Saturday, January 18, 2025

Bhimsen Temple, Bhimsen Sthan, Kathmandu

This was my first visit to the Bhimsen Mandir, the temple of our Kul Devta. Located at Bhimsen Sthan on the way to Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu, this old wooden, three-story temple is a heritage structure. A small staircase on the right side of the historic temple leads to the second floor, where the idol of Bhimsen is enshrined. A purohit applies a red tika to the forehead of each devotee as a blessing from the deity.




The atmosphere is serene and spiritually uplifting, filled with the devotion of visitors who come to pay their respects. The intricate wooden carvings and the historical significance of the mandir add to its charm, making it a must-visit for those seeking to connect with their cultural roots and spirituality.

 

Tuesday, January 07, 2025

Temple of Sikkim : Rolu Mandir

Temple of Sikkim: Rolu Mandir

Manokamana Siddhi Mandir, also known as Rolu Mandir, is a sacred temple established in 1940 along the Melli-Jorethang Highway. It is dedicated to Manakamna Devi and holds a special place in the hearts of the Sikkimese people. 

Devotees from near and far visit the temple to offer prayers and seek blessings. The spiritual connection and serene environment make it a significant pilgrimage site for those who believe in the divine power of the goddess.

Sunday, January 05, 2025

VMatrix Dance Academy's Young Talent Shines at Dance Competitions

05.01.25, Singtam: Prajna Tamang, a talented seven-year-old from Challamthang, has won the Junior Category of Sikkim Dancing Star Season III. The event at Jorethang Community Hall showcased young dancers' outstanding skills, but Prajna stood out with her patriotic and energetic performances. She was mentored by Viki Tamang at VMatrix Dance Academy, Singtam. Gurash Baniya and Divya Rasaily were the instructors for her dance songs.

In a related event, Gurash Baniya from Sirwani Ghatay Khola secured the 1st Runner-Up title in Stage Dream Season 2 at Sarumsa, Ranipool. With five years of dedicated training at VMatrix Dance Academy, Singtam, under mentor Viki Tamang, Gurash captivated the audience with her stunning performances. The event was held at Sarumsa, Ranipool.

Thursday, January 02, 2025

Ayan Rai wins New Year Blitz Chess Tournament

02.01.25, Singtam: The Knight Chess Academy, Singtam, organized a New Year Blitz Chess Tournament on January 1, 2025, with 16 players competing across six intense rounds.


Ayan Rai claimed the championship with 6 points from six games, followed by Parichay Subba and Anant Subba in second and third places, respectively. The tournament, conducted with technical support from the Sikkim Chess Association, showcased outstanding performances by players such as Shourya Agarwal and Kunzang Bhutia, who secured fourth and fifth positions.




Earlier, Rohit Gurung, the coach of the chess academy, was offered khadas and congratulated for the remarkable success of the Singtam chess team at the recently concluded 22nd North East Chess Championship held at Udaipur, Tripura.

Ayan Rai, Akshay Anand, and Arnav Rai, players who achieved classical norm ratings, were felicitated. Palak Agarwal and Manasvi Acharya, who won prizes in the girls' category, were also congratulated. 

Saturday, December 28, 2024

Tripura Diary : Tripura Sundari Temple

The Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur was something I didn’t know much about until my team and I found a hotel nearby. We had just arrived in Udaipur, Tripura, for a week-long North-East Chess Tournament (December 17-21). When we got to the Udaipur Railway Station, I was surprised by its palace-like structure. I couldn’t believe I was in North-East India and not in Rajasthan!


There were 45 chess players in total, along with over 60 parents cheering us on. Our team from Singtam included nine players from Mt. Zion Academy and East Point SSS. While looking for hotels, we stumbled upon the footsteps of Mata Bari, the home of the Tripura Sundari Temple, which is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. The area around the temple reminded me of Chaurasta in Darjeeling, and there were plenty of shops selling Pera, a sweet that devotees like to offer as prasadam.

Nearby, we discovered Kalyan Sagar, a lovely pond filled with different kinds of fish and tortoises. Devotees often feed the fish in the pond. We were told that we shouldn’t miss the Sandhya Aarati, which is a special evening prayer service. On the last evening of our stay at Mata Bari, we visited the temple.

We arrived at the temple around 6 PM, just in time for the aarti. We gave our offerings to the pujari (priest) along with our names and gotra (clan) that we bought from one of the shops. People of all ages, mostly women, were sitting in front of the statue of Mata. We joined them and listened to the beautiful sounds of clapping, drumbeats, and ringing bells during the aarti. Afterward, we bowed our heads and received blessings from the goddess.

The temple is on a hill shaped like a tortoise, known as Kurmapṛṣṭhākṛti, which adds to its spiritual importance. According to legend, a part of Sati's right foot fell here, making it one of the Shakti Peethas. The main shrine was built in 1501 CE by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya and features the Bengali Ek-Ratna architectural style. Inside, there are two black stone idols: the larger one of Tripura Sundari, which is 5 feet tall, and the smaller one, Chhoto-Ma (Little Mother), representing Goddess Chandi, which stands at 2 feet.

Visiting the Tripura Sundari Temple was a memorable experience, filled with beauty, spirituality, and culture!

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Singtam Chess Players Shine at 22nd North East FIDE Chess Tournament

 25.12.24, Singtam: The young chess players of the town of Singtam have made a significant impact at the 22nd North East FIDE Chess Tournament held at the Sports Complex in Udaipur from December 17 to 21, 2024.

Manasvi Acharya and Palak Agarwal, students from Mount Zion School, finished third in the Under 11 girl’s category and fifth in the Under 9 girls’ category, respectively. Additionally, three players from Singtam—Arnav Rai, Ayan Rai, and Akshay Anand received ratings under classical chess norms.

A total of nine players represented Mount Zion School and East Point Senior Secondary School. The players' scores were as follows: Ayan Rai: 5/9, Manasvi Acharya: 4.5/9, Suyog Shital Pradhan: 4.5/9, Yedhant Agarwal: 4/9, Aarav Pradhan: 3/9, Prashanti Dhungel: 2.5/9 and Palak Agarwal: 2/9 (all from Mount Zion School); Akshay Anand: 4.5/9 and Dhrubajyoti Saha: 2.5/9 (both from East Point Senior Secondary School).

These talented players are part of the Knight Chess Academy in Singtam, coached by Rohit Gurung.