Monday 29 April 2013
Month long Chaitra Yatra concludes at Tara Tarini Shakti Pith, over 15 lakh pay obeisance
Marked by devotional celebrations and with the presence of
lakhs of devotees the month long Chaitra Yatra at Tara Tarini Shakti Pith came
to an end. The chanting of religious hymns in the spiritual ambiance of the
Hill Shrine and the ritualistic worship of the devotees throughout the month
charged the atmosphere with an exhilarating blend of spirituality.
So far as the Chaitra month is concerned, in India's
national civil calendar it is the first month of the Hindu year. This month is
also associated with the coming of spring season and therefore Holi, the spring
festival of colours, is celebrated on the eve of Chaitra throughout the
country. The first day of Chaitra is widely celebrated as Hindu New Year's Day
in India (Varsha Pratipada), known as Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, Chaitrai Vishu
or Puthandu in Tamil Nadu and Ugadi in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
The Chaitra Yatra in the holy Chaitra month is celebrated at
the ancient Tara Tarini hill shrine every year during the early spring season
that falls in the month of March/April.
Chaitra Yatra 2013 commenced on the 27 March and concluded
on April 27. Thousands of Sadhus, Sanyasins, Devi Sadhkas and devotees thronged
the shrine for divine blessings of Maa Tara Tarini during this period.
Like the other Tuesdays of the month there was also heavy
rush on the last and fourth Tuesday at the hill shrine. Darshan for the
devotees started in the sanctum sanctorum after midnight Maha Arati at around
3.00 a.m and continued up to late evening. During the Maha Arati festival
thousands of devotees were present at the shrine.
It is notable, that all the Tuesdays of the month of Chaitra
are days of celebration at this shrine and devotees gather in lakhs to take a
glimpse of Adi Shakti Maa Tara Tarini to get rid of their difficulties and to
accomplish their worldly desires. On the fourth Tuesday devotees waited in long
queues to take a glance of Maa throughout the day and offered prayers. On this
occasion more than ten thousand kids tonsured their heads at the Shrine for a
delightful life.
Tara Tarini Development Board arranged; Khichdi Prasad for
lakhs of the pilgrims, special bus to reach the hill top shrine and made
arrangements for special darshan, barbers for Mundan ceremony of the babies
besides safe drinking water for the devotees.
As per the tradition like other Tuesdays thousands of
families and groups cooked food as an offering to the goddesses in around 2
square k.m orchards of the foothill area after fulfillment of their desires and
had a day of picnic at the Shrine.
Heavy police deployment was made by the district
administration. Two IPS officers were in charge to control the law and order
situation in and around the shrine. The administration also made wide
arrangements to control traffic at the foot hill area during the month.
As per primary assessment over 10 lakh of devotees paid
obeisance on Four Tuesdays of the Chaitra month and another 5 lakh pilgrims
visited the Shrine during other days of the month.
This year the month long Chaitra Yatra at this Shakti Pith
has passed off peacefully but it remained in news due to the death of 3
pilgrims.
The district administration, volunteers, social
organizations, media (both electronic and print), Panchayat and local people
extended their full support to Tara Tarini Development Board for peacefully
arranging the Yatra during the whole month.
Thursday 25 April 2013
More than five lakh devotees throng Tara Tarini Hill shrine on the Third Tuesday of Chaitra
The Third Tuesday (April 16, 2013) of the Hindu month of Chaitra passed off peacefully at Maa Tara Tarini Hill Shrine near Berhampur in Odisha. More than five lakh devotees thronged this ancient Shakti shrine which is believed to have originated from the limbs of Mata Sati. Located on the banks of River Rushikulya, the Tara Tarini Hill Shrine draws people across the year, but the month of Chaitra and the Third Tuesday in particular witnesses the largest congregation of devotees. As per the age old practice, more than twenty thousand babies tonsured their heads during the day through ‘mundan’ and offer hairs seeking the blessings of the mother Goddesses for a blissful life.
The third Tuesday, considered the holiest in the annual calendar of events of the Hill Shrine, began with the chanting of traditional Mantras on the midnight of Monday. The priests performed the rituals of Snana, Majana and Maha Arati of the Goddesses before the sanctum sanctorum of the Shrine was thrown open for the devotees. Thousands of devotees were seen standing in queues on the hilltop to have an early darshan of the goddesses. Many senior officials of the State government were present on the occasion including Shri V. Karthikeya Pandian, I.A.S and Secretary to Chief Minister of Odisha, the District Collector of Ganjam Shri Krishan Kumar and the Superintendent of Police of the District, officials of the local administration, office bearers of TTDB and Tara Tarini temple administration were also present on the occasion.
The Third Tuesday of Chaitra which saw a footfall of more than 5 lakh people passed off peacefully. The entire Hill Shrine and its surrounding areas including the Rushikulya riverbank was chockablock from the wee hours till late evening. Devotees waited in long queues and dared late-afternoon drizzle to offer prayers at the temple on the hill-top and participate in the Chaitra Mela, one of the biggest religious fairs in the country. On this occasion, more than 10,000 groups were seen cooking in the surrounding locations and had a day of picnic at the Shrine. TTDB also arranged Khichdi Prasad of Maa Tara Tarini besides safe drinking water was distributed to the devotees.
Like the earlier occasions, heavy police deployment was made by the local administration to avert any untoward incident and control the large number of people gathered for the fair. The district administration also made arrangements to control traffic in and around the shrine. Police beat houses and temporary health centers were set up near the foot hill bus stop and at the Lions’ Gate of the shrine. Six special buses were pressed into service to help the devotees reach the hill top. Arrangements were also made for special Darshan of Maa on the hill shrine and more than 8,000 devotees queued up for special darshan on the hilltop.
Thursday 11 April 2013
Mass hatching of Olive Ridley eggs begins at Rushikulya rookery near Berhampur city
Mass hatching of
Olive Ridley eggs started on the Rushikulya rookery coast from Tuesday night. According to
localites, mass hatching of the Olive Ridley eggs by was delayed by almost more
than a week. Mass hatching has started on slow rate and it is likely to gain
pace in next few days.
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| Volunteers setting the hatched Olive Ridley turtles free near the sea at the Rushikulya river mouth rookery near Gokharakuda in Ganjam district |
Usually the Olive
Ridley eggs, buried in sand, hatch on their own in 45 to 50 days. But this time
the eggs in the Olive Ridley nests on the Ruhsikulya rookery coast in Ganjam
district of south showed signs of delay in hatching. This year mass hatching of
Olive Ridley eggs at this coast is expected to occur in 56 to 60 days.
It may be noted that
the Rushikulya rookery coast is one of the major nesting sites of Olive Ridleys
on Indian coast line.
This year record
number of mother Olive Ridleys nested on this coast. This year more than three
lakh mother Olive Ridleys laid their eggs at the coast. The mass nesting,
started on February 12, continued for around a week and on February 15, mass
nesting also took place during day time which was unique. The mother turtles
get back to sea after laying their eggs and the eggs incubate by the heat of
the sand.
According to
Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) G. Prakashchand, changes in soil
temperature due to climatic changes during incubation period have led to delay
in hatching. The Forest Department established two hatcheries for monitored
incubation of Olive Ridley eggs. One of them located near Purunabandha was for
scientific studies. Eggs collected from nests at places other than the mass
nesting site were collected for monitored incubation at the hatchery near
Ramayapatna.
Normal span
The ACF has
attributed the extension of incubation period to drizzles that the region
experienced in last part of February. According to experts, if the sand
temperature remains between 28 degree and 30 degree centigrade then the Olive
Ridley eggs hatch in 45 to 50 days, which is the normal span of incubation and
hatching. But with lowering of sand temperature the incubation period gets
extended.
Preparations have
been made not to let newborn hatchlings stray out towards the land rather than
going into the sea. Net walls have been put on the coast on a stretch of around
four km. Apart from the forest officials, people from Purunabandh and
Gotharkuda villages near the coast are also involved in protection of Olive
Ridey nests and hatchlings. Source: The Hindu
Night-long dharna over weightlifting hostel shifting from Berhampur to Bhubaneswar
Many persons of Berhampur city staged a dharna in front of the Berhampur stadium on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday to prevent shifting of equipment from the girls' sports hostel for weightlifting. The government recently decided to shift the hostel from Berhampur to Bhubaneswar. On March 13, sports persons staged a rally protesting against the government's move and submitted a memorandum to chief minister Naveen Patnaik through revenue divisional commissioner.
"As soon as we get information about the arrival of the truck to take away the equipment, we came to the Berhampur stadium and detained the truck," said BJP's town unit President Ram Kumar Patra. He along with several others staged dharna throughout the night in front of the stadium gate.
"The government has decided to establish a weightlifting academy at Gopalpur. The district administration has identified sx acres of land for the proposed academy," said district collector Krishan Kumar.
Comments (Times of India)
Anju (India)
Naveen Patnaik has in actuality gone mad. this government has done nothing for Berhampur region and now they are taking away one after another institutions of the city to the state capital. now the devil's face of this mad CM has come to the fore and in the forth coming election we will give fitting reply to BJD government and Naveen Patnaik
Odisha (Berhampur, Odisha) replies to anju
No doubt Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has gone mad but question is what the local leaders are doing? Why not the MP, MLA and Mayor of Berhampur protesting against this decision? Why not the leaders of BJD protesting against this decision? Opposition parties like BJP and Congress and the media should also protest against this anti Berhampur decision of the government.
vikas (Koraput)
Rightly said sir. Only a separate state will change the fate of this region. We want 'Kalinga State'
Naveen patnaik's foolish decisions (Delhi)
Naveen Patnaik led BJD govt. ditched the people of Berhampur and South Odisha many times. the recent incident shows the step-motherly attitude of the BJD govt towards Berhampur. now i realize why some people have been demanding a separate Kalinga Pradesh consisting ten districts of south Odisha..........if the govt will not change its decisions than a separate state for South Odisha (the erstwhile kalinga) is inevitable ....only a a separate state will change the condition of south Odisha..............
Ashok (India)
BJD Govt has gone mad for the development of Bhubaneswar at the cost of other cities of the State..
SURYA PRASAD (Bangalore)
bad..
- Berhampur aur south odisha.jo zyada revenue dete hain.par development zero..bbsr mein dusra airport ho gaya. Par Berhampur.no..odisha ka pehla railstation Berhampur ..par development zero..katak bbsr ko 1000 ka each package city development ke liye.par Berhampur ko 70 crore.flyover Berhampur karne ke liye fund odisha sarkar ke paas nahin.par bbsr mein karne ke liye 1500 ka package ..we want separate kalinga state
- very sad, during BJD rule Ganjam dist has got nothing,even if the CM represents the district. Naveen pattnaik has become very much bureaucratic in his attitude, and does not understand the minds of the people. Berhmapur has been entirely neglected during his rule, the roads of the city and the water supply system stand testimony to this neglect. all the election packages, he is declaring day in and day out, will not get him the desirable votes to come back to power the next time. the expansion of BBSR city at the cost of the rest of the state gives the impression that Odisha is suffering from malnutrition, pictures of which are availble on the internet, picture of small children with pot bellies.
- This step by Odisha Government is a clear sign of their biased attitude towards the silk city of Odisha.
Berhampur off late has emerged as a good centre for Weightlifters. But this attitude of Govt. will hamper this Sports in Berhampur.
Rashmin Kumar Mahapatra
MODI fever grips youths of Berhampur and Ganjam in Odisha
The Modi fever is slowly gripping the minds of large sections of youth in the silk city Berhampur and Ganjam district of Odisha as is evident from the sudden appearance of posters under the banner of Narendra Modi Youth Forum with Modi figuring prominently in the posters displayed in several key locations of Gandhinagar (Berhampur), Ganjam and Chhatrapur. It may be noted that about four lakh people from Ganjam District are working in Gujarat, most of whom consider Modi as their most favoured icon. When contacted, president and general secretary of Narendra Modi Youth Forum Dharanidhar Behera, former president of Ganjam Zilla Parishad, and advocate N Rajendra Kumar told this correspondent that they formed this youth platform in March last year to campaign for Modi’s leadership, which is the only answer to the growing social insecurity, terrorism and plight of farmers in the country. A large number of local youth who believe in the ideology of Modi are keen to join the forum in the coming days, they added.
Interestingly, appreciation for Modi’s personality, his vision and contribution to development became most visible even in the minds of small children. Satya Prakash Panda (Kaanha), an openhearted and soft-spoken boy of eight years and a student of Standard four at the Delhi Public School (Kalali) at Baroda in Gujarat during his visit to his native place Brahmapur in an informal chat with this reporter wanted to see Modi as Prime Minister. As to why Modi should be the Prime Minister, the boy swiftly recollected the contributions of Modi in the field of communication in Gujarat and candidly replied that construction of an excellent road linked to the Ellora Park, uninterrupted power supply and a lot of other works impressed him most.
Source: www.narendramodi.in, The Pioneer
The Carnival is back: Berhampur gets ready for Thakurani Yatra
Official website of the famous Berhmapur Thakurani Jatra(www.thakurani.com)
City waits anxiciously to welcome the daughter
Month long festivity associated with this grand carnival to draw millions
The whole city of Berhampur has started to bear a festive look and its inhabitants were ready to have a sleepless night on Friday to witness the journey of goddess Budhi Thakurani from her permanent temple to her so called parental house at Desibehera Street. This journey would mark the ceremonial beginning of famous biennial Thakurani Jatra festival of Berhampur which would continue till her return to the temple on April 29 night.
According to some eminent historians, the cult of Buddhi Thakurani originated along with the emergence of Berhampur town in and around 1672 AD. Telugu Lengayat Dera (weaver) community, who came to Mahuri on the invitation of Raja Saheb of Mahuri to take up their profession of weaving, started their ‘Ghata Yatra’ (Pot Festival) for highlighting the divinity of Mahamayee Thakurani of his capital town Berhampur. The Chief of the Dera community, Kota Chandramani Kubera Senapati, led his community people to migrate to Mahuri and Berhampur who settle down into their hereditary profession of weaving tussar silken products or ‘patta matha’. The ‘Ghata Yatra’ was initiated for the purpose of highlighting the tradition of worshiping Thakurani as well as to use it as a platform for sales promotion of their silken products.
Inhabitants of the city have emotional linkage with goddess Budhi Thakurani, the reigning deity of the city. They consider the deity as a divine daughter of the city. Her journey to Desibehera Street is compared to that of journey of a married daughter to her parental home. Most families of the city including the children and women are ready to do away with their sleep to witness the procession to carry the ghatam representing the deity BudhiThakurani from her temple to her temporary abode at Desibehera Street.
R.Laxmi said, “How can we not remain awake on this night when our beloved goddess is making this journey to her parental home”. Similar was the opinion of Gouri Nayak, who has decided to witness the procession with her family. According to her this is a special occasion that provides a chance to enjoy life and festivity all through the night which she and her family cannot miss.
During the day the traditional hereditary head of the festival Durgaprasad Desibehera and his family reached Budhi Thakurani temple to ritually invite the deity to his home. They also reached the temple of goddess Sana Thakurani with similar invitation. Goddess San Thakurani is considered sister of goddess Budhi Thakurani. At the Desibehera Street the traditional makeshift temple was ready to greet the deity for her biennial sojourn.
Source: The Hindu
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| Source: The Sambad |
Tara Tarini chock-a-block with devotees on first Tuesday of Chaitra
Lakhs of devotees from far off places in the state, neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and other parts of the country thronged Tara Tarini temple, about 35 km from Berhampur city, on the occasion of first Tuesday of Chaitra Mela on April 02, 2013.
Braving the scorching heat, they climbed the 999 steps of the 17{+t}{+h} century temple, on the banks of river Rushikulya, to tonsure the head of their children. Devotees offer hair to the deity, as a part of age-old tradition, on every Tuesday during the month of Chaitra. "I work in Delhi
"The district administration and the temple administration have made elaborate arrangements for the convenience of visitors," said secretary of Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) Pramod Kumar Panda. Water is being provided on the way to the temple along with healthcare facilities. At least 500 police personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order. "No untoward incident has been reported till now," said SDPO (Chhatrapur) A Ch Pahi.
The authorities charge Rs 20 for 'Mundan' (close shaving) on the temple premises and only Re 1 for 'darshan', though special darshan costs Rs 50 per head, sources said.
Volunteers have been engaged to make the drive against polythene on the temple premises successful. They have been asked to convince the devotees not to throw polythene on the premises. RDC (southern division) Bikash Mohapatra had stressed making the shrine a polythene-free zone at the preparatory meeting for the festival. Source: Times of India
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K Krishna Das,(Madhya Pradesh)