Amidst the outrage in the country regarding the heinous religious hate crime committed against a young girl in Kathua, three religious festivals coincided.
14th April marks the beginning of the Tamil New Year, Puthandu. It is celebrated as Vishu in Kerala, Bihu in Assam and Pana Sankranti in Odisha. It is also Baisakhi today, a harvest festival.
To celebrate the beginning of a traditional new year, Bala Vinaynagar Temple in Chennai’s Arumbakkam was decorated with Indian currency notes worth ₹4 lakhs.
Bala Vinayagar Temple in Chennai's Arumbakkam decorated with Indian currency notes on the Tamil New Year Day. Nearly 4 lakh rupees used in the decoration. Temple is decorated in the same manner on this occasion every year #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/FlM8AALTSX
— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2018
As reported by ANI, the temple is decorated with currency every year. Not just the idol, the pillars and ceilings of the temple is also covered in currency notes. Devotees can be seen seeking blessings from the Pandit on this auspicious day.
Watch the video here:
Not just that, the idol at Sri Muthumariamman Temple at Coimbatore was decorated with currency worth ₹4 Crores and diamonds & pearls worth ₹1 crore for the celebration.
Coimbatore: Idol at Sri Muthumariamman Temple decorated with currency worth Rs 4 Crores and diamonds & pearls worth Rs 1 Crore, on the occasion of Tamil new year. pic.twitter.com/YxNv0yIKUA
— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2018
In a series of tweets, PM Narendra Modi wished all the regionals for their respective festivals in English as well as regional languages. He also tweeted about India is proud of its diversity.
India is proud of the diversity we are blessed with. People across the nation are celebrating various festivals. Greetings to everyone on these special occasions.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 14, 2018
For Baisakhi.
सभी देशवासियों को बैसाखी की शुभकामनाएं।
Baisakhi Greetings to everyone. May this festival bring joy in everyone’s lives. We also express gratitude to our hardworking farmers, who work continuously to feed our nation.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 14, 2018
For Maha Vishuba Sankranti or Pana Sankranti.
To all my Odia friends across the world, greetings on Maha Vishuba Sankranti! Have a wonderful year ahead. We take immense pride in the rich Odia culture.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 14, 2018
For Bihu.
Bohag Bihu wishes to my Assamese sisters and brothers. A festival characterised by energy and enthusiasm, may this auspicious day bring happiness and good health in our society.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 14, 2018
For Poila Boishakh for Bengalis.
Greetings on Poila Boishakh to all Bengalis. May this new year bring peace, prosperity and happiness in everyone’s lives. Shubho Nabo Barsho!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 14, 2018
For Vishu.
Happy Vishu! May the new year bring with it new hopes, more prosperity and good health.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 14, 2018
Lastly, for Puthandu.
Best wishes to the Tamil people on the special occasion of Puthandu. I pray that all your aspirations are fulfilled in the coming year.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 14, 2018
Both the temples look astoundingly beautiful and the deities look surreal decorated in Indian currency. Don’t you think?