Bangalore: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who is on a two-day visit to this tech-hub from Thursday, visited the 16th century Sri Someshwara (Shiva) Temple here with his wife Laureen and the accompanying 90-member official delegation. The temple was built by Bangalore city founder Kempe Gowda in the 16th century as a dedication to Lord Someshwara. "The Harpers entered the over 500-year-old temple barefoot and were given traditional welcome with Carnatic music and oil-lit lamps by head priest Sundar Dixit. He marvelled at the temple's architecture and style, which are a mixture of the historic Chola, Hoysala and Vijaynagara empires," an official, escorting the delegation, told IANS here.
When the Harpers walked into the temple's sanctum sanctorum and stood facing the presiding deity (Shiva) and his consort (Parvathi) amid the chanting of Vedic hymns (mantras), the priest made them exchange garlands of fragrant Mysore jasmine flowers, which amused the gathering, as the couple pronounced that they were 'married' again. "Laureen was excited by the ritual, which included lighting of the oil lamp with camphor and offering to the deity. As the head priest blessed the couple to live a long, happy and healthy life, the prime minister declared that they have married again here in Hindu style," the official said quoting Harper.
Dixit also gave a brief account of the temple's history and the background of the towering ornate entrance, the carved pillars, the stone ceiling and the echoing bells. Muzrai (religious and charitable endowments) Minister Kota Srinivasa
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Toronto: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's minority Conservative government was toppled by opposition after Parliament passed a no-confidence vote and the country appeared headed for elections in May, the fourth in seven years. The snap polls was forced following the passage of the no-confidence vote against the minority government engineered by the opposition Liberal Party and backed by two other opposition parties, on the heels of a historic contempt of...
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Akshay Kumar has been nominated as the sole torchbearer to represent India. ... 
