KHALVONTAWI - Voice of the Voiceless from Northeast India: 10/1/23

Sunday, October 29, 2023

TBC Vice President passes away on Oct 28, 2023

A 63-year-old church elder B. Thangsuanhang, Vice President of the Thangkhal Baptist Church (ABA), Manipur passed away due to BP stroke at Lamka district hospital in Churachandpur district, Manipur, India on 28 October 2023, around 8 pm.

Late Thangsuanhang and his wife, Chinglamniang were said to be the first holy marriage solemnized in Thangkhal Christian Association (Church) at S Geltui in 1982.

He served in Army Medical Corp (AMC) from 1979-1996 and served in Manipur Rifle, 2000-2021.

He was the General President of TBC from 2018-2020.

He was ordained as Upa (church elder) at M Tanglian TBCA Church in 2001.
He was the Chairman of TBC Central Church for two terms.

He is one of the founders of TBC (ABA) Delhi.

He is wellknown as a man of integrity, truth and honest. And a servant of God in his capacity.

It is really pain to say, Good Bye to our church leader for this heaven's call. We expressed our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and relatives.

With tears we bid you Bye, "Rest in Peace".

Condolence Programme

------

TBC (ABA) Delhi Condolence Programme

--- Pics of Condolence Programme in Delhi ---

---o---

Friday, October 27, 2023

Birla Mandir, Hyderabad – A Temple of Peace and Beauty

Birla Mandir is one of the most beautiful and peaceful temples in Hyderabad, located towards the southern end of Hussain Sagar Lake. The temple stands proudly atop Kala Pahad, which is a twin hillock of Naubat Pahad, rising about 280 feet high on a 13-acre plot. Built by the famous Birla Foundation in 1976, the temple took almost a decade to complete. It was consecrated by Swami Ranganathananda of the Ramakrishna Mission the same year. The entire structure is made of pure white marble imported from Rajasthan, giving it a bright, serene, and divine appearance against the blue Hyderabad sky.

From the hilltop, you can see the stunning Hussain Sagar Lake, the Telangana Secretariat, and the shining Buddha statue in the distance. The temple stands high above the busy city, surrounded by greenery, bridges, and modern roads. The golden sunlight adds warmth to the peaceful scenery, making it one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Hyderabad. The panoramic view from Birla Mandir gives visitors a sense of calm and connection with nature while overlooking the vibrant city life below.

Telangana Secretariat

The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, worshipped here as Sri Venkateswara. Inside the temple, you can hear the soothing kirtanas of Tyagaraja, Annamayya, and Ramadasu echoing in the air, adding to its spiritual charm. The presiding deity is an 11-feet-tall granite idol, while his consorts Padmavati and Andal have their own adjoining shrines.

Architecturally, Birla Mandir is a fine example of a blend between Utkal (Oriya) and South Indian temple styles. The Rajagopuram, or main tower at the entrance, represents the South Indian style, while the Jagadananda Vimanam (the tower above the main shrine) follows the Oriyan style. The walls and corridors of the temple are beautifully carved with sculptures from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, showcasing skilled craftsmanship and devotion. The sanctum sanctorum, standing 42 feet high, is a smaller replica of the famous Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala.

Apart from the main shrines, the temple complex also houses a Buddha temple, adorned with fresco paintings depicting scenes from the life of Buddha. There are also separate shrines dedicated to Shiva, Ganesh, Hanuman, Saraswati, Brahma, Lakshmi, and Sai Baba.

Hussain Sagar Lake

In the evenings, the temple becomes a breathtaking sight when illuminated, glowing against the backdrop of the city and lake. Visitors often say that a trip to Hyderabad is incomplete without visiting Birla Mandir. The temple is open every day from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM and again from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. It is easily accessible by local buses, with the nearest stop being Ravindra Bharathi, just a short walk away.

Birla Mandir is not just a place of worship—it’s a symbol of peace, spirituality, and timeless beauty that continues to inspire visitors from all walks of life.

By:-

Bruce K. Thangkhal, BD III, UTC

UTC-IFE 2023 @ HMI, HYDERABAD

Visited: 27 Oct 2023

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Golconda Fort: Echoes of Diamonds and Kings

Golconda Fort, located in the western part of Hyderabad about 9 km from Hussain Sagar Lake, has a history dating back to the 11th century. It began as a small mud fort built by Pratāparudra of the Kakatiya Empire.

The name “Golconda” comes from the Telugu words Golla Konda, meaning “Shepherd’s Hill.” Legend says a shepherd boy found an idol on the hill, and the Kakatiya king built a fort around it. Later, the Bahmani rulers and then the Qutb Shahi kings transformed it into a massive granite fortress. By the 16th century, it became the capital of the Golconda Sultanate.

The fort is famous for its diamonds, including the Koh-i-Noor and Hope, which were once stored here. Nearby regions like Kollur and Krishna districts were known for diamond mines during the Kakatiya era. The Kakatiya era, spanning the 12th-14th centuries, was when the Kakatiya dynasty ruled a Telugu kingdom in eastern Deccan, with Warangal as their capital.

Spread over three square kilometres, Golconda Fort has huge ramparts, 08 gateways, 04 drawbridges, cannons, palaces, mosques, and a hilltop pavilion rising 130 metres, offering panoramic views. One fascinating feature is its acoustics: if you a clap your hands at the entrance near the dome, it can be heard at the top pavilion almost a kilometre away—a warning system in ancient times.

Golconda witnessed centuries of history before falling to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1687, who left it in ruins. Today, it remains one of India’s most magnificent forts, a symbol of Hyderabad’s rich heritage.

Visiting Hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM