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• Manali residents irked at ASI taking over temple land
• Elephanta Caves come to life with Hariharan's songs

Orchid exhibition begins in Gangtok

Visitors admiring orchid flowers at an exhibition in Gangtok

     Gangtok: Over 100 varieties of orchids are on display at an exhibition in Gangtok organized to popularize the abundant unexploited natural wealth of Sikkim. The seasonal exhibition of indigenous orchids started on Friday (March 18). Nature has endowed Sikkim with over 500 varieties of orchid species found in the sub-tropical region. Besides the display of bounty of flowers, the exhibition also displays the painting on orchids by a disabled artist, Diki Yapshi Yuthok. "Sikkim has got more than 500 species of wild orchids. We are putting emphasis that she (the disabled artist) should concentrate on drawing of orchid species of Sikkim so that we can market it. There is a good market for the drawings of species of orchids," said S T Lachungpa, the organiser.

According to Yuthok, whose paintings on orchids are on display in the exhibition, Sikkim's natural wealth should be brought out in open and people outside Sikkim should be made aware of it. She said that being able to display her paintings at the exhibtion was definitely a morale booster for her. "People should paint things which belong to Gangtok, like these orchids. Items that grow in Sikkim should be brought out so that other people also like them. There are many people who are sick like me and I think that they should get some inspiration and not give up hope," said Yuthok. The exhibition saw a number of visitors marvelling at the bounty of nature.
-March 19, 2005

Manali residents irked at ASI taking over temple land (Go To Top)

     Manali: Residents here have a grudge against the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). They complain that since the ASI took over the land around the Hidemba temple, they are not able to collect wood for performing religious rites at the temple. They allege that the ASI is focussing on protecting the land around the temple while turning a blind eye to the people's needs. Villagers from the nearby areas used to collect timber required for repairing the temple from the forest around the temple. But, it has been stopped for several years now. Jeet Ram, a local resident, said: "They should focus on protecting the temple, not the land around. It's wrong that they have captured such a big area in the name of protecting the temple. All the temples use woods collected from the nearby areas. Even the Manu and the Raghunath temple too use these woods. But, as it is under ASI now, it's no more a public land and we do not have the right of collecting woods." The residents also accuse the state government for turning a blind eye to their problem. "We have been repeatedly requesting the state government without any result. We hope the Central Government will take some measures to solve our problem. Otherwise we will have to approach the court," said Tirth Ram, a priest at the Hidemba temple.

     The district administration, however, says that they were looking into the matter and trying to find a reasonable solution to the people's problem. Kullu Deputy Commissioner R.D. Nazeem said that the settlement of the issue might take some time as it involves as many as 20 temples in the region which are under ASI protection. Nazeem added: "The fault was that about six-seven acres of land around the structure was handed over to ASI, where as the temple stands on one acre only. The land around the temple belongs to forest department It's the part of sanctuary. Around two three villages around is has socio-cultural involvement with the land. We are trying to find out a solution. The Chief Minister has categorically told us to solve the problem as soon as possible. We have written the authorities to consider decrease the area under ASI acquisition. But, it's not a matter of one temple only. There are about twenty temples involved. So the decision has to be taken by the Union Government."
- Mar 8, 2005

Elephanta Caves come to life with Hariharan's songs (Go To Top)

     Mumbai: Maharashtra tourism department organised a two-day festival at the world famous Elephanta caves to promote tourism. The Elephanta Island in the Bay of Bombay is known for its 7th century old rock cut temples and recognized as one of the world heritage sites. Tourists take ferry services plying from Bombay's chief landmark - the Gateway of India -- to watch the two-day extravaganza unfolded at the Elephanta Island. Several known artists from across the country utilised the platform to perform at the world heritage site, which has been hosting this event since 1989. Famous singer Hariharan and eminent Kuchipudi dancer Shanta Rati Misra enthralled the audience on the inaugural day of the festival. Elephanta is a favoured destination for culture lovers specially during the festival which is held annually in February. Maharashtra Tourism Minister Suresh Shetty said: "The Elephanta caves are one of our heritage sites, and we have been doing this for more than 15 years now. I strongly believe that the cultural programmes organised by us and the Indian classical programmes like dance and music go a long way in promoting cultural and heritage tourism." Like every year, this year too the festival lived up to its promise of being music to the ears. Indian and foreign audiences were left mesmerised as Hariharan, one of India's most talented and versatile singers, struck a note.

      "You feel free here when you perform because of the open sky and the ambience. You can't create this ambience anywhere. The caves have been created by great people in the past. Certain things are unbelievable when you go into the caves and see them. I have seen them as a kid and a collegiate. It's amazing how they have built it. Singing here is my privilege," said Hariharan. The attraction to the event is heightened even more as the organisers put up a unique stage design and aesthetic lighting enhancing the beauty of the performances. The Elephanta Island is known for its great cave shrine, excavated in the 7th century and earlier it was known as Gharapuri. One of the largest monoliths, the Maheshmurti depicting three faces of Shiva as creator, preserver and destroyer has always been the main attraction of the island. It was named "Elephanta" by the Portuguese, who took possession of it several centuries later, and found a monolithic stone elephant at the place they first landed on. The Elephanta caves showcase legends created around Lord Shiva, beautifully depicted in all his splendor in the rock cave temples.
- Feb 21, 2005

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