We take a look at the world's quirky, colourful - and downright bizarre - events.
Rishabh Pant embraced the festive spirit of Diwali in the company of his idol Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Ganesh Puja in Alibag taluka is about simplicity and minimalism. It's about quiet devotion too.
Check out the impressive line-up at the International Film Festival of South Asia.
Aseem Chhabra's Top 10 Films/ Series from TIFF 2024 includes films that he watched for the first time in Toronto. The films were impressive due to their rigor, passion, unique storytelling style and sometimes exploring the vulnerable sides of big name stars.
His celebratory gesture on Thursday night marks a first for Downing Street, which annually sees the UK prime minister host a Diwali gathering and an Annakut, or spread of festive food, from London's Swaminarayan Mandir next door at No 10.
A local court in Ajmer has issued notices to the dargah committee, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, and the Archaeological Survey of India on a plea seeking to declare the shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti a temple. The petition, filed in September, has sparked a heated debate, with politicians and community leaders weighing in on the potentially volatile issue. The dargah committee has declined to comment, but the Anjuman Syed Zadgan, a body representing the caretakers of the dargah, described the petition as a deliberate attempt to fracture society along communal lines. The petition comes just days after four people were killed in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, following a local court ordering survey of a Mughal-era shrine. The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which fixed August 15, 1947, as the cut-off date for status quo on the character of religious places, is at the centre of much of the debate. Several politicians, including Union minister Giriraj Singh and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, have weighed in on the issue. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has called the civil court's decision to entertain the petition unwarranted and has asked the Supreme Court to immediately intervene.
The background of the sheet features the United Nations Headquarters building illuminated with the message of "Happy Diwali" to celebrate the spirit of the festival.
The actor walked for Namrata Joshipura's Lakm Insta Light Show at Lakme-Fashion week 2015.
Bollywood folk graced the stage at the 14th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, received awards, promoted their films and laughed loud at IFFM. Then, they got all touristy and explored the Australian city, enjoying its sights and sounds.
The facade of the UN headquarters was lit in bright hues and the words 'Happy Diwali', along with the image of a traditional 'diya', projected onto the building.
What sold the most this year? Beauty, toys and baby care, sports and fitness, television and large appliances, followed by fashion, says T E Narasimhan.
Dressed in her Diwali best, the actor looks lovely on her latest cover.
Jayanti Soni and her family return each year to Bhinmal, when they can, to celebrate Diwali in her family home.
'If she manages to throw out people, go for surgical operations, clean up her image, she will be victorious.'
With Dussehra celebrations all set to take place with pomp and show in the national capital, security arrangements have been made to maintain law and order in the city amid the festive fervour.
'Kajol has always been very particular about Nysa and Yug coming for the puja every year.'
The Indian Institute of India (IIT) Bombay has imposed a fine of up to Rs 1.2 lakh on eight students, who performed a play that allegedly mocked Lord Ram and portrayed the Ramayana in a bad light, a fellow student said on Thursday.
The sculptures are created from compacted snow or from blocks of ice which are hauled from across the nearby Songhua River.
Key indices ended weak for a third consecutive session after a stellar rally.
The spirit of Christmas is on show in streets across the world, with Christmas lights displays popping up in people's front yards.
The Bali India Foundation will hold from March 3-10 an international yoga festival, that will also see experts discuss yoga in the light of Islam, the Jakarta Post said.
In a historic move, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation making Diwali a holiday for public schools in the major American city.
How To Wear Chiffon Sarees Like A Bollywood Star Garima Garg on styling Alia Bhatt and her take on this celebrity-approved trend
"This year, I was honoured to kindle the first-ever diya in the Oval Office -- a lamp that symbolises how darkness will always be overcome by light. It is a tradition that I hope future presidents will continue," Obama said on the White House Facebook page, which became viral on social media.
To mark the beginning of Diwali and celebrate the ongoing edition of the ICC Men's ODI World Cup, the ICC and the BCCI showcased a special 3D projection on the historical and iconic Gateway of India in Mumbai.
The famous Thrissur Pooram festival concluded on Monday without any incident.
If you have an appetite for crowds and the visual spectacle of many focused on one task or activity, a pooram will engage you, notes Shyam G Menon.
The tableau also depicts the first-ever operational high-speed regional rapid transit system (RRTS) of the country. It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the priority section of its first corridor in October.
The Diwali parties have started in Bollywood with a big dhamaka, with Producer Ramesh Taurani kicking off the festivities.
Martin Scorsese, 'the reigning king of cinema', gets an honorary Golden Bear at the 74th Berlinale.
Potters in Uttar Pradesh gear up for brisk business this festive season.
What the photographers miss, the stars make sure to post themselves.
'It serves the purpose of entertaining the audiences and distracting them from the reality for at least two hours.'
As dusk fell, volunteers lit up nearly six lakh diyas lined up on the Saryu riverbank. 'Representatives of the Guinness Book of World Records witnessed this grand festival. With 5,84,372 earthen lamps, the event made the world record,' a state government statement said.
Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav's demise might not have any direct political impact on the party, but its president Akhilesh Yadav will now have to work without his 'shield and shadow'.
