News for 'pilgrimage'

Unilateral bullying...: China to India amid Trump tariff war

Unilateral bullying...: China to India amid Trump tariff war

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that it is imperative for the two sides to view each other as partners and opportunities rather than rivals or threats, and invest their valuable resources in development and revitalisation.

5 dead, 11 missing as cloudburst hits Uttarakhand

5 dead, 11 missing as cloudburst hits Uttarakhand

Rediff.com30 Aug 2025

A devastating flashflood in the Kheer Ganga river on August 5 demolished nearly half of Dharali -- the key stopover en route to Gangotri with many hotels and homestays, and neighbouring Harsil, where an Army camp bore the brunt of the flood fury, barely giving time to the victims to run to safety.

J-K flashflood: Langar organiser rescued alive after 30 hrs under debris

J-K flashflood: Langar organiser rescued alive after 30 hrs under debris

Rediff.com16 Aug 2025

A man running a community kitchen for pilgrims was rescued alive after being trapped under debris for 30 hours following a cloudburst in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir. The disaster has left many dead or missing and the annual pilgrimage suspended.

Rain fury claims 10 lives in Haryana, Himachal, J-K

Rain fury claims 10 lives in Haryana, Himachal, J-K

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

Heavy rainfall across North India leads to fatalities, structural damage, travel disruptions, and school closures. Eastern states brace for more rain.

9 Vaishno Devi pilgrims among 13 killed in J-K rains, landslides

9 Vaishno Devi pilgrims among 13 killed in J-K rains, landslides

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

Relentless heavy rain led to a landslide on the route to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop the Trikuta hill on Tuesday afternoon, killing at least five people and injuring 14, officials said.

Soldiers notice suspicious movement at LoC in Rajouri, open fire

Soldiers notice suspicious movement at LoC in Rajouri, open fire

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

Army troops opened fire after noticing suspicious movement in a forward area near the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district, while security forces conducted searches at more than a dozen places in Poonch, Samba, and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said.

Will Wang's Visit Help Improve Relations?

Will Wang's Visit Help Improve Relations?

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

The Galwan clashes indicate to the limitations in relations if they do not address border stability, points out Srikanth Kondapalli.

Will Wang's Visit Help Improve Relations?

Will Wang's Visit Help Improve Relations?

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

The Galwan clashes indicate to the limitations in relations if they do not address border stability, points out Srikanth Kondapalli.

Landslides, heavy rains kill 5 in Himachal; 1200 roads closed

Landslides, heavy rains kill 5 in Himachal; 1200 roads closed

Rediff.com1 Sep 2025

Heavy rains and landslides in Himachal Pradesh have resulted in multiple fatalities and widespread disruption, including road closures and train cancellations.

Kishtwar cloudburst: Mud-covered bodies, survivors reveal horror

Kishtwar cloudburst: Mud-covered bodies, survivors reveal horror

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

The shocking scenes of physical and psychological trauma unfolded on a massive scale as search and rescue operations were underway, digging out mud-buried bodies and rescuing the injured trapped in slush and rocks after flash floods triggered by a cloudburst devastated Chositi village in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Thursday.

Char Dham chopper crashes raise alarm: 5 mishaps, 13 deaths in 6 weeks

Char Dham chopper crashes raise alarm: 5 mishaps, 13 deaths in 6 weeks

Rediff.com15 Jun 2025

Soon after the crash on Sunday, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held an emergency meeting and asked senior officials to prepare a strict SOP (standard operating procedure) for heli services in the state, making a thorough check of the technical condition of the choppers mandatory.

Bihar Cabinet okays Rs 882.87cr for developing Sita's birthplace

Bihar Cabinet okays Rs 882.87cr for developing Sita's birthplace

Rediff.com1 Jul 2025

According to the proposal of the state Tourism department, which was approved by the Cabinet, around Rs 137 crore will be spent on the renovation of the old Punaura Dham Janki Mandir and Rs. 728 crore for the development of tourist infrastructure around the temple. The remaining amount will be spent on the maintenance of the infrastructure for ten years.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to resume on June 30 after 5 yrs

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra to resume on June 30 after 5 yrs

Rediff.com22 Apr 2025

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in Tibet, will resume on June 30 after a five-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The yatra will be conducted in five groups of 50 people each, with the first group entering China via Lipulekh Pass on July 10 and the last group departing on August 22. The pilgrimage, which holds great religious significance for Hindus, involves circumambulating Mount Kailash and taking a bath in Lake Manasarovar, believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva.

The Vande Bharat Train Across The Himalayas

The Vande Bharat Train Across The Himalayas

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

The train is specially equipped for extreme weather, capable of functioning in temperatures as low as minus 20°C, and include features like heated windshields, insulated toilets, and seismic dampers for safety.

SEE: LSG owner Goenka visits Tirupati Tirumala temple

SEE: LSG owner Goenka visits Tirupati Tirumala temple

Rediff.com16 May 2025

The Tirumala temple, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is among the most revered and visited pilgrimage sites in India, drawing millions of devotees every year.

Rumour, overcrowding, narrow passage spark U'khand temple stampede

Rumour, overcrowding, narrow passage spark U'khand temple stampede

Rediff.com27 Jul 2025

A large crowd of devotees came to visit the temple, which is atop the Shivalik Hills at an elevation of over 500 feet, and a rumour about an electricity current leak triggered panic among them that led to pushing and shoving.

Do fresh steps signal a stable future for India-China ties?

Do fresh steps signal a stable future for India-China ties?

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

India and China have announced a series of measures aimed at improving their relationship, including maintaining peace along the border, reopening border trade, and resuming direct flights.

J-K cloudburst: 60 dead, 69 missing, over 100 hurt

J-K cloudburst: 60 dead, 69 missing, over 100 hurt

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a devastating cloudburst in Kishtwar district that claimed 60 lives and injured over 100. Abdullah expressed condolences and assured assistance, while also questioning potential administrative lapses.

Major stampede at religious events, other gatherings in India

Major stampede at religious events, other gatherings in India

Rediff.com27 Jul 2025

This is not the first time that a large number of people have died in stampedes at temples and other religious gatherings over the years in India.

Kanwar Yatra: SC refuses to stay QR code order for eateries

Kanwar Yatra: SC refuses to stay QR code order for eateries

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh said it was not going into the other issues over display of names of the hotel or dhaba owner and the QR code, Tuesday being the last day of the Kanwar Yatra.

'You Will See More Devastation In Uttarakhand'

'You Will See More Devastation In Uttarakhand'

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

'The government only wakes up after devastation.' 'The government does not understand the gravity of the situation nor they do not want to understand the gravity of the situation.'

Mishaps push up helicopter insurance premiums

Mishaps push up helicopter insurance premiums

Rediff.com27 Jun 2025

Additionally, rates in the aviation sector are also expected to increase due to huge claim outgo in the Air India crash.

NCERT's Fresh Take on Akbar, Aurangzeb

NCERT's Fresh Take on Akbar, Aurangzeb

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

The book, to be introduced in schools from the 2025-2026 academic year, marks a shift in tone in its portrayal of the Mughal emperors, offering detailed accounts of conquest, religious decisions, cultural contributions, and brutality.

Avoid adding new complexities, Rajnath tells China

Avoid adding new complexities, Rajnath tells China

Rediff.com27 Jun 2025

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has conveyed to his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun that India and China should maintain the positive momentum in the bilateral ties and avoid adding new complexities.

MP adds flight to free pilgrimage scheme for silvers in election year

MP adds flight to free pilgrimage scheme for silvers in election year

Rediff.com14 Apr 2023

The Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in Madhya Pradesh will be taking some senior citizens in the state on free pilgrimages by air under its existing scheme and the exercise will start from May 21, months before the assembly polls in the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled state.

Kanwar route vigilantism resurfaces: UP cops summon 6 for targeting dhabas

Kanwar route vigilantism resurfaces: UP cops summon 6 for targeting dhabas

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

The incident has brought back into focus the controversy that erupted last year when BJP-led governments in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand directed food outlets along the Kanwar route to display the names of their owners and staff.

'The Problem With Quick Fixes Is...'

'The Problem With Quick Fixes Is...'

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

'...they always address problems superficially, never tackling root causes.' 'Currently, the policy response will focus on immediate relief -- getting people to safety, providing facilities, clearing debris.' 'This is necessary, but once immediate relief operations end, everything returns to 'normal' without addressing underlying vulnerabilities.'

Tsari Yatra May Help Ease India China Tensions

Tsari Yatra May Help Ease India China Tensions

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

Why can't the Indian government propose to the Chinese a corridor circumambulating the Holy Mountain where people from both sides could perform the yatra again? asks Claude Arpi.

Orry, others booked for drinking near Vaishno Devi shrine

Orry, others booked for drinking near Vaishno Devi shrine

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

Social media influencer Orhan Awatramani, known as Orry, and seven others were booked for allegedly consuming alcohol at a hotel in Katra, the base camp for the pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. The FIR was registered for violating the law and hurting religious sentiments. The hotel reportedly prohibits alcohol and non-vegetarian food due to its proximity to the shrine.

NCERT drops Mughals, Delhi Sultanate from Class 7 books, adds Maha Kumbh

NCERT drops Mughals, Delhi Sultanate from Class 7 books, adds Maha Kumbh

Rediff.com27 Apr 2025

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has removed all references to the Mughals and Delhi Sultanate from its class 7 textbooks. The new textbooks, released this week, have been designed in line with the new National Education Policy (NEP) and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023, which emphasize incorporating Indian traditions, philosophies, knowledge systems, and local context into school education. The textbooks now include new chapters on ancient Indian dynasties, sacred geography, and government initiatives like Make in India and Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao. The revamp has been met with criticism from opposition parties who equate it with "saffronisation."

Char Dham helicopter services suspended for 2 days after fatal crash

Char Dham helicopter services suspended for 2 days after fatal crash

Rediff.com15 Jun 2025

After chairing an emergency meeting with senior officials to discuss the situation, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that heli services on the Char Dham route will remain suspended for two days, as the weather is bad and the safety of the passengers is the government's top priority.

BSF troops given filthy coaches, 4 railways officials suspended

BSF troops given filthy coaches, 4 railways officials suspended

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

A controversy erupted after a train with dilapidated and dirty coaches was provided to ferry Border Security Force (BSF) personnel from Tripura for deployment during the Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir, with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw suspending four officials and ordering an inquiry.

Rajkot mayor travels to Kumbh in official vehicle, sparks row

Rajkot mayor travels to Kumbh in official vehicle, sparks row

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

Naynaben Pedhadiya, mayor of Rajkot city in Gujarat has sparked a controversy after photos of her journey to Prayagraj to attend the Maha Kumbh in her official vehicle went viral.

'Cinema's Greatest Challenge Is Reels'

'Cinema's Greatest Challenge Is Reels'

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

'I don't know how long cinema will survive.'

Kejriwal govt adds Vailankanni Church to its free pilgrimage scheme

Kejriwal govt adds Vailankanni Church to its free pilgrimage scheme

Rediff.com24 Nov 2021

The Delhi government has included Vailankanni Church in Tamil Nadu to the list of pilgrimage sites under its free pilgrimage scheme for senior citizens, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Wednesday.

Ceasefire with India holding, fully committed to it: Pakistan

Ceasefire with India holding, fully committed to it: Pakistan

Rediff.com24 May 2025

Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said on Friday that the ceasefire with India was holding and the country is committed to it. He also said that Pakistan is committed to making the ceasefire hold and de-escalation succeed, and then engagement to lead to stability and resolution of issues. Khan said that the two militaries have a channel of communication through the Directors General of Military Operations, through which they are working for de-escalation, in terms of the movement of troops. He added that Pakistan remains committed to the ceasefire announced on May 10 and lately, both sides have taken steps for de-escalation and return of stability.

Fewer devotees turn up for Kashmir's Kheer Bhawani mela

Fewer devotees turn up for Kashmir's Kheer Bhawani mela

Rediff.com1 Jun 2025

The usual rush of devotees was missing this year, presumably due to the Pahalgam terror attack and the military action between India and Pakistan following it.

'Iranians Love India'

'Iranians Love India'

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

'Iranians admire Indian cinema and often mention Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan when you meet them.'

A month after Pahalgam attack, killers still at large

A month after Pahalgam attack, killers still at large

Rediff.com22 May 2025

A month after a deadly terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, locals in the south Kashmir resort town are facing mounting livelihood losses. Despite a massive crackdown by security forces, the perpetrators of the attack have evaded capture. Tourists have stopped visiting Pahalgam, leaving businesses struggling to survive. Local residents say the situation is becoming desperate and call for government intervention to help revive the tourism industry.

42 Years On... Where Are Kapil's Devils Now?

42 Years On... Where Are Kapil's Devils Now?

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

42 years of World Cup triumph: A Day that made Indian cricket what it is