News for 'festival'

Kerala's Onam liquor sales cross Rs 770 crore in 8 days

Kerala's Onam liquor sales cross Rs 770 crore in 8 days

Rediff.com27 Aug 2026

Kerala's state-run Bevco has reported record liquor sales during the first eight days of the Onam festive season, reaching Rs 771.29 crore, surpassing last year's figures. Officials anticipate this year's total sales will exceed the Rs 826.38 crore recorded in 2025, despite a slight dip in Uthradam day sales compared to the previous year.

Behold! Bappa Prepares for His Homecoming

Behold! Bappa Prepares for His Homecoming

Rediff.com17 Aug 2026

Behold! Mumbai's Most Beloved God, Ganpati Bappa, Prepares for His Homecoming.

India imposes sugar stock limits on bulk consumers to curb price rise

India imposes sugar stock limits on bulk consumers to curb price rise

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

The Indian government has imposed stockholding limits on bulk sugar consumers, restricting them to a 15-day supply if they use over 10 tonnes monthly, effective September 1 to November 30, to stabilise prices ahead of the festival season.

Sugar should be 'very expensive': BJP leader amid price surge

Sugar should be 'very expensive': BJP leader amid price surge

Rediff.com26 Aug 2026

Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya has ignited a political firestorm with his controversial remarks suggesting sugar should be "very expensive" and avoided by those over 40, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition amidst rising inflation concerns.

Startups Bet Big on Quick Commerce

Startups Bet Big on Quick Commerce

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

For these startups, qcom is emerging as a launch and discovery platform, not simply a fulfilment channel.

World Samosa Day: 9 Samosas With Yum Stuffings

World Samosa Day: 9 Samosas With Yum Stuffings

Rediff.com3 hours ago

India's favourite teatime indulgence, the samosa, comes with many kinds of stuffings.

Mumbai Ganesh idol collapse: Broken welding support caused fall, police say

Mumbai Ganesh idol collapse: Broken welding support caused fall, police say

Rediff.com23 Aug 2026

Two individuals died and five others, including two children, sustained injuries after a large Ganesh idol of 'Bhuleshwaracha Raja' collapsed during its arrival ceremony in south Mumbai. The incident occurred on Saturday night, prompting immediate rescue efforts and hospitalisation of the injured.

Iniyan Pa Extends Lead At Global Chess Festival As Gupta Stumbles

Iniyan Pa Extends Lead At Global Chess Festival As Gupta Stumbles

Rediff.com15 Jun 2026

GM Iniyan Pa maintained his lead at the Global Chess Festival after defeating Ayush Sharma, while third seed GM Abhijeet Gupta suffered a loss. Other key results include upsets in the Challengers and Junior Masters sections, and a notable win for Sri Lanka's Oshini Gunawardhana Devindya.

Gang-rape during Navratri: 5 sentenced to life in jail

Gang-rape during Navratri: 5 sentenced to life in jail

Rediff.com5 days ago

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.

GM Iniyan Pa On Brink Of Global Chess Festival Title Win

GM Iniyan Pa On Brink Of Global Chess Festival Title Win

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

GM Iniyan Pa is on the verge of winning the master's section of the Global Chess Festival in Mumbai, holding a one-point lead. Other categories like Challengers and Junior Masters also saw significant developments, with new leaders emerging and contenders vying for titles.

Onasadhya Recipe: Broken Wheat Payasam

Onasadhya Recipe: Broken Wheat Payasam

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

Divya Nair shares her Amuma's recipe of payasam made using broken wheat, a healthy twist to the traditional ada pradhaman.

'Sugar Prices Have Begun To Ease'

'Sugar Prices Have Begun To Ease'

Rediff.com4 days ago

'With factories starting early for the next season, fresh sugar will enter market 10-15 days earlier than usual, and sugar price are expected to remain affordable in near term.'

10 States, 10 Delicious Coconut Recipes

10 States, 10 Delicious Coconut Recipes

Rediff.com3 days ago

10 states, 10 delicious coconut recipes for World Coconut Day

IIT steps in to ease queues at Puri Jagannath Temple

IIT steps in to ease queues at Puri Jagannath Temple

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

The Odisha government has roped in IIT-Bhubaneswar to introduce a queue management system at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, including setting up wooden ramps for a clearer view of the deities, law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said on Tuesday.

Two Kings Can Coexist: Nagarjuna On The King Clash

Two Kings Can Coexist: Nagarjuna On The King Clash

Rediff.com7 days ago

'There is enough room for two Kings during the festive season.'

'Kangana Ranaut Doesn't Express View Of The Entire Country'

'Kangana Ranaut Doesn't Express View Of The Entire Country'

Rediff.com27 Aug 2026

'The first thing is to make an approximate calculation about how many people are actually offended by the content and then only move forward with a decision.'

Alaya, Disha Are Rhinestone-Obsessed Girlies

Alaya, Disha Are Rhinestone-Obsessed Girlies

Rediff.com5 days ago

Rhinestones have officially escaped the jewellery box. The girlies are sticking them on phone cases, water bottles, face masks and even their shoes, turning literally everything into a tiny disco ball.

Hariyali Teej 2026: Triptii, Kareena's Style Tips

Hariyali Teej 2026: Triptii, Kareena's Style Tips

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Hariyali Teej is the one day your wardrobe gets full permission to go green. From delicate sage and regal emerald to zingy lime and rich olive, every shade feels festive.

Gandhari Review: Taapsee's Blind Fury Lacks Logic

Gandhari Review: Taapsee's Blind Fury Lacks Logic

Rediff.com2 days ago

All of Gandhari's attempts to shroud itself in mystery are laughable, sighs Sukanya Verma.

Khushi, Kriti Are Wearing Their Superwoman Capes

Khushi, Kriti Are Wearing Their Superwoman Capes

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

The dupatta has officially met its match. Why spend half the evening pinning, pleating and desperately trying to keep a piece of fabric from slipping off your shoulder when you can simply throw on a cape and call it a day?

Passenger Vehicle Dispatches Surge 34.3% in July, Fueling Auto Industry Growth

Passenger Vehicle Dispatches Surge 34.3% in July, Fueling Auto Industry Growth

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

Domestic passenger vehicle dispatches in India surged by 34.3 per cent year-on-year to 4,57,810 units in July, marking the auto industry's strongest-ever July sales, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

Motown turns boom town in July, PV sales see 34.3% growth

Motown turns boom town in July, PV sales see 34.3% growth

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

With passenger vehicles (PVs), two-wheelers and three-wheelers registering double-digit growth, manufacturers raise production as the industry enters the festival season.

SC overturns NGT order against Art Of Living on Yamuna floodplains

SC overturns NGT order against Art Of Living on Yamuna floodplains

Rediff.com23 Aug 2026

The Supreme Court has overturned a 2017 National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that held Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Art of Living Foundation responsible for environmental damage to the Yamuna floodplains. The court directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to refund the Rs 5 crore environmental compensation deposited by the foundation and continue the floodplains' rehabilitation work.

The Secret Tukaram Mundhe Won't Reveal

The Secret Tukaram Mundhe Won't Reveal

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

Whether it's a five-star banquet hall, a school lunch supplier, a blood bank, or a Bollywood actors' surrogate advertisements, Tukaram Mundhe seems to have an opinion, a bye-law, and very possibly an inspection team on standby.

Boom in EV two-wheeler demand creates supply bottleneck in India

Boom in EV two-wheeler demand creates supply bottleneck in India

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

India's electric two-wheeler market has seen record penetration, exceeding 11.2 per cent, driven by crude oil price fluctuations. This surge has led to an unexpected crisis for Indian OEMs, with unfulfilled customer demand reaching 20-30 per cent and average waiting periods exceeding four weeks, a situation expected to intensify during the upcoming festival season.

For Didi: 8 Raksha Bandhan Recipes

For Didi: 8 Raksha Bandhan Recipes

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

Cook up a Raksha Bandhan meal for your sis. Head into the kitchen and surprise her with a meal that will make her real khush.

Need Inspiration For Onam? Check Samantha, Malavika's Styles

Need Inspiration For Onam? Check Samantha, Malavika's Styles

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

Onam dressing doesn't have to begin and end with the classic cream-and-gold Kasavu sari.

Restaurants dish out special Independence Day menus

Restaurants dish out special Independence Day menus

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

As India celebrates its 80th Independence Day, hotels and restaurants across Delhi and other states are rolling out a diverse array of special offerings. These include themed culinary festivals showcasing regional Indian cuisines, fusion menus, live music performances, and attractive discounts. From royal Wazwan feasts to contemporary global blends and staycation packages, establishments are providing unique experiences for patrons to commemorate the occasion over the long weekend.

Sugar Prices May Ease Soon

Sugar Prices May Ease Soon

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

Prices had started to ease following the government's decision to allow duty-free imports of 1 mt of raw sugar and would weaken further over the next 7 to 10 days.

UP rehabilitates 21 families from ASI-protected Saundhan Fort in Sambhal

UP rehabilitates 21 families from ASI-protected Saundhan Fort in Sambhal

Rediff.com27 Aug 2026

The Uttar Pradesh government has initiated the rehabilitation of 21 families residing within the historic Saundhan Fort in Sambhal. Each family has been allotted a 100-square-meter plot, with special provisions for widows under the Chief Minister's Housing Scheme, as part of efforts to conserve the ASI-protected Mughal-era monument and promote tourism.

WATCH: Fan Reviews Of Yash's Toxic

WATCH: Fan Reviews Of Yash's Toxic

Rediff.com27 Aug 2026

Yash's Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups has unleashed a wave of fan frenzy and houseful shows across Karnataka, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.

Raksha Bandhan 2026: Which Type Of Sister Are You?

Raksha Bandhan 2026: Which Type Of Sister Are You?

Rediff.com27 Aug 2026

Every family has that one sister who has her life completely together, the one who falls in love with everything, the one who refuses to follow the rules and, of course, the one who believes more is always more.

How a tea break saved 5 friends in devastating Nepal floods

How a tea break saved 5 friends in devastating Nepal floods

Rediff.com6 days ago

Five friends from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, narrowly escaped being swept away by flash floods in Nepal's Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river valleys thanks to an impromptu tea break. They endured two tense days on higher ground, witnessing devastation, before returning home safely, with a poignant Raksha Bandhan moment providing comfort.

Priya Bhavani Shankar Has Written A Love Letter To...

Priya Bhavani Shankar Has Written A Love Letter To...

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Priya Bhavani Shankar has a wardrobe that feels like a love letter to desi dressing. The Irumudi actress knows her way around a sari, but her ethnic style never feels predictable. There's always a little colour, a playful detail or a modern twist that keeps things fresh.

'China's Biggest Threat Is Not America, But The Dalai Lama'

'China's Biggest Threat Is Not America, But The Dalai Lama'

Rediff.com2 days ago

'I know China will implode. It is scientifically impossible for China to control a nation through the barrel of a gun.'

'Avoid hurting...': Rahul's Pune event gets nod with 30 conditions

'Avoid hurting...': Rahul's Pune event gets nod with 30 conditions

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

Police have granted permission for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event in Pune, but with 30 stringent conditions, including prohibitions on 'objectionable' banners and directives to avoid hurting religious sentiments.

Yamaha Enters India's 200cc Sportsbike Segment with YZF-R2

Yamaha Enters India's 200cc Sportsbike Segment with YZF-R2

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

The all-new, globally first YZF-R2 is priced from Rs 2,30,500 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Why 2 MP temples celebrated Independence Day four days early

Why 2 MP temples celebrated Independence Day four days early

Rediff.com14 Aug 2026

Two prominent temples in Madhya Pradesh, the Pashupatinath Temple in Mandsaur and the Bade Ganesh Temple in Ujjain, observed India's Independence Day on August 11, four days ahead of the national celebration. This unique tradition stems from their adherence to the Hindu calendar, specifically Shravan Krishna Chaturdashi, which corresponded to August 15, 1947, and fell on August 11 this year. Special rituals, flag hoisting, and a Tiranga Yatra marked the early celebrations.

Wrestler Babita Phogat Blessed With Baby Girl On Shivratri

Wrestler Babita Phogat Blessed With Baby Girl On Shivratri

Rediff.com12 Aug 2026

Veteran Indian wrestler and BJP leader Babita Phogat and her husband Vivek Suhag have welcomed their second child, a baby girl, on the auspicious occasion of Shivratri.

Smash patriarchy? No, let's start with Bharat Mata Ki Jai: Kangana slams Rahul

Smash patriarchy? No, let's start with Bharat Mata Ki Jai: Kangana slams Rahul

Rediff.com26 Aug 2026

Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has criticised Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's "smash the patriarchy" remark and his defence of actor Kriti Sanon's outfit in a Raksha Bandhan advertisement, sparking a wider debate on women's choices and cultural attire.