News for 'pilgrims'

Vaishno Devi yatra remains suspended for 4th day

Vaishno Devi yatra remains suspended for 4th day

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

The Vaishno Devi Yatra remains suspended for the fourth day following a landslide that claimed 34 lives. Pilgrims express concerns about safety, while local associations offer support.

35 cr pilgrims may attend Maha Kumbh Mela: UP govt

35 cr pilgrims may attend Maha Kumbh Mela: UP govt

Rediff.com12 Jan 2025

The Uttar Pradesh government is expecting over 35 crore pilgrims to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, a significant increase from the 24 crore who attended the 2019 Kumbh Mela. The event, which will take place over 45 days, will feature extensive security and sanitation measures, as well as a digital component. The state government has allocated Rs 7,000 crore for the event.

Amarnath Yatra Pilgrims Arrive In Kashmir

Amarnath Yatra Pilgrims Arrive In Kashmir

Rediff.com29 Jun 2024

The first batch of pilgrims reached Kashmir on Friday for the annual Amarnath Yatra, beginning Saturday, with J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagging off 4,603 yatris in the morning from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu under a tight security cover.

IAF And Army To The Pilgrims' Rescue!

IAF And Army To The Pilgrims' Rescue!

Rediff.com7 Aug 2024

The Indian Army and Indian Air Force rescued pilgrims from landslide-affected areas of Sonprayag on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, and from Kedarnath Dham on Monday, August 5, 2024 respectively.

Rain Clouds Loom Over Vaishno Devi Yatra

Rain Clouds Loom Over Vaishno Devi Yatra

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

The Baan Ganga entry point wears a deserted look after the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board orders suspension of the Vaishno Devi Yatra from October 5 to 7 due to the IMD's inclement weather advisory for Katra.

10 women pilgrims killed, 30 hurt after bus falls into gorge in Pune

10 women pilgrims killed, 30 hurt after bus falls into gorge in Pune

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

Ten women died and 30 others were injured after a pick-up van carrying them to a temple fell into a gorge in Pune district. The accident occurred due to the vehicle's failure to climb an incline, possibly due to overloading. PM Modi and CM Fadnavis announced compensation for the victims' families.

IAF joins rescue op in Uttarakhand to evacuate pilgrims

IAF joins rescue op in Uttarakhand to evacuate pilgrims

Rediff.com2 Aug 2024

The Indian Air Force's Chinook and MI17 helicopters on Friday joined the rescue operations in Uttarakhand to evacuate over 500 pilgrims stranded on the rain-ravaged trek route to Kedarnath, with 10 of them being airlifted in the first round.

On The Way To The Amarnath Shrine

On The Way To The Amarnath Shrine

Rediff.com4 Jul 2025

Pilgrims begin their trek towards the Amarnath cave from the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

'Severe cyclone' Montha to make landfall near Andhra coast on Tuesday

'Severe cyclone' Montha to make landfall near Andhra coast on Tuesday

Rediff.com27 Oct 2025

The Odisha government has initiated evacuations and deployed disaster response teams in anticipation of Cyclone 'Montha', which is expected to impact the southern and coastal regions of the state.

52-day Amarnath yatra ends, 5L pilgrims offer prayers

52-day Amarnath yatra ends, 5L pilgrims offer prayers

Rediff.com19 Aug 2024

More than a dozen Mountain Rescue Teams assisted thousands of pilgrims during this year's Amarnath pilgrimage in the south Kashmir Himalayas, officials said on Monday, as the annual yatra concluded with more than 5.10 lakh pilgrims offering prayers at the cave shrine.

3 injured as drunk driver mows down Kanwariyas in UP; car vandalised

3 injured as drunk driver mows down Kanwariyas in UP; car vandalised

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

A drunk driver in Ghaziabad rammed his car into a group of Kanwariyas, injuring three. Enraged pilgrims damaged the vehicle and assaulted the driver before police intervened.

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.

Local body polls soon? Maha cabinet takes 21 decisions in single day

Local body polls soon? Maha cabinet takes 21 decisions in single day

Rediff.com4 Nov 2025

A series of decisions were taken under the Public Health Department, including an approval to increase honoraria for field-level workers engaged under the Ayushman BharatPradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana.

Deepotsav Has Deepened Ayodhya's Aura

Deepotsav Has Deepened Ayodhya's Aura

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

'Deepotsav aligns with the Adityanath government's vision to enhance Ayodhya's spiritual and cultural grandeur and transform it into a global pilgrimage and tourism hub.'

Amarnath yatra sees 10% dip in registrations after Pahalgam attack

Amarnath yatra sees 10% dip in registrations after Pahalgam attack

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

The LG said around 2.36 lakh pilgrims had registered for the yatra before the attack took place at Baisaran in Pahalgam area that left 26 persons -- mostly tourists -- dead.

Amarnath Yatra suspended due to heavy rain

Amarnath Yatra suspended due to heavy rain

Rediff.com30 Jul 2025

The Amarnath Yatra has been suspended on both Pahalgam and Baltal routes due to heavy rains in Kashmir. Authorities have halted the pilgrimage from base camps, affecting the movement of pilgrims.

Amarnath pilgrims jump off moving bus after brakes fail

Amarnath pilgrims jump off moving bus after brakes fail

Rediff.com3 Jul 2024

Ten people were injured in the incident, including six men, three women and one child.

Amarnath Yatra suspended amid heavy rains

Amarnath Yatra suspended amid heavy rains

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

The Amarnath Yatra has been suspended due to heavy rainfall in the Kashmir Valley. The pilgrimage was halted from both Pahalgam and Baltal base camps due to continuous heavy rains, necessitating restoration work on the tracks. A weather advisory has warned of more heavy rain in the region.

Kedarnath: 10,500 pilgrims evacuated, op continues for 3rd day

Kedarnath: 10,500 pilgrims evacuated, op continues for 3rd day

Rediff.com3 Aug 2024

Officials said around 1,300 pilgrims are stranded in Kedarnath, Bhimbali and Gaurikund, and are safe.

Massive landslide on Vaishno Devi route, 1 dead

Massive landslide on Vaishno Devi route, 1 dead

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

A massive landslide struck the old track to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, leaving one pilgrim dead and 10 others injured, officials said.

30 killed, 60 injured in stampede amid rush of pilgrims at Maha Kumbh

30 killed, 60 injured in stampede amid rush of pilgrims at Maha Kumbh

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

At least 30 people were killed and 60 others injured in a pre-dawn stampede at the Sangam area of the Maha Kumbh early on Wednesday as crores of pilgrims jostled for space to take a holy dip on the occasion of one of the most auspicious days of Mauni Amavasya, officials said.

6 dead as wire of cargo ropeway snaps at Gujarat temple

6 dead as wire of cargo ropeway snaps at Gujarat temple

Rediff.com6 Sep 2025

Six persons died after the cable wire of a cargo ropeway snapped at Pavagadh Hill in Gujarat's Panchmahal district on Saturday, officials said.

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.

Uttarkashi rescue operations intensify, 65 stranded people airlifted

Uttarkashi rescue operations intensify, 65 stranded people airlifted

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

Rescue operations in Uttarakhand's flash flood-ravaged Uttarkashi district gained momentum, with stranded people airlifted and efforts stepped up to search for those trapped under rubble.

11 dead as cloudburst, landslide hit J-K's Reasi, Ramban

11 dead as cloudburst, landslide hit J-K's Reasi, Ramban

Rediff.com30 Aug 2025

The officials identified the deceased as Ashwani Sharma (24), his brother Dwarka Nath (55), niece Virta Devi (26) and their guest Om Raj (38), a resident of Banshara in Rajgarh. The rescuers are searching for Sharma's sister-in-law, Bidya Devi (55).

SC declines to halt global Ayyappa devotee meet in Kerala

SC declines to halt global Ayyappa devotee meet in Kerala

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

The Supreme Court has refused to entertain pleas against the Kerala High Court order dismissing petitions challenging the Travancore Devaswom Board's decision to conduct a global conclave of Ayyappa devotees.

J-K: Vaishno Devi landslide toll rises to 34

J-K: Vaishno Devi landslide toll rises to 34

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

The death toll in the Vaishno Devi landslide has gone up to 32, officials said on Wednesday, a day after disaster struck the route on the hilltop shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district.

Tight Security For Amarnath Yatra

Tight Security For Amarnath Yatra

Rediff.com17 Jun 2025

In the view of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives and left scores injured, security arrangements for this year's Amarnath pilgrimage has been tightened.

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.

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.

India's Foreign Policy Panchnama

India's Foreign Policy Panchnama

Rediff.com4 Oct 2025

There has never been a moment in India's history when it has been so adrift in the world, so confused about what it stands for and against and so humiliated, asserts Aakar Patel.

Helicopter on way to Kedarnath crashlands on highway

Helicopter on way to Kedarnath crashlands on highway

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

Five pilgrims and a pilot onboard a helicopter had a narrow escape when the aircraft on its way to Kedarnath made an emergency landing on the highway in Rudraprayag district on Saturday after developing a technical snag during take-off, officials said.

J-K flashflood: Hope fades for missing as rescue ops enter Day 3

J-K flashflood: Hope fades for missing as rescue ops enter Day 3

Rediff.com16 Aug 2025

Rescue operations continue in Kishtwar, J&K, following a devastating cloudburst. Anxious relatives cling to fading hope as the search for the missing enters its third day.

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.

Kartarpur Corridor flooded, over 100 stranded

Kartarpur Corridor flooded, over 100 stranded

Rediff.com27 Aug 2025

Floodwaters from the Ravi River have inundated the Kartarpur Corridor in Pakistan, including Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, stranding over 100 people. Rescue operations are underway as thousands are evacuated from flooded areas.

Ma Vaishno Devi: The Power Of The Goddess

Ma Vaishno Devi: The Power Of The Goddess

Rediff.com30 May 2025

As we continue our climb, I meet 59-year-old Pushpa Devi from Banaras. I stare at her in wonderment when she tells me this is her 45th visit to the temple. She is equally bewildered to hear this is my first visit!What is it that draws her here each year? 'Bas ek shabd hai. Shraddha. (There is just one word. Faith.)'

Women's Euros: Norway in quarters; Swiss keep hopes alive

Women's Euros: Norway in quarters; Swiss keep hopes alive

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

A late solo strike by Norway forward Caroline Graham Hansen secured a 2-1 victory against Finland in the Women's European Championship on Sunday, as the twice champions qualified for the quarter-finals.

Mathura under tight security for Janmashtami celebrations

Mathura under tight security for Janmashtami celebrations

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

Mathura transformed into a fortress for Shri Krishna Janmashtami, with heavy security and traffic restrictions in place for the Krishna Mahotsav. Authorities have implemented strict measures, including social media monitoring and restricted items at the temple, to ensure the safety of devotees.

'I was surrounded by bodies': J-K cloudburst survivor recalls horror

'I was surrounded by bodies': J-K cloudburst survivor recalls horror

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

Nine-year-old Devanshi was among the hundreds of pilgrims who had gathered in Chositi for the last leg of the yatra to Machail Mata temple when tragedy struck on Thursday. Buried under mud and debris when a Maggi-point shop was hit by flash floods, she emerged hours later, rescued by her uncle and other villagers.

Uttarkashi floods: 70 Rescued, over 50 still missing

Uttarkashi floods: 70 Rescued, over 50 still missing

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

Rescue operations continue in Uttarkashi after flash floods, with dozens still missing. The Army and other agencies are working to rescue stranded people and restore connectivity.