News for 'Hindu Temples'

UK polls: Sunak, rival Starmer hit temple trail to woo British Hindu voters

UK polls: Sunak, rival Starmer hit temple trail to woo British Hindu voters

Rediff.com2 Jul 2024

While 44-year-old Sunak was at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden on Sunday to promise to keep trying to "make the community proud", 61-year-old Starmer chose another north London Swaminarayan Temple in Kingsbury on Friday to reiterate his commitment to building a "strategic partnership with India".

BJP leader moves HC against Dasara invite to Banu Mushtaq

BJP leader moves HC against Dasara invite to Banu Mushtaq

Rediff.com6 Sep 2025

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Prathap Simha moved the Karnataka high court on Saturday seeking a stay on the state government's invitation to International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate this year's 'Mysuru Dasara'.

Abandoned Shiva temple reopens in Aligarh's Muslim-dominated area

Abandoned Shiva temple reopens in Aligarh's Muslim-dominated area

Rediff.com19 Dec 2024

Right-wing organizations, including Bajrang Dal and All India Karni Sena, held a 'shuddhikaran' (purification) ceremony and chanted Hanuman chalisa at a long-abandoned Shiva temple in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. The temple, located in a Muslim-majority locality, was "reopened" by members of these groups. The ceremony took place on Wednesday night amid tight security measures. Local residents, including a former Aligarh Mayor, have voiced concerns over the state of the temple and called for its restoration.

Ayodhya Ram temple head priest passes away

Ayodhya Ram temple head priest passes away

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

Das served as the head priest since he was 20 years old, including during the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992.

Bangladesh: What Next?

Bangladesh: What Next?

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

One year after Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule ended in Bangladesh, hopes for real democracy are fading.

Court Verdict Reopens Question On Hindu Identity

Court Verdict Reopens Question On Hindu Identity

Rediff.com13 Feb 2024

What should be made out of the Madras high court order involving non-Hindus' entry into Hindu temples, when many non-Hindus are among the hundreds of thousands that have been worshipping at these temples for generations, asks N Sathiya Moorthy.

Sambhal mosque in spotlight again over ASI signboard

Sambhal mosque in spotlight again over ASI signboard

Rediff.com8 Apr 2025

The blue-coloured ASI board, currently kept at the Satyavrat police outpost, is expected to be installed soon, replacing the older sign that bore the name "Shahi Jama Masjid."

'We built the temple', say Delhi's CR Park fish vendors amid closure threat

'We built the temple', say Delhi's CR Park fish vendors amid closure threat

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

Fish sellers of Chittranjan Park found themselves in a state of disbelief last week when the anti-meat overdrive of the Hindu right hit the local markets with a warning to shut shops because they were close to a temple.

BJP protests Muslim Booker winner inaugurating Mysuru Dasara

BJP protests Muslim Booker winner inaugurating Mysuru Dasara

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

Senior BJP leaders and an expelled MLA have questioned the Karnataka government's decision to have author Banu Mushtaq inaugurate the Mysuru Dasara festivities, citing concerns about her faith and its appropriateness for a religious ceremony.

Union minister says 1,000 non-Hindus working at TTD, seeks probe

Union minister says 1,000 non-Hindus working at TTD, seeks probe

Rediff.com11 Jul 2025

Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Friday alleged that nearly 1,000 non-Hindus are working in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) without having faith in Lord Venkateshwara or adhering to Sanatana Dharma.

HC rejects plea to rename Shahi Idgah mosque as 'disputed structure'

HC rejects plea to rename Shahi Idgah mosque as 'disputed structure'

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

The Allahabad High Court dismissed a plea seeking the use of 'disputed structure' instead of 'Shahi Eidgah Mosque' in Mathura case proceedings.

Why did 70 Indian Hindus go to Pakistan

Why did 70 Indian Hindus go to Pakistan

Rediff.com26 Dec 2024

Over 70 Indian Hindu pilgrims returned home on Wednesday after performing religious rituals at the sacred Katas Raj temples in Pakistan's Punjab province.

Shut post-riots, temple in Sambhal reopened after 46 years

Shut post-riots, temple in Sambhal reopened after 46 years

Rediff.com14 Dec 2024

Local residents shared their memories of the temple, with many highlighting its importance as a religious site for the community.

Indian diplomats in Canada under surveillance: MEA

Indian diplomats in Canada under surveillance: MEA

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

"Over the last year or even more, the kind of things that we have seen attacking Indian diplomats, threatening, intimidating, harassing Indian diplomats...Yes, the threats have increased," he added.

Hindu outfit chief detained for removal of Sai Baba statues from temples

Hindu outfit chief detained for removal of Sai Baba statues from temples

Rediff.com3 Oct 2024

Ajay Sharma, the chief of Sanatan Rakshak Dal, had on Wednesday said they have removed Sai Baba's idol from 14 temples so far, including the idol of Sai Baba at the Bada Ganesh temple in Lohatia.

Seema case fallout: Hindu areas attacked with rocket launchers in Pak

Seema case fallout: Hindu areas attacked with rocket launchers in Pak

Rediff.com16 Jul 2023

The assailants fired indiscriminately at the temple built by the local Hindu community on Sunday, prompting a police unit led by Kashmore-Kandhkot SSP Irfan Sammo to reach the scene.

Mrs Steve Jobs visits Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Mrs Steve Jobs visits Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Rediff.com12 Jan 2025

Kailashanand Giri Maharaj of Niranjani Akhara, along with Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.

Almost all pending ideological tasks completed: Amit Shah

Almost all pending ideological tasks completed: Amit Shah

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asserted that the Narendra Modi government has "almost all" completed its ideological tasks, including the abrogation of Article 370, and will continue on the same path in its third tenure. Shah, a senior BJP leader, was speaking at the Hindu Spiritual & Service Fair in Gujarat, where he highlighted the government's achievements in areas such as the Ram Temple construction, abolition of triple talaq, and the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand. He also emphasized the government's success in promoting Yoga internationally and repatriating stolen idols of Hindu deities. Shah lauded Hindu temples and organizations for their service to society, especially their contributions to education and healthcare for the poor.

Canada temple attack: India cancels consular camps

Canada temple attack: India cancels consular camps

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

The announcement comes days after an incident of violent disruption by protestors carrying Khalistani flags at a consular event co-organised by the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton and the Indian Consulate.

Bihar Cabinet okays Rs 882.87cr for developing Sita's birthplace

Bihar Cabinet okays Rs 882.87cr for developing Sita's birthplace

Rediff.com1 Jul 2025

According to the proposal of the state Tourism department, which was approved by the Cabinet, around Rs 137 crore will be spent on the renovation of the old Punaura Dham Janki Mandir and Rs. 728 crore for the development of tourist infrastructure around the temple. The remaining amount will be spent on the maintenance of the infrastructure for ten years.

MUST-SEE: The magnificent Hindu temples of Pakistan

MUST-SEE: The magnificent Hindu temples of Pakistan

Rediff.com8 Aug 2014

Karachi-based journalist and author Reema Abbasi's book, Historic Temples in Pakistan: A Call to Conscience, is a deligh.

Hindu temple wins UK Pride of Place online poll

Hindu temple wins UK Pride of Place online poll

Rediff.com5 Dec 2007

The Bochsanawasi Aksar Purushottam Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden area London, which attracts visitors from all over the world, has won the 'UK Pride of Place' award in an online poll, the results of which were declared on Wednesday.

Thousands visit Ayodhya temple on consecration anniv

Thousands visit Ayodhya temple on consecration anniv

Rediff.com11 Jan 2025

The three-day celebrations began on Saturday with a recital of Yajurveda and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath performing an 'abhishek' on the Ram Lalla idol.

What Jaishankar said on defacement of temple in US

What Jaishankar said on defacement of temple in US

Rediff.com23 Dec 2023

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday expressed concern over the vandalism of a Hindu temple with anti-India graffiti in the United States, and said extremists and separatist forces outside India should not get such space.

'Writing History Is Like Solving A Jigsaw Puzzle With A Third Of The Pieces Missing'

'Writing History Is Like Solving A Jigsaw Puzzle With A Third Of The Pieces Missing'

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

'When I undertook a study of temple desecration in precolonial India, it was not enough simply to document what temples were desecrated, by whom, when, and where.' 'It was also important to explore the total historical context of such incidents, with a view to discovering patterns, which in turn could reveal the reasons why they occurred.'

Gyanvapi built on temple as per ASI survey report, claims Hindu side lawyer

Gyanvapi built on temple as per ASI survey report, claims Hindu side lawyer

Rediff.com26 Jan 2024

Jain told reporters that copies of the survey report consisting of 839 pages were made available to the parties concerned by the court late Thursday evening.

Modi@75: The Man Who Changed India

Modi@75: The Man Who Changed India

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

Let there be no doubt that Modi in these 24 years so far has reshaped politics and governance considerably, if not completely, asserts Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author, Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times.

BJP's Ram temple counter to TMC MLA's Babri Masjid proposal

BJP's Ram temple counter to TMC MLA's Babri Masjid proposal

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

The BJP's Murshidabad unit in West Bengal announced plans to construct a Ram temple in Berhampore, days after TMC MLA Humayun Kabir proposed to set up a mosque modeled after the Babri Masjid in Beldanga. The temple construction, estimated to cost Rs 10 crore, is expected to begin on January 22, 2025, one year after the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Kabir's announcement sparked political controversy, with opposition parties accusing him of attempting to polarise communities for political gain. The BJP's counterproposal is seen as a strategic move to strengthen its presence among the Hindu community in Murshidabad.

Decade-long Indian dream fulfilled as UAE minister opens new temple in Dubai

Decade-long Indian dream fulfilled as UAE minister opens new temple in Dubai

Rediff.com5 Oct 2022

It was inaugurated a day ahead of the Dussehra festival and the temple is an extension of the Sindhi Guru Darbar temple, one of the oldest Hindu temples in the UAE.

How Modi Changed Indian Politics

How Modi Changed Indian Politics

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

In the last 11 years, India and the world witnessed what he stood for, what he promised and did not deliver, and what he actually stood for and practised without fearing how history would judge him. Modi's tenure has been punctuated with headline-grabbing decisions, symbolic gestures, and stage-managed moments that continue to define his leadership and India's politics, points out Ramesh Menon.

ASI roped in for carbon dating of Sambhal temple; PAC jawans deployed

ASI roped in for carbon dating of Sambhal temple; PAC jawans deployed

Rediff.com15 Dec 2024

The Bhasma Shankar temple in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, has reopened after being locked for 45 years following communal riots. The district administration has requested the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct carbon dating of the temple, including a well on the premises. The temple is being guarded round the clock and worshippers have started visiting. The reopening of the temple has been met with gratitude from local residents, who have expressed their desire to reconnect with their heritage.

Rath Yatra peaceful in Ahmedabad despite elephant scare; 1 hurt

Rath Yatra peaceful in Ahmedabad despite elephant scare; 1 hurt

Rediff.com27 Jun 2025

One person was injured on Friday during the Rath Yatra procession in Ahmedabad, when a male elephant, agitated by excessive noise, broke a barricade and rushed into a narrow lane, officials said.

After temple, 150-yr-old stepwell unearthed in Sambhal

After temple, 150-yr-old stepwell unearthed in Sambhal

Rediff.com22 Dec 2024

A stepwell, approximately 125 to 150 years old and covering an area of 400 square metres, was unearthed during excavation in the Laxman Ganj area of Chandausi in Sambhal, an official said.

Hindu outfit says Ajmer dargah was also a temple, clergy rejects claim

Hindu outfit says Ajmer dargah was also a temple, clergy rejects claim

Rediff.com27 May 2022

Claiming the mausoleum of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer was once a temple, a Hindu outfit has demanded a survey of the premises by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Modi Has Corrected A Historical Wrong With TN Visit

Modi Has Corrected A Historical Wrong With TN Visit

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

The message from Sunday's event will undoubtedly reverberate globally. It's a landmark occasion that will be remembered for generations and will inspire many other states to introduce the story of Rajendra Chola into school curricula, says Tarun Vijay.

Can rising temple-mosque disputes shape UP polls in 2027?

Can rising temple-mosque disputes shape UP polls in 2027?

Rediff.com29 Dec 2024

With the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls scheduled for 2027, political experts are observing an increasing trend of temple-mosque disputes in the state, leading to heightened polarization. Recent bypolls saw the use of divisive slogans, and analysts believe this trend will intensify as the 2027 elections approach. The recent surge in claims about the existence of Hindu temples at the sites of mosques in various cities has fueled this polarization. The BJP-led government has been accused of promoting communal polarization, while opposition parties like the SP have criticized the ruling party's actions. The RSS chief has called for restraint in raising new temple-related disputes. Experts predict that communal polarization is likely to escalate in the coming days.

BJP MPs corner Oppn in LS for silence on minorities in Bangladesh

BJP MPs corner Oppn in LS for silence on minorities in Bangladesh

Rediff.com9 Aug 2024

During the Zero Hour of the Lok Sabha, BJP MP Anurag Thakur tried to corner the Leader of Opposition and Congress MP, Rahul Gandhi, by alleging that he has not spoken about ensuring the safety of minorities in Bangladesh.

Hindu seer booked for remarks against Mahatma Gandhi

Hindu seer booked for remarks against Mahatma Gandhi

Rediff.com22 Mar 2025

The complainant also alleged that Narsinghanand used abusive language against the Ghaziabad police commissioner and the assistant police commissioner of Loni in a video.

Canada cop who attended Khalistani protest, suspended

Canada cop who attended Khalistani protest, suspended

Rediff.com5 Nov 2024

On Sunday, protestors carrying Khalistani flags clashed with people at the Hindu temple and disrupted a consular event co-organised by the temple authorities and the Indian Consulate.

Guinness World Record, Here I Come!

Guinness World Record, Here I Come!

Rediff.com2 Aug 2025

Glimpses from India and around the world that will make you smile and cry.