Jharkhand celebrates Ram Navami with festive fervour, CM Soren offers prayers at Ranchi temple
Ranchi (PTI): Devotees thronged temples across Jharkhand on Friday on the occasion of Ram Navami, with Chief Minister Hemant Soren offering puja at a shrine in state capital Ranchi.
The CM, along with his wife, Kalpana Soren, visited the Shri Ram Janaki Tapovan Temple in Nivaranpur to take part in the rituals.
"Celebrating Ram Navami is a great joy for all. This grand celebration would not have been possible without the people's support and cooperation," he said.
"The respect and reverence for Lord Ram, along with the sacrifice and penance of Lord Hanuman, will surely remain enshrined in our hearts and in the atmosphere for ages to come," he added.
Soren said the beautification work of 'Tapovan Bhoomi' is underway.
"I pray to Lord Ram that this beautification work gets completed at the earliest," he said, adding that all devotees should also pray that the identity of this shrine gets strengthened.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up across the state in view of the festival, officials said.
Surveillance has been intensified with the deployment of drones, CCTV cameras and quick response teams, they said, adding that special focus is being given to sensitive areas.
Religious processions will be taken out in most districts later in the day, while in Hazaribag and Jamshedpur, considered sensitive zones, these will be organised on Saturday, officials said.
Cities and towns have been decked in saffron flags ahead of the celebrations.
Since early morning, devotees have been making a beeline outside temples to offer prayers.
Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar and Chief Minister Hemant Soren extended greetings to the people on the occasion.
In a post on X, Gangwar said, "May the ideals of Maryada Purushottam Lord Ram -- truth, righteousness, sacrifice, and propriety -- forever illuminate the lives of all. I wish this auspicious festival brings happiness, peace and prosperity to all."
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka govt clears funds for 2027 Mahamastakabhisheka in Karkala
Udupi (Karnataka), Mar 27 (PTI): The Karnataka government has approved financial assistance for infrastructure development in connection with the upcoming Mahamastakabhisheka in Karkala.
Mahamastakabhisheka is a major festival marked by the grand anointing of the 57-foot monolithic statue of Lord Gommateshwara (Bahubali).
Held once every 12 years, this ancient ritual draws millions of devotees.
Speaking to PTI, Karkala MLA V Sunil Kumar said that Rs 50 lakh has been sanctioned for the construction of a viewing platform (attalige), of which Rs 37.50 lakh will be released in the first instalment.
ALSO READ: Woman dies after crane hits her while crossing NH-66 near Udupi
In addition, the government has cleared a total grant of around Rs 1.59 crore in the 2025–27 budget, under a special case, to provide essential facilities for the festival. Of this, 75 per cent of the amount will be released in the initial phase.
Kumar said the funds were approved following a request to ensure adequate infrastructure for the grand event, which is scheduled to be held in 2027.
