It's Ganesh Chaturthi, marking the arrival of Lord Ganesha amid prayers, festivities and vibrant decorations.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to the parents of Sahil Wakode, an IIT Bombay student who died by suicide, assuring them support in their quest for justice. Sahil's death is under police investigation, with allegations of caste discrimination against a faculty member who has been sent on leave. Sahil's parents plan an indefinite hunger strike.
Apple's latest flagship smartphones, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, have gone on sale across India, drawing massive queues and creating a 'festival' atmosphere among eager buyers at Apple Stores in Noida, Bengaluru, and Maharashtra.
Glimpses of Mumbai's Ganeshotsav preparations, from a Warkari-inspired mandal decoration to eco-friendly festive displays in Lalbaug.
Devotees had their first glimpse of Lalbaugcha Raja on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 7 pm
Blind students at the Kamla Mehta Blind School in Dadar, north Mumbai, celebrated Janmashtami with a traditional Dahi Handi event.
Mumbai resonated with 'Ganpati Bappa Morya' chants and dhol-tasha beats as devotees immersed Ganesh idols on Anant Chaturdashi, the final day of the 12-day festival. Over 430 idols were immersed by noon, with no untoward incidents reported, as elaborate arrangements by police and BMC ensured smooth proceedings.
Mumbai police detained 400 individuals, including Tushar Gandhi, for protesting without permission.
Police revealed that a 22-year-old IIT Bombay student, who died by suicide last month after being caught cheating, had submitted a written apology seeking a second chance. The Mumbai crime branch is investigating the death, with over 40 statements recorded, including those of the IIT-B director and a professor accused of harassment and caste-based discrimination by the student's parents. The professor has denied the allegations.
An electrocution incident near a Ganapati pandal in Mumbai's Lalbaug area resulted in the deaths of an eight-year-old girl and another woman, with several others sustaining injuries. The tragedy occurred early Sunday amidst massive crowds during the ongoing Ganapati festival, prompting a swift response from emergency services.
Glimpses of India's vibrant Navratri and Durga Puja celebrations, as devotees perform traditional Garba, worship Goddess Durga and visit elaborately decorated pandals.
Around 200 people, including Tushar Gandhi's organisation members and CPI(M) supporters, were detained in Mumbai for protesting.
Mumbai's Koli (fisher) community marked the Narali Purnima festival with sea offerings, folk performances, boat rituals and traditional coconut games.
The foot-worship ceremony of the Ganesh Galli Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, one of Mumbai's oldest, most revered, and iconic public Ganesh mandals, was held with traditional rituals and prayers.
Penguin India has announced the English translation of "Tukaram," a Marathi biography of Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. The book, originally by Shafi Pathan and translated by Vikrant Pande, details Mundhe's life from a challenging childhood to his impactful civil service career, known for his strict enforcement of food safety regulations.
How long can the Cockroach Janta Party remain an agitationist force? asks Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
Students at IIT Bombay are demanding 'meaningful institutional reforms' and greater accountability following the death of Sahil Wakode, a second-year B Tech student. While condemning academic misconduct, students highlight systemic issues and have submitted a comprehensive set of demands to the Director, who has agreed to implement them. The protest also addresses the removal of Dean Suryanarayana Doolla during an investigation into alleged abetment to suicide and caste discrimination, emphasising the need for an independent probe.
Raksha Bandhan takes on a different character as you travel across India.
Behold! Mumbai's Most Beloved God, Ganpati Bappa, Prepares for His Homecoming.
It's two weeks to Ganesh Chaturthi 2026, and the God Of New Beginnings is already making his way home to many pandals in Mumbai.
Mumbai Police have finally apprehended Omprakash Lalta Pasi, 36 years after he allegedly attacked a cricket umpire with a bat in Borivali in 1990, following a decades-long pursuit.
Bollywood actor John Abraham and cricket legend Jonty Rhodes unveiled the Rotterdam Dockers' team jersey for the inaugural European T20 Premier League, a new tournament featuring six city-based franchises across Europe.
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.
Mumbai Police have issued a prohibitory order banning weapons, explosives, and other harmful articles from August 29 to September 27, ahead of major festivals like Dahi Handi and Ganesh Chaturthi. The order aims to maintain public peace and safety, with specific exemptions for government personnel and security guards.
Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Pradeep Purnekar was brutally murdered in Thane, Maharashtra, leading to one arrest and one detention. The incident has sparked widespread protests, with party leaders like Aaditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut alleging political rivalry and demanding further arrests, including a former mayor and her husband. Police are investigating all potential angles, including personal enmity and Purnekar's activism against the builder lobby and drug networks.
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.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of acting as a 'weapon' for the ruling BJP, while MNS leader Raj Thackeray demanded the cancellation of Maharashtra's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, amidst a large protest march in Mumbai.
Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma visit Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple to seek blessings ahead of India's T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against England at Wankhede Stadium.
A demolition drive targeting an alleged illegal religious structure in a Mumbai slum led to clashes between residents and police, resulting in injuries and detentions.
'I have a vested interest -- to serve the people of Maharashtra and ensure safe food. That is my vested interest, if at all there is one.'
Hospitals across India celebrated the arrival of New Year's babies on January 1, 2026.
A Rolls Royce-shaped watercraft has become a major new attraction off Mumbai's Juhu beach, drawing crowds with its luxury themed 'car in the sea' experience.
In Pune, 31 prominent Ganapati mandals celebrated a "DJ-free" Dahi Handi, advocating for traditional instruments over high-decibel sound systems for upcoming festivals like Ganeshotsav. This initiative, led by Punit Balan, aims to preserve Maharashtra's cultural heritage and reduce noise pollution, gaining support from around 200 mandals and the Chief Minister.
Actor Dia Mirza has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's delayed and unempathetic response to ongoing student protests concerning alleged NEET exam irregularities and paper leaks. She highlighted his focus on fast-track courts over addressing the emotional distress of affected students and parents.
From meme-worthy poster carrying youngsters to an E20 petrol hater to the disenfranchised and youth with spine, the CJP's Shivaji Park rally on Friday saw them all.
A speeding BEST bus in Mumbai's Dadar area collided with multiple vehicles, including cars and motorbikes, injuring at least four people. The bus driver reportedly lost control, leading to traffic disruptions and the driver's detention.
An 11-year-old student was killed and four others injured when a roadside Peepal tree fell on a school bus carrying 12 children in Mumbai's Chembur area. The incident has raised questions about civic preparedness and public safety.
On the occasion of Mahashivratri on Sunday, February 15, 2026, devotees gathered in large numbers to worship Lord Shiva at the Babulnath Temple in south Mumbai.
'Everyone has a surname, and I think everyone has an equal responsibility to live up to that name.'
'Giving up is very easy. But don't give up. Try out whatever you can. Something will happen.'
