News for 'temple priest'

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.com3 days ago

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.

HC rejects plea against Christian priests' Kerala temple entry; says...

HC rejects plea against Christian priests' Kerala temple entry; says...

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

The Kerala High Court has stated that laws and regulations should serve as a unifying force between religions and communities, not create discord. The observation came while dismissing a plea against the entry of Christian priests into a Hindu temple.

Temple bombed in Bangladesh; 2 Hindus killed in separate incidents

Temple bombed in Bangladesh; 2 Hindus killed in separate incidents

Rediff.com3 days ago

Over the past week in Bangladesh, two Hindu men were killed in separate incidents while four people, including a priest, sustained injuries after a crude bomb went off inside a temple in the country.

UP priest expelled for eating non-veg food after photo goes viral

UP priest expelled for eating non-veg food after photo goes viral

Rediff.com1 days ago

A priest in Kanpur, India, has been expelled from his temple duties by his father, the 'mahant', after a photograph allegedly showing him eating non-vegetarian food went viral on social media. The priest's whereabouts are currently unknown.

UP priest threatened over 'Hanuman Chalisa' on loudspeaker

UP priest threatened over 'Hanuman Chalisa' on loudspeaker

Rediff.com4 Oct 2025

Police in Varanasi have arrested two men for allegedly threatening a temple priest for playing the Hanuman Chalisa on a loudspeaker.

Pak Army stands by Hindus: Karachi Hanuman temple priest

Pak Army stands by Hindus: Karachi Hanuman temple priest

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

The chief priest of the biggest Hanuman temple in Pakistan, Sant Ram Nath Mishra, has said that the Pakistani Army has always supported Hindus in their struggle against extremist groups in the country. Mishra, who is currently on a visit to Hindu religious sites across India, recounted the struggle of the Panch Mukhi Hanuman Mandir in Karachi, which was encroached upon over the decades but was restored following a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2018. He said that the Pakistani Army and government swiftly implemented the Supreme Court's decision to return the temple land, despite opposition from hardline groups. Mishra also highlighted the need for easing visa restrictions between India and Pakistan, allowing Hindus on both sides to visit religious sites in each other's countries.

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.

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.

God will provide for us say TN's women temple priests

God will provide for us say TN's women temple priests

Rediff.com15 Sep 2023

Taking the opportunity to close the gender gap in the profession, three young women -- one the first graduate in a family, another a graduate and the third a postgraduate -- have chosen to take up the sacred vocation of priest in a Hindu temple.

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.

Chief priest arrested in Sabarimala gold loss probe

Chief priest arrested in Sabarimala gold loss probe

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala gold loss case arrested chief priest of the Lord Ayyappa temple, Kandararu Rajeevaru in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, sources said.

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.

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.

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.

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.

PIX: What Modi offered at Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple

PIX: What Modi offered at Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple

Rediff.com27 Jul 2025

Amid chants of Vedic and Saivite Thirumurai, PM Modi prayed at the temple and brought a kalasam (metal pot) with traditional decorations which is believed to contain water from River Ganga regarded as sacred.

Sai Baba Idol Removed From UP Temple

Sai Baba Idol Removed From UP Temple

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

'The idol was not being worshipped for years. We decided to immerse it respectfully in the Ganga.'

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mahabodhi temple priest resigns

Mahabodhi temple priest resigns

Rediff.com17 Dec 2007

Chief priest of Mahabodhi Temple of Bodh Gaya Bhadant Bhodipal has resigned, fearing prosecution on criminal charges in a case related to the illegal felling of a branch of the sacred Bodhi tree.

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.

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.

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.

Badaun gang rape: Key accused temple priest held, grilled

Badaun gang rape: Key accused temple priest held, grilled

Rediff.com8 Jan 2021

Mahant Satya Narayan was hiding in the house of his follower in a village under Ughaiti police station from where he was picked up.

Devotee murdered in temple; priest missing

Devotee murdered in temple; priest missing

Rediff.com18 Sep 2006

The temple murder has shocked the local Indian community.

'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.'

Caste has no role in appointing temple priests, rules Madras HC

Caste has no role in appointing temple priests, rules Madras HC

Rediff.com27 Jun 2023

The Madras high court has ruled that pedigree based on caste will have no role to play in the appointment of archakas (priests) in temples and allowed trustees to appoint any person well-versed and qualified to perform the puja as per the requirements of the temple Agama.

3 women complete training as priests in TN, to join temples

3 women complete training as priests in TN, to join temples

Rediff.com14 Sep 2023

Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday said women are all set to enter temples in Tamil Nadu as priests under the Dravidian model of governance.

Kejriwal promises Rs 18,000 a month for Hindu, Sikh priests

Kejriwal promises Rs 18,000 a month for Hindu, Sikh priests

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

Ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal announced the "Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana" which promises a monthly allowance of Rs 18,000 for Hindu temple priests and granthis of gurdwaras. This scheme is intended to support an often neglected section of society and registration for the scheme begins tomorrow. Kejriwal will visit the Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place on Tuesday to oversee the registration process for priests there.

Dwarka temple priest, official dismiss Selja's 'caste' claims

Dwarka temple priest, official dismiss Selja's 'caste' claims

Rediff.com3 Dec 2015

A priest of famous Dwarka temple refuted former Union minister Kumari Selja's claims that she was asked to reveal her caste during her visit to the temple in 2013.

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.

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.

Yogi would have faced lot of opposition in Ayodhya: Ram Temple priest

Yogi would have faced lot of opposition in Ayodhya: Ram Temple priest

Rediff.com24 Jan 2022

'I speak after asking Ram Lalla. I spoke with Ram Lalla's inspiration'

Will Deepa Thoon Controversy Damage Stalin's DMK?

Will Deepa Thoon Controversy Damage Stalin's DMK?

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

The Deepa Thoon controversy, if not allowed to die a natural death, could take the election focus away from the anti-incumbency impacting the DMK and into the secular space. Stalin would love to have it that way, all over again, after the three past elections, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

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.'

Canada temple suspends Hindu priest for 'violent rhetoric'

Canada temple suspends Hindu priest for 'violent rhetoric'

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

The priest of a Hindu temple in the Canadian city of Brampton has been suspended for spreading 'violent rhetoric' during recent clashes between protesters carrying Khalistani flags and the people present there.

Prayers offered at reopened temple in Sambhal

Prayers offered at reopened temple in Sambhal

Rediff.com17 Dec 2024

Devotees thronged the Khaggu Sarai area in Sambhal on Tuesday to offer prayers to an idol of Lord Hanuman that was discovered in the Bhasma Shankar temple, reopened last week after being shut for 46 years.