Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan paid a visit to Puri to offer his blessings to the Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth during the Jagannath Yatra procession. He states that the Shankaracharya's teachings are important for social life and expresses his delight at receiving his blessings. Meanwhile, preparations continue for the Rath Yatra, with President Murmu and other notable figures arriving in Puri to witness the grand event. Tragically, a devotee dies while pulling one of the chariots in Jharsuguda, bringing a somber mood to the festivities.
Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth Receives Blessings During Jagannath Yatra Procession
During the ongoing Jagannath Yatra procession, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited Puri to offer blessings to the Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth. The minister emphasized the significance of the Shankaracharya's teachings for social life and expressed his pleasure at receiving his blessings.
Background on the Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth
A Shankaracharya is a revered spiritual leader within the Hindu tradition, particularly in the Advaita Vedanta school of philosophy. The Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth is one of the four Shankaracharyas established by Adi Shankara in the 8th century CE. Govardhan Peeth is located in Puri, Odisha, and is dedicated to Lord Jagannath.
The current Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, is known for his spiritual teachings and social activism. He has established several educational institutions and charitable organizations.
Jagannath Yatra Procession
The Jagannath Yatra is an annual festival held in Puri, Odisha, to celebrate the journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra to the Gundicha temple. The procession involves three chariots, known as raths, each carrying one of the deities.
During the procession, devotees pull the chariots along the streets while chanting and singing devotional songs. This year, the Jagannath Yatra began on July 1, and the procession is set to culminate on July 12 with the return of the deities to the Jagannath temple.
Tragic Incident during Rath Yatra
Despite the festive atmosphere, a tragic incident occurred on Thursday, July 7, in Jharsuguda, Odisha. A devotee, identified as Ram Bilas Tudu, died while pulling one of the chariots during the Rath Yatra procession. The cause of his death is still under investigation.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Who is the current Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth? Answer: Swami Nischalananda Saraswati
2. What is the significance of the Jagannath Yatra? Answer: It celebrates the journey of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra to the Gundicha temple.
3. How many Shankaracharyas were established by Adi Shankara? Answer: Four
4. What is Advaita Vedanta? Answer: A school of Hindu philosophy that emphasizes the non-duality of the self and Brahman.
5. What was the cause of the devotee's death during the Rath Yatra procession in Jharsuguda? Answer: The cause is still under investigation.
On Day 2 of the second Test between India and England at Lord's, Jasprit Bumrah picked up his 13th five-wicket haul in away Tests, becoming the most prolific Indian bowler in this regard. However, England fought back through half-centuries from Brydon Carse and Jamie Smith, who helped them reach a respectable total of 387 in their first innings. India's openers, KL Rahul and Karun Nair, showed resilience and took their team to Tea at 44 for 1, trailing by 343 runs.
In a recent defamation lawsuit, Dominion Voting Systems revealed that top executives and talent at Fox News were in agreement that claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election were "ludicrous" and "bs," despite allowing those claims to be spread on their airwaves. This is a striking contrast to the network's defense, which argues that they were simply covering news from the then-president. As the battle between Dominion and Fox intensifies, it shines a light on the inner workings of the conservative news channel.
Joseph Fitzgerald, a conservative member of the Middletown Board of Education in New Jersey, was arrested after being found with an unregistered gun during a traffic stop. It was revealed during a detention hearing that Fitzgerald may have been involved in an affair, which led him to confront the husband of his alleged paramour. The incident has caused controversy as Fitzgerald campaigned on a platform of family values and is seeking reelection this year.
Actor and activist Gaurav Bakshi has been booked by Goa police for posting a video on social media where he accuses the state government and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant of destroying the forest cover in Goa. The FIR was filed by the Forest Department, and Bakshi claims it is an attempt to stop him from highlighting issues of economy and ecology. The police have attempted to serve him a notice, but he has not complied.
A comment by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat suggesting that leaders should step down at 75 years of age has sparked intense speculation about its implications for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Congress party has wasted no time in seizing on the statement, interpreting it as a veiled message aimed at PM Modi and the beginning of the end of his era. Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera has even speculated on what career path PM Modi may have taken had he not entered politics, while also criticizing his leadership.
Union Minister of Fertilizers and Chemicals JP Nadda has expressed concern over the excessive consumption of urea in Telangana and has agreed to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's request for additional supplies. The minister highlighted the uptick in urea sales and emphasized the need to regulate chemical fertilizers and promote organic farming. A delegation led by the CM met the union minister and briefed him on the shortage of urea, to which Nadda assured full support and instructed for adequate supply to be provided.
MP CM Mohan Yadav highlighted the significance of education in the growth and progress of India during the Guru Purnima Mahotsav. He also announced plans for providing financial support and resources to schools and students, including laptops and electric scooties. With these initiatives, the state government aims to promote quality education and help students achieve academic success.
The Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has proposed amendments to their 2014 policy guidelines for television rating agencies, with the aim of allowing more players into the television ratings business. The proposed draft aims to end the monopoly of current ratings provider BARC and bridge gaps in measuring streaming and mobile viewership. With the increasing adoption of smart TVs, streaming devices, and mobile applications, the government hopes to generate more accurate and representative data to ensure fair competition and accurate ratings.
On World Population Day, Union Health Minister JP Nadda highlighted the crucial role that planned parenthood plays in promoting healthy outcomes for both mothers and children. Through this year's theme, "Healthy Timing and Spacing of Pregnancy for the Health and Well-being of Mother and Child," Nadda called for renewed commitment to addressing population-related challenges. He also stressed the slogan, "माँ बनने की उम्र वही, जब तन और मन की तैयारी सही," underscoring the importance of being mentally and physically prepared to become a mother.
As the 2026 elections approach, Pakistan-administered Kashmir stands at a political crossroads where opportunism and defection have become the norm. This dysfunctional state of affairs has pushed voters and grassroots workers away from parliamentary politics, leaving the field open for outside forces. This can be traced back to the region's inception, as efforts to depoliticize and control its people have been a constant. The first real challenge to this posturing came with K H Khurshid, whose advocacy for a representative government was quickly subdued by the establishment, highlighting their determination to safeguard their grip on the region.