At Lakm Fashion Week, Pawan Sachdeva took Indian crafts out of their traditional comfort zone. In an exclusive conversation with Rediff, he explains why.
The Delhi High Court refused to issue an injunction to stop a protest by the CJP at Connaught Place Central Park on October 16, accepting the police's assurance to regulate the activity. A vendor had sought to regulate the protest, citing potential business losses during the festive season.
From a Vantara-inspired jungle shrine to 21 years of family tradition, Rediff's readers prove Bappa's magic knows no boundaries.
Bollywood's biggest names gathered at the Ambani family's Antilia residence for grand Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.
A school owned by a BJP MLA in Thane advised students not to bring root vegetables in lunchboxes during the Jain Paryushan festival, sparking a controversy. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) objected, while the MLA clarified it was a request, not a mandatory order, aimed at respecting religious sentiments and promoting healthy eating.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has voiced strong concerns about the divisive role of social media in society, alleging it fuels anger and religious disputes. He also criticised the unbridled use of high-decibel sound systems, questioned the government's economic policies despite GDP growth claims, and objected to political messaging in public offices. Thackeray further addressed linguistic politics and endorsed the "Inquilab Zindabad" slogan.
Chikankari has long been one of India's most loved embroidery traditions. Originating in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, this centuries-old craft is known for its fine hand embroidery, traditionally worked in white thread on lightweight fabrics such as cotton, muslin and mulmul. Its beauty lies in the details, with different stitches creating everything from delicate flowers to elaborate jaal patterns.
Swarovski's Diwali celebration in Mumbai transformed the city's festive glow into a full-blown fashion moment.
Navratri is a celebration of colour, devotion and dressing up, and Day 6 is all about green. Associated with nature, growth, renewal and prosperity, green brings a refreshing energy to the festive season.
A high-level committee, formed after a deadly stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata, reviewed safety arrangements at several community puja pandals. The committee announced new measures, including prohibiting food stalls near entry/exit points and eliminating separate VIP entries, to enhance crowd management and safety during the festival.
Navratri is almost at its grand finale, and Day 9 deserves a colour that knows how to make an entrance. Enter peacock green, a rich blue-green shade that represents growth, harmony and renewal, while its blue undertones evoke calm, depth and devotion.
Navratri is all about celebrating devotion, colour and the energy of new beginnings, and Day 3 belongs to royal blue. The shade is associated with strength, richness and elegance, making it a striking choice for the festive season.
Following a fatal pandal stampede, the West Bengal government has deployed nine experienced IPS officers to manage Durga Puja crowds in Kolkata. The Kolkata Police also issued an 11-point advisory, detailing measures like closing pandal entries during rain, regulating visitor movement, and coordinating with puja organisers to ensure safety during the festive rush.
Sargun Kaur Luthra has come a long way from making her television debut in Kaal Bhairav Rahasya in 2017. The Delhi-born actress went on to win audiences over as Dr Preesha in Yeh Hai Chahatein, a role that made her a familiar face in Indian households.
Kajol, Tanuja, Tanishaa Mukerji and Ayan Mukerji came together to unveil Maa Durga's idol at the 80th North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja, which celebrates the spirit of tradition and family.
Two students died and three were seriously injured in Palghar, Maharashtra, when their motorcycle skidded and fell into a roadside pit while returning to their ashram school from a village fair. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, led to the suspension of the school's headmaster, warden, and watchman due to security lapses, as the students had secretly left the hostel. An inquiry revealed non-functional CCTV cameras and unauthorised entry of non-residential students.
What happens when a festive Indian mithai meets booze and a cocktail shaker? The result is the indulgent Kesar Ghewar Martini. Inspired by the delicate flavours of ghewar, this creamy cocktail combines vodka with saffron-cardamom syrup, fresh lemon juice and rose water. A splash of chilled cream lends it a smooth richness, while saffron adds an elegant finishing touch.
Ten individuals were arrested and a minor girl detained in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, for allegedly slaughtering two cows and selling their meat. The investigation began after severed cow heads were discovered on October 12 and two days later. Police used CCTV footage to identify and apprehend the suspects, who confessed to the crime.
Ganeshotsav 2026 celebrations span Jaipur, Odisha, Goa, Mumbai, and Nashville in the USA, as devotees share heartfelt prayers, first-time experiences, and festive joy.
Ramlila Maidan, recently designated as one of Delhi's new protest sites, is proving to be a costly and difficult option for demonstrators. With no free dates for the next two and a half months and booking fees exceeding Rs 1 lakh, it contrasts sharply with the previously free Jantar Mantar. The ground, rich in political history, also poses logistical challenges due to its busy commercial location and impact on traffic.
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games concluded with a spectacular closing ceremony featuring a dazzling light and musical show, celebrating Japan's culture and hospitality. The event saw over 350 records broken, including 50 world records, and marked the official handover to Doha for the 2030 Games. India finished fourth in the medal tally with 85 medals.
Srinagar's picturesque Dal Lake recently transformed into a unique open-air floating cinema for the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir 2026, captivating audiences with Bollywood classics against a stunning natural backdrop.
Thank you, Dear Readers, for sharing your pictures of Lord Ganesha.
This year's Ekta Diwas parade in Kevadia, Gujarat, will feature around 2,000 artists from 126 Naxal-affected districts and celebrate the significant achievement of ending armed Naxalism in the country. Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the annual event on October 31, which also commemorates Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary. The celebrations will include cultural performances, innovative tableaux, and will honour security forces while promoting tourism to the Statue of Unity.
The Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court to challenge a Madras High Court order that permitted the lighting of a ceremonial lamp on the Thirupparankundram hill. The state government cited concerns over public order and potential communal tensions, while the High Court had dismissed these fears as "imaginary" and affirmed the land belongs to the Sri Subramania Swamy Temple, not the Waqf Board.
Mumbai is abuzz with Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations as Ganesha idols arrive in homes and pandals across the city. The 11-day festival, marked by devotional chants, elaborate pujas, and vibrant decorations, culminates in grand immersions on Anant Chaturdashi. The city is adorned with lights, and markets are bustling, while authorities have deployed extensive security measures to ensure safe festivities, despite recent idol collapse incidents.
Thousands gathered on the banks of the River Thames in London for the first-ever Ganga Aarti, a traditional Hindu ceremony of light and thanksgiving. Organised by Chinmaya Mission UK as part of the 'Totally Thames' festival, the event symbolised gratitude for nature and knowledge, while also celebrating 75 years of the Chinmaya Mission. The ceremony was conducted on land to ensure environmental responsibility.
Madhya Pradesh BJP MLA Usha Thakur has sparked controversy by claiming that 4.5 lakh girls elope with non-Hindu men during Garba celebrations annually, leading to demographic change. She advocated banning non-Hindus from Garba pandals, a stance supported by the VHP, which suggests Aadhaar checks to prevent "love jihad." The Congress has condemned her remarks, demanding an apology, and highlighted similar controversial statements from another BJP MLA.
'I had narrated a script to Nana Patekar, and four days before the end, he told me that once he returned from Goa, he would take the project forward. I still can't believe he is never coming back. He was always so fit, proudly flexing his muscles and urging me to work out.'
It isn't a fancy food. It doesn't have the national recognition of litti or baati. Outside its little corner of Vidarbha, many people may not even know it exists.
'Earlier, Ganeshotsav was social. Now it is all about social media.'
'Ma would fiddle with the radio's knob until the static gave way to music; then, the voice would come on. I would be half-asleep still, understanding little of the Sanskrit words I heard but the words in chants, interspersed with songs, cast a spell. I still remember the goosebumps I felt as the epic tale of Goddess Durga's birth and battles unfolded,' says Radha Roy Biswas.
Lord Ganesha comes in various forms and each one lives in your heart. Enjoy these pictures from Rediff readers.
Baththa turns a school toilet into the setting for an unlikely redemption story, turning itself into one of 2026's warmest feel-good entertainers.
Sona Olickal's style feels like a sunny little wardrobe vacation. There's plenty of breezy femininity, playful prints and bohemian ease, but the Once More actress can just as easily switch into rich silks, statement jewellery or cool streetwear.
The Supreme Court has strongly asserted the critical need to instill fear in criminals and enhance women's safety across Delhi-NCR, taking suo motu cognisance of recent alarming rape incidents.
A special POCSO court in Vadodara has sentenced five men to life imprisonment for the gang-rape of a minor girl during Navratri two years ago. The court described the crime as "most heinous" and ordered Rs 10 lakh compensation for the survivor, emphasising the seriousness of violence against women, especially during a religious festival.
Japan inaugurated the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya with a vibrant opening ceremony that seamlessly blended advanced technology and rich cultural traditions, despite earlier organisational challenges.
We started with notebooks and graduated to lavatories, self defence classes, laptops during the lockdown... And, every Ganeshotsav, the contributions increased, says Ananya Chincholikar.
'...because of the character, how it was to be portrayed, the speech, the scenes.' 'There was a physicality involved because he was a TB patient who eventually had cancer and passed away.'
