News for 'rituals'

At Rashmika Mandanna, Vijay Deverakonda's Haldi Ceremony

At Rashmika Mandanna, Vijay Deverakonda's Haldi Ceremony

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

Actors Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna shared glimpses of their pre-wedding celebrations ahead of their reported wedding in Udaipur on February 26.

Union minister Pradhan wants Mahakal Standard Time to replace GMT

Union minister Pradhan wants Mahakal Standard Time to replace GMT

Rediff.com3 Apr 2026

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has advocated for the establishment of 'Mahakal Standard Time' (MST), citing Ujjain's historical significance as a centre for time calculation and astronomy.

WATCH: Mrunal, Sesh's 'Different Love Story' in Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha

WATCH: Mrunal, Sesh's 'Different Love Story' in Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha

Rediff.com4 Apr 2026

In Dacoit: Ek Prem Katha, Mrunal Thakur is Saraswati and Adivi Sesh is Hari, but their story is far from simple.

Vaishno Devi Yatra Halted Amidst Pilgrim Surge

Vaishno Devi Yatra Halted Amidst Pilgrim Surge

Rediff.com21 Mar 2026

The Vaishno Devi Yatra was temporarily suspended due to a heavy influx of pilgrims during the Chaitra Navratri festival. Over 39,000 devotees visited the shrine, leading to overcrowding and the suspension of the yatra for safety reasons.

They Will Kill You Review: Fun While It Lasts

They Will Kill You Review: Fun While It Lasts

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

They Will Kill You is the kind of film that works perfectly fine for a casual watch, especially if you are fan of slasher genre, observes Mayur Sanap.

Lemon fetches Rs 13,000 at TN temple's Maha Shivratri auction

Lemon fetches Rs 13,000 at TN temple's Maha Shivratri auction

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

A lemon was sold for Rs 13,000 at an auction during Maha Shivaratri celebrations at a temple in Tamil Nadu. Other items, including a silver ring and coin, were also auctioned off, with proceeds going towards temple development.

Occultist promises 'dhanvarsha', poisons 3 to death

Occultist promises 'dhanvarsha', poisons 3 to death

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

The police said Kamruddin convinced the three victims to perform a special "pooja" for 'dhanvarsha' and instructed them to arrange Rs 2 lakh in cash along with liquor and cold drinks for the ritual.

How India Celebrates Mahashivratri

How India Celebrates Mahashivratri

Rediff.com15 Feb 2026

Maha Shivratri, one of India's most revered Hindu festivals, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and celebrated with deep devotion across the country.

Controversy Erupts Over Reinstalled Statues of Kakori Martyrs in UP

Controversy Erupts Over Reinstalled Statues of Kakori Martyrs in UP

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

A controversy has erupted in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, regarding the reinstallation of statues of Kakori Action martyrs. Questions are being raised about whether the statues are new or repaired old ones after they were allegedly demolished. The incident has led to political accusations, protests, and police investigation.

IPL 2026: Rohit Can Convert Brutality Into Poetry

IPL 2026: Rohit Can Convert Brutality Into Poetry

Rediff.com30 Mar 2026

Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton chased down the huge target with the swagger of street fighters. Every hit to the boundary and over it was etched with a question to the bowlers: How dare you bowl to us?

Himanshu Patel: The Engineer Who Shot Arjun Tendulkar's Wedding

Himanshu Patel: The Engineer Who Shot Arjun Tendulkar's Wedding

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

'The best photographs usually happen in between the big moments -- a quiet smile, a nervous laugh, a parent watching from the corner of the room. Those are the moments you can't script,' says Himanshu Patel, celebrated wedding photographer and founder of Epic Stories.

8 Delightful Recipes For Gudi Padwa

8 Delightful Recipes For Gudi Padwa

Rediff.com19 Mar 2026

This Thursday, March 19 begins the Maharashtrian new year. Gudi Padwa is brought in with traditional rituals that revolve around a new kalash. There is rangoli too. And flowers. An a spectacular array of food.

Varanasi: 14 sent to custody for holding iftar on a boat in Ganga

Varanasi: 14 sent to custody for holding iftar on a boat in Ganga

Rediff.com20 Mar 2026

A Varanasi court has remanded 14 people to judicial custody after they allegedly held an Iftar party and consumed chicken biryani on a boat in the Ganga river, sparking outrage and accusations of hurting religious sentiments.

How fish has become a political storm in Bengal elections

How fish has become a political storm in Bengal elections

Rediff.com3 Apr 2026

In West Bengal's assembly elections, fish has become a potent symbol of Bengali identity, with the Trinamool Congress and BJP clashing over food habits and cultural representation.

Congress Calls for Thorough Probe in Ashok Kharat Case

Congress Calls for Thorough Probe in Ashok Kharat Case

Rediff.com21 Mar 2026

Following the resignation of Maharashtra State Women's Commission chairperson Rupali Chakankar, Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad calls for a comprehensive probe into the Ashok Kharat case, demanding investigation of all individuals allegedly linked to the self-styled godman arrested for rape.

Jharkhand Court Demands Answers in Hazaribag Rape-Murder Case

Jharkhand Court Demands Answers in Hazaribag Rape-Murder Case

Rediff.com30 Mar 2026

The Jharkhand High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the alleged rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Hazaribag district, demanding responses from state officials and police regarding the ongoing investigation and lack of arrests.

8 Of India's Most Famous Eidgahs

8 Of India's Most Famous Eidgahs

Rediff.com19 Mar 2026

A space designated or reserved for communal Eid day prayers, year after year is called an Eidgah or an Idgah and many an Indian city has a landmark, historic Eidgah.

Rinku Singh lands key role in UP government setup

Rinku Singh lands key role in UP government setup

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has appointed cricketer Rinku Singh as a Regional Sports Officer, recognising his achievements in cricket, including his IPL success and contributions to the Indian national team.

Fadnavis: Police Acted Swiftly in Godman Arrest, More Victims Expected

Fadnavis: Police Acted Swiftly in Godman Arrest, More Victims Expected

Rediff.com23 Mar 2026

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed the state assembly regarding the arrest of self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, accused of rape, assuring a thorough investigation and protection for potential victims.

Madurai Temple Hosts Special Pooja for India Ahead of T20 WC Final

Madurai Temple Hosts Special Pooja for India Ahead of T20 WC Final

Rediff.com7 Mar 2026

Devotees at Madurai's Sri Maha Periyava Temple offered special prayers and rituals seeking India's victory ahead of the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad.

How Devanshi Patel Designed Allu Sirish's Wedding

How Devanshi Patel Designed Allu Sirish's Wedding

Rediff.com20 Mar 2026

Devanshi Patel turned her passion for storytelling and celebrations into Shreem Events, one of India's sought-after wedding planning companies.

Hotel Change Helped India Win T20 World Cup? SKY Reveals

Hotel Change Helped India Win T20 World Cup? SKY Reveals

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

Suryakumar Yadav reveals a team superstition involving a hotel change before the T20 World Cup semi-final against England, which he believes contributed to India's victory. He also addresses the perceived jinx of playing at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Pune Businessman Accuses Godman of 600,000 Fraud

Pune Businessman Accuses Godman of 600,000 Fraud

Rediff.com26 Mar 2026

A Pune-based businessman has accused self-styled godman Ashok Kharat of defrauding him of Rs 6 crore (600,000) under the guise of helping him establish a logistics business abroad. This is the eighth case registered against Kharat, who is already in police custody on separate charges.

Lakshmi, Durga And The Quiet Irony of Women's Day

Lakshmi, Durga And The Quiet Irony of Women's Day

Rediff.com9 Mar 2026

Indian civilisation has long imagined wealth and power as feminine forces. And yet, when these qualities appear in real women, admiration sometimes gives way to discomfort, observes Vatsal Ramaiya.

Why govt Odisha wants to copyright Jagannath rituals

Why govt Odisha wants to copyright Jagannath rituals

Rediff.com13 Jul 2025

The Odisha government is working to secure copyright for the rituals of Lord Jagannath temple in Puri to protect its traditional cultural expressions, following concerns over untimely celebrations by ISKCON and the declaration of a temple in Digha as 'Jagannath Dham'.

Himanta Biswa Sarma: 'Infliltration A Long-Standing Challenge For Assam'

Himanta Biswa Sarma: 'Infliltration A Long-Standing Challenge For Assam'

Rediff.com26 Mar 2026

'Our government is committed to addressing it firmly while protecting the rights of genuine citizens.'

MBA student abuses girlfriend's body, summons her 'spirit'

MBA student abuses girlfriend's body, summons her 'spirit'

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

In a shocking case in Indore, a 24-year-old MBA student was murdered by her classmate, who allegedly performed occult rituals and mistreated her body.

Allu Sirish Weds Nayanika Reddy

Allu Sirish Weds Nayanika Reddy

Rediff.com7 Mar 2026

Glimpses from Allu Sirish's grand wedding with Nayanika Reddy.

Allu Sirish-Nayanika's Pre-Wedding Festivities Start

Allu Sirish-Nayanika's Pre-Wedding Festivities Start

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

Allu Sirish and Nayanika's wedding festivities have officially commenced with a traditional pelli koduku ceremony in Hyderabad.

How AI is Deciphering the Secrets of Intricate Kolam Designs

How AI is Deciphering the Secrets of Intricate Kolam Designs

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

Researchers have developed an AI algorithm capable of generating intricate 'sikku' kolam patterns, traditionally drawn by hand in South India. This innovative approach transforms a cultural art form into a complex computational challenge, with potential applications in various fields.

AI Algorithm Cracks the Code of Intricate Kolam Art

AI Algorithm Cracks the Code of Intricate Kolam Art

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

Researchers have developed an AI algorithm capable of generating intricate 'sikku' kolam patterns, an ancient Indian art form traditionally drawn by hand. The algorithm transforms this cultural practice into a complex computational challenge with potential applications in various technical fields.

Rashmika Mandanna-Vijay Deverakonda: First Appearance After Wedding

Rashmika Mandanna-Vijay Deverakonda: First Appearance After Wedding

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

Following their wedding in Udaipur, Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda made their first public appearance as a married couple at the Udaipur airport.

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda Spotted After Wedding

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda Spotted After Wedding

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda made their first public appearance as a married couple after their wedding in Udaipur, with photos and videos going viral.

Mob attacks UP temple priest over viral photo of eating non-veg food

Mob attacks UP temple priest over viral photo of eating non-veg food

Rediff.com10 Mar 2026

A temple priest in Kanpur was allegedly assaulted by a mob after a photograph purportedly showing him eating non-vegetarian food circulated on social media, triggering outrage among some local residents.

The Woman Behind The Fiery Theyyam Picture

The Woman Behind The Fiery Theyyam Picture

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

Chennai-based photographer Ramya Sriram explains how she captured the fiery and hypnotic Theyyam image that won her the National Geographic India Contest

AIIMS-Delhi begins euthanasia process for Harish Rana post SC ruling

AIIMS-Delhi begins euthanasia process for Harish Rana post SC ruling

Rediff.com16 Mar 2026

AIIMS-Delhi has begun implementing the Supreme Court's decision to allow passive euthanasia for Harish Rana, who has been in a coma since 2013. A specialised medical team has been formed to oversee the process, which is expected to take two to three weeks.

'So jaao, theek hai': Harish Rana prepares to say final goodbye

'So jaao, theek hai': Harish Rana prepares to say final goodbye

Rediff.com16 Mar 2026

After a landmark Supreme Court ruling, the family of Harish Rana, comatose for 12 years, prepares for his passive euthanasia, marking a significant moment in India's end-of-life care debate.

Sankalp: Lethal Weapons

Sankalp: Lethal Weapons

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

'There is a fortune in stolen money, counterfeit notes floating around, and political skullduggery afoot, along with treachery, double dealing, kidnapping and all manner of wickedness packing the series so densely that the pace never flags and a profusion of twists keeps the story engaging even when it strains credibility,' notes Deepa Gahlot.

BJP workers spray gomutra in temple after Maha Muslim MLA's visit

BJP workers spray gomutra in temple after Maha Muslim MLA's visit

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

A video of Sattar's visit to the Shiva temple in Rahimabad in his assembly constituency Sillod on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Sunday went viral on social media, triggering protests from the BJP and other outfits.

Why Kritika-Gaurav's Wedding Was So Special

Why Kritika-Gaurav's Wedding Was So Special

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

Ranjini Iyengar of Pink Whistle Man explains how she accomodated Kritika Kamra and Gaurav Kapur's brief to design the black and white illustrated wedding card and invitation video.