News for 'priests'

Cook spitting on dough video goes viral, arrested with eatery owner

Cook spitting on dough video goes viral, arrested with eatery owner

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

Ghaziabad police arrested a restaurant owner and cook after a video showing the cook spitting on dough while preparing chapatis went viral on social media.

Trump's War Has Crossed Energy Rubicon. And There's No Turning Back

Trump's War Has Crossed Energy Rubicon. And There's No Turning Back

Rediff.com19 Mar 2026

For weeks, the war skirted the edge of catastrophe without tipping over. Missiles flew, there was much destruction, commanders were assassinated, cities across the Gulf and even in Israel struggled to absorb the shock. But one line held: Energy infrastructure, the arteries of the global economy, remained largely untouched. That is no longer true. Prem Panicker continues his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.

Khamenei killing sparks mourning, protests across India

Khamenei killing sparks mourning, protests across India

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

Following reports of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death, widespread protests erupted in Kashmir, with demonstrators expressing strong anti-US and anti-Israel sentiments.

In Hampi: Hanuman Lives Through Ramu

In Hampi: Hanuman Lives Through Ramu

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

He was enacting and telling stories of none other than Lord Hanuman, the figure, to date, that rules the hearts of the people of Kishkinda or present-day Hampi in the Vijayanagar district of Karnataka.

Modi leads 'Shaurya Yatra' honouring Somnath Temple defenders

Modi leads 'Shaurya Yatra' honouring Somnath Temple defenders

Rediff.com12 Jan 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 'Shaurya Yatra' in Somnath, Gujarat, honouring those who defended the Somnath temple. He also offered prayers and paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

UP boy gives away family jewellery worth lakhs to buy momos

UP boy gives away family jewellery worth lakhs to buy momos

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

A Class 7 student in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, allegedly traded family jewellery worth approximately Rs 85 lakh for momos. Police have arrested two suspects and are searching for the third.

'Child Marriage Is Nothing But Child Rape'

'Child Marriage Is Nothing But Child Rape'

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

'People don't believe that a 15-year-old girl subjected to sexual intercourse within a marriage is a victim of rape.'

'For Them, A Woman Is A Body. Nothing More'

'For Them, A Woman Is A Body. Nothing More'

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

''Women are coming into public spaces in larger numbers than ever before. They are educated, capable, opinionated, and determined.' 'But the more women push for access to public space, the harder they are pushed back -- through attacks like this, through discrimination, through the glass ceiling, through the deliberate denial of recognition.'

Why Our Military Leaders Must Be Diligent

Why Our Military Leaders Must Be Diligent

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

The armed forces of India will be wise to remember that its public interface needs to be tempered with discretion, maturity and example, keeping in mind the nation's multi-cultural and multi-religious fabric which is its greatest strength but which can also become its biggest fault-line, asserts Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta (retd).

Kerala couple among 7 held in Maha over forced conversion

Kerala couple among 7 held in Maha over forced conversion

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

Police in Maharashtra's Amravati district arrested a pastor from Kerala and seven others on charges of hurting religious sentiments after allegations of offering money for conversion to Christianity. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan criticized the arrests.

Attacks may soon target prayers inside, warns Kerala church head

Attacks may soon target prayers inside, warns Kerala church head

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, condemns attacks against Christians in India and urges government authorities to control religious fanatics. He highlights the constitutional right to religious freedom and criticizes the silence of governing bodies in the face of increasing attacks.

Sunny-Bobby Immerse Dharmendra's Ashes In Ganga

Sunny-Bobby Immerse Dharmendra's Ashes In Ganga

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

Dharmendraji's grandson Karan performed the immersion of the ashes.

Row heats up over non-Hindu entry into Badrinath, Kedarnath shrines

Row heats up over non-Hindu entry into Badrinath, Kedarnath shrines

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

He said that just as there are rules related to religious conduct in mosques and churches, there are also traditional rules in Hindu religious places.

From British child to India's trusted voice: Mark Tully

From British child to India's trusted voice: Mark Tully

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

Mark Tully, the renowned journalist, author, and Indophile, has passed away at the age of 90. He spent a lifetime in India as a journalist, mingling with its people and telling their stories.

The World's Tallest Shivling!

The World's Tallest Shivling!

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

The Shivling is 33 feet in height and weighs 210 tonnes.

Forces opposing Somnath temple reconstruction still active: Modi

Forces opposing Somnath temple reconstruction still active: Modi

Rediff.com11 Jan 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that forces opposing the reconstruction of the Somnath temple after independence are still active and that India needs to be vigilant and united to counter them. He highlighted the temple's history of resilience against repeated attacks and emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifices made to protect it.

Mark Tully Was India's Voice To The World

Mark Tully Was India's Voice To The World

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

'Mark had such a profound understanding of India, which was, of course, the land of his birth as well as of his death... He loved India, and lived two-thirds of his life here.'

Why Is Putin Celebrating Christmas Now?

Why Is Putin Celebrating Christmas Now?

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

President Vladimir Putin attended an early Wednesday Russian Orthodox Christmas service and hailed his troops' 'holy mission' to defend Russia, pairing the ceremony with a holiday address on unity, charity and support for the armed forces.

Actress claims: 'Suryakumar used to message me a lot'

Actress claims: 'Suryakumar used to message me a lot'

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

Meanwhile, the India captain was seen with his wife Devisha at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, where the couple offered prayers on the occasion of Vaikuntha Ekadashi.

'Christians Can Be Taken For Granted'

'Christians Can Be Taken For Granted'

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

'Mob fury has become very common these days. And these attacks are all planned very well.' 'In all these attacks, you see that they have a very clear cut plan to make the victims as the oppressors and the guilty.' 'The attackers escape and they face no consequences as they have the backing of some political leaders.'

PIX: Kohli offers prayers at Simhachalam temple

PIX: Kohli offers prayers at Simhachalam temple

Rediff.com7 Dec 2025

Later, priests honoured the visitors with the temple's Shesha Vasthram (sacred cloth) and presented them with the deity's portrait and prasadam on behalf of the Devasthanam.

MP: Group forcibly enters temple at night, assaults priest

MP: Group forcibly enters temple at night, assaults priest

Rediff.com13 Apr 2025

A group of people, allegedly led by the son of a BJP MLA, forcibly entered the Mata Tekri temple in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, after it had closed for the night and assaulted the priest who refused to let them in. Police have registered an FIR and are investigating the incident.

Decked churches, midnight masses: India celebrates Christmas

Decked churches, midnight masses: India celebrates Christmas

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

Christmas was celebrated with devotion and festive gaiety across India, with churches decked in lights, midnight masses, and community events spreading cheer. Leaders extended greetings, and celebrations took place in various states with prayers for peace and harmony.

Ayodhya Ram temple head priest passes away

Ayodhya Ram temple head priest passes away

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

Das served as the head priest since he was 20 years old, including during the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992.

Woman murdered inside Delhi temple; panic grips area

Woman murdered inside Delhi temple; panic grips area

Rediff.com14 Dec 2025

A 48-year-old woman was stabbed to death inside a temple in east Delhi's Mansarovar Park area, prompting a police investigation.

Nothing wrong....: Akal Takht head priest justifies influencer's murder

Nothing wrong....: Akal Takht head priest justifies influencer's murder

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

The head priest of the Akal Takht has justified the killing of social media influencer Kanchan Kumari, saying "nothing wrong has happened" and nobody should listen to obscene songs.

Vrindavan priests say no to barring Muslim artisans

Vrindavan priests say no to barring Muslim artisans

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

Priests at the famed Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan have rejected a demand to stop using attires made by Muslim artisans for its deity, emphasizing that religious discrimination has no place in temple traditions. The demand was raised by a right-wing group, who argued that the deity's attire should be made only by those who adhere to "religious purity." The temple priests countered by highlighting the historical contributions of Muslim artisans to temple traditions and the impracticality of replacing them.

This Priest Walks Through Fire!

This Priest Walks Through Fire!

Rediff.com14 Mar 2025

A priest named Sanju walks through a massive fire to re-enact the story of Prahlad and Holika.

'Hema-Dharam's Was The Most Dignified Second Marriage'

'Hema-Dharam's Was The Most Dignified Second Marriage'

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

'One of the dignified aspects of their relationship is that Hema reportedly told Dharamji that she would never disturb his first family.'

Modi to hoist saffron flag at Ram Temple in Ayodhya today

Modi to hoist saffron flag at Ram Temple in Ayodhya today

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

Ayodhya resonated with devotional fervour on Tuesday morning as thousands of devotees streamed into the temple town ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to ceremonially hoist a saffron flag atop the Ram temple, marking the formal completion of its construction.

20 Christian priests booked for assaulting cop in Kerala

20 Christian priests booked for assaulting cop in Kerala

Rediff.com12 Jan 2025

Twenty priests have been booked by the police in Kochi, Kerala, for allegedly assaulting a police officer during a protest at the Bishop's House. The incident occurred on January 11, with the priests protesting against the unified Holy Mass. The police registered a case against the priests under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for unlawful assembly, rioting, and causing hurt to a public servant. The protest follows a controversy over the unified Holy Mass, which the Archbishop has defended, stating that altering decisions approved by Pope Francis is impossible.

Andhra temple stampede: 'People rushed, what could I do'

Andhra temple stampede: 'People rushed, what could I do'

Rediff.com2 Nov 2025

Claiming he was not responsible for the tragic stampede at Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Kasibugga that left nine devotees dead, the 94-year-old founder of the temple has said devotees rushed on their own during the gathering.

Dhankhar to make first public address after quitting as V-P

Dhankhar to make first public address after quitting as V-P

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

Former vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar will address a book launch of an RSS leader in Bhopal on November 21, the organisers of the event said on Tuesday.

Elgar Parishad case: Ex-DU professor Hany Babu gets bail

Elgar Parishad case: Ex-DU professor Hany Babu gets bail

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

While the National Investigation Agency (NIA) sought a stay on the operation of the bail order so as to appeal before the Supreme Court, the HC refused the request, stating that Babu has been in jail for over five years.

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.

Puri Temple priest to build Rs 200-cr luxury 'satvik' resort

Puri Temple priest to build Rs 200-cr luxury 'satvik' resort

Rediff.com9 Mar 2025

A priest of the Jagannath Temple in Puri is setting up a 300-room luxury resort with a strong spiritual focus, aiming to offer a "satvik" experience to pilgrims and travellers seeking spiritual serenity with modern comforts. The beachside project, valued at Rs 200 crore, will be a pure vegetarian and non-liquor retreat, offering a blend of spiritual tranquillity and luxury hospitality. The 'Jagannatham' project, being built on a seven-acre beachfront plot, is expected to open in 14-16 months, before the Rath Yatra of 2026.

Kejriwal launches scheme for priests, changes venue amid protests

Kejriwal launches scheme for priests, changes venue amid protests

Rediff.com31 Dec 2024

Political battle over 'Pujari Granthi Samman Yojna' announced by Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal intensified on Tuesday, as he launched registration process for the scheme at a temple in Kashmiri Gate in New Delhi.

Security beefed up as Hanuman Chalisa row escalates in Varanasi

Security beefed up as Hanuman Chalisa row escalates in Varanasi

Rediff.com5 Oct 2025

The dispute started when members of a particular community objected to the recitation of Hanuman Chalisa at a Hanuman temple in Varanasi's Madanpur area.

Tath Kana Review: Inspiring Tale Of Passion And Purpose

Tath Kana Review: Inspiring Tale Of Passion And Purpose

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

We may not know Dr Ramani at first, but by the end, we get a clearer sense of his nobility. For a biopic, that's a job done well, notes Mayur Sanap.

What Is DMK's Plan To Counter Vijay?

What Is DMK's Plan To Counter Vijay?

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

The DMK may consider a two-tier campaign, where they keep the focus on Chief Minister Stalin, as a senior statesman with 50-plus years of political experience, and let EPS and the BJP shout in the wilderness. In such a case, the second-tier may project Udhayanidhi as the contender and chosen obstructionist in Vijay's path. The attempt, if any, would be to reduce Vijay to Udhayanidhi's level when the former is aiming at Stalin and Stalin alone in the state's political horizon, predicts N Sathiya Moorthy.