HYDERABAD, INDIA, June 21, 2018 (The Hindu): The Department of Archaeology and Museums (DAM) has roped in Endowments Department (ED) officials to ensure that the State’s rich temple heritage spanning more than 1,000 years is protected. ”We wanted an integrated approach. One way to aid the ED officials in doing their job would be to enlighten them about temple architecture and maintenance. What better way than roping an authority on the conservation of heritage as well as Agama shastras?” Director Department of Archaeology and Museums N.R. Visalatchy said about a two-day workshop conducted for ED officials starting Wednesday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the workshop, Mr. Nagaswamy said: ”The Agamas are a comprehensive guide to deal with temple architecture, upkeep and deal with all aspects of worship. The Marichi Samhita was first published in Telugu in Tirupati and later it was codified in Sanskrit. The origin of Shaivite Agama shastras is in Manthana Kaleeshwaram. If we follow the principles codified in these treatises we will not go wrong. Some temples are over 1,000 years old and they are still intact.” Telangana’s temple legacy includes the Sri Raja Rajeswara temple in Vemulawada from the Chola era to Ramappa temple built in the Kakatiya era, and Bhadrachalam temple built by the Qutb Shahis. While the bigger temples have higher footfalls and better maintenance, it is the smaller temples where the ED officials need to focus on. As many temples are being modernized by adding more facilities, or torn down to be rebuilt or modified, Mr. Nagaswamy has a simple mantra about them. ”Agamas are very clear about intervention. Small flaws in idols and other structures of the temple can be overlooked. If there is a minor damage don’t do anything. There should be no unnecessary intervention.”
JAMMU, INDIA, June 27, 2018 (Deccan Chronicle): Unperturbed by the looming terror threat, pilgrims who set out on the Amarnath Yatra on Wednesday said their unflinching faith in Lord Shiva and the security forces had motivated them to undertake the journey to the cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas. The first batch of nearly 3,000 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here amid tight security. The batch was escorted by CRPF personnel and a special motorbike squad equipped with cameras and various life-saving equipments.
Chants of ”Bam Bam Bhole” and ”Bharat Mata ki Jai” filled the air as the enthusiastic pilgrims, including 520 women and 21 children, left the base camp. They are scheduled to reach the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps in Kashmir later in the day. ”We have come for the yatra on the call of Barfani Baba, leaving everything, including the fear of terror attacks, behind,” Susheela, a spirited 65-year-old from Uttar Pradesh said. She is leading a group of 21 people, including her grandchildren. More manpower has been deployed this year compared to the previous years, said Inspector General of CRPF, Jammu, A.V. Chauhan. The IG said radio frequency (RF) identification chips had been introduced this year to help track all Amarnath-bound vehicles. He said the chips would also help guide any vehicles that may stray from the convoy and thereby prevent a repeat of last year’s terrorist attack on a lone bus that left nine pilgrims dead.
Only in the depth of pure silence can we hear God’s voice. Silence is like an upright empty glass that is capable of being filled with, and retaining, the water of knowledge.
— Mata Amritanandamayi Ma, India’s Kerala-based ”hugging saint ”
