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Hanuman Jayanti: 5 temples for devotees to offer prayers in India
Celebrations unfolded on Tuesday at Hanuman temples across the country as devotees thronged these shrines to offer special prayers and to worship with chant of mantras on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti.
Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated every year on the full moon day (purnima) of the Chaitra month. Devotees celebrate this occasion by smearing vermillion on their foreheads and observe a day long fast to commemorate the day.
On the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, here is a list of famous Hanuman temples across the country where devotees can visit and offer prayers.
Jakhu Temple, Shimla: Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the Jakhoo temple is an ancient temple believed to be holding the footprints of Lord Hanuman. A special aerial ropeway has been arranged for devotees on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, linking Shimla’s Ridge with the Hanuman temple in 8,000 feet high Jakhu hills. Constructed by Jagson International Ltd, the ropeway would facilitate the visitors to reach the famous Hanuman temple in five minutes.
Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhya: Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the 10th century Hanuman Garhi temple in Ayodhya, is located on a hilltop and has 76 staircase pathway to lead devotees to the entrance of the temple. A 6-inch tall deity of Lord Hanuman and panoramic view of the surrounding hills attract devotees from many parts of the country to this picturesque location.
Balaji Hanuman Temple, Rajasthan: Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, this temple is located at a nearby a small hill. It is just 66km away from Jaipur. Ritualistic healing and exorcism of evil spirits attract pilgrims from different parts of the state and country.
Hanuman Dhara, Chitrakut: Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, Hanuman Dhara is one of the great shrines in the hills of Chitrakoot, about 5 km from Ram Ghat. They say Hanuman came to this place with his tail on fire, after destroying Lanka. To cool his extreme anger he stood under a stream of water flowing out of the rock, which was later named as Hanuman Dhara. cDevotees have to climb 360 steps to seek blessings of the deity Hanuman. Tourists can also find an old step-well on their way to Hanuman Dhara, which never gets dried up.
Mahavir Hanuman Temple, Bihar: One of the oldest and leading temples in the country, Mahavir Mandir in Patna attracts devotees from across the country. Two huge deities of Hanuman are the main attractions of the temple. The temple is situation just near to the railway station in Patna.
World's longest cross-sea bridge one step closer to completion
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, soon to be the world’s longest cross-sea passage, is one step closer to being completed.
A 2.7-kilometer tunnel, which had been dug through on Monday, has linked the Zhuhai part of the project, the Southern Metropolitan Daily reported on Tuesday.
Throughout this stage, working with the soft underground soil, engineers used pipes to hold the tunnel’s structure, freezing the soil into place with specialised equipment to prevent water leakage.
Construction of the bridge began in December 2009 at Zhuhai.
The bridge and tunnel system, which span the Pearl River estuary, is important in integrating Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong.
The Y-shaped bridge starts from Lantau Island in Hong Kong and branches out to Zhuhai and Macao.
Major works on the 55-km bridge were completed in September 2016. The bridge is expected to be open to traffic by the end of this year.
Once in operation, the current four-hour drive from Hong Kong to Zhuhai will be reduced to less than an hour. All Pearl River Delta cities will then be within a reasonable commuting radius of Hong Kong.
82-year-old DJ thrills crowds on Tokyo's club scene
TOKYO – By day, Sumiko Iwamuro runs a Chinese restaurant, where she has worked for six decades making “gyoza” dumplings, while by night, she spins records at Tokyo clubs under the moniker DJ Sumirock.
But the juggling of long days and frenzied nights is not the most inspiring thing about Iwamuro.
She is also 82 years old.
Japan is known for its ageing demographic, with people aged 65 and above making up 26.6 per cent of the population in 2015.
A prime example of an active senior, Iwamuro plays to crowds mostly 60 years younger than she is at the DecaBarZ nightclub in the heart of Tokyo’s Shinjuku district.
Taking up the turntables in her 70s after choosing the music at her son’s birthday party, she then spent a year learning the tricks of the trade at a school for disc jockeys.
Once on the dance floor, she stole the hearts of club-goers.
“She’s got this energy that goes beyond age, and that can equal any young person’s here,” said 25-year-old clubber Fuminari Fujii.
Iwamuro says her sound is fundamentally techno music with jazz, French chanson and classical music mixed in.
Ever curious and never one to give up her dreams, she hopes one day to debut on the New York club scene.
“When I spin the tables, I just want to match the beat, choose the right music”, she said, when asked what kept her practising her tunes and returning to spin records. “But the best thing is for my audience to enjoy themselves.”
Korean actor Gong Yoo to be featured on CNN's 'Talk Asia'
Actor Gong Yoo will appear on the CNN talk show “Talk Asia,” according to the actor’s agency, Management Soop.
“Gong Yoo had an interview with ‘Talk Asia’ on April 3. The talk show wanted to feature the actor on the programme since his popularity is soaring after starring in tvN’s drama ‘Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,'” the agency said.
“Talk Asia” is a weekly half-hour interview show on CNN International. It is produced at CNN’s Asia-Pacific region headquarters in Hong Kong. The talk show focuses on prominent figures in the arts, politics, sports and business. Each week, a newsmaker and the show’s host have an in-depth conversation.
Guests who have appeared on the show include Victoria Beckham, Lady Gaga and Jason Mraz. Korean celebrities such as former figure skater Kim Yu-na, boy band Big Bang and Psy have been interviewed on the show as well.
Gong Yoo has been enjoying high popularity after starring in the romance film “A Man and A Woman,” zombie blockbuster “Train to Busan,” thriller film “The Age of Shadows” and tvN’s megahit drama “Guardian” in 2016.
The episode featuring Gong Yoo’s interview will air on CNN at the end of April.
yeeunjie@heraldcorp.com
Taiwan becomes first country in Asia to ban eating of cat and dog meat
Taiwan has passed landmark animal protection laws imposing fines for the consumption of dog and cat meat as well as jail time for those who kill and torture animals.
The Animal Protection Act amendments approved by the Legislative Yuan on Tuesday punish the sale, purchase or consumption of dog or cat meat with fines ranging from NT$50,000 (S$2,300) to NT$2 million.
The amendment’s sponsor, Kuomintang Legislator Wang Yu-min, said that while some localities already had measures banning dog and cat meat consumption, national legislation was needed.
She noted that Taiwan was the first country in Asia to pass such legislation.
The amendments also stiffen punishment for those who intentionally harm animals to a maximum two years’ imprisonment and fines of NT$200,000 to NT$2 million.
Repeat offenders can be jailed for one to five years and fined NT$500,000 to NT$5 million.
And pet owners can say goodbye to having their leashed dogs run alongside their scooters.
The amendments also make it illegal to “walk” animals via motor vehicles. Violators will be fined up to NT$15,000.
The amendments, which still need to be signed off on by the Cabinet and the Presidential Office, could take effect by as early as the end of this month.
Rising awareness of animal welfare in Taiwan has driven momentum for those seeking stronger animal protection laws, with growing indignation that most animal cruelty offenders are “let off too easy” without serving any jail time.
In recent years, high-profile cases of animal torture, including by members of the armed forces, have caused public outrage.
British DJ set to host 'highest party on earth'
Influential British DJ Paul Oakenfold has reached Mount Everest’s base camp where he plans to host the “highest party on earth”, performing a set at 5,380 metres (17,600 feet).
As climbing season in Nepal kicks into gear, few of the mountaineers heading to the world’s highest peak were likely expecting to be joined by the three-time Grammy nominated artist and his dance beats.
Oakenfold-whose three-decade long career has included collaborations with Madonna and U2-is due to perform a set at base camp on Tuesday morning.
“We are here now doing sound checks. We are really looking forward to the show tomorrow. Everyone is really excited here,” Oakenfold told AFP by phone from base camp on Monday.
The 53-year-old artist said he had no trekking experience before he set out on the 10-day walk to Everest with a team of yaks and porters hauling the audio equipment needed for the event.
Oakenfold trained for four months before arriving in Nepal in between a hectic schedule of late night gigs, he said.
“I’m not going to pretend it was easy to get here… but it has been a wonderful trek. If you could see the view I’m looking at, it is very inspiring,” he said.
The world’s highest peak will provide a very different kind of high to Oakenfold’s usual shows, which often draw thousands of revellers.
The gig is the first in the record producer’s SoundTrek series, aimed at drawing attention to the effects of global warming and raising money for charities.
He is also raising funds to help survivors of the 2015 earthquake, which killed nearly 9,000 people and left thousands homeless, many of whom are still living in temporary shelters.
“I want to support in the rebuilding and to shed light on the environment… I would like to do my bit,” he said.
But not everyone is keen on the idea, with some complaining that the renowned DJ is disturbing the peace and tranquillity of the Himalayas.
Third Zika cluster of the year emerges at Poh Huat Terrace, Terrasse Lane
SINGAPORE — The third cluster of locally transmitted Zika virus infection in Singapore this year has been reported at the Poh Huat Terrace and Terrasse Lane area.
According to the National Environment Agency (NEA) on Tuesday (April 11), the case involves two residents living in the area near the junction of Hougang Avenue 2 and Yio Chu Kang Road.
This latest development comes around two weeks after the closure of the year’s first Zika cluster at the nearby Simon Place, which is less than 2km away.
The second Zika cluster of 2017, which was reported last week, is also nearby at Flower Road/Hendry Close.
Residents staying around Poh Huat Terrace and Terrasse Lane have been notified of the latest case on Tuesday, and vector control operations are underway, said NEA.
Prior to the latest two cases, NEA officers were already conducting preventive inspections in the vicinity.
Vector control operations will continue at the Flower Road / Hendry Close cluster, NEA said. The Simon Place cluster will also continue to be kept under surveillance.
Residents are requested to allow NEA officers to carry out inspections and indoor spraying of their homes.
NEA also urged all residents and stakeholders to maintain vigilance and take immediate steps to eliminate mosquito breeding habitats by practising the 5-step Mozzie Wipeout.
