News for 'rituals'

Shah takes holy dip in Triveni Sangam at Maha Kumbh

Shah takes holy dip in Triveni Sangam at Maha Kumbh

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a dip at the Triveni Sangam in Mahakumbh Nagar on Monday and described the Maha Kumbh as a unique symbol of the Sanatan culture's philosophy, which is rooted in harmony.

Rituals performed during Parl opening far away from...: Sena

Rituals performed during Parl opening far away from...: Sena

Rediff.com29 May 2023

The Sena further accused the BJP of "putting locks" on the old Parliament where the Prime Minister had taken oath in 2014.

'India hit Pak 3 times': Modi says Op Sindoor not over yet

'India hit Pak 3 times': Modi says Op Sindoor not over yet

Rediff.com29 May 2025

While the Prime Minister did not spell out the details of the three instances, his remarks are being widely interpreted as a reference to the 2016 surgical strikes following the Uri terror attack, the 2019 Balakot air strikes after the Pulwama bombing, and the recent cross-border strikes as part of 'Operation Sindoor'.

How We Planned A Return-Gift-Free Birthday For Our Son

How We Planned A Return-Gift-Free Birthday For Our Son

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

If you ask any young parent what they dread the most about planning their child's birthday, there'd be only one answer: Planning and buying return gifts, notes Divya Nair.

'Sahil made Muskan sit on Saurabh's chest and stab him'

'Sahil made Muskan sit on Saurabh's chest and stab him'

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

"Sahil got Muskan to kill her husband. First, he made her sit on Saurabh's chest. Then he brought a knife from the kitchen, showed her how to wield it and directed her to insert the knife in Saurabh's heart thrice.

Trips For Two! 11 Valentine's Day Getaways

Trips For Two! 11 Valentine's Day Getaways

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

Valentine's Day is near. Romance is in the air! Out here in the land of Kamasutra, bah, we don't have much use for these Roman rituals. But what the heck, all of us should grab the op for a quiet vacation. Our list of idyllic getaways contains some truly romantic places that must figure, as well as quirky or peaceful spots!

SEE: Modi takes a holy dip at Maha Kumbh

SEE: Modi takes a holy dip at Maha Kumbh

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam at the Maha Kumbh on Wednesday. Holding 'rudraksha' beads and chanting mantras, the prime minister offered prayers while standing in the river. Modi took a boat ride with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to reach Triveni Sangam -- the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. The Maha Kumbh, being held after 12 years, has so far drawn over 38 crore pilgrims from across India and the world.

SEE: Warm hugs as Shuks, 3 others enter space station

SEE: Warm hugs as Shuks, 3 others enter space station

Rediff.com27 Jun 2025

India's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts on Thursday reached the International Space Station as the Dragon spacecraft docked with the orbital laboratory.

Ram Navami celebrated across country amid tight security in many states

Ram Navami celebrated across country amid tight security in many states

Rediff.com6 Apr 2025

Temples across Uttar Pradesh were packed with devotees on Sunday for Ram Navami, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath leading prayers at the Gorakhnath Temple. Heavy crowds were witnessed at temples in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Varanasi, where security was heightened. In Gorakhpur, Adityanath performed the traditional kanya pujan ritual, while in Varanasi, a 51-foot statue of Lord Ram has become a major attraction. The festival was celebrated with enthusiastic fervor across the state.

Goa temple tragedy was 'entirely preventable': Report

Goa temple tragedy was 'entirely preventable': Report

Rediff.com14 May 2025

A fact-finding committee appointed by the Goa government to investigate the May 3 stampede at a temple in North Goa district has concluded that the tragedy was 'entirely preventable'.

Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam anoints junior pontiff

Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam anoints junior pontiff

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

Sri Satya Chandrashekarendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya, a 25-year-old Rig Vedic scholar from Andhra Pradesh, was anointed as the junior pontiff of the ancient Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam at a grand religious ceremony. The historic event took place on the auspicious Akshya Thritiya, attended by seers from across the country. The new acharya, known as Ganesha Sharma Dravid before his initiation into sanyasa, is the successor to the present Seer Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya. The event coincided with the 2534th Jayanti Mahotsavam (May 2, 2025) of Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, who established Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam in 482 BCE.

India's 7 Most Unique Cultural Festivals

India's 7 Most Unique Cultural Festivals

Rediff.com22 Jan 2025

There are many more cultural fests like the Kumbh. Mayur Sanap gives you a peek into India's lesser-known fiestas, that wil surprise you with their deeply-rooted traditions and rituals.

Rahane leads special pooja as KKR begin title defense

Rahane leads special pooja as KKR begin title defense

Rediff.com12 Mar 2025

Kolkata Knight Riders kicked off their IPL 2025 preparations with a pooja ceremony at Eden Gardens on Wednesday.

Life From A Hospital Room

Life From A Hospital Room

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

Thanks to a close one's illness, I have seen quite a few hospital rooms in the past half a year or so. They have revived my respect for life reinterpreted via its essentials, notes Shyam G Menon.

Sangam water fit for drinking: Yogi refutes CPCB report

Sangam water fit for drinking: Yogi refutes CPCB report

Rediff.com19 Feb 2025

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday dismissed concerns regarding faecal contamination in the waters at Triveni Sangam, stating that continuous monitoring and purification processes ensure its quality.

Vatican releases Pope Francis's images, announces funeral

Vatican releases Pope Francis's images, announces funeral

Rediff.com22 Apr 2025

The Pope's funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square, to be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals.

Uniform unites, not religion, says HC; upholds Army officer's sacking

Uniform unites, not religion, says HC; upholds Army officer's sacking

Rediff.com1 Jun 2025

A bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur rejected the petition by the Indian Army Lieutenant, who served as a 'Troop Leader' of a squadron, against the termination order passed on March 3, 2021, that dismissed him from the Indian Army without pension and gratuity.

Adityanath slams celebrating Salar Masood over Suheldev

Adityanath slams celebrating Salar Masood over Suheldev

Rediff.com11 Jun 2025

"I had said on the soil of Bahraich that glorification of foreign invaders should be stopped and that the national heroes must be honoured. And 1,000 years ago, such a tale of courage and bravery was written by Maharaja Suheldev on this very soil of Bahraich," Adityanath said.

Pix: The New Jagannath Temple In Digha, West Bengal

Pix: The New Jagannath Temple In Digha, West Bengal

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

Built on around 24 acres of land using red sandstone quarried from Bansi Paharpur in Rajasthan, the Jagannath Temple at Digha, also known as Jagannath Dham, is an "architectural marvel, a mixture of intricate carvings and traditional design," an official said.

Dates set for Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2026

Dates set for Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2026

Rediff.com1 Jun 2025

The flag will be taken down on July 24, 2028, which will mark the conclusion of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, which is held once in 12 years.

Just 10.5 cm rainfall wrecks Bengaluru even before monsoon arrives

Just 10.5 cm rainfall wrecks Bengaluru even before monsoon arrives

Rediff.com19 May 2025

Some of the worst-affected areas include Manyata Tech Park, BTM Layout, Ejipura Junction, HSR Layout 5th and 6th sectors and Silk Board Junction.

HDFC Bank to pursue legal remedies against Mehta family of Lilavati Trust

HDFC Bank to pursue legal remedies against Mehta family of Lilavati Trust

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

HDFC Bank on Sunday said that it will "pursue all lawful remedies" to recover public funds and address the retaliatory actions taken by the Mehta family of the Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical (LKMM) Trust, which has filed a complaint against the bank's managing director (MD) & chief executive officer (CEO) Sashidhar Jagdishan alleging financial fraud.

Boy beheaded, body chopped into parts in human sacrifice ritual

Boy beheaded, body chopped into parts in human sacrifice ritual

Rediff.com11 Jan 2023

Police arrested two men and detained a teenage boy last week after the headless body was found dumped near a canal at Vapi in Valsad district in neighbouring Gujarat.

Kumbh: 2 crore take Maghi Purnima dip; kalpvasis to return

Kumbh: 2 crore take Maghi Purnima dip; kalpvasis to return

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

Amid heightened security measures, more than two crore devotees took a dip in the Sangam till 6 pm on Wednesday on the occasion of Maghi Purnima during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.

Dr Singh's Asthi Visarjan

Dr Singh's Asthi Visarjan

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

Dr Manmohan Singh's ashes were immersed in the Yamuna river near the Majnu ka Tila gurdwara by members of his family following Sikh rituals.

Inside Sobhita's Bridal Shower

Inside Sobhita's Bridal Shower

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

After looking pretty at her haldi ceremony, Sobhita Dhulipala makes another outfit change for the next wedding ritual, ahead of her wedding on December 4.

'India Changed My Life'

'India Changed My Life'

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

Acharya Jonas Masetti, a Vedanta scholar from Brazil, was awarded the Padma Shri for teaching the Vedas, the Bhagavad Gita, Sanskrit, Yoga, Meditation and Indian spiritualism abroad.

Prajakta Koli's Haldi Ceremony

Prajakta Koli's Haldi Ceremony

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

After sharing some fun pictures from the mehendi ceremony, Prajakta Koli and Vrishank Khanal have shared pictures from the haldi ceremony.

Bride decamps mid-wedding with jewellery, cash in UP

Bride decamps mid-wedding with jewellery, cash in UP

Rediff.com5 Jan 2025

A bride in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, disappeared during her wedding ceremony, taking jewellery and cash with her, leaving her 40-year-old groom in distress. The incident occurred at the Shiv Temple in Bharohiya where the groom, Kamlesh Kumar, was getting married for the second time. Kamlesh alleged that the bride and her mother left for the bathroom and never returned. He claims to have given the bride sarees, beauty products, and jewellery, and was already bearing the wedding expenses. Police are investigating the matter but no complaint has been filed yet.

Poila Baisakh celebrations canceled in Bengal town after violence

Poila Baisakh celebrations canceled in Bengal town after violence

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

The first day of the Bengali New Year, Poila Baisakh, passed without any celebrations in Dhulian, West Bengal, for the first time in over 50 years. Fear gripped the area following violence over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, leading to canceled rituals, shop closures, and a sense of uncertainty. The violence, which started on April 8, left three people dead and several injured. Protesters blocked highways, torched vehicles, and disrupted train services. While the police deployed central forces and imposed restrictions, locals still fear for their safety and demand permanent security measures. The town and its surrounding areas remain tense, with many families displaced and facing significant losses.

Kerala: The Puzzled Book Of Questions

Kerala: The Puzzled Book Of Questions

Rediff.com11 Jun 2025

Can a culture survive as a way of life, even as the language and writing at its core, alter with time? Can we be rational and Malayalee or do we have to necessarily be religious and proudly cultural to be Malayalee? asks Shyam G Menon.

RSS founder's portrait at Kerala temple sparks row

RSS founder's portrait at Kerala temple sparks row

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

The display of RSS founder KB Hedgewar's portraits during a temple festival in Kollam district has sparked controversy in Kerala, prompting the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to request a report from its vigilance wing. The images of Hedgewar were reportedly displayed along with the photos of prominent social reformers like Sree Narayana Guru and B R Ambedkar during Kollam Pooram festival here on Tuesday night. TDB sources said the management of Puthiyakavu Temple, a local shrine in the district which does not come under its ambit, is allegedly responsible for the showcasing of the images of the RSS leader during the "kudamattam" as part of the Pooram festivities.

An Odisha CM moves into official residence after 25 yrs

An Odisha CM moves into official residence after 25 yrs

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

After remaining vacant for nearly 25 years, the official residence of Odisha chief minister in the state capital welcomed a new occupant as Mohan Charan Majhi formally moved in on Thursday.

Katrina, Akshay At Maha Kumbh

Katrina, Akshay At Maha Kumbh

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

With husband Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava doing so well at the box office, Katrina Kaif seems to be just as grateful, as she heads to the Maha Kumbh Mela with mother-in-law Veena Kaushal.

Why Cong didn't attend Manmohan Singh's 'Asthi Visarjan'

Why Cong didn't attend Manmohan Singh's 'Asthi Visarjan'

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

The Congress party on Monday defended its decision not to accompany the family of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the immersion of his ashes in the Yamuna, stating it was to ensure their privacy. Congress leader Pawan Khera said senior leaders did not accompany the family to gather and immerse the ashes of Dr Singh "out of our deference to the privacy of the family."

Lakshyaraj Singh crowned as titular head of Mewar

Lakshyaraj Singh crowned as titular head of Mewar

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, a member of the Mewar royal family, was enthroned as the new head of the dynasty in a ceremony steeped in tradition at the Udaipur City Palace. The event was marked by a ceremonial yagya and the presence of distinguished guests, but also shadowed by a bitter dispute over succession with his cousin Vishvaraj Singh Mewar, who was declared the 77th Maharana of Mewar in a parallel coronation in November 2024. The ongoing feud highlights the long-standing conflicts over the legacy of the Mewar dynasty.

Jallikattu Leads Pongal Celebrations

Jallikattu Leads Pongal Celebrations

Rediff.com15 Jan 2025

The centuries-old bull-taming tradition, Jallikattu, commenced on Tuesday January 14, 2024 in Avaniyapuram, Madurai, marking the start of the state's Pongal celebrations.

Sobhita's Haldi Ceremony

Sobhita's Haldi Ceremony

Rediff.com30 Nov 2024

Sobhita Dhulipala and Naga Chaitanya's wedding rituals have begun.

Kalpwasis Immersed In Worship At Kumbh

Kalpwasis Immersed In Worship At Kumbh

Rediff.com14 Jan 2025

Kalpwasis are devout Hindus who spend the month of Magh -- the 11th month on the Hindu calendar -- at the Sangam in Prayagraj, listening to sermons, singing bhajans and observing rituals of their faith.

'I Was Filled With Devotion'

'I Was Filled With Devotion'

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

'May Maa Ganga bless all with peace, wisdom, good health and harmony.'