (ANI): Continuous rainfall and sultry weather conditions has adversely affected the carpet industry in Varanasi.

The rainy season has turned out to be a bane for the carpet weavers in the region.

The carpet weavers and makers have incurred losses to the tune of millions of rupees.

"There is nothing that we can do during this season. We cannot dry the carpets and we cannot colour the carpets. It's a great loss for the manufacturers as well as the workers," said Hirday Narayan Giri, a worker.

While farmers rejoice and celebrate the showers

, the rains drops hard hit the carpet weavers.

It is not only the daily wageworkers who are badly hit, but even carpet exporters are incurring huge monetary losses.

Though the carpet industry sees a decline in the business during the monsoons every year, the carpet weavers observe that the region had not witnessed such incessant rains as was experienced recently.

S. K Sinha, Secretary of All India Carpet Manufacturing Association says that the carpets need sunlight, else the moisture and dampness damage the colour and the texture.

"Its important after dyeing that the wool should be dried in sunlight otherwise it will get spoilt and damage the colour. After washing the carpets need to be dried under sunlight with out which it can get spoilt due to moisture. Packaging too, due to dampness it can damage the goods. This way it's creating a lot of problems," said Sinha.

Varanasi is famous for its hand woven carpets world over, especially in the American and European countries. (ANI)

Incessant rains submerge Banaras Ghats in Varanasi

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 By Girish Kumar Dubey

Varanasi, June 27 (ANI): The last three days' incessant rains have left the River Ganga swollen in Varanasi and has led to the submergence of the famous bathing Ghats and several temples situated along the banks here.

The water level has risen so much that the steps where daily rituals are performed and the temples located on the riverbanks have been submerged.

The condition is so bad that it has led to suspension of the Ganga Aarati at Dasaswamedh, one of the prime attractions of Varanasi that draws tourists from across the country.

Local shopkeepers selling articles used in the worship at the riverbank by devotees have also been badly affected.

"The situation here has upset our lives as we had to shift our shops that we run by the river banks. We sell things required for performing daily rituals here. Some of them have been submerged in the water. We are performing all activities at the top. There is very limited space. Shopkeepers are compelled to move away and half of their things get damaged," said Vinod Kumar, a local.

Tourists, who had arrived here from far off places to have a feel of Varanasi and experience the Hindu rituals being performed at the Ghats, are disappointed to find half of the city affected due to rainwater and the main attraction, the Ghats, submerged in water.

"We came here to see Varanasi's Ghats but because of the monsoon rains and water level rising, we have missed watching them here," said Sichowiki, a Korean tourist.

Many tourist guides say the swollen river has affected their business.

"When the water level was low, it felt nice as I could show the Ganga Ghats to tourists. Now as it has increased, it has created a lot of obstacles to tourists who want to visit the ghat and enjoy its beauty. Boating this time is also not so safe as the current is really strong," said Sunil Sharma, one tourist guide.

Ganga Aarti is the prime attraction of all religious rituals performed here every day.

Boating is also one of the prime attractions of the place. But as the current is very strong boating too has been suspended for sometime until the current is back to normal. (ANI)

Bath therapy successful in de-addicting at Varanasi

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 By Girish Kumar Dubey

Varanasi, July 16 (ANI): In an unique tactic to de-addict the prison inmates of narcotic drugs, authorities at the District Jail of Varanasi has ordered them to take compulsory bath at least four times a day.

Inmates are prompted and at times forced to bathe many time in a day since initial observations of the experiments demonstrated that bathing many times in a day nullifies the urge in an addict to seek refuge under drugs.

These inmates are also being given medication in jail to enable them build a strong will power and also to help them in disposing of drug addiction completely.

According to the jail authorities, the bath therapy has helped over 1,100 addicts in kicking the habit within a span of one year.

Inmates here are delighted that with the help of unusual therapy, they have developed a faith to make a new beginning once they complete their jail term.

"Earlier, our life was like hell because I used to take smack and heroin. We were ready to do anything for a kick from smack and heroin. We used to work also but if we didn't earn enough money to buy it, we used to steal. It had become necessary for us to take smack after getting up in the morning. I am here in jail for past five days. I am being given bath 2-3 times a day here and medication also. We are benefiting from it and our soreness, stomachache, restlessness and everything has reduced much by taking bath. It is very much in control now," said Jitendra Kumar, a drug-addict inmate.

According to the Jail Superintendent, particularly in District Jails, a number of under-trial and convicted prisoners come everyday and a good number among them are addicted to drugs.

"There are a few who are on the verge of dying, so first of all we keep them in the jail hospital. During treatment of those drug-addicted prisoners, we have noticed that they feel scared of water. So when we made two to four people bath in water, we noticed that they were feeling relaxed after the bath. So we started applying this therapy on the prisoners. We make the prisoners, who are drug addicted, bathe three to four times a day, which reduces their pain and stiffness in their body. It also helps in getting rid of the addiction," said R. K. Tripathi, Superintendent of the District Jail in Varanasi.

But the medical officer, who medically treats the patients in the jail, believes that there is no relation between bath therapy and getting rid of drug addiction.

"The bath diverts the blood circulation that is towards the outer body parts and skin to the internal organs and especially to brain. And when they are asked to take bath, their moods diverted from the drug addiction for some time and after that the patient quits addiction slowly. His will power becomes strong, his personality gets developed and it also helps in maintaining the blood circulation to brain and helps the patient in quitting the addiction to a great extent," said Dr. Narendra Singh, Medical Officer, District Jail, Varanasi.

Ramshees Verma, a de-addicted inmate says, "There are lots of benefits of bathing. The body gets relaxed after taking bath. Now I have slowly started liking all kinds of work. I feel the urge to eat and the weakness has gone unlike before. I have become healthy now. I don't feel like taking drugs now. We take a vow that we will not take drugs after going out from here."

With the bath therapy the inmates, who couldn't even walk properly have started doing other works and even exercise in the morning.

The jail authorities believe if this therapy is opted by other jails all across the country, the fight against drugs and other narcotic formulations can be won. (ANI)

Varanasi students form human chain on World Water Day

Varanasi students form human chain on World Water Day
China National News
Monday 22nd March, 2010
By Girish Kumar Dubey

Varanasi, March 22 (ANI):On the occasion of the World Water Day (March 22), students from public and Vedic schools joined hands to formed a human chain to spread the message of clean Ganga.

Besides, the students offered prayers near the banks of Ganges and took a pledge to protect it from further getting being polluted.

"We took a pledge that we will not pollute Ganga River. Together we will try to keep Ganges clean and will not throw any kind of wastes in the river...with this human chain, we wanted to spread this message," said Akshaybar Tiwari, one of the Vedic school student.

River Ganga (Ganges) is one of the largest and revered rivers of India, supporting a large population on its banks.

Sewage and industrial effluents pour into much of the River Ganga's course through India's most populated states, reducing its capacity to support life and making it unfit for human or animal use. Floating corpses are a common sight, as Hindus believe cremation on the river banks leads to salvation.

The government has planned to end discharge of untreated waste into the Ganges by 2020.

Though the Union government enacted Ganga Action Plan in 1985 to clean the river, much of the action seems to have confined to papers.

However, with one billion tonnes of waste being dumped into it everyday, the River Ganga, unfortunately, remains one of the most polluted rivers in the world. (ANI)

Watch Kashi Vishwanath live on television in Varanasi

By Girish Kumar Dubey

Devotees of Lord Shiva in Varanasi can now ave an audience of the Jyotirlinga at the world famous Kashi ishwanath temple while sitting at home. Thanks to the local irect to home (DTH) service provider.

Varanasi, Feb.4 : Devotees of Lord Shiva in Varanasi can now ave an audience of the Jyotirlinga at the world famous Kashi ishwanath temple while sitting at home. Thanks to the local irect to home (DTH) service provider.

Lord Shiva's Jyotirlinga is enshrined at this famous temple.

The new facility commenced this past week (Thursday) after the ata Sky, the local DTH service provider, had an arrangement with he temple authorities for its subscribers here. The company has aid an annual royalty of rupees 35 lakhs (3.5 million rupees).

The latest option will save time and energy of the devotees who therwise had to wait for hours in long queues, passing through arious security check-points, to have Darshan (glimpse) of the ain deity of Kashi Vishwanath temple from a distance. It will lso enable devotees to have a close view of the deity.

This facility, however, will be available only with Tata Sky nabled television sets.

"This is a historic day for all of us. In the entire north India his is for the first time that devotees from any part of the orld can see the pious 'Jyotirlinga' of Kashi Vishwanath Temple ive on their TV sets," said Rajesh Tripathi, Religious Endowment inister of Uttar Pradesh.

"Of course, such a facility is available at Shirdi's Sai Baba emple and Sidhi Vinayak temple in Maharashtra. In south India, he temple of Shri Balaji at Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh also has his facility," Tripathi added.The daily telecast will include the coverage of daily rituals of he temple besides enabling an open view of the presiding deity. his facility, however, will be available only with Tata Sky nabled television sets. evotees have hailed the new facility, as now onwards they will ot have to be a part the huge crowd and hustle bustle, which sed to defeat the whole meaning of worship that needs utmost erenity.

"There is so much of a crowd and I don't have to go there. It is ctually very comfortable. It is very good," said Abhishek Singh, devotee.

Prior to this telecast, Kashi Vishwanath was brought live to the evotees via internet but it was more of static visuals. That ebsite had limited approach, as only computer literates could ave access to it through internet.

As against all these, Tata Sky has lent a far wider coverage, hich in turn would mean devotees would be able to offer prayers rom homes with 'live' deity in view.

The Kashi Vishwanath temple is widely recognized as one of the ost important places of worship in Hindu religion and most of he leading Hindu saints, including Adi Sankaracharya, amakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, Goswami Tulsidas, wami Dayananda Saraswati, Sikh Guru Gurunanak Dev are known to ave visited this temple.

As per Hindu mythology, visiting Kashi Vishwanath temple and a ath in the river Ganga is believed to lead one on a path to oksha (liberation).

It is said that the merits earned by the darshan of other yotirlinga located in different parts of India accrue to devotee y a single visit to Kashi Vishwanath Temple.(ANI)

Devotees lament hike in temple fees at Kashi Vishwanath Temple

By Girish Kumar Dubey

Devotees in Uttar Pradeshs Varanasi city are disappointed with the trustees of the famous Hindu shrine Kashi Vishwanath Mandir, for increasing fees to attend prayers and other rituals.

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), July 7 : Devotees in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi city are disappointed with the trustees of the famous Hindu shrine 'Kashi Vishwanath Mandir', for increasing fees to attend prayers and other rituals.

The fees to attend prayers and perform other rituals at the famous Kashi Vishwanath Mandir have been raised by Rs 50. The trustees have also hiked the entrance fee to attend the morning and evening rituals and other prayers.

The temple trustees contend that the income from the increased fees would be utilised in the maintenance and other improvements in the temple.

"The money that will be received as a part of the fee will be used for the repair and maintenance of the temple and offerings to Lord Shiva. And people will be fortunate to contribute in the development of the temple of Lord Shiva," said Harihar Tripathi, President, Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust, Varanasi.

"So, the development committee members of the temple trust have decided to use the money for the development of the temple," he added.

The locals, however, said the increase in fees would discourage the devotees from attending the morning and even prayers.

"Amidst the rising prices of everything, the decision of increasing the temple fee is not at all fair. And it is not at all in favour of devotees. The members of the temple trust have made the temple a source of their personal income and this has really affected the sentiments of the devotees," said Gulshan Kumar, a local.

Temple holds five Aartis in a day.

The Managl Aarti (the morning devotional offering), Bhog Aarti (the devotional offering of food to the deity), Saptrshi Aarti (devotional offering dedicated to the Seven Seers), Shringar Aarti (the offering after decorating the deity) and Shayan Aarti (the last offering before the deity retires for the day) are the prime five daily events at this temple.

The fees for attending the Aarti, except the Shayan Aarti, have been increased from Rs 101 to Rs 201.

ANI

The special Chadar for Ajmer Sharif is made at Varanasi

KhbarExpress

The special Chadar for Ajmer Sharif is made at Varanasi
By Girish Kumar Dubey

16 Jun 2008, 1507 Hrs

Though various Chadar or ornamental sperads representing different States are offered at the Ajmer Sharif, the one that is sent from Varanasi has its own significance

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Varanasi, June 16 (ANI): Every year hundreds of thousands of people regardless of their caste or creed visit the famous Ajmer Sharif shrine in Rajasthan during the annual Urs. And, many of them offer a Chadar or ornament spread at this shrine for Hazrat Khwaja Mu`inuddin Chisti.

Though various Chadar or ornamental sperads representing different States are offered at the Ajmer Sharif, the one that is sent from Varanasi has its own significance.

It holds distinction for carrying the respect and contribution of all religious communities.

Be it Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian, all contribute to the preparation of this fascinating spread meant for religious offering at the famous shrine in Rajasthan.

Prepared by the craftsmen belonging to all castes and communities, the Chadar is viewed as a privilege by the Anwar family, which has been entrusted the responsibility to prepare it for the last 25 years for Varanasi.

Though it is the Anwar's family which gets the order to prepare the Chadar but people from all castes make hearty contributions in its making.

"About two dozen people of different caste, creeds and religious faith are preparing the Chadar (spread). There are Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians contributing to its preparation and anyone's caste holds no meaning here. This Chadar is meant for Khwaja, who fulfills everyone's wishes whoever visits his Darbar (court)," said Anwar, in-charge of preparing the sacred Chadar in Varanasi

"It takes about one to one-and-a-half month to prepare this full Chadar. On July 6th, this Chadar will to Khawaja's court," said Anwar.

he craftsmen are required to maintain cleanliness and hygiene during the month long preparation of the Chadar. And, none of them charges any money and contributes his labour as personal respect for the Hazrat Baba Muinuddin Chisti.

It's been a month when about 15-20 individuals started working to prepare this Chadar while carrying out intricate designs of fine embroidery work.

Similar ornamental spread or chadar are prepared in all States of the country and sent to the famous shrine in Ajmer.

The craftsmen work as team and everyone is entrusted a responsibility to finish one aspect or feature of the Chadar. Like a Hindu craftsman is doing the decorative work with stones, a Sikh craftsman is doing the embroidery work and so on.

" This is Khwaja's Chadar. People from all religions are involved in its making. We believe in all religions. People appreciate this Chadar a lot. We want our Chadar to be number one in Varanasi. The Chadar takes 42 meters of cloth and has a dimension of six by seven meters," said Mushtaq Ahmed, one craftsman.

Though Muslim craftsmen give the final touch to the Chadar, the complete work involves respect and contribution of all communities.

It takes about rupees 25, 000 to prepare this sacred Chadar.

The specially decorated spread will be presented at the Ajmer Sharif shrine on the occasion of Urs, the death anniversary of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti that happens to be falling on July 6 this year. (ANI)