News for 'religious sites'

Maha Kumbh: Record turnout expected for first 'amrit snan' on Tuesday

Maha Kumbh: Record turnout expected for first 'amrit snan' on Tuesday

Rediff.com14 Jan 2025

A record number of devotees are expected to take part in the first 'Amrit Snan' of the Maha Kumbh Mela on Tuesday, coinciding with Makar Sankranti. The event is significant as it marks the participation of the 'Akharas' and is also the first 'snan' after the grand Pran Pratishtha of Lord Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. The Uttar Pradesh government anticipates a total of 35 crore devotees visiting Prayagraj during the Kumbh Mela.

Respecting Religious Sentiments Doesn't Mean Constructing 6-Lane Highways

Respecting Religious Sentiments Doesn't Mean Constructing 6-Lane Highways

Rediff.com2 Feb 2023

In recent years, the twin demands of both religion and defence have been added to the development argument to sweep aside environmental and terrain considerations while undertaking infrastructure development in the Himalayan zone, points out former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

Don't divide history, Rani Lakshmi Bai a national hero: HC raps Shahi Idgah

Don't divide history, Rani Lakshmi Bai a national hero: HC raps Shahi Idgah

Rediff.com25 Sep 2024

Maharani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi is a "national hero" and history should not be divided on "communal politics", the Delhi high court said on Wednesday while pulling up the Shahi Idgah managing committee for making "scandalous pleadings" in its plea against installation of her statue inside the Shahi Idgah Park at Sadar Bazar in New Delhi.

SC orders status quo on well near Sambhal masjid

SC orders status quo on well near Sambhal masjid

Rediff.com11 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India has ordered a status quo on a private well located near the entrance of the Sambhal Jama Masjid, prohibiting any action regarding the well without its permission. The order came in response to a plea by the mosque's management committee, which challenged a lower court order that allowed a survey of the mosque, citing concerns over violence and loss of life during previous surveys. The court also instructed the authorities to file a status report within two weeks.

Women We Admire: India's Brave Ranis

Women We Admire: India's Brave Ranis

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

This Women's Day Week, we pay tribute to the extraordinary courage, resilience, and leadership of three iconic Indian queens -- Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Rani Chennamma of Kittur, and Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Malwa.

Man who hoisted religious flag at Red Fort gets protection from arrest

Man who hoisted religious flag at Red Fort gets protection from arrest

Rediff.com1 Jul 2021

Fearing arrest, Singh had moved Delhi's Tis Hazari court seeking anticipatory bail in two cases related to the violence.

UP temple purified with 'Ganga jal' after Muslim MLA's visit

UP temple purified with 'Ganga jal' after Muslim MLA's visit

Rediff.com28 Nov 2023

Doomariyaganj MLA Sayeda Khatoon had on Sunday visited the Samay Mata temple at the invitation of the local people to participate in a Shatchandi Mahayagya.

Day after stampede, safety measures ramped up at Maha Kumbh

Day after stampede, safety measures ramped up at Maha Kumbh

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

Following a stampede at the Maha Kumbh that killed 30 people, the Uttar Pradesh government has stepped up security measures and crowd management efforts. Despite the tragedy, millions of devotees continue to flock to the religious gathering, undeterred by the pre-dawn chill and dense fog. Security forces are being deployed in larger numbers, and new restrictions will be imposed at key locations to prevent further incidents. The authorities are also conducting a thorough review of the arrangements in the Mela area, and several officials are being assigned to oversee operations until February 12.

Glasgow gurdwara condemns blocking of Indian envoy's visit

Glasgow gurdwara condemns blocking of Indian envoy's visit

Rediff.com1 Oct 2023

Calling the incident 'disorderly behaviour' by unknown individuals outside the Glasgow area, it further added that the Gurdwara is open to people from all communities and backgrounds.

Hathras: The Face Of Grief

Hathras: The Face Of Grief

Rediff.com4 Jul 2024

The organisers tried to hide the actual number of people coming to the event by concealing evidence and throwing slippers and other belongings of the devotees in nearby fields, the FIR alleged.

Gyanvapi case: Ascertaining religious character not barred, says SC

Gyanvapi case: Ascertaining religious character not barred, says SC

Rediff.com20 May 2022

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud, Surya Kant, and P S Narasimha made the important observation during an hour-long hearing of the Gyanvapi mosque dispute and said that it has dealt with provisions of the Places of Worship Act in its 2019 Ayodhya verdict and section 3 does not expressly bar ascertaining of the religious character of the place of worship.

UP Eyes Rs 25,000 Cr Revenue From Maha Kumbh

UP Eyes Rs 25,000 Cr Revenue From Maha Kumbh

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

... resulting in a Rs 2 trillion economic spinoff.

An Agitation That Woke Up Kerala

An Agitation That Woke Up Kerala

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

It was a protest which held a mirror to the government of a state taking pride in its commitment to democracy, gender equality and social indices.One person, who in his employed days had known governments and political parties at close quarters, told me that public perception of how the Kerala government handled the ASHA workers' strike had been terrible, reports Shyam G Menon.

Resolve growing religious divide, says Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, BJP hits back

Resolve growing religious divide, says Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, BJP hits back

Rediff.com31 Mar 2022

"Karnataka has always forged inclusive economic development and we must not allow such communal exclusion- If ITBT became communal it would destroy our global leadership. @BSBommai please resolve this growing religious divide," Mazumdar-Shaw said.

Sitharaman's big plans for Vishnupad, Mahabodhi corridors

Sitharaman's big plans for Vishnupad, Mahabodhi corridors

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday announced that comprehensive development of Vishnupad Temple corridor at Gaya and Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya in Bihar will be supported by the government to transform them into world-class pilgrim and tourist destinations. These corridors will be modelled on the successful Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor, she said. Vishnupad Temple is one of the most ancient Hindu shrines located next to the Falgu river, while the Mahabodhi Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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.

Gurugram admin cancels permission for 8 namaz sites

Gurugram admin cancels permission for 8 namaz sites

Rediff.com3 Nov 2021

These eight sites include Bengali Basti in Sector 49, V Block of DLF Phase-3, Surat Nagar Phase-1, outskirts of Kherki Majra village, outskirts of Daulatabad village near Dwarka Expressway, near Ramgarh village in Sector 68, near DLF Square Tower and from Rampur village to Nakhrola Road.

How Mamallapuram Came To Be Top Tourist Site

How Mamallapuram Came To Be Top Tourist Site

Rediff.com25 Oct 2022

Mamallapuram's Group of Monuments -- a collection of 7th- and 8th-century religious structures -- attracted 46 per cent of the total foreign tourists who visited India compared to 12 per cent by the Taj.

R-Day: U'khand bags best tableau award, Punjab Regiment marching contingent

R-Day: U'khand bags best tableau award, Punjab Regiment marching contingent

Rediff.com31 Jan 2023

In a statement, the ministry of defence said the official winners were picked by panels of judges.

China builds missile site at Kailash-Mansarovar: Report

China builds missile site at Kailash-Mansarovar: Report

Rediff.com31 Aug 2020

'The missile mounted near Kailash-Mansarovar is called DF-21. It is a medium-range, 2,200 kilometres ballistic missile. Its advantage is that it can cover all cities of north India, including New Delhi'

Kangana Ranaut: The 'Queen' of controversies

Kangana Ranaut: The 'Queen' of controversies

Rediff.com26 Sep 2024

As the Queen star found herself in the middle of a row, with the BJP distancing itself and the Congress attacking it, here's a look at some of the controversies, political and otherwise.

Map indicating existence of Hindu deities on Gyanvapi site shown to HC

Map indicating existence of Hindu deities on Gyanvapi site shown to HC

Rediff.com8 Dec 2022

At present the people are allowed to worship once in a year only, he submitted before the court.

Maximum punishment will send strong message: Malegaon blast victims

Maximum punishment will send strong message: Malegaon blast victims

Rediff.com22 Oct 2024

The prosecution has proved the entire chain that connected the accused with each other for achieving the goal of executing the bomb blast and perform terrorist acts, the written statement, filed by the intervenor for the victims, said.

Hathras stampede: SC refuses to entertain PIL seeking probe

Hathras stampede: SC refuses to entertain PIL seeking probe

Rediff.com12 Jul 2024

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a probe into the Hathras stampede that left 121 dead, and asked the petitioner to move the Allahabad high court.

Kids among 12 dead in Bihar as truck rams into religious procession

Kids among 12 dead in Bihar as truck rams into religious procession

Rediff.com21 Nov 2022

At least 12 people, a third of them children, were killed and several others were injured when a speeding truck ploughed into a religious procession in Bihar's Vaishali district on Sunday evening, officials said.

How Will History Remember Chandrachud?

How Will History Remember Chandrachud?

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

He could have blazed a trail that few Indian judges had. It was a missed opportunity of a lifetime, notes Ramesh Menon.

What is Places of Worship Act and what does it say

What is Places of Worship Act and what does it say

Rediff.com18 May 2022

The Places of Worship Act is 'An Act to prohibit conversion of any place of worship and to provide for the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on the 15th day of August 1947, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto'.

Rahul, Priyanka to visit Sambhal with Cong MPs

Rahul, Priyanka to visit Sambhal with Cong MPs

Rediff.com3 Dec 2024

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi along with the five other Congress MPs from Uttar Pradesh will visit violence-hit Sambhal on Wednesday, party's state unit chief Ajay Rai said.

Gyanvapi: HC allows plea seeking 'restoration' of temple

Gyanvapi: HC allows plea seeking 'restoration' of temple

Rediff.com19 Dec 2023

The petitions filed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee (AIMC) and the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board had also challenged a Varanasi court order of April 8, 2021 to conduct a comprehensive survey of the Gyanvapi mosque.

Covid vaccination: Govt seeks help of religious leaders to bust myths

Covid vaccination: Govt seeks help of religious leaders to bust myths

Rediff.com26 Nov 2020

According to the health ministry, the block task force would be tasked with resolving bottlenecks, thus de-centralising planning and preparedness for vaccine introduction.

Swaminarayan temple in Sydney defaced with anti-India graffiti

Swaminarayan temple in Sydney defaced with anti-India graffiti

Rediff.com5 May 2023

A prominent Hindu temple in Sydney was defaced by "anti-social elements" on Friday with anti-India graffiti on the walls, in the latest incident of vandalism against Hindu temples in Australia ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the country later this month.

Kerala was warned early about landslides, but...: Shah

Kerala was warned early about landslides, but...: Shah

Rediff.com1 Aug 2024

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the Centre had sent multiple advance warnings to the Kerala government about possible floods and landslides in the state, starting as early as July 23, and nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were rushed to the state the same day.

Hathras stampede: Preacher Bhole Baba equated himself to God

Hathras stampede: Preacher Bhole Baba equated himself to God

Rediff.com4 Jul 2024

The self-styled godman, who is called Baba Narayan Hari and Saakar Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba, is not named in the list of the accused in the FIR filed in the incident though his name is in the complaint.

Even loudspeakers with permission removed from mosques, says UP minorities panel

Even loudspeakers with permission removed from mosques, says UP minorities panel

Rediff.com16 Mar 2023

Urging the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure best facilities for Muslims during the holy month of Ramzan, the state minorities commission has claimed that the local authorities are forcibly removing even those loudspeakers from mosques that had been installed as per the rules.

Scale of human rights abuses increased under Modi: US report

Scale of human rights abuses increased under Modi: US report

Rediff.com25 Apr 2024

An independent United States Congressional research report has alleged that the scope and scale of human rights abuses in India has increased under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ayodhya And India's New Tryst With Destiny

Ayodhya And India's New Tryst With Destiny

Rediff.com12 Jan 2024

If Saudi Arabia, with just two Muslim holy sites of Mecca and Medina, can create a huge tourism-based ecosystem beyond oil, Ayodhya is sure to become the world's hottest religious tourism site in less than a decade, predicts R Jagannathan.

Parl panel meet over Waqf bill sees heated arguments, Oppn walkout

Parl panel meet over Waqf bill sees heated arguments, Oppn walkout

Rediff.com30 Aug 2024

A meeting of the joint committee of Parliament on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Friday witnessed fireworks with members vociferously opposing certain provisions of the draft legislation, leading to a brief walkout by opposition members.

Temples are path to mental slavery: Bihar education minister

Temples are path to mental slavery: Bihar education minister

Rediff.com8 Jan 2024

Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekhar reiterated that temples are the path to "mental slavery" while schools mean the path of light in life, extending support to party MLA Fateh Bahadur Singh whose similar statement drew the ire of a fringe outfit that announced a "reward" of Rs 10 lakh to cut off his tongue.

44 killed in stampede at Jewish religious festival in Israel

44 killed in stampede at Jewish religious festival in Israel

Rediff.com30 Apr 2021

The mass gathering was organised to celebrate the Lag B'Omer holiday at Mount Meron.

Police enter Hathras preacher's ashram for security check

Police enter Hathras preacher's ashram for security check

Rediff.com4 Jul 2024

The police entered the ashram premises of religious preacher Jagat Guru Saakar Vishwahari Bhole Baba in Mainpuri, UP, and later said he was not present there. A police official said they had gone there to check security arrangements.