Rajasthan man dies after self-immolation at Jwalamukhi temple
Digital Desk | Jhalawar, Sep 18 (IANS) A 40-year-old man from Jhalawar, Rajasthan, died after allegedly setting himself ablaze at the Maa Jwalamukhi Temple, a Shaktipeeth in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, on Thursday evening. The deceased, identified as Ramdas, son of Gajanand, reportedly poured petrol on himself and set himself on fire outside the sanctum sanctorum around 7 p.m. He suffered burns over nearly 70 per cent of his body. Temple staff and devotees present at the spot extinguished the flames with water. Ramdas was first taken to Jwalamukhi Hospital and later referred to Tanda Medical College, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment. SP Dehra, Sandeep Dhaval, said police reached the temple after receiving information and began an investigation. A forensic team also visited the site and collected evidence. Police are examining all aspects of the incident, including the circumstances and possible reasons behind Ramdass act. According to the 108 ambulance staff, Ramdas was conscious during the journey and identified himself. He told them he had come alone to offer prayers. Though he struggled to speak clearly, he continued to communicate his identity and other details. Family members said Ramdas had left home around 15 months ago following a dispute. His uncle, Prahlad Chandel, said the family had searched for him at several places but failed to trace him. Attempts to contact him on his mobile phone were unsuccessful. Ramdass father, Gajanand, died about 10 years ago. Ramdas had earlier run a scrap business and later operated a clothing store on Jail Road in Jhalawar. He was married to Saloni, a sanitation worker with the Jhalawar Municipal Council. The couple had a 12-year-old son, Rudra, while their daughter had died earlier. Kotwali police informed family members of the incident on Thursday night, and they left for Himachal Pradesh.
Israeli national detained at Kangra airport with live cartridge
Dharamsala, Sep 17: An Israeli national has been detained at the Kangra airport in Himachal Pradesh after a live cartridge was found in his possession during a security check, police said on Thursday. According to police, Yonatan Levy (24), an Israeli national, reached the airport on Tuesday to board a flight to New Delhi. However, he was detained by police after a live cartridge was found in his bag. Kangra SP Kulbhushan Verma confirmed the detention and said a case has been registered in the matter under the Arms Act. Levy is presently in police custody till September 18, the SP said.
President's diplomatic menu gets Himachali flavour with traditional hill cuisines
Digital Desk | Shimla, Sep 16 (IANS) Indias diplomatic dining experience at Rashtrapati Bhavan is set to acquire a distinct Himachali touch, with traditional cuisines from the Himalayan state -- with a touch of nature's earthiness and the unmistakable aroma of guchhi, one of the worlds most prized morel mushrooms grown in high mountains -- being introduced to the menu for visiting dignitaries and elite guests after a special culinary training programme conducted by a government chef from Himachal Pradesh. Acclaimed chef Nand Lal Sharma, Consultant (Food and Beverage) with Himachal Tourism and President of the Himachal Chef Association, was invited by the Presidents Secretariat to train cooks at Rashtrapati Bhavan in authentic Himachali cuisines. During his week-long stay, he showcased traditional dishes from the Kangra and Mandi regions, highlighting the culinary heritage of the hills through recipes rooted in local ingredients, slow-cooking techniques and generations-old traditions. The most popular dham, a multi-course traditional saatvik (vegetarian) feast served by sitting together on the ground on special occasions like weddings and festivals and eating without forks or spoons, is prepared by Bhotis, the Brahmin chefs who have traditionally been cooking for generations. Most of the utensils used for cooking are made from copper or brass. For us, Himachali food is soul-rooted in Himalayan cultures and preserving its authenticity, as every dish has its meaning, and then showcasing culinary diversity of the mountain communities on the diplomatic table is the aim of my Rashtrapati Bhavans visit, Sharma told IANS in an interview on Wednesday. He cooked lip-smacking and mouth-watering recipes of the Kangra and Mandi regions, popularly known as Kangri and Mandiali dishes, during his weeklong stay in Rashtrapati Bhavan. Sharma, the President of the Himachal Chef Association, said that during his stay in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the food is served on pattals (broad leaves of a tree); rice first and then a round of other items. According to him, he also got an opportunity to train one personal chef of President Droupadi Murmu, besides three others. Sharma, who got an opportunity to interact with the President, said she liked the gucchi recipe most. Gucchi, or Morchella Esculenta, is a mushroom variety that grows naturally on snowy slopes. In Himachal Pradesh, gucchi is grown in dense deodar forests mainly in the interiors of Shimla, Chamba, Kullu and Mandi districts. Since its trade is not regulated by the government, there is no estimation about its overall production. Villagers have permission from the Forest Department to collect gucchi, which falls under the category of minor forest produce. The Presidents office, in a missive to the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Managing Director on July 16, asked him to depute Sharma to train cooks at Rashtrapati Bhavan in local and Himachali cuisines. During the recent visit of the Honourable President of India to Mashobra, Shimla, it was found that Shri Nand Lal Sharma has great expertise in local cuisines and the Honourable President of India was highly appreciative of this, reads the letter. For me it was a profound honour and, of course, a truly humbling experience to showcase our food cultures that will help connect communities across the Himalayan state, Sharma told IANS. In Himachal, the main course of Mandiali dishes comprises rajmah, kale chane ka khatta (sour), maa ki dal cooked in spices with generous amounts of desi ghee, karahi, sepu vadi, kaddu (red pumpkin) ka mitha (sweet) and a bowl of rice. The traditional multi-course meal of the Kangra Valley has mandra (spiced vegetable and yoghurt curry), mahni (spicy sweet and sour curry), maah, chana dal (split Bengal gram with fennel seeds), budane ka mitha (sweet), rainthla (date and spinach curry) and rice. Meethe chawal, or sweet-spiced fragrant rice, is a common dessert in Kangra. Sharma, the former chief chef at Hotel Holiday Home in Shimla, said the President, who relishes only a vegetarian diet without onion and garlic, liked bathu ki kheer, a special dessert prepared with chenopodium seeds grown in high reaches, milk and sugar. Also, the President liked the classic dish sepu vadi -- urad dal dumplings fried and then simmered in curd gravy. (Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)
Kangra police disrupt Dharamkot hostel rave, seize four drug types
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Kangra Airport Expansion Moves Ahead As Centre Sets Two-Month Deadline For Feasibility Report
Kangra Airport Expansion Gains Momentum with New Feasibility Report
The expansion of Kangra Airport in Himachal Pradesh is set to accelerate, with a feasibility report expected in two months. Kangra Airport Expansion Gains Momentum with New Feasibility Report
3 killed as motorcycle plunges into gorge in Kangra
Heavy Rain Alert Issued for Kangra, Sirmaur, and Mandi in Himachal Pradesh
Shimla, September 2: A heavy rain alert has been issued for Kangra, Sirmaur, and Mandi districts in Himachal Pradesh. In the past 24 hours, several areas have recorded significant rainfall. Sandeep Sharma, a scientist at the Meteorological Center in Shimla, stated, Rainfall has occurred across Himachal Pradesh in the last 24 hours. Heavy rain was ... Read more Heavy Rain Alert Issued for Kangra, Sirmaur, and Mandi in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal CM announces first ozone-based drinking water project in Dehra
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday said that Himachal Pradesh's first ozone-based drinking water treatment project is being established in the Dehra area of Kangra district to supply clean drinking water to people. Addressing a gathering at Baddal Thor in Dehra assembly constituency, he said that the state government has allocated Rs 46 crore for the project and the programme would be implemented in other areas as well. Under this water treatment project, ozone gas is used to disinfect water and improve taste. Sukhu also said the state government had also initiated the process of providing benefits under the Mukhyamantri Ka Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojana, for which surveys were currently being conducted in panchayats. The government is committed to ensuring that even the most marginalised member of society gets a rightful share in the state's resources, he said. The scheme is expected to be rolled out on October 2. Under this yojana, extremely poor families will
67 roads closed in Himachal Pradesh, 'yellow' warning issued for heavy rain
A total of 67 roads have been closed to vehicular traffic as light to moderate rains persist in various parts of Himachal Pradesh. The Shimla Meteorological Office issued a yellow warning on Friday for heavy rains in isolated areas of the state from August 31 to September 3. As of Friday evening, the closures included 27 roads in Mandi, 16 in Kullu, seven in Kangra, six in Sirmaur, four in Una, three each in Chamba and Shimla, and one in Lahaul and Spiti district. Additionally, 12 power transformers have been obstructed, according to the state emergency operations centre. In the past 24 hours, since Thursday evening, Nahan received 51 mm of rain followed by Berthin 34.8 mm, Dhaulakuan 34.5 mm, Dharamshala 30.3 mm, Naina Devi 28.2 mm and Guler 20.1 mm. Between August 1 and 28, the state has received 203.8 mm of rainfall, compared to the normal of 241.4 mm, resulting in a 14 per cent deficit. Since the onset of the monsoon on June 30, approximately 103 people have died in rain-relat
PM Modi to virtually engage with Kangra and Chamba athletes on National Sports Day
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Heavy Rainfall Alert Issued in Himachal Pradesh as Monsoon Resurfaces
Shimla, August 18: The monsoon has become active once again in Himachal Pradesh. The Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rainfall across various regions of the state over the next four to five days. An orange alert has been issued for Una, Chamba, and Kangra starting Tuesday. Previously, alerts were also issued for Bilaspur, ... Read more Heavy Rainfall Alert Issued in Himachal Pradesh as Monsoon Resurfaces
A customer who cancelled an Amazon mattress order after it went undelivered and was assured a refund through the app never received the money. When he approached the Kangra consumer commission, Amazon did not appear to contest the case. The commission has now ordered Amazon to refund Rs 8,819 with 9% interest, plus Rs 10,000 in compensation and litigation costs.
New Delhi, August 11: Heavy rainfall has been ongoing in various parts of Himachal Pradesh since Monday night. Particularly in Kangra district, intense rain has caused rivers and streams to swell. The Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for heavy rain in Kangra, Mandi, and Sirmaur districts on Tuesday, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall ... Read more Heavy Rain Alert in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu, and Ladakh: Landslide and Flash Flood Risks
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The Met office has issued a red warning for heavy rains in Chamba, Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur districts for July 20 and 21
Odisha Forest Dept Seizes 30 Live Turtles, Arrests Repeat Offender In Wildlife Trafficking Crackdown
Acting on specific intelligence, officials of the Jharigaon Forest Range laid a trap near the Kangra section office and intercepted a motorcycle carrying a sack filled with live turtles: Reports
Orange alert warns of heavy rain on July 2, 3 in parts of Himachal
The orange alert has been issued for Kangra and Mandi districts on July 2 and 3, and for Kullu, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur districts on July 3
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Becomes First to Spend Night in Bara Bhangal
Kangra, June 27: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhu made history by becoming the first chief minister to spend a night in Bara Bhangal, a remote village located over 2,800 meters above sea level. He arrived by helicopter on Saturday and engaged with the local community. Previously, other chief ministers had visited the area but none ... Read more Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Becomes First to Spend Night in Bara Bhangal
Himachal Chief Minister to Visit Remote Bada Bhangal Area for the First Time in 14 Years
Kangra, June 27: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhu will visit the Bada Bhangal region on Saturday. This marks the first visit by a Chief Minister to this area in 14 years. Bada Bhangal is one of the most remote and inaccessible regions in Himachal Pradesh, still lacking basic facilities. According to reports, CM Sukhu will ... Read more Himachal Chief Minister to Visit Remote Bada Bhangal Area for the First Time in 14 Years
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar Visits Temples in Kangra and Dharamshala
Dharamshala, June 6: On the second day of his visit to Himachal Pradesh, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar participated in spiritual activities by visiting major religious sites in the Kangra Valley. Officials reported this on Saturday. According to an official statement, Gyanesh Kumar, accompanied by family members, visited the Kangra Fort and the renowned ... Read more Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar Visits Temples in Kangra and Dharamshala
Dharamshala Region Jolted By Multiple Earthquakes; No Damage Reported
Its epicentre was located about 40 kilometers from Dharamshala, and the brief tremor was felt across Kangra, Chamba and adjoining districts.
Dalai Lama Departures for Knee Surgery in Delhi Amidst Supportive Followers
New Delhi, June 5: Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama departed from Kangra Airport this morning, heading to Delhi for a knee surgery. This visit is primarily health-related, as he is scheduled for a procedure on his left knee under the care of specialized doctors in the capital. For a considerable time, the Dalai Lama has ... Read more Dalai Lama Departures for Knee Surgery in Delhi Amidst Supportive Followers
Himachal panchayat polls: 78.53% polling in first phase, women voters outnumber men
Shimla recorded 79.80% voter turnout, Mandi 79.39%, Una 78.76%, Bilaspur 77.39%, Kangra 75.75%, Hamirpur 73.05% and Kinnaur 73.59%
Babita Phogat Advocates for Sports Over Substance Abuse at Sunday on Cycle Event
Kangra, May 23: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, organizes the Sunday on Cycle program every Sunday under the Fit India Movement. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) also supports this initiative. The ministry is actively preparing for the Commonwealth Games 2030. Indian wrestler Babita Phogat has arrived in Kangra, Himachal ... Read more Babita Phogat Advocates for Sports Over Substance Abuse at Sunday on Cycle Event
