Swami Sandipendra Giri Ji Maharaj is a prominent name in contemporary Hindu spiritual circles, with his public work linked to religious traditions, Sanskrit learning and Maa Baglamukhi worship.
New Delhi: Swami Sandipendra Giri Ji Maharaj is a prominent name in contemporary Hindu spiritual circles, with his public work linked to religious traditions, Sanskrit learning and Maa Baglamukhi worship.
Published profiles identify him as Shri Shri 1008 Mahamandaleshwar Swami Sandipendra Giri Ji Maharaj and associate him with Panchayati Akhara Shri Niranjani. His name has also appeared in coverage surrounding spiritual journeys and major religious gatherings.
A central part of his public identity is his association with Maa Baglamukhi and the temple at Nalkheda in Madhya Pradesh. The temple, situated on the banks of the Lakhundar River, is dedicated to Bagalamukhi, one of the ten Mahavidyas in Hindu tradition.
In a 2025 feature, Swami Sandipendra Giri Ji discussed the spiritual significance of Maa Baglamukhi and traditions associated with the temple, including havan and other religious practices. Claims concerning divine intervention and supernatural outcomes are part of religious belief and are not independently verifiable.
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Beyond Temple Traditions
His public activities also extend into cultural and religious initiatives. In May 2026, he was reported as one of the saints attending the foundation ceremony connected with the reconstruction of the historic Shri Ram–Janaki Math in Sitamarhi.
With appearances across religious events and increasing online coverage, Swami Sandipendra Giri Ji Maharaj has become a recognisable figure within India's contemporary spiritual landscape, combining traditional Hindu teachings with a growing public presence.
Rajiv Acharya's family is seeking proper legal proceedings through the Indian Embassy and financial justice. The Indian Embassy in Israel is in close contact with Israeli authorities, who have arrested a suspect and are investigating the case.
Saurabh Verma is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, specializing in Indian politics, national current affairs, and breaking global news. With years of experience tracking power shifts, election strateg...Read More
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Swami Sandipendra Giri Ji Maharaj is a prominent name in contemporary Hindu spiritual circles, with his public work linked to religious traditions, Sanskrit learning and Maa Baglamukhi worship.
Sergio Gor made the remarks after arriving in Srinagar for his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir as the US ambassador.
Pakistan objected to US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor’s description of Jammu and Kashmir as an “important part of India", calling the remark “irresponsible" and “factually incorrect".
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the US Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad to lodge a strong demarche over Gor’s remarks, which came during his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
Islamabad “strongly condemned and categorically rejected" the characterisation of Jammu and Kashmir as “a part of India", Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said. It also urged the United States to ensure that its public statements remain consistent with what Islamabad described as the “disputed status" of Jammu and Kashmir.
“It was highlighted that the irresponsible statement by the U.S. Ambassador negated the long-standing and well-documented position of the United States on the Jammu & Kashmir dispute, and also ran contrary to the United States’ commitment to supremacy of international law and the UN Charter," the ministry said.
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India has consistently maintained that the entire Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), is an integral and inalienable part of the country.
What Did Sergio Gor Say?
Sergio Gor made the remarks after arriving in Srinagar for his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir as the US ambassador. He met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and described the region as an “important part of India".
“It’s a pleasure to be here… This is an important part of India. I am here, visiting for the first time. It is an incredibly beautiful place. I am thrilled to be here, thrilled to see this place," Gor said.
He also described his meeting with Omar Abdullah as “very good" and “very cordial", saying there would be follow-up discussions in Washington and New Delhi.
“We just had a very good meeting. We have some follow-ups, so we hope to take back to Washington, back to Delhi. But a very warm, a very cordial and we look forward to building this relationship forward," he said.
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The US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, indicated that the United States would examine whether its current travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir should be downgraded. He stated that the US periodically reviews its travel advisories.
Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned and rejected the US Ambassador's remarks, summoning the US Charge d'Affaires in Islamabad to lodge a formal protest. Pakistan considers the statement "irresponsible" and "factually incorrect".
The US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, stated that Jammu and Kashmir is an "important" part of India. This statement was made during his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir as the US ambassador.
Saurabh Verma is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, specializing in Indian politics, national current affairs, and breaking global news. With years of experience tracking power shifts, election strateg...Read More
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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Newsworld Israel Army Opens Probe Into Death Of Five-Year-Old Hind Rajab After Global Outcry
Israel Army Opens Probe Into Death Of Five-Year-Old Hind Rajab After Global Outcry
Swami Sandipendra Giri Ji Maharaj is a prominent name in contemporary Hindu spiritual circles, with his public work linked to religious traditions, Sanskrit learning and Maa Baglamukhi worship.
Hind Rajab’s picture held on the red carpet during the screening of The Voice of Hind Rajab at the 82nd Venice Film Festival. (Photo: Reuters)
Israel’s military said on Wednesday that it will open internal investigations into the deaths of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab in January 2024 and 15 emergency and aid workers in March 2025 in Gaza. The decision follows reviews by the military’s Fact-Finding and Assessment Mechanism, which examined five incidents involving Palestinian deaths.
The military also released its findings on the killing of seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen charity in April 2024. In that case, it said there was “no reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct" warranting a criminal investigation.
Israeli rights groups have raised concerns about the effectiveness of criminal investigations involving Israeli troops accused of killing Palestinians, saying such cases rarely result in convictions.
Dan Owen, a researcher at the Yesh Din rights organisation, said only a “tiny" proportion of such investigations had resulted in indictments over the past decade. He also said increasing political pressure “further deters Israeli law-enforcement authorities from holding those responsible accountable, even when clear evidence does exist."
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What Happened To Hind Rajab
Hind Rajab was trapped inside a car during Israel’s military offensive in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the Gaza war. She remained pinned down for hours and pleaded with Palestinian medics by phone to send help.
Her aunt, uncle and three cousins were already dead inside the vehicle. When an ambulance reached the area, contact with Hind and the rescuers was lost. Twelve days later, the bodies of Hind, her relatives and two ambulance workers were recovered.
A film about Hind’s death later won the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award.
15 Aid And Emergency Workers Found In Mass Grave
In March 2025, the bodies of 15 emergency and aid workers from the Palestinian Red Crescent, Palestinian Civil Defense and the United Nations were recovered from a grave in the sand in southern Gaza.
UN aid chief Tom Fletcher said at the time that the bodies had been buried near “wrecked & well-marked vehicles" and alleged that they had been killed by Israeli forces while trying to save lives. He called for answers and justice.
Eid Aziz, media director of the Palestinian Red Crescent, said that opening an investigation was less important than preventing such incidents from happening.
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“The Palestinian Red Crescent badge is protected by international laws, and the medical staff must be protected, especially as they execute their duties and humanitarian work," Aziz told Reuters.
Munther Abed, a Palestinian paramedic who said he was present when the 15 colleagues were killed, said on Wednesday that he hoped those responsible would face “justice, real justice".
“I want to say to the whole world, Ambulances 101 is not a target and they must be protected," he said, referring to the Red Crescent’s speed-dial number for its Gaza service.
Gaza Death Toll Remains High
More than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the Gaza war began in 2023, according to the figures cited in the report, with thousands more killed in Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon. The dead include aid workers, doctors, journalists and others.
Israel’s military says its attacks target Hamas and Hezbollah militants and has opened investigations into some incidents involving the deaths of civilians, including medical and aid workers and journalists.
A Gaza ceasefire declared last October halted major fighting but did not end Israeli attacks. Israel has said its continuing strikes are aimed at preventing imminent attacks by Hamas and other Gaza militants.
Since the truce, more than 1,200 Palestinians and four Israeli soldiers have been killed, according to Gaza health authorities and the Israeli military.
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International pressure could influence future Israeli military actions, as evidenced by Israel's military opening criminal investigations into incidents that gained global attention, such as the deaths of Hind Rajab and 15 paramedics. Additionally, a coalition of six countries imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers and officials over West Bank violence, escalating diplomatic pressure.
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First Published:
August 19, 2026, 21:11 IST
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