Over 10 lakh people attend Bhavnath fair in Junagadh; procession by sadhus the biggest draw

The Bhavnath fair at the foothill of Mt Girnar in Junagadh saw more than 10 lakh visitors on Monday, the Mahashivratri day. The show stealers were naked sadhus (saints) who with their swords, darts, daggers, lathis and mashals (torches) in their hands performed gymnastics on their way to their procession.

To manage the large crowd that was expected on Shivratri, the authorities had done all the arrangements. The route of the procession for the naked saints was cleaned and barricaded by poles at both sides. 

He might be better known as a saint or Kabir of Kutch who with his simple messages in in Kutchi, Gujarati and Hindi imparts spirituality to the downtrodden.

But Mekan Dada's real work had been to save those who lost their way in the Rann of Kutch with the help of his dog, Motia, and his donkey, Lalia.

He is often now remembered as St Christopher of Kutch. His 375-year-old shrine at Dharang village on the edge of the Rann hosts an annual fair every year on Shivratri.

The border district known for its large number of religious fairs, hosts this fair during Shivratri and it attracts not only the colourful Ahir community, but even tourists from other states. 

Paris - Art collectors and museum curators from all over the world are expected to fill the 1,200 seats in the Grand Palais in Paris later Monday when the 733-piece collection that belonged to the late fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent goes under the hammer.

Billed as the "sale of the century," the three-day auction organized by Christie's offers works by such giants of modern art as Picasso, Matisse and Mondrian as well as Art Deco masterpieces, ancient Egyptian and Roman sculptures, German silver beer steins and a wealth of other artworks and artifacts.

Moradabad (UP)/Bangalore, Feb 23 : Mahashivratri is being celebrated with religious fervour throughout the country today.

On the occasion, devotees in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh dressing up as ghosts and danced on the streets.

Curious onlookers dotted both sides of the streets to view this Shiva Tandava Nritya.

Devotees observed a fast on this day with some of them not even partaking a drop of water. They also keep a vigil all throughout the night.

Tehran - A spokesman of the Iranian judiciary confirmed Tuesday that seven members of the Bahai religion would soon face trial on charges of espionage, the ISNA news agency reported.

They were charged with "espionage for aliens" and would face trial next week, Ali-Reza Jamshidi said.

Iran's chief prosecutor, Qorban Ali Dorri Najafabadi, on Sunday accused the Bahais of having exchanged information with Israel, adding that there were documents to prove the charges.

Vienna - Reacting to massive protests, ultraconservative Austrian Catholic priest Gerhard Wagner withdrew his nomination to become auxiliary bishop, saying Monday he had received "merciless" treatment.

Wagner, 54, suggested in 2005 that Hurricane Katrina could have been God's punishment for abortion clinics, prostitution and homosexuality in New Orleans.

"Ever since I was nominated, I sensed opposition that often was carried out in a merciless and unkind way," Wagner told public radio Oe1 Monday, after having handed in his withdrawal on Sunday evening.