A Clash That Brought Shame

On Sunday, just when the people of Chintamani were happy to watch the unveiling of a show from the Sun, what proceeded later in the evening is nothing less than degradation of  humanity.
The clash between the two groups ended in a death of a Police constable who intervened to restore peace. The police who was on duty and who tried to control the mischief mongers was badly injured. He later succumbed in the hospital. And, this gruesome incident disrupted the peaceful situation that was prevailing in the town. This morning a few people blocked the roads and called for 'Chintamani Bandh'. People who had plans to travel were seen stranded at the bus stand. The schools and colleges were closed. The school/college students who had already arrived had a hard time getting back home.

The traders/businessmen who were coming to terms with the loss from the 'Bharat Bandh' had to yet again face the brunt of this shallowness in the society. The laborers who earn their daily bread didn't get their today's earnings because the trucks avoided  from entering the town and the business establishments were closed.
Hope the fanaticism doesn't show up it's ugly head and bring disrepute to the whole of Chintamani again.

The Sun and the Clouds put up a show.

Photo & info  by: G.H.Raghunath

23rd September, Sunday :Suddenly, there was a commotion in Chintamani, looking at the Sun, above.

There was a beautiful ring of colours (vibgyor) around the Sun's disc. People were amazed as it was a rare (?) sight. 

This beautiful display of nature was due to the formation of the clouds in a peculiar position that reflected the light to form a colourful ring around the Sun.

Chintamani-Not just a name!!

Although our town is named after a Maratha king Chintamani Rao(son of Ambaji Rao), Chintamani is also a name of a stone that is believed to have mystic power. CC presents you some interesting write up on this mysterious stone called Chintamani.                  

 It is believed that the great sailer Marco Polo travelled miles in search of the Chintamani Stone.

Chintamani is a legendary mystic stone from the epics of Mahabharata. Here is an interesting story about the Chintamani stone.
A huge Chintamani Stone was found in China. Here is the link

Chintamani is also a  legendary story of a Sanskrit poet and devotee of Lord Krishna named Bilwamangal. Bilwamangal, a resident of Varanasi, was a Sanskrit scholar, who gets infatuated towards a courtesan called Chintamani. As a result he deserts his wife. However, Chintamani is an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna  and spends most of her time singing bhajans in praise of Lord Krishna. His attraction towards Chintamani eventually draws Bilwamangal closer towards Lord Krishna and transforms his life forever. Bilwangal, himself, becomes a devotee of Lord Krishna and pens a monumental Sanskrit work Sri Krishna Karnamritam. A Telugu movie starred by iconic actor  of yester years NTR was made in the year 1956 titled "Chintamani" click here based on the same story.

Here is one more story from the epics in which Lord Ganesha turns into a Chintamani Stone with mysic power.

Ganesha becomes Chintamani

There is a Karnatic Raaga with the name 'Chintamani' which is rarely sung by the musicians these days. Listen to this Shyama Shastry's Kriti in Chintamani Raaga sung by legendary singer M.S.Subbalakshmi.