India’s new Parliament building will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India on May 28th, 2023. The PM will install the Sengol, a historical sceptre from Tamil Nadu, in the building, according to the Home Minister.
Credits – Times Now
The Sengol is one of the most important symbols in post-partition India, as it was received by Independent India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru during the transfer of power from the British to India. The sceptre is currently in a museum in Allahabad.
Credits – Times Now
What is the significance of the sceptre?
The importance of this sceptre was identified by the last Viceroy of India, C. Rajagopalachari, commonly known as Rajaji. He identified it as a Chola model where the transfer of power from one king to another was sanctified with the passing on of the Sengol.
The sceptre was made by Vummidi Bangaru Chetty, a well-known jeweller from the Madras Presidency. Vummidi Ethirajulu (96) and Vummidi Sudhakar (88), two of the makers of the sceptre, are currently living in Chennai.
The ‘handing over ceremony’ :
Priests and singers from the Saivaite monastery flew from Madras to Delhi on August 14, 1947. They conducted the handing-over ceremony according to the Tamil traditions at the Prime Minister’s house.
Credits – The Hindu
While recalling the transfer of power, the Home Minister stated that the transfer of power was not merely an exchange or signing of a document, and hence keeping such events intact with the local traditions is important.
“Even after 75 years of independence, most of the people in India are not aware of this event. On this night Jawaharlal Nehry received the Sengol from the Adheenams (Priests) of the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam (Mutt) in Tamil Nadu, who had specially arrived for the occasion. It was precisely the moment in which power was transferred by the British into the hands of Indians,” the minister said.
Credits – The Indian Express
The current seer of Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam, Sri La Sri Ambalavana Desika Paramacharya Swamigal, expressed his happiness over the recognition and celebration of the Sengol. He also stated that on the day of parliament’s inauguration, the sceptre will be given to the current Prime Minister as a symbolic gesture.
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