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.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has announced that Muslims will be barred from participating in 'garba' and 'dandiya' events during the upcoming Navratri festival in Maharashtra. The organisation has also issued guidelines for organisers, including checking Aadhaar cards and applying 'tilak' to verify Hindu identity, citing the religious nature of the festival.
Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has introduced a permanent, year-round food safety calendar to ensure public health during major festivals. This first-of-its-kind initiative categorises festivals into three levels and implements a four-stage inspection mechanism, focusing on preventing adulteration and unsafe food practices for high-demand products like sweets, dairy, and edible oils.
Mumbaikars are set to face a significant financial burden as the prices of milk, CNG, and taxi-rickshaw fares have all seen a substantial increase from September 1, 2026, impacting household budgets ahead of the crucial festive season.
Chaitra Navratri occurs in the month of Chaitra or March-April and hence its name. It marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year in many regions across India.
The Ram temple trust's decision to establish a permanent institute for training and certifying Hindu priests is being seen by religious leaders and members of the Indian diaspora as a significant step towards addressing the growing demand for qualified 'archaks' (priests) not only in India but also overseas.
Please continue to e-mail your festive pictures and stories to getahead@rediff.co.in (Subjectline: Navratri, Durga Puja, Golu 2025). Don't forget to include your name and location. We will publish the best photographs on Rediff.
Email your festive pictures and stories to getahead@rediff.co.in (Subjectline: Navratri, Durga Puja, Golu 2025). Don't forget to include your name and location.
The Vaishno Devi Yatra was temporarily suspended due to a heavy influx of pilgrims during the Chaitra Navratri festival. Over 39,000 devotees visited the shrine, leading to overcrowding and the suspension of the yatra for safety reasons.
He designs for Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif, Shraddha Kapoor, Tamannaah Bhatia and Tara Sutaria. Now, Designer Rudraksh Dwivedi has exclusive DIY Navtratri fashion tips just for you.
Not only your outfits but incorporate the nine colours of Navratri in your makeup too!
Passenger vehicle retail sales shot up 35 per cent year-on-year during the nine-day Navratri period this year, helping the overall registrations last month grow 6 per cent, as offtakes remained muted in the first 21 days of the month and only took off after the roll-out of new GST rates on September 22, dealer' body FADA said on Tuesday.
Apart from dancing your heart out, Navratri was all about dressing up and looking your best in desi avatar. So who all got the memo right this season? Let's check out!
There are so many ways to wear the colours of Navratri -- from outfits to makeup.
We journey to 10 famous Maa temples, each devoted to a different form of Devi or the female force...
'We expect this festival buying spirit to continue in October as well, with upcoming festivities including Dhanteras and Diwali, which traditionally witness spirited buying from customers.'
The BJP has launched a strong attack on the Jharkhand government following the murder of a minor girl in Hazaribagh, demanding swift action and compensation for the victim's family. The Congress party has also expressed concern over the incident and called for the immediate arrest of the culprits.
India's auto retail sector achieved record-breaking sales of 2,96,71,064 units in FY26, a 13.3% increase, primarily driven by the implementation of GST 2.0 which reduced the tax burden on mass-segment vehicles, according to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA).
Glimpses of the Ma Shringar Gauri temple, located near the outer wall of the Gyanvapi mosque (western gate), in Varanasi on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. The doors are opened only once in a year -- on the fourth day of Chaitra Navratri.
In West Bengal's assembly elections, fish has become a potent symbol of Bengali identity, with the Trinamool Congress and BJP clashing over food habits and cultural representation.
On October 3, these dancers will be showing their best moves.
The prelude to the nine-day festival, which begins on October 3, is as exciting as the festival itself.
Tired of the same old sabudana khichdi and vada recipes? This Navratri, try these unique and healthy fasting recipes
Film folk took a trip to Kochi over the weekend to attend the Navratri celebrations hosted by the Kalyanaram family, owners of Kalyan Jewellers.
Besides colourful costumes, ethnic jewellery and the mandatory dandiyas, there's one more thing that is becoming de rigueur every Navratri.
During this Ramzan, another religious practice was turned into an offence: Breaking the fast, or iftar.
Sukanya Verma curates a Navratri special playlist just for you to give those festivities a touch of Bollywood style dazzle.
Indian civilisation has long imagined wealth and power as feminine forces. And yet, when these qualities appear in real women, admiration sometimes gives way to discomfort, observes Vatsal Ramaiya.
With Raja Saab ready to introduce her to a wider audience, Riddhi Kumar is already turning heads for more than just her screen presence.
The colour of the day is red, symbolising the vigour of this auspicious occasion and making it the perfect time to 'paint the town' in this dramatic hue!
Please e-mail your festive pictures and stories to getahead@rediff.co.in (Subjectline: Navratri, Durga Puja, Golu 2025). Don't forget to include your name and location. We will publish the best photographs on Rediff.
Each of Navratri's nine days has their own colour and the hue associated with Day 1 is yellow.
Beauties from B-town are often spotted wearing this universally flattering hue and they always rejig it to match the latest trends.
This celebratory colour is the perfect pick for adding that spark to your festive wardrobe.
Hebah Patel loves making traditional looks interesting without going overboard.
Opt for a stunning grey lehenga or a sleek sari, just like your favourite celebrities, to make a memorable fashion statement while you go pandal-hopping or dance the night away.
While it is a tricky colour to carry, with the right accessories and styling, you can make a sassy style statement.
Thank you, Dear Readers, for sharing your Navratri celebrations with us.
Please continue to e-mail your festive pictures and stories to getahead@rediff.co.in (Subjectline: Navratri, Durga Puja, Golu 2025). Don't forget to include your name and location. We will publish the best photographs on Rediff.
The Union minister said such calls were tantamount to "inviting violence".
