News for 'Mela'

Yogi Surveys Prep For Maha Kumbh Mela

Yogi Surveys Prep For Maha Kumbh Mela

Rediff.com10 Jan 2025

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Prayagraj to inspect the preparations for the Maha Kumbh 2025.

Lisa Ray Visits Maha Kumbh Mela

Lisa Ray Visits Maha Kumbh Mela

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

'The Triveni Sangam transcends images, words, definitions, all. How do you attempt to describe the Infinite?'

2025: A Year of Deadly Stampedes

2025: A Year of Deadly Stampedes

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

From religious gatherings to public events, 2025 witnessed a series of stampedes and crowd-related incidents that exposed the fragile line between mass participation and human tragedy, leaving behind loss, questions, and urgent lessons on crowd safety.

First Shahi Snan At Maha Kumbh Mela

First Shahi Snan At Maha Kumbh Mela

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

The glimpses of the "Maha Kumbh Mela", or the Great Pitcher Festival, in Prayagraj, January 13, 2025.

Sadhus Head To Kumbh Mela

Sadhus Head To Kumbh Mela

Rediff.com22 Nov 2024

Sadhus take part in a religious procession during the Nagar Pravesh ceremony for the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.

8 States Most Visited By Domestic Tourists

8 States Most Visited By Domestic Tourists

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

These 8 states emerged as the country's most-travelled destinations for local Indian visitors, according to Ministry Of Tourism's most recent statistics which are from 2024.

Bareilly magistrate Alankar Agnihotri resigns over UGC rules, alleges 'anti-Brahmin campaign' in UP

Bareilly magistrate Alankar Agnihotri resigns over UGC rules, alleges 'anti-Brahmin campaign' in UP

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has suspended Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri on charges of indiscipline after he resigned from service in protest against government policies.

From British child to India's trusted voice: Mark Tully

From British child to India's trusted voice: Mark Tully

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

Mark Tully, the renowned journalist, author, and Indophile, has passed away at the age of 90. He spent a lifetime in India as a journalist, mingling with its people and telling their stories.

Kumbh Mela: Amrit snan, deferred due to stampede, resumes

Kumbh Mela: Amrit snan, deferred due to stampede, resumes

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

The Amrit snan was originally scheduled in the early hours of the day but was postponed following the stampede.

Riddle Of The Kumbh & Bhutte Ka Shorba

Riddle Of The Kumbh & Bhutte Ka Shorba

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

A stunning book on the Kumbh. And a recipe.

35 cr pilgrims may attend Maha Kumbh Mela: UP govt

35 cr pilgrims may attend Maha Kumbh Mela: UP govt

Rediff.com12 Jan 2025

The Uttar Pradesh government is expecting over 35 crore pilgrims to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, a significant increase from the 24 crore who attended the 2019 Kumbh Mela. The event, which will take place over 45 days, will feature extensive security and sanitation measures, as well as a digital component. The state government has allocated Rs 7,000 crore for the event.

Did You Visit The Maha Kumbh Mela?

Did You Visit The Maha Kumbh Mela?

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

Share your unforgettable experience with us at getahead@rediff.co.in.

World's 'Oldest Saint' At Kumbh Mela

World's 'Oldest Saint' At Kumbh Mela

Rediff.com24 Jan 2025

Swami Shivanand Saraswati, known as the world's 'oldest saint', claims to be 129 years old and has been attending the Kumbh Mela for 100 years.

'Elon Musk was fascinated about Kumbh Mela'

'Elon Musk was fascinated about Kumbh Mela'

Rediff.com18 Jan 2025

Musk said on Friday that he believes India-US ties are "trending positive" and that he favours an enhanced trade partnership between the two nations.

Jay Shah, Raina Take A Dip At Kumbh Mela

Jay Shah, Raina Take A Dip At Kumbh Mela

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

ICC Chairman Jay Shah, accompanied by his family, was among the high-profile visitors at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Monday.

100 crore on this side won't watch silently if...., Suvendu warns B'desh

100 crore on this side won't watch silently if...., Suvendu warns B'desh

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

Protests continue in Kolkata against attacks on minority Hindus in Bangladesh. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari threatens a large-scale protest if the attacks are not stopped.

Why Akshay Thanked Aamir For His Marriage To Twinkle

Why Akshay Thanked Aamir For His Marriage To Twinkle

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

Akshay Kumar, in an interview to Rajat Sharma on INDIA TV, revealed how he wed Twinkle Khanna and thanked Aamir Khan and his movie Mela for it.

Maha Kumbh Mela: Meet the seer who has not bathed for 32 yrs

Maha Kumbh Mela: Meet the seer who has not bathed for 32 yrs

Rediff.com3 Jan 2025

The 57-year-old has become the centre of attraction in Maha Kumbh Mela due to his height, which is a little more than three feet.

Diwali added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list

Diwali added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

India's Deepavali (Diwali), the festival of light, has been inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during a meeting held at the Red Fort in Delhi.

Akhara body to ban food stalls by 'non-Sanatanis' at Kumbh Mela

Akhara body to ban food stalls by 'non-Sanatanis' at Kumbh Mela

Rediff.com9 Oct 2024

The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad on Wednesday said it has decided to not allow 'non-Sanatanis' from putting up food stalls in the Kumbh Mela and rename terms 'Shahi Snan' and 'Peshwai' as 'Rajsi Snan' and 'Chhavni Pravesh'.

'Grammy's Coming Home This Year'

'Grammy's Coming Home This Year'

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

Composer Sidhant Bhatia, singer Raja Kumari, singer-producer Raghav Mehta and mixing engineer Deepak PA talk about Sounds of Kumbha, which is shortlisted for the Grammys in the Best Global Music Album category.

Govt hopes to put Maha Kumbh Mela on global tourism map

Govt hopes to put Maha Kumbh Mela on global tourism map

Rediff.com12 Jan 2025

The Ministry of Tourism is inviting people from around the world to visit Prayagraj and experience the Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings on Earth. The event, which begins on January 13th and runs for 45 days, will feature an "Incredible India Pavilion" showcasing cultural heritage, luxury tent accommodations, and enhanced air connectivity. The ministry is also launching a major social media campaign to generate buzz about the event, encouraging people to share their experiences and moments from the Maha Kumbh.

'They Kept Telling Me, Why Are You Doing This Film?'

'They Kept Telling Me, "Why Are You Doing This Film?"'

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

If we wanted the Himalayas as a backdrop, we didn't shoot it on a green screen.' 'We actually went to the Himalayas and shot on location.'

Rs 1600 cr being spent to keep Ganga 'dip-safe' for Kumbh Mela

Rs 1600 cr being spent to keep Ganga 'dip-safe' for Kumbh Mela

Rediff.com24 Jan 2025

The Uttar Pradesh government is taking comprehensive measures to ensure the Ganga River is "dip-safe" during the Maha Kumbh, a massive religious gathering. This includes daily water testing, a 200-km temporary drainage system for greywater, and state-of-the-art technology to manage human waste. Authorities are also emphasizing the importance of keeping the river clean by removing pooja waste and encouraging the use of reusable items.

13-year-old girl becomes sadhvi at Maha Kumbh Mela

13-year-old girl becomes sadhvi at Maha Kumbh Mela

Rediff.com7 Jan 2025

A 13-year-old girl from Agra, who dreamt of becoming an IAS officer, has renounced worldly life and become a Sadhvi at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. The girl, Rakhi, was influenced by the teachings of Mahant Kaushal Giri Maharaj of Juna Akhara, who had been conducting Bhagwat Katha sessions in her village for the past three years. Rakhi's parents, accepting her decision as divine will, entrusted her to the Juna Akhara. The family, who had rented a home in Agra specifically to educate their daughters, say that Rakhi experienced detachment from worldly life during the Maha Kumbh. The girl will be formally inducted into the ashram on January 19 after religious ceremonies.

Kinnar akhara opens doors for transgenders to Kumbh Mela

Kinnar akhara opens doors for transgenders to Kumbh Mela

Rediff.com21 Jan 2025

The Akhil Bharatiya Kinnar Akhara is the 14th akhara at the Maha Kumbh.

Have Climate Summits Lost The Mojo?

Have Climate Summits Lost The Mojo?

Rediff.com8 Nov 2025

How the UN's flagship climate summit lost its direction and what's at stake.

Kashi Dazzles With Over 2,600,000 Diyas

Kashi Dazzles With Over 2,600,000 Diyas

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

Once a quiet riverside ritual, Dev Deepawali has evolved into UP's largest soft-power spectacle -- merging faith, art, enterprise into a global cultural brand that reflects state's growing confidence.

Another name change in Yogi's UP; Mustafabad to be renamed...

Another name change in Yogi's UP; Mustafabad to be renamed...

Rediff.com27 Oct 2025

Following the alleged molestation of two Australian women cricketers in Indore, a Madhya Pradesh minister advises players to inform local authorities when going out due to their popularity in India.

Another name change in Yogi's UP; Mustafabad to be renamed...

Another name change in Yogi's UP; Mustafabad to be renamed...

Rediff.com27 Oct 2025

Following the alleged molestation of two Australian women cricketers in Indore, a Madhya Pradesh minister advises players to inform local authorities when going out due to their popularity in India.

Tiranga Yatra Near Dal Lake

Tiranga Yatra Near Dal Lake

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah along with scores of Srinagar residents participated in a Tiranga Yatra along the famed Dal Lake.

Why Aamir And Family Are 'Distressed'

Why Aamir And Family Are 'Distressed'

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

Aamir Khan and his family has urged the media to show empathy and not turn a private matter into 'salacious, inflammatory and hurtful gossip' after the actor's brother Faisal Khan, in an interview, alleged mistreatment by the family.

Sports Stars at Maha Kumbh Mela

Sports Stars at Maha Kumbh Mela

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

Mary Kom, Suresh Raina, Saina Nehwal, Anil Kumble, Deepa Malik and gymnast Dipa Karmakar have taken a dip in the Sangam.

The Mahim Ka Mela Feast

The Mahim Ka Mela Feast

Rediff.com4 Jan 2024

You can tuck into everything from spicy chaats to flavourful snacks to kebabs and, of course, desserts!

India celebrates Diwali with fervour, Delhi AQI worsens

India celebrates Diwali with fervour, Delhi AQI worsens

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

Buildings were decorated with colourful lights and earthen lamps dotted houses as people across the country thronged temples and celebrated Diwali with pomp on Monday.

23 Pak troops, 200 Taliban killed as Afghan-Pak tension escalates

23 Pak troops, 200 Taliban killed as Afghan-Pak tension escalates

Rediff.com12 Oct 2025

Pakistan seized 19 Afghan military posts and "terrorist hideouts" in response to alleged attacks by Afghan forces. Kabul claims significant Pakistani casualties. Tensions escalate following repeated attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

'Aamir Khan Was Brainwashed'

'Aamir Khan Was Brainwashed'

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

'Aamir brought the police and the doctor because only a powerful person can do all this. So Aamir did wrong with me. God will give him a reward for that.'

Banu Mushtaq inaugurates Mysuru Dasara festival amid row

Banu Mushtaq inaugurates Mysuru Dasara festival amid row

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

The decision to invite Mushtaq had sparked controversy, with several petitions challenging the Karnataka government's move.

Fire Fighting Robots at Kumbh Mela

Fire Fighting Robots at Kumbh Mela

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

Preparations for the Maha Kumbh are in full swing.

Will These Films Win An Oscar?

Will These Films Win An Oscar?

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

The festival's People's Choice Award, voted by the audience, is a strong indication of films that can eventually be nominated and even win Oscars. Twelve of the last 15 People's Choice winners have received Best Picture Oscar nominations.