News for 'seers'

Man posing as seer in Vrindavan held for Rs 300 cr fraud

Man posing as seer in Vrindavan held for Rs 300 cr fraud

Rediff.com27 Sep 2024

According to police officers, Shinde was wanted in connection with multiple FIRs of fraud totalling around Rs 300 crore.

Now Lingayat seer seeks Karnataka CM, DCM posts for community

Now Lingayat seer seeks Karnataka CM, DCM posts for community

Rediff.com28 Jun 2024

A day after a Vokkaliga seer publicly urged Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to step down and make way for his deputy D K Shivakumar, a prominent seer from the dominant Veershaiva-Lingayat community on Friday urged that ministers from his community should be considered in case there is a change in CM post.

Lingayats renew push for separate religion status

Lingayats renew push for separate religion status

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

The Lingayat community, led by its seers, has renewed its call for a separate religion status, raising awareness and seeking government benefits similar to Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs.

Jain seer Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj dies via 'sallekhna'

Jain seer Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj dies via 'sallekhna'

Rediff.com18 Feb 2024

Ahead of the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Dongargarh, a popular pilgrimage spot, and met Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj on November 5 and took his blessings.

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.

Modi salutes RSS for its 100-year journey in I-Day speech

Modi salutes RSS for its 100-year journey in I-Day speech

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed 100 years of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) as a "very proud and glorious" journey and saluted all its volunteers for their dedicated service to the nation.

Lingayat seer says he will take on Union minister Joshi in Dharwad

Lingayat seer says he will take on Union minister Joshi in Dharwad

Rediff.com8 Apr 2024

Fakira Dingaleshwar Swami of Shirahatti Fakkireshwar Math, a prominent Veerashaiva Lingayat seer, on Monday said he has decided to contest as an independent candidate from Dharwad segment in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

What does colour...?: Shankaracharya on 'saffron terror' term

What does colour...?: Shankaracharya on 'saffron terror' term

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

The Bharatiya Janata Party leaders said the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case was a "slap on the face" of people who coined the term "saffron terror".

'Caste census' begins in Karnataka amid protests

'Caste census' begins in Karnataka amid protests

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

The Social and Educational Survey, popularly known as the 'caste census' in Karnataka, commenced on Monday, with enumerators going door-to-door to collect data.

A year after POCSO case, Chitradurga seer out on bail

A year after POCSO case, Chitradurga seer out on bail

Rediff.com16 Nov 2023

Shivamurthy Sharana, the pontiff of the Chitradurga Murugharajendra Bruhan Math who has been in custody since September last year facing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, was released from the jail on Thursday.

Hours after arrest in POCSO case, HC orders K'taka seer's release, stays NBW

Hours after arrest in POCSO case, HC orders K'taka seer's release, stays NBW

Rediff.com20 Nov 2023

After he was set free, the seer was staying at the Virakta Math in Davangere, from where he was arrested by the Chitradurga police on on Monday.

Ayodhya seer offers Rs 10cr for beheading Udhayanidhi

Ayodhya seer offers Rs 10cr for beheading Udhayanidhi

Rediff.com5 Sep 2023

"I will pay Rs 10 crore cash reward to anyone who beheads Stalin and brings his head to me. If no one dares to kill Stalin, I will myself find him and kill him," Paramhans Acharya, the chief priest of the Tapaswi Chawni temple of Ayodhya, said.

Maha Kumbh Sees First Royal Entry

Maha Kumbh Sees First Royal Entry

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

On Wednesday, January 1, 2025, seers of the Sri Panchayati Atal Akhada made a first 'Royal Entry' -- also called Chavni Pravesh -- with a religious procession for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, at the Sangam in Prayagraj.

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.

Panchayati Mahanirvani Akhara Arrives For Kumbh Mela

Panchayati Mahanirvani Akhara Arrives For Kumbh Mela

Rediff.com3 Jan 2025

Seers from the Shri Panchayati Mahanirvani Akhara made their 'Royal Entry' -- also called Chavni Pravesh -- for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj

Hindu seer Narsinghanand detained after violent protests over remarks against Prophet

Hindu seer Narsinghanand detained after violent protests over remarks against Prophet

Rediff.com5 Oct 2024

Narsinghanand has several cases against him, including for allegedly making a hate speech at a conclave in Haridwar in December 2021, and was out on bail.

Karnataka seer booked in sexual abuse case arrested

Karnataka seer booked in sexual abuse case arrested

Rediff.com1 Sep 2022

Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, the chief pontiff of Murugha Math booked under the POCSO Act for alleged sexual abuse of high school girls was arrested on Thursday, police sources said.

Ramdev booked for hate speech at seers' meet

Ramdev booked for hate speech at seers' meet

Rediff.com5 Feb 2023

The FIR was registered at Chauhatan police station based on a complaint filed by a local resident, Pathai Khan, a police officer said.

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.

Row over Ayodhya consecration timing: Seers cite Somnath ceremony

Row over Ayodhya consecration timing: Seers cite Somnath ceremony

Rediff.com15 Jan 2024

Several seers on Monday came out strongly in support of the consecration ceremony of Lord Ram's idol at the temple in Ayodhya, which is scheduled for January 22, amid criticism of the exercise by some 'shankaracharyas' on the ground that the temple is not fully constructed yet.

What you desire will certainly happen: Rajnath on Pahalgam

What you desire will certainly happen: Rajnath on Pahalgam

Rediff.com4 May 2025

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said it is his responsibility to work with the armed forces and give a "befitting reply" to those who cast an evil eye on India, his remarks coming in the backdrop of the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Singh's assertion came as India is mulling retaliatory measures against Pakistan in view of the cross-border linkages to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that has killed 26 people, mostly tourists. He said, "As the defence minister, it is my responsibility to work with my soldiers and ensure the protection of the country's borders. And it is my responsibility to give a befitting reply, by working with the armed forces, to those who cast an evil eye on our country."

Vokkaliga seers back Shivakumar for Karnataka CM

Vokkaliga seers back Shivakumar for Karnataka CM

Rediff.com14 May 2023

Prominent Vokkaliga pontiff of Adi Chunchanagiri Nirmalananda Natha Swamiji on Sunday appealed to the Congress leadership to appoint Karnataka party unit president D K Shivakumar as the next chief minister of the state.

K'taka seer found hanging inside puja house, death note alleges blackmail

K'taka seer found hanging inside puja house, death note alleges blackmail

Rediff.com25 Oct 2022

The police found a couple of pages of a purported death note by the seer in which he is said to have blamed some people of "harassing and blackmailing" him.

Maha Kumbh Mela: Meet the seer who has not bathed for 32 yrs

Maha Kumbh Mela: Meet the seer who has not bathed for 32 yrs

Rediff.com3 Jan 2025

The 57-year-old has become the centre of attraction in Maha Kumbh Mela due to his height, which is a little more than three feet.

Tipu Sultan: Seer steps in, film on Vokkaliga chieftains dropped

Tipu Sultan: Seer steps in, film on Vokkaliga chieftains dropped

Rediff.com20 Mar 2023

Amid the raging controversy regarding Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda, the Vokkaliga chieftains who according to a section allegedly killed erstwhile Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan, a prominent seer of the community on Monday urged putting an end to the issue, citing lack of historical evidence in this regard.

When Sadhus Arrived at Kumbh Mela

When Sadhus Arrived at Kumbh Mela

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

Glimpses of the Peshwai procession, which marks the arrival of sadhus and other members of an akhara, for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj.

Murugha seer hospitalised after being arrested in sexual abuse case

Murugha seer hospitalised after being arrested in sexual abuse case

Rediff.com2 Sep 2022

Police sources said the seer was questioned for several hours after his arrest late on Thursday night. He reportedly developed some health complication soon after he was sent to jail.

Maha Kumbh: 2 cr take 'Amrit Snan'; no rush for Sangam Nose

Maha Kumbh: 2 cr take 'Amrit Snan'; no rush for Sangam Nose

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

The Maha Kumbh witnessed its third grand 'Amrit Snan' on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, drawing hundreds of thousands of devotees from across the globe, all seeking spiritual liberation through the sacred dip, which was going on smoothly, officials said.

Mamta Kulkarni to continue as Kinnar Akhara's 'mahamandleshwar'

Mamta Kulkarni to continue as Kinnar Akhara's 'mahamandleshwar'

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

Mamta Kulkarni, a former Bollywood actress, will continue as the 'mahamandleshawar' of the Kinnar Akhara, a monastic institution for transgender people, after her resignation from the post was not accepted. Kulkarni had announced her resignation in a video on February 10, but the Akhara's 'acharya mahamandleshawar' Laxmi Narayan Tripathi confirmed that she would remain in her role.

Don serving life-term offered 'diksha' in U'khand jail, adopts new name

Don serving life-term offered 'diksha' in U'khand jail, adopts new name

Rediff.com7 Sep 2024

The don was renamed as Prakashanand Giri by the seers who introduced themselves as being associated with the Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara, headquartered in Haridwar and has its ashrams in the Kumaon region.

Lingayat seer says sexual abuse charge against him is a conspiracy

Lingayat seer says sexual abuse charge against him is a conspiracy

Rediff.com29 Aug 2022

A prominent seer in Karnataka booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) on Monday broke his silence over the issue, claiming it was part of a long drawn conspiracy against him, indicated an inside job and vowed to come out clean in a case of sexual abuse of high school girls.

NCW seeks arrest of UP seer for 'rape' threat, slams policemen

NCW seeks arrest of UP seer for 'rape' threat, slams policemen

Rediff.com8 Apr 2022

A video of saffron-clad seer Bajrang Das Muni allegedly delivering the hate speech and issuing a 'rape threat' surfaced on social media on Thursday, prompting police to initiate an investigation.

Bring Advani to Ayodhya on Jan 22, Ram temple movement seer urges Yogi

Bring Advani to Ayodhya on Jan 22, Ram temple movement seer urges Yogi

Rediff.com28 Dec 2023

Atal (Bihari Vajpayee), Advani and Joshi have contributed a lot for the BJP to reach where it is now, he said.

Naidu to consult with seers, experts on Tirupati laddu case

Naidu to consult with seers, experts on Tirupati laddu case

Rediff.com21 Sep 2024

The chief minister said after consultation, the government will take its decision with respect to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, the official custodian of world-renowned Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati.

Mutts too pay 30% commission, says Lingayat seer, highlights Karnataka corruption

Mutts too pay 30% commission, says Lingayat seer, highlights Karnataka corruption

Rediff.com18 Apr 2022

Stirring up controversy, a Lingayat seer on Monday alleged that mutts (monasteries) are equally affected due to rampant corruption prevailing in Karnataka as they too pay a commission of 30 per cent to get the sanctioned grants released for them.

K'taka seer facing sexual assault case gets HC nod to sign cheques from jail

K'taka seer facing sexual assault case gets HC nod to sign cheques from jail

Rediff.com30 Sep 2022

The seer has been in custody since September 1 in a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences case.

JCBs used to remove dead bodies after Kumbh stampede: Akhilesh's big claim

JCBs used to remove dead bodies after Kumbh stampede: Akhilesh's big claim

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has accused the Indian government of hiding the number of deaths in the stampede at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Yadav demanded strict action against those involved in covering up the "mis-management" of the event and called for an all-party meeting to discuss the arrangements. He also criticized the government's handling of the stampede, claiming that they used JCB machines and tractor trollies to clear the bodies lying around after the incident.

Sri Lanka releases 14 Indian fishermen after Modi's appeal

Sri Lanka releases 14 Indian fishermen after Modi's appeal

Rediff.com6 Apr 2025

Sri Lanka has released 14 Indian fishermen as a special gesture, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for resolving the issue with a "humane approach." The fishermen issue figured prominently during talks between Prime Minister Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Saturday. The fishermen issue is a contentious matter in India-Sri Lanka ties, with several alleged incidents of Sri Lankan Navy personnel using force against Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait. Modi stressed the need for a humane approach and the immediate release of the fishermen and their boats.

Retro Review: Yawn!

Retro Review: Yawn!

Rediff.com2 May 2025

Retro is probably Surya's worst film till date, notes A Ganesh Nadar.

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.