Famous Hindu temple bans worshippers from giving offerings for security reasons скачать в хорошем качестве

Famous Hindu temple bans worshippers from giving offerings for security reasons

(19 Jun 2007) SHOTLIST 1. Wide of Siddhi Vinayak temple 2. Devotees going through metal detectors 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Hanumant Jagtap, Chief Executive Officer Siddhi Vinayak Temple Trust: " We had received instructions from the police, and that is why we put the ban in place." 4. Boxes being placed on metal detectors 5. Devotees taking offerings without the coconut 6. SOUNDBITE (Hindi) J.J. Waghare, Librarian SiddhiVinayak Trust: "On Tuesdays about 5 lakhs (500-thousand) devotees come, on other days about 50 thousand peoples visit, on 'Sankasti Day' about one lakh (100-thousand) devotees come; on 'Angara Day', in 24 hours, about 25 to 30 lakh devotees visit the temple. So, we need to look after the security of the temple, we have to look after the security of the people, and that is why this prohibition has been enforced." 7. Man carrying boxes have entry denied by security 8. Shops selling temple offerings 9. SOUNDBITE (Hindi) Surendra Khanna, devotee: " Terrorism has gone so high, and security level at certain areas is not very good. But when they have started taking action, I think its very good step, it's a very good thing which the government has started and I think all the major places should be covered with the security." 10. Flower vendor going through security check 11. Security guards at entry and exit points of the temple 12. Close up of policeman 13. Pan right of shop selling flowers and coconuts 14. SOUNDBITE (Hindi ) Shop keeper: " In our shop there are 15 - 20 people working, how are we going to feed them, if we don't sell these coconuts?" 15. Tilt up of the coconuts in shop 16. Police holding a rifle with temple in the background 17. Tilt down of Policeman figure reflected on a pond of water on the ground STORYLINE One of India's most famous Hindu temples on Monday barred worshippers from giving traditional offerings of coconuts and garlands of flowers to Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of good fortune, saying they feared bombs could be hidden inside. According to a trustee member of the temple, worshippers were being asked not to bring in coconuts or garlands, but only a few flowers in their hands, due to security reasons. " Terrorism has gone so high,and security level at certain areas is not very good. But when they have started taking action, I think its very good step," said a devotee. Authorities fear that explosives could be placed inside coconuts. " We had received instructions from the police, and that is why we put the ban in place," said Hanumant Jagtap, Chief Executive Officer Siddhi Vinayak Temple Trust. The process of searching all the worshippers' offerings was causing long delays, but authorities said there was no choice. J.J. Waghare, Librarian Siddhivinayak Trust described the sheer numbers of devotees that visited the temple, who number in the hundreds of thousands. "We need to look after the security of the temple, we have to look after the security of the people, and that is why this prohibition has been enforced," Waghare said. Vendors of temple offerings expressed their dissatisfaction at the move. "In our shop there are 15 - 20 people working, how are we going to feed them, if we don't sell these coconuts?" asked one shopkeeper. Security was stepped up at many temples across India after a temple in the Hindu holy city of Varanasi was targeted in an attack last year. Worshippers from across Mumbai traditionally walk many miles barefoot to Siddhi Vinayak Temple hoping their prayers to Ganesh, the god of good fortune are answered. Ganesh is well-known as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...