Thousands witness 'Brahma Kalasha Abhisheka' at Kateel temple
Mangaluru, Jan 31: Thousands of devotees thronged the Durgaparameshwari temple at Kateel in Dakshina Kannada to witness the 'Brahmakalshabhisheka,' a special ritual held once in 12 years.
The 'abhisheka' was performed in the auspicious hours of Meena Lagna at 9.37 a.m on Thursday.
'Avasruta Bali', 'Maha Pooje' and 'Palla Pooje' were held as part of Brahmakalashotsava, before the distribution of mass meals.
'Shani Yaaga', the sacred fire ritual, 'Sahasra Chandika Saptashati Parayana' and 'Koti Japa Yajna' were also performed during the day.
'Ratha Kalashabisheka', 'Maharathotsava', 'Bhootabali' and 'Kavata Bandhana' were conducted in the evening.
Devotees thronged the temple throughout the day and volunteers had a tough time controlling the crowd during the rituals and the mass meals.
Metal barricades were placed on the streets and within the temple premises to control movement of the crowd.
Several devotees did voluntary work in the kitchen by sorting and slicing vegetables, fulfilling their vows to the presiding deity, Goddess Durgaparameshwari.
BJP Karnataka unit president and Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel also joined the volunteers in cutting vegetables in the kitchen.
Hereditary trustees of the temple Vasudeva Asranna and hereditary priests led the Brahmakalashotsava ritual.
Temple managing committee president Sanat Kumar Shetty was also present.
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.
Elephant calf brought from Bijnor kept under care at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Pilibhit (PTI): A 19-day-old elephant calf, brought from Bijnor, was placed under care at the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Sunday, an official said and added that the calf got separated from its mother in the forest area of Bijnor.
The calf was born on December 2 in the Bijnor forest area and got separated from its mother shortly after birth, the official said.
The forest department made several attempts to reunite it with its mother, but without any success. To ensure the calf's safety and better care, it was decided to transfer it to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve on the instructions of senior officials.
On Saturday, Deputy Director Manish Singh received the calf. Special arrangements have been made in the reserve for its care. It has been kept in a safe and clean environment to provide it with a natural setting and protect it from external noise and disturbances.
Singh told reporters that raising an 19-day-old calf is challenging.
It requires a special diet as a substitute for mother's milk and constant monitoring.
He said a special team has been formed to provide 24-hour care. Since the calf is very young, it is being cared for like a newborn baby.
According to Singh, the primary responsibility for monitoring the calf's health has been entrusted to PTR's veterinarian, Dr Daksh Gangwar. Under his supervision, a complete record of the calf's health checkups, diet, and body temperature is being maintained. The team is ensuring that the calf does not contract any infection.
