Protesters mass outside Sudan army complex
Khartoum: Thousands of protesters massed outside Sudan's army complex in Khartoum on Friday, piling pressure on the country's new military rulers to swiftly transfer power to a civilian administration, witnesses said.
The army on April 11 ousted Sudan's longtime leader Omar al-Bashir after a months-long protest movement.
A military council which took power has so far resisted calls from protesters to quickly bring in a civilian adminstration.
On Thursday, exactly four months since protests started, roads leading to the sit-in area were packed with crowds flocking to the army headquarters.
Activists mobilised demonstrators through social media to keep up the pressure for replacing the military council, now led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
"Power to civilians, power to civilians," protesters chanted through Thursday night.
"I won't leave until Burhan transfers power to a civilian government," said Wali Aldeen, who has camped outside the complex since the day Bashir was ousted.
Activists have called for large crowds to gather after the weekly Muslim prayers, as on previous Fridays.
Protests first broke out on December 19 in response to the tripling of bread prices, swiftly turning into nationwide rallies against Bashir's three-decade rule.
After his ouster, protesters demonstrated against General Awad Ibn Ouf who took over as the first head of the military council, insisting he was a close aide of Bashir and a top regime figure.
Ibn Ouf stepped down in less than 24 hours and was replaced by Burhan, who so far has appeased protesters by lifting a night-time curfew and vowing to "uproot" the Bashir regime. (AFP)
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Karnataka celebrates Makara Sankranti with great religious fervour
Bengaluru (PTI): Makara Sankranti, marking the Sun's transition into Makara Rashi or capricorn sign, is being celebrated with traditional fervour across Karnataka on Thursday, with temples witnessing heavy footfall and households observing age-old rituals.
In Bengaluru, thousands of devotees thronged the historic Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple at Gavipuram in Basavanagudi from the early hours.
The temple holds special significance on Makara Sankranti as the setting Sun's rays pass through the horns of the stone Nandi and illuminate the Shiva Linga inside the cave temple.
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The Sun's rays directly falling on the Linga in the afternoon on Makara Sankranti is a rare and unique occurrence, symbolising the cosmic alignment and Lord Shiva's blessings, temple authorities said.
Police and temple authorities have made elaborate arrangements to regulate the crowd as devotees queued up to have a darshan of Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the cave shrine.
Across the state, devotees offered prayers in temples and observed Sankranti rituals at home.
The festival is traditionally celebrated as Suggi in Karnataka, marking the harvest season.
On this day, festive dishes are prepared and 'Ellu-Bella', a mix of sesame seeds, jaggery, groundnuts and coconut, is distributed to the near and dear ones wishing for their safety and good luck.
In rural parts of Karnataka, farmers celebrate the harvest with special pujas, cattle worship and community gatherings, reflecting gratitude for a good crop.
Cultural programmes and traditional games will also be organised on this day adding colour to the celebrations in several districts.
Flowers, jujube fruits and sugarcane were in great demand in the market as they are the key ingredients for the pujas.
