Heavy rainfall has disrupted major pilgrimages in Uttarakhand, including the Kedarnath route and the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, prompting the IMD to issue red and orange alerts for extremely heavy rainfall across several districts.
Authorities on Sunday temporarily suspended the Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir as well as the pilgrimages to the Mata Vaishno Devi and Shiv Khori shrines in Jammu after the India meteorological department (IMD) forecast of widespread rainfall across the Union Territory over the next few days.
Police in Uttar Pradesh have arrested three individuals for allegedly defrauding several people by promising to arrange their Haj pilgrimage. The accused collected money but neither facilitated the pilgrimage nor returned the funds.
Uttar Pradesh authorities have implemented extensive security and logistical measures for the annual Kanwar Yatra, which began on Thursday and concludes on August 11. These include AI-enabled surveillance, additional security personnel, medical camps, dedicated control rooms, and traffic diversions, all aimed at ensuring a "zero incidents and zero accidents" pilgrimage for lakhs of devotees.
The sacred annual Amarnath Yatra has officially commenced, drawing thousands of devotees to the revered 3,880-metre-high cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas under stringent security measures and comprehensive logistical support.
Security Forces conduct counter-terror mock drills ahead of Amarnath Yatra across Kashmir.
Back when India moved slowly, every window seat came with a view, and every rail journey came with excess baggage - food, fears, family drama, points out Ajanta Krishnamurthy.
A 25-year-old man in Uttar Pradesh, India, completed a 9km 'dandvat yatra' (prostration pilgrimage) to a local temple after his request for a divorce was granted, fulfilling a vow he made during marital difficulties.
Glimpses from day one of the Amarnath Yatra as pilgrims navigate rain-soaked mountain trails towards the Baltal route.
Glimpses from heightened security preparations ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir, June 19, 2026.
Go once. You will know, even before you board the flight home, that you will return.
During his visit to Kedarnath Dham in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani donated Rs 10 crore (Rs 100 million) to the temple committee to support the development of pilgrim facilities and infrastructure.
Registration begins ahead of the Amarnath Yatra starting on July 3.
Somewhere between the darshan queue and the fugadi dancing, between ancient stone pillars and the riverfront, my nine-year-daughter found her own understanding of pilgrimage, says Hemantkumar Shivsharan.
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.
A Solapur court has issued a temporary injunction preventing the Pandharpur temple committee from applying a chemical protective coating on the idol of Lord Vitthal. The decision came after devotees argued that modern chemicals violate religious traditions, while the committee cited preservation needs ahead of the Ashadi Ekadashi pilgrimage. The court emphasised the idol's ownership by devotees and the lack of immediate emergency for the controversial coating.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has warned of a possible cloudburst-like spell in Nashik on Tuesday and stated that the state machinery is on high alert, with heavy rains expected to continue until July 8. Citizens are urged to avoid unnecessary travel as authorities manage landslides, swollen rivers, and rescue operations.
Assam's 17-year-old Ricky Phukan rode to Kedarnath and back with only his bicycle, a tent and his pet dog Paa, turning a gruelling four-month journey into a campaign for animal welfare.
The Sabarimala Ayyappa Seva Samajam (SASS) has voiced strong dissatisfaction with the ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the Sabarimala gold loss cases, urging the Kerala government to transfer the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The organisation also highlighted severe issues faced by pilgrims during the Mandalakala-Makarvillakku season, including poor crowd management and long waiting hours, and offered to provide free services to devotees.
The World Cup final offers football's grandest stage a deliciously odd pairing: Argentina, all pulse, fire and Lionel Messi, against Spain, the European champions who appear to treat chaos as an administrative error and have turned control into something close to an art form.
Boat services at Purushottampuri, a pilgrimage site in Beed district, have been suspended after a capsizing incident killed two women. Local residents allege that many private operators run services without proper licences or safety equipment.
The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee has formed a four-member panel to investigate alleged irregularities in pilgrims' offerings and donations at Badrinath Dham. The allegations, which went viral on social media, have sparked political controversy in Uttarakhand, with the Congress demanding strict action. The inquiry will examine CCTV footage and statements, with a report due in seven days.
Monsoon rains have unleashed widespread destruction across India, claiming seven lives in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka due to landslides and floods, while heavy downpours have disrupted normal life and triggered red alerts in Maharashtra and other regions.
This marks a significant step towards legally safeguarding the cultural and spiritual identity of one of Hinduism's most revered pilgrimage centres.
Delhi Police have arrested three individuals, including a B.Tech student, for allegedly operating fake helicopter booking websites that defrauded pilgrims across India. The accused created fraudulent sites impersonating legitimate travel platforms, luring customers with online ads, and are linked to nearly 30 complaints totalling Rs 10 lakh in fraud.
A group of Nihangs, armed with traditional weapons, stormed a gurdwara in Rudraprayag, taking a Sikh devotee hostage on the roof to demand the release of four sect members arrested after a clash in Chamoli.
Over 150 Nihangs are camping at Paonta Sahib gurdwara in Himachal Pradesh, refusing to return to Punjab until four members of their sect, arrested in Uttarakhand following a clash with locals, are released. The group had previously attempted to force entry into Uttarakhand and clashed with police, leading to an ongoing standoff.
A nearly 72-hour standoff at the Nagarasu gurdwara in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag ended on Tuesday evening as a group of Nihangs holed up at the shrine vacated the premises after talks with a delegation from Punjab, officials said.
Outward remittances under the Reserve Bank of India's Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) saw a 7.85 per cent year-on-year contraction in April 2026, primarily driven by reduced international travel spending due to global uncertainty stemming from the US-Iran conflict.
The Nihangs have called off their planned protest march in Uttarakhand related to a recent dispute at the Karnaprayag market in Chamoli and a gurdwara in Nagrasu.
Overseas travel spending by Indians, including holiday trips, decreased by $212.43 million to $1.09 billion in March compared to February, according to the Reserve Bank of India's latest data.
Uttarakhand Police rescued a group of Char Dham tourists after they were allegedly harassed and physically assaulted by their travel guide near a food joint in Pauri Garhwal. The Delhi-based group had booked their pilgrimage through an online agency and faced issues with the guide's behaviour throughout their journey.
India has firmly rejected Nepal's objection to the upcoming Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand, dismissing Kathmandu's territorial claims over the region.
Nepal has reiterated its commitment to resolving the border issue with India through diplomatic channels, emphasising historical agreements and understanding.
Khamenei urged the pilgrims for unity and called on them to pray for "the liberation of Palestine and Al-Aqsa Mosque, the alleviation of the great hardships afflicting Muslims, and the attainment of ultimate victory against global arrogance."
The Nepalese foreign minister was speaking to the media a day after holding wide-ranging talks with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar that focused on ways to further expand ties in diverse sectors, including trade, critical technology, connectivity and energy.
Five people were killed and another seriously injured after a car caught fire on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Rajasthan's Alwar district.
Amid chants of 'Jai Mata Di', the pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills resumed in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district on Wednesday, after a suspension of 22 days due to a devastating landslide that claimed 34 lives and injured 20, officials said.
Registration for the Vaishnodevi pilgrimage has resumed after a brief suspension due to inclement weather. Devotees express their happiness as the yatra progresses smoothly.
Priests see red over the Rs 2,390 crore project to overhaul infrastructure around one of Bihar's most significant pilgrimage site, particularly for those performing pind daan.
