News for 'priest'

Chhattisgarh sees largest Maoist surrender; 210 rebels give up arms

Chhattisgarh sees largest Maoist surrender; 210 rebels give up arms

Rediff.com18 Oct 2025

210 Maoist cadres, including a Central Committee member, surrendered to authorities in Chhattisgarh's Jagdalpur, marking the "largest mass surrender" in the state's anti-Naxal operations. The surrendered Naxalites carried a collective bounty of Rs 9.18 crore and handed over 153 weapons. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the development as a historic moment for Chhattisgarh and the nation.

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.

Angaraki Ganesh Chaturthi: Devotees Flock To Siddhivinayak

Angaraki Ganesh Chaturthi: Devotees Flock To Siddhivinayak

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

Thousands of devotees thronged Mumbai's Siddhivinayak temple for Angaraki Ganesh Chaturthi.

India's Most Unusual Dussehra Celebrations

India's Most Unusual Dussehra Celebrations

Rediff.com2 Oct 2025

These traditions have survived centuries, even as India has changed dramatically around them.

Lord Shiva's Mace Leaves For Amarnath

Lord Shiva's Mace Leaves For Amarnath

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

Amid tight security, the Chhari Mubarak, the holy mace of Lord Shiva, left Srinagar on Monday, August 4, 2025 for the Amarnath cave shrine. This signifies the culmination of the annual Amarnath Yatra.

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.'

'Gurus Abuse The Very People Who Give Them Power'

'Gurus Abuse The Very People Who Give Them Power'

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

'What is it about the institution of faith that makes somebody get a sense of impunity, that they believe they can get away with anything?'

Banu Mushtaq inaugurates Mysuru Dasara festival amid row

Banu Mushtaq inaugurates Mysuru Dasara festival amid row

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

The decision to invite Mushtaq had sparked controversy, with several petitions challenging the Karnataka government's move.

PIX: What Modi offered at Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple

PIX: What Modi offered at Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple

Rediff.com27 Jul 2025

Amid chants of Vedic and Saivite Thirumurai, PM Modi prayed at the temple and brought a kalasam (metal pot) with traditional decorations which is believed to contain water from River Ganga regarded as sacred.

Kerala CM under fire for remark on Christian priest, who flayed LDF govt

Kerala CM under fire for remark on Christian priest, who flayed LDF govt

Rediff.com8 Jun 2024

While Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala mockingly called the CM as "the most knowledgeable" person in the state who has the habit of terming priests "wretched creatures" and "ignorant", BJP leader V Muraleedharan said that Vijayan's remarks indicate that he continues to be intolerant towards those who disagree with him.

Ram temple sanctum sanctorum's roof is leaking, says chief priest

Ram temple sanctum sanctorum's roof is leaking, says chief priest

Rediff.com24 Jun 2024

Alleging negligence in the construction of the temple, Das claimed that there was also no arrangement for the drainage of rainwater from the temple premises after the showers on Saturday midnight.

SC stray dog order: Animal lovers clash with cops in Delhi during protest

SC stray dog order: Animal lovers clash with cops in Delhi during protest

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

Many also displayed a picture of Lord Shiva with a dog seated next to him, symbolising the cultural and spiritual connection between humans and animals.

Assam Bids Farewell to Zubeen Garg

Assam Bids Farewell to Zubeen Garg

Rediff.com23 Sep 2025

As the smoke from the flames flared up, slogans like 'Zubeen, Zubeen' and 'Jai Zubeenda' reverberated in the air, and people were heard singing his song Mayabini Ratir Buku.

Tension in UP town after 19-year-old NEET aspirant killed by cattle smugglers

Tension in UP town after 19-year-old NEET aspirant killed by cattle smugglers

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

Protesters blocked the Gorakhpur-Pipraich road on Tuesday morning after that forces from four police stations and PAC were deployed.

Kerala Catholic priest joins BJP, suspended as vicar

Kerala Catholic priest joins BJP, suspended as vicar

Rediff.com3 Oct 2023

The priest joined the BJP at a time when the catholic church had been attacking the party over the Manipur violence.

Sikh priests disqualified for performing same-sex wedding

Sikh priests disqualified for performing same-sex wedding

Rediff.com17 Oct 2023

Two women got "married" at Gurdwara Kalgidhar Sahib in Bathinda district on September 18. Following this, the Akal Takht had then suspended the 'granthis' (sikh priests), the management and the 'ragis' (gurbani exponents) of the gurdwara.

Why This Elephant Triggers Outrage In Maharashtra

Why This Elephant Triggers Outrage In Maharashtra

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

A Supreme Court order relocating an elephant to a care facility in Vantara has sparked public outrage in Maharashtra by putting the state government in a difficult position over issues of animal welfare and public sentiment.

Historic first: Indian NGO 'Educate Girls' wins Magsaysay award

Historic first: Indian NGO 'Educate Girls' wins Magsaysay award

Rediff.com31 Aug 2025

Indian non-profit 'Educate Girls' wins the Ramon Magsaysay Award for its work in educating out-of-school girls in remote villages. The award recognizes selfless service to the peoples of Asia.

Violence erupts in Pune's Yavat over social media post; youth detained

Violence erupts in Pune's Yavat over social media post; youth detained

Rediff.com2 Aug 2025

An irate mob vandalized properties and indulged in arson in Yavat, Pune, following an objectionable social media post. Police used teargas to control the situation, and peace has been restored with heavy police presence.

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.

14 priests injured in 'gulal-triggered' fire in Mahakal temple

14 priests injured in 'gulal-triggered' fire in Mahakal temple

Rediff.com25 Mar 2024

Fourteen priests, including 'sevaks' (assistants), were injured in a fire that broke out in the Mahakal Temple in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh on Monday during 'bhasma aarti', an official said.

Maha steps up efforts to bring back elephant Mahadevi from Guj after stir

Maha steps up efforts to bring back elephant Mahadevi from Guj after stir

Rediff.com2 Aug 2025

Maharashtra minister Prakash Abitkar said efforts are underway to bring back elephant Mahadevi from a rescue center in Gujarat. The elephant was relocated following a court order due to health concerns. Local leaders are protesting the relocation and seeking her return.

Modi is main 'yajman' of Ram temple consecration, says chief priest

Modi is main 'yajman' of Ram temple consecration, says chief priest

Rediff.com17 Jan 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the main "yajman" at the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22, Laxmikant Dixit, the main priest for the ritual, said on Wednesday.

Uddhav 'not invited', Ram Temple chief priest says...

Uddhav 'not invited', Ram Temple chief priest says...

Rediff.com1 Jan 2024

Reacting to the remarks made by Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray chief Uddhav Thackeray that he has not received invitation for the inauguration event of Ayodhya's Ram Temple, Acharya Satyendra Das, Chief Priest at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple on Sunday said that invitations have been extended only to those who are 'devotees of Lord Ram'.

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.

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.

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.

Husband catches wife with another man, gets them married

Husband catches wife with another man, gets them married

Rediff.com21 Jun 2025

Karishma, however, claimed the entire thing was forced upon her, and said while she had an ongoing discord with her husband, she was not in a relationship with Shivraj, locals said.

Pope's bond with India: Canonisations, new Cardinal and unfulfilled visit

Pope's bond with India: Canonisations, new Cardinal and unfulfilled visit

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

Pope Francis's connection with India was marked by a mix of hopes and challenges. His long-held wish to visit the country remained unfulfilled, but he made significant contributions to the Catholic community in India, including elevating Indian figures to sainthood and appointing an Indian priest as a Cardinal. While his efforts to resolve conflicts within the Syro-Malabar Church were unsuccessful, his legacy will be remembered for his efforts to promote unity and understanding in the Catholic Church.

Family conducts daughter's 'shradh' for interfaith marriage

Family conducts daughter's 'shradh' for interfaith marriage

Rediff.com23 Jun 2025

The college student's family said the 'shradh' was held as she brought dishonour to the members and she is "dead" to them.

Ram Temple Head Priest Inspects Preparations For Big Day

Ram Temple Head Priest Inspects Preparations For Big Day

Rediff.com29 Dec 2023

On Thursday, December 28, 2023, Acharya Satyendra Das, the head priest of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, inspected the preparations ahead of the pran pratishta, which is scheduled to be held on January 22.

Kerala priests oppose papal edict on uniform holy mass

Kerala priests oppose papal edict on uniform holy mass

Rediff.com18 Aug 2023

Over 300 priests of the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church on Friday said they cannot accept the warning issued by the papal representative to celebrate Holy Mass in a uniform manner as prescribed by the synod or face consequences -- as it goes against their conscience.

Kangana's Selfie In Session

Kangana's Selfie In Session

Rediff.com30 Jul 2025

Glimpses from India and around the world that will make you smile and cry.

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.

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.

Pather Panchali@70: Beautiful, Broken People

Pather Panchali@70: Beautiful, Broken People

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

Seventy years after Pather Panchali released on August 26, 1955, we finally get it. Shuttling between the village of Boral and a studio in Calcutta, caught between worrying about the next purse of funds and wondering which item to mortgage next, Satyajit Ray was explaining Indians to themselves, discovers Sreehari Nair.

Kerala priest sacked days after joining BJP with 50 families

Kerala priest sacked days after joining BJP with 50 families

Rediff.com5 Jan 2024

Kerala priest Fr Shaiju Kurien of the prominent Orthodox Church, who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party with around 50 Christian families, has been temporarily removed from his positions in the diocese pending an inquiry, authorities said on Friday.

Kolhapur: Thousands march to bring back Mahadevi from Vantara

Kolhapur: Thousands march to bring back Mahadevi from Vantara

Rediff.com3 Aug 2025

Thousands of people participated in a 'silent march' in Kolhapur on Sunday, demanding that 36-year-old female elephant Mahadevi (also called Madhuri), be brought back from Vantara wildlife rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation centre in Gujarat's Jamnagar district.

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.

Ram Lalla's eyes can't be revealed before...: Chief priest

Ram Lalla's eyes can't be revealed before...: Chief priest

Rediff.com20 Jan 2024

If the eyes can be seen, an investigation should be done on who revealed the eyes and how the pictures of the idol are going viral'