News for 'hindu priests'

Mob violence erupts in Pune over social media post; police deployed

Mob violence erupts in Pune over social media post; police deployed

Rediff.com2 Aug 2025

A mob in Pune vandalized properties and set fire to objects after an objectionable social media post. Police have detained the youth responsible for the post and are working to restore peace.

Pak Army stands by Hindus: Karachi Hanuman temple priest

Pak Army stands by Hindus: Karachi Hanuman temple priest

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

The chief priest of the biggest Hanuman temple in Pakistan, Sant Ram Nath Mishra, has said that the Pakistani Army has always supported Hindus in their struggle against extremist groups in the country. Mishra, who is currently on a visit to Hindu religious sites across India, recounted the struggle of the Panch Mukhi Hanuman Mandir in Karachi, which was encroached upon over the decades but was restored following a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2018. He said that the Pakistani Army and government swiftly implemented the Supreme Court's decision to return the temple land, despite opposition from hardline groups. Mishra also highlighted the need for easing visa restrictions between India and Pakistan, allowing Hindus on both sides to visit religious sites in each other's countries.

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.

Devotee murdered in temple; priest missing

Devotee murdered in temple; priest missing

Rediff.com18 Sep 2006

The temple murder has shocked the local Indian community.

Will Deepa Thoon Controversy Damage Stalin's DMK?

Will Deepa Thoon Controversy Damage Stalin's DMK?

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

The Deepa Thoon controversy, if not allowed to die a natural death, could take the election focus away from the anti-incumbency impacting the DMK and into the secular space. Stalin would love to have it that way, all over again, after the three past elections, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

US: Indian priest faces molestation charges

US: Indian priest faces molestation charges

Rediff.com3 May 2008

Prakashanand Saraswati, 79, founder of the Barsana Dham centre in north Hays County in Texas -- one of the biggest Hindu temples in the US -- was arrested at an airport in Washington, DC last week. Known to his followers as Shiree Swamiji, the priest is accused of groping two underage girls on several occasions in the 1990s.

New York temple attack: People are scared, says priest

New York temple attack: People are scared, says priest

Rediff.com4 Jan 2012

'I don't feel any animosity towards the attacker. I only feel sorry for him. He did it out of ignorance, and needs help,' Ramesh Maharaj, the priest at the Hindu temple in New York, which was attacked by a firebomb on Sunday, tells Rediff.com

New York temple attack: People are scared, says priest

New York temple attack: People are scared, says priest

Rediff.com4 Jan 2012

'I don't feel any animosity towards the attacker. I only feel sorry for him. He did it out of ignorance, and needs help,' Ramesh Maharaj, the priest at the Hindu temple in New York, which was attacked by a firebomb on Sunday, tells Rediff.com

Yagna for Sunita Williams' Safe Return To Earth

Yagna for Sunita Williams' Safe Return To Earth

Rediff.com19 Aug 2024

A yagna was conducted at the Dola Mata temple in Jhulasan village in Gujarat where her father Deepak Pandya hailed from for astronaut Sunita Williams's return from space.

US: Indian priest arrested for molesting children

US: Indian priest arrested for molesting children

Rediff.com4 May 2008

Hindu priest Prakashanand Saraswati, 79, has been charged with 20 counts of indecency with a child and released on a whopping $1 million bail bond by a United States court. Known to his followers as Shree Swamiji, the priest is accused of groping two underage girls on several occasions in the 1990s. The case stems from an investigation that started in May 2007, sealed indictments were issued in April after which an arrest warrant was issued against Saraswati.

Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2: Delightful Comedy!

Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2: Delightful Comedy!

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 may be a comedy filled with chaos, but in its indirect way, it speaks about a time when the Constitution mattered more than one's religion and when the idea of India was larger than personal hate, observes Syed Firdaus Ashraf.

Dr Ambedkar's 1956 Buddhist Revolution

Dr Ambedkar's 1956 Buddhist Revolution

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

On October 14, 1956, Dr B R Ambedkar, fulfilling his long-held vow to renounce Hinduism, embraced Buddhism along with over 500,000 followers at Nagpur's Deekshabhoomi, marking a new era of social and spiritual liberation for India's Dalits.

Puri is the only Jagannath Dham: Odisha objects to Bengal's temple naming

Puri is the only Jagannath Dham: Odisha objects to Bengal's temple naming

Rediff.com2 May 2025

Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra, who was the chief priest during the inauguration of the Jagannath Temple at Digha on April 30, on Friday joined the voices demanding withdrawal of the 'Jagannath Dham' phrase attached to the new temple in West Bengal.

SC to hear on Monday Gyanvapi panel's plea over puja in cellar

SC to hear on Monday Gyanvapi panel's plea over puja in cellar

Rediff.com31 Mar 2024

A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra will hear the plea of Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee.

Sai Baba Idol Removed From UP Temple

Sai Baba Idol Removed From UP Temple

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

'The idol was not being worshipped for years. We decided to immerse it respectfully in the Ganga.'

Travails Of A Hindu School in Meghalaya

Travails Of A Hindu School in Meghalaya

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

A state government that came to power after swearing to protect all people without discrimination refused to help a non-Christian organisation till the high court rapped it on its knuckles, observes former BJP MP Tarun Vijay, former Chief Editor, Panchjanya, the RSS weekly.

18 arrested, 500 booked over communal violence in Pune

18 arrested, 500 booked over communal violence in Pune

Rediff.com2 Aug 2025

Those involved in the incident targeted a motorcycle, two cars, one religious structure and a bakery, and indulged in arson. The police had to lob tear gas shells and lathi-charge to disperse the mob, the official said.

Priests look for Thackeray family's Bihar connection

Priests look for Thackeray family's Bihar connection

Rediff.com10 Sep 2012

Traditional Hindu priests of the Vishnupad Temple in Bihar's Gaya town -- known as Gaywal Pandas -- are busy trying to find out if Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, his son Uddhav Thackeray and his nephew and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray were originally from Bihar.

Will Usha Vance Be First Hindu Second Lady?

Will Usha Vance Be First Hindu Second Lady?

Rediff.com16 Jul 2024

Asked about the challenges of an interfaith marriage, she said, 'There are a lot of things that we just agree on, I think, especially when it comes to family life, how to raise our kids. And so I think the answer really is, we just talk a lot.'

Hindu outfit removes Sai Baba statues from Varanasi temples

Hindu outfit removes Sai Baba statues from Varanasi temples

Rediff.com1 Oct 2024

Rammu Guru, the head priest of the temple, said, "Sai Baba was being worshiped without proper knowledge, which is forbidden according to scriptures."

Hindu ashram worker slain by suspected Islamists in Bangladesh

Hindu ashram worker slain by suspected Islamists in Bangladesh

Rediff.com10 Jun 2016

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the murder.

3 women complete training as priests in TN, to join temples

3 women complete training as priests in TN, to join temples

Rediff.com14 Sep 2023

Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday said women are all set to enter temples in Tamil Nadu as priests under the Dravidian model of governance.

Probe how Ram Lalla idol's uncovered eyes leaked: Ayodhya chief priest

Probe how Ram Lalla idol's uncovered eyes leaked: Ayodhya chief priest

Rediff.com21 Jan 2024

The first image of the new idol placed inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple with eyes covered with a cloth had surfaced on social media late Thursday night.

SC refuses to stop Hindu prayers in Gyanvapi mosque cellar

SC refuses to stop Hindu prayers in Gyanvapi mosque cellar

Rediff.com1 Apr 2024

A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud also sought response of priest Shailendra Kumar Pathak Vyas by April 30 on the plea of the mosque committee.

US allows priest to leave on $10 mn guarantee

US allows priest to leave on $10 mn guarantee

Rediff.com20 May 2008

Prakashanand Saraswati, 79, founder of the Barsana Dham Centre in north Hays County in Texas-- one of the biggest Hindu temples in the US -- was released on a US$ one million bail by District Judge Bill Henry in April.Saraswati was indicted on 20 counts of indecency between 1993 and 1996. He was arrested on April 24 at the Washington Dulles International Airport, after he arrived on a flight from Europe, where he had been receiving treatment.

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.

God will provide for us say TN's women temple priests

God will provide for us say TN's women temple priests

Rediff.com15 Sep 2023

Taking the opportunity to close the gender gap in the profession, three young women -- one the first graduate in a family, another a graduate and the third a postgraduate -- have chosen to take up the sacred vocation of priest in a Hindu temple.

Relations with India changed after Sheikh Hasina's ouster: B'desh

Relations with India changed after Sheikh Hasina's ouster: B'desh

Rediff.com30 Nov 2024

India needs to address Bangladesh's longstanding concerns to improve bilateral ties between Dhaka and New Delhi, Hossain said adding: Bangladesh's previous (ousted) government addressed the concerns of India, but India did not address Bangladesh's concerns.

Would have chosen Usha Vance as my VP, but...: Trump

Would have chosen Usha Vance as my VP, but...: Trump

Rediff.com21 Jan 2025

Usha Chilukuri Vance, the wife of newly sworn-in Vice President JD Vance, has made history as the first Indian-American and Hindu Second Lady of the United States. Usha, a lawyer and daughter of Indian immigrants, held the Bible during Vance's oath of office, signifying her role in supporting her husband's political journey. Her background and her husband's rise to the Vice Presidency highlight the growing political influence of Indian Americans and their increasing representation in national politics.

VHP yatra 'politically motivated': Ayodhya chief priest

VHP yatra 'politically motivated': Ayodhya chief priest

Rediff.com25 Aug 2013

Acharya Satendra Das, the chief priest of the makeshift temple at the dispute site in Ayodhya, alleged that VHP's yatra from here was politically motivated and not religious and that saints were being used for "vested interests".

Request for Hindu prayer in UK parliament rejected

Request for Hindu prayer in UK parliament rejected

Rediff.com27 Nov 2007

Rajan Zed, who had become the first person to read a Hindu prayer at the United States Senate in July, had requested that he be allowed to recite similar passages in Sanskrit at the opening of the House of Commons.Denying his request, Secretary to the Speaker of House of Commons Angus Sinclair said that since 1660, prayers have been conducted by the Church of England, a Protestant denomination with the Christian faith, Zed said.

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.

Will die as...: Shivakumar on attending Jaggi Vasudev's Maha Shivaratri event

Will die as...: Shivakumar on attending Jaggi Vasudev's Maha Shivaratri event

Rediff.com27 Feb 2025

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president DK Shivakumar faced criticism from within the party for his participation in Mahashivaratri celebrations in Tamil Nadu, which was also attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Shivakumar defended his attendance, asserting his Hindu faith while emphasizing his respect for all religions. He also clarified that he had not met Amit Shah and refuted claims of aligning himself with the BJP.

DMK MP at bhumi puja: Invite other religions also

DMK MP at bhumi puja: Invite other religions also

Rediff.com16 Jul 2022

'This is the Dravidian model of governance. The government is for people belonging to all faiths'

HC pulls up Christian priest for anti-Hindu remarks

HC pulls up Christian priest for anti-Hindu remarks

Rediff.com8 Jan 2022

"There was absolutely no need or necessity to mount a visceral attack on the religious beliefs of the Hindus. It was unwarranted and utterly unrelated to the occasion. That is what makes it deliberate and malicious," Justice G R Swaminathan of Madras High Court said.

Why this priestly community wants reservation

Why this priestly community wants reservation

Rediff.com23 Nov 2015

'Our children score very high marks, but do not get admission in good colleges. They get top rank, but they do not get jobs because they belong to the so-called forward caste.' 'What can we do when a boy or girl from the community with first rank is considered only at the 6th or 7th position for a government job just because those with reservation get precedence over us?'

Hindu seer Narsinghanand detained after violent protests over remarks against Prophet

Hindu seer Narsinghanand detained after violent protests over remarks against Prophet

Rediff.com5 Oct 2024

Narsinghanand has several cases against him, including for allegedly making a hate speech at a conclave in Haridwar in December 2021, and was out on bail.

An Odisha CM moves into official residence after 25 yrs

An Odisha CM moves into official residence after 25 yrs

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

After remaining vacant for nearly 25 years, the official residence of Odisha chief minister in the state capital welcomed a new occupant as Mohan Charan Majhi formally moved in on Thursday.

HC nod to continue puja in Gyanvapi mosque cellar, says 1993 action illegal

HC nod to continue puja in Gyanvapi mosque cellar, says 1993 action illegal

Rediff.com26 Feb 2024

The high court has dismissed the Gyanvapi mosque management committee's appeal.

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.