The clerk and two security guards of the famous the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple were suspended after being accused of raping a pilgrim at Kadiri in Anantapur district, late on Thursday night.
According to SDPO Subbarayudu, the three accused had taken their victim to Room No 29 where the clerk committed the offence on a 25-year-old pilgrim.
Mr Subbarayudu revealed that the victim, along with her husband Shiva Raj had visited the temple late to have darshan at around 8:30 PM on Thursday night. They are residents of Madakasira in Anantapur district.
The couple stayed back in the Kalyana Mandapam and were contemplating whether to return home or not when the two security guards, Satya Raju and Manju, accosted them. During their questioning, the security guards sensed that the couple were apprehensive.
Taking advantage of the situation, the security guards demanded some money from the couple to let them leave the Holy place, but were told that this was not possible. Meanwhile, temple clerk Kiran joined the guards. The three are believed to have told the couple that either they be given money or the woman satisfy them physically.
When the couple naturally objected, the three accused locked Shiva Raj into a room and took the woman forcibly to Room No 29, where Kiran committed the offence. However, this has not yet been confirmed since the medical test reports are awaited.
Meanwhile, other pilgrims soon realized something was amiss and accosted the three. They gave a sound thrashing to Kiran and one of the security guards before handing them over to the police. The other security guard meanwhile ran away from the spot.
The victim filed a complaint that Kiran had raped her and also named the Satya Raju and Manju as his accomplices who helped the clerk.
A case under section 376(2) (b) was registered against the three and efforts were underway to nab the absconding security guard.
Meanwhile, the Executive Officer of the temple ordered the suspension of the three from their posts.

General News

Woman alleges rape by temple staff, two held

Sorry to address her as TV9 Swapna even though she is now a part of Sakshi. Yes, it is true that Swapna made most of her name in TV9 and she is still known to masses only as TV9 Swapna. During many of the shows in TV9 and Sakshi, Swapna and other program heads spoke against orthodoxy and unscientific traditions prevailing in the society and how they are hampering the growth of mankind.
It was more than bad luck that the very next minute after Kiran Kumar Reddy sworn in as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sakshi News Channel has telecasted a program with Swapna leading the show debating about the inauspicious time 12:14 PM at which KKR has gone for oath taking ceremony. With few infamous astrologers sitting in the studio, Swapna finally concluded that Kiran Kumar Reddy should have believed in Horoscope and could have opted for a still better time earlier or later to the present time.
Now, many say that it is not the inauspicious time but the suspicious stand of Sakshi on KKR that led them to go for this kind of baseless program instead of getting with some useful discussion.

TV9 Swapna becomes Astrologer for CM

The engagement of noted actor Allu Arjun and Sneha Reddy will take place on Friday.&nbsp;According to sources, the engagement will take place at at the bride&rsquo;s residence. Incidentally, the movie &lsquo;Orange&rsquo;, starring Allu Arjun&rsquo;s cousin and actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi son, Ram Charan will be released.
As per the same sources, political leaders from across the spectrum and celebrities will grace the engagement ceremony.&nbsp;Telangana Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrasekhar Rao will also grace the occasion.&nbsp;The marriage is most likely to be solemnized in February, 2011, &nbsp;after the release of Arjun&rsquo;s film &lsquo;Badrinath&rsquo;.
According to reports, the date for the engagement ceremony was decided after consulting astrologers. The astrologers matched the bride&rsquo;s and groom&rsquo;s horoscope and told the Allu family that this is the only day suitable for the engagement in the near future.

Allu Arjun's engagement on Friday

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Thousands of people from across the country including delegates from 226 countries gathered at Puttaparthi to take part in the 85th birthday celebrations of Satya Sai Baba in the Anantapur district.
The Sai devotees made a beeline to Satya Sai Hill View Stadium since morning, where the official celebrations would be held.
With students of the Satya Sai Seva Trust chanting of Vedas amidst devotional music, Sai Baba came to Hill View Stadium in a Golden Chariot and blessed the surging crowd, even as helicopters hovered above, showering rose petals.
The programme will conclude in the evening with Prema Pravaham, a special concert by Swami&rsquo;s students glorifying his mission and message for humanity.
The devotees sang songs and performed bhajans praising the Baba&rsquo;s humanity and glorified his mission.
Meanwhile, the RTC was operating special buses to meet the huge rush of pilgrims.
The police have made tight security arrangements to prevent any untoward incidents to mark the commemoration of Sai&rsquo;s birthday.
The police erected barricades at the Prashanthi Nilayam to control the smooth passage of devotees. To regulate traffic, the police stopped vehicles two kilometers away from ashram.
&nbsp;

Sai Baba birthday celebrations begin in Puttaparthi

Lakhs of Lord Shiva and Vishnu devotees on Sunday thronged temples to mark Kartik Purnima since early morning and observed it with devotion.
The devotees performed special pujas and rituals with utmost devotion after taking holy dip in sea and rivers across the state since early hours.
The Shiva temples&mdash;Srisailam, Srikalahasti, Vemulawada and Pancharamam were decorated with flowers and lights. Special arrangements were made to meet the huge rush of pilgrims.
The State Transport Corporation is running special bus services to meet the huge rush of pilgrims and devotees to all Shiva temples in the state.
Kartik Purnima, also known as Tripuri Poornima or Tripurari Purnima, is the Full Moon and auspicious day in Kartik month. The day marks the ending of Kartik month as per the calendars of North India but in other calendars it is the 15th day in Kartik maas. During Kartik Purnima, Dev Diwali, Deepotsavam and Ganga Mahotsav are observed by women devotees.
On Kartik Purnima, some people perform Tulsi Vishnu Vivah. It is observed on some other days &ndash; Bhodini Ekadasi or on Ksheerabdi Dwadashi. Kartik Poornima celebrations are associated with the legend of demon Tarakasur. Tarakasur was demolished by Lord kartik, also known as Skanda or Kumara.
Another legend associated with Kartik Poornima is of Lord Vishnu&rsquo;s Matsyavatar. It is believed that on this day, Vishnu was incarnated in Matsya incarnation and protected Manu, the first man, from Maha Pralay (deluge).
Vanabhjanam, also known as Vanbhojan, is a garden party or picnic arranged during Kartika masam.
As per Hindu belief, plants are very divine aspects of the nature, hence some plants are worshipped as Gods. Tulasi (Ocimum), Usiri (Amla), Bilva and Durva plants are considered as Gods and useful material in Puja. Kartika Vana mahotsavam is arranged by some organisations just to chant mantras and to awake the spiritual consciousness in children.
There is a popular belief in Hindu mythology that Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi along with all the Gods visit and reside under Amla tree and Tulsi plant during Kartik month.
During the occasion, people cook food under trees or in parks and eat. Offering puja to Lord Vishnu and other Gods, reciting Vishnu Purana and Kartika Purana during Vana mahotsavam is more preferred rituals.

Woman alleges rape by temple staff, two held

TV9 Swapna becomes Astrologer for CM

TV9 Swapna becomes Astrologer for CM

TV9 Swapna becomes Astrologer for CM

Allu Arjun's engagement on Friday

Allu Arjun's engagement on Friday

Allu Arjun's engagement on Friday

Sai Baba birthday celebrations begin in Puttaparthi

Sai Baba birthday celebrations begin in Puttaparthi

Sai Baba birthday celebrations begin in Puttaparthi

Sai Baba birthday celebrations begin in Puttaparthi

Devotees beeline to temple for Kartik Purnima