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Raigad: When we think of the coastal Konkan, the pomp and show of Ganesh Chaturthi comes to mind. A familiar picture comes to mind of Lord Ganesh arriving in every house, the chanting of the 'aartis', the beating of drums and cymbals and the worship of Lord Ganesh that happens every day and night. But there is a unique village in Mangaon tehsil of Raigad district in Maharashtra where all these traditions are reversed. In this Sale village, no Ganesh idol is installed in any of the 125 houses. Despite this, Ganeshotsav is celebrated there with equal devotion. On the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, the first day of the Ganesh festival, all the villagers gather together in the temple. There, worship is performed according to traditional rituals and, then the ceremony that has become the true identity of the village begins.
The annual 'Kartheeka Brahmotsavams' began at the temple of Goddess Sri Padmavati Ammavaru at Tiruchanur here on November 28 (Thursday). Priests hoisted the 'Dhwajapatam', the sacred flag bearing the imprint of the divine elephant (the celestial carrier of Goddess Padmavati), atop the temple flag post as part of the 'Dhwajarohanam' ceremony, which signalled the formal launch of the nine-day fete. Under the guidance of the 'Pancharatra Agama' adviser Manikantha Swamy, the officiating priest (Kankana Bhattar), K. Srinivasacharyulu, and priest Babu Swamy conducted the rituals. Executive Office ...Read More >
Filmmaker Jayan K Cherian; stills from his latest film 'Rhythm of Dammam', on the Siddi Community of Yellapur in Uttara Kannada (north Karnataka). The stunningly shot and evocative Rhythm of Dammam, in Siddi Bhasha, is the first fictional feature ever to be made on the Indian Siddi community that traces its ancestry to Africa. In the film, the pre-teen Jayaram, who lives in Karnataka's Yellapura, is afflicted by his dead grandfather's visions, as his impoverished family fights over supposed buried treasure. But Jayaram is a chosen one, the visitations will lead him to discover his community's ...Read More >
A temple locked since 1978 communal riots in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, has been reopened by authorities during an anti-encroachment drive. The Bhasma Shankar temple, containing idols of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling, was rediscovered during an electricity theft inspection. This follows recent violence and heightened tensions in the area, including a mosque survey dispute and loudspeaker fine.The Sambhal administration here on Saturday uncovered and reopened a temple, which is said to have been closed ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday carried out searches at 15 places in Mumbai and Kochi in connection with the Mithi River desilting scam that caused a wrongful loss of more than Rs 65 crore to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), official sources said. The massive crackdown is underway at the premises across Mumbai and Kochi linked to the accused and suspects as part of an ongoing probe into alleged financial irregularities. According to the sources, the searches are being carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at locat ...Read More >
Digha (West Bengal) [India], June 26 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited Lord Jagannath temple in Digha in West Bengal on Thursday, ahead of Jagannath Rath Yatra scheduled to start on June 27. CM Mamata Banerjee said, "Lord Jagannath temple has become a major place of pilgrimage. The Rath Yatra will be held on a 1 km route from 9 am to 4 pm tomorrow. The aarti will be performed at 2.30 pm. Our ministerial team has arrived here for this." Also Read | 'Dreamer and Disciplined': School Teachers Recall Fond Memories of Shubhanshu Shukla As Astronaut Becomes First Indian To ...Read More >
Puri (Odisha) [India], June 27 (ANI): An Odissi dancer set to perform at the commencement of the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri on Friday described the performance as a form of 'seva' (service) to Lord Jagannath. While speaking to ANI, the dancer said, 'This is a form of 'seva'. I will be performing before Lord Jagannath today. The experience of this service, of performing before Lord Jagannath, is something different.' Describing their attire, the dancer said, 'This is Lord Krishna's form. Devotees get to witness the Lord in this form and express their devotion.' Another Odissi dancer ...Read More >
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 27 (ANI): A female student was allegedly gang-raped inside a law college in Kolkata's Kasba on Wednesday evening. The police have arrested all three accused within 24 hours. The three accused, named as Monojit Mishra (31), Zaib Ahmed (19), and Pramit Mukhopadhyay (20), were former students or staff members of the same law college. Also Read | Student Gang-Raped at South Kolkata Law College: Police Arrest 3 Youths for Sexually Assaulting Young Woman Inside Law College. According to the police, the accused named in the FIR will be produced before the A.C.J. ...Read More >
Angul (Odisha), June 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) The sacred festival of Rath Yatra was celebrated with great devotion and traditional splendor at Jagannath Temple in Dev Bhumi, Jindal Nagar, Angul, drawing thousands of devotees to witness the divine journey of the Chaturdha Murti -- Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Sudarshan. The day commenced with Mangala Arati at the Anasara Bedi, followed by a series of age-old rituals like Mailam and Tadapa Lagi. Devotees thronged the temple premises from early morning, immersing themselves in spiritual chants and devotional hymns. The highlig ...Read More >
Purba Medinipur (West Bengal) [India], June 27 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday participated in the first-ever Rath Yatra of the newly inaugurated Jagannath Temple in Digha. CM Mamata Banerjee performed the sacred ritual of sweeping the chariots, in which the chariot's platform is swept gently using a broom. The CM also performed the Aarti as the first-ever Rath Yatra at the Lord Jagannath temple in Digha began. Also Read | Lohardaga Shocker: Woman Strangulated, Teen Grandson Hacked to Death in Sleep in Jharkhand, Family Feud Suspected. The Rs 250 crore temple in ...Read More >
Puri, Jun 27 (PTI) Lord Jagannath devotees will get another chance to pull the chariots tomorrow as none of them reached their destination on Friday after Balabhadra's Taladwaja chariot got stuck while negotiating a turn, causing delays that prevented the others from arriving at Gundicha Temple, 2.6km away from the 12th-century shrine. "There is no major issue. It is not unusual for chariots to be pulled on the following day. All rituals were conducted on time. There have been no accidents or untoward incidents," Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said. When Lord Balabhadra's chario ...Read More >
Puri: A day before the :Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, thousands of devotees thronged Puri to witness the reappearance of sibling deities at the 12th-century shrine here on Thursday. They reached the 'Singha Dwar' (Lion's Gate) of the temple before the sun rose to have a 'Nabajouban darshan' (youthful appearance) of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath on the 'Ratna Bedi' (sacred platform in sanctum sanctorum). The deities appeared before the devotees after a fortnight. The public 'darshan' of the sibling deities was stopped after bathing rituals on June 11. "It is believed that t ...Read More >
Karthigai Deepam 2024 is set for December 13, with rituals honoring Lord Shiva and spreading spiritual light. The lighting of lamps symbolizes victory over darkness and ignorance. Karthigai Deepam, one of the most cherished festivals in Tamil Nadu, is a vibrant celebration of light, spirituality, and devotion. In 2024, the festival will be observed on Friday, December 13, a day marked by the lighting of countless earthen lamps (deepam) to signify the triumph of light over darkness and good over ...Read More >
Ayodhya: A new spiritual milestone was achieved in Ayodhya on Thursday with the grand Pran Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of the Ram Darbar at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple complex. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath participated in the sacred rituals as the chief guest, underscoring the occasion's spiritual and cultural significance. The Ram Darbar, installed on the first floor above the sanctum of Ram Lalla, features intricately carved idols of Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Bharat, Shatrughan, and Hanuman. This event follows 498 days after the historic consecration of Ram Lalla on January 2 ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra is not just one of the biggest festivals in the world but also a timeless tribute to devotion, courage, and cultural pride. The Rath Yatra is an ancient festival. The Ratha Yatra in Puri is the world's oldest and largest Hindu chariot festival. It happens every year during the bright half of the lunar month of Ashadh, which falls in June or July. The Puri Rath Yatra is approximately 3 kilometres long and spans from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple in Puri. The three chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and his sister Sub ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana joins names such as Kamal Haasan, Ariana Grande, and Jeremy Strong at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences this year. Ayushmann along with names such as Kamal Haasan Naomi Ackie, Gillian Anderson, Branford Marsalis, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Graham, Jodie Comer and Jason Momoa are among 534 individuals who were invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences on June 26. "We are thrilled to invite this esteemed class of artists, technologists, and professionals to join the Academy," said Ac ...Read More >
December 2024 Festivals: December 2024 will be a month full of Hindu celebrations. Key dates include Vinayaka Chaturthi, Gita Jayanti, Karthigai Deepam, and Saphala Ekadashi. The month also features important vrats like Rohini Vrat and Pradosh Vrat. World AIDS Day and the shortest day of the year also fall in December. The article lists dates for these and other events.December 2024 is packed with significant Hindu festivals, offering a blend of spiritual observances, rituals, and community celebrations. The month begins with notable events like Ishti and Vinayaka Chaturthi and continues with ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jun 5 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday inaugurated the final 76-km-long stretch of the Samruddhi Mahamarg, making the entire 701-km Mumbai-Nagpur corridor fully functional and bringing down the travel time between the two cities to 8 hours from around 18 hours. Fadnavis described the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg as an "engineering marvel" and said this "economic corridor" would play a vital role in the state's development. Fadnavis said by connecting the expressway with the proposed Vadhvan port, they are planning to develop it as an "economic corrid ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pa ...Read More >
Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 6 (ANI): Thousands of devotees rejoice as they make their way to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple today, a momentous occasion in the spiritual and cultural landscape of India. Uttam Kumari Sheluwal, a local from Nepal, said,' We've come to Ayodhya to visit the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, where our beloved Bhagwan Shri Ramchandraji resides. Our family's Ishtadev is Bhagwan Shri Ram, and we worship Mata Janaki too. We're thrilled to be here in Ayodhya, the city of Lord Ram, and can't wait to have Darshan of Prabhu Shri Ram. We're grateful to Chief Minister Yogi ...Read More >
Rajgir/Gayaji (Bihar), Jun 6 (PTI) Rejecting outright the 50 per cent cap on caste-based reservations, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday vowed that "the barrier will be broken" in whichever part of the country his party came to power. The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha made the promise in Bihar, the state which was a hotbed of the Mandal agitation in the 1990s, and where polls to the assembly are likely in a few months. "I wonder where did this idea of a 50 per cent cap come from? The population of the deprived sections is close to 90 per cent," said the former Congress president ...Read More >
Katra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Jammu and Kashmir on Friday to inaugurate multiple rail projects, including the world's highest Chenab Rail Bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge, and the Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, as part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link. These railway projects directly connect Jammu and Kashmir to the rest of the country. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link is an all-weather railway corridor designed to provide seamless connectivity to the region through the rail network. During his visit, PM Modi reviewed the Chenab bridge, world's highest ra ...Read More >
Puri (Odisha) [India], June 27 (ANI): Preparations for the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra, set to commence on Friday in Puri, are in their final stages, with elaborate arrangements in place for the grand festival. District Magistrate Siddharth Swain and Superintendent of Police Vineet Agarwal provided updates on the planning underway to ensure a smooth and secure event. Also Read | Rahul Gandhi's Demand for Digital Voter List of 2024 Lok Sabha Elections and Vidhan Sabha Polls Legally Untenable, Say Experts. Officials stated that elaborate security arrangements have been made for the Yatra. Pu ...Read More >
Ahmedabad, June 27: Union Home Minister Amit Shah began his Gujarat visit on a spiritual note early Friday morning by participating in the Mangala Aarti at the historic Shri Jagannathji Temple in Jamalpur, Ahmedabad. The visit coincides with the auspicious occasion of the annual Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra, a major religious event that draws thousands of devotees every year. Arriving at the temple at 3:15 a.m., HM Shah joined in the sacred rituals and offered prayers to Mahaprabhu Jagannath. Sharing his experience on social media platform X, he posted, "On the sacred occasion of Rath Yatra, par ...Read More >
Ranchi, Jun 27 (PTI) Lord Jagannath's chariot along with goddess Subhadra and Lord Balbhadra are set to roll out on Friday evening on way to their annual nine-day sojourn to Mausi Bari in Jharkhand's capital Ranchi amid tight security. The chariots of the deities will start rolling around 4.30 pm from Jagannath temple in Dhurwa with traditional rituals. Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar and Chief Minister Hemant Soren extended their wishes on the occasion of Rath Yatra. "Heartfelt greetings to all devotees on the sacred occasion of Rath Yatra. May Lord Jagannath bless this auspicious ...Read More >
New Delhi: In a joint operation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) have eliminated As'ad Abu Sharaiya, a senior leader of the Mujahideen terrorist organization in Gaza, and another terrorist, Mahmoud Muhammad Hamid Kuhail. According to the IDF, Abu Sharaiya was directly involved in the October 7, 2023, massacre, infiltrating Kibbutz Nir Oz, and was responsible for the abduction and murder of several Israeli citizens, including Shiri, Ariel, Kfir Bibas, and Nattapong Pinta. He also played a role in recruiting operatives for terror attacks against Israel and I ...Read More >
Thousands of pilgrims, including foreigners, congregated in Digha, West Bengal, for the Rath Yatra festival. The Chief Minister, along with cabinet members, initiated the chariot procession of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. Rituals commenced in the morning with 'Pahandi Vijay' at the newly-built Jagannath Dham Temple, followed by the idols being placed on the chariots amid devotional chants and festivities.Thousands gathered from different parts of the state to attend the Rath Yatra fe ...Read More >
BENGALURU: The Karnataka high court on Friday quashed two hate speech cases registered against former chief minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Basavaraj Bommai for his speech at a protest rally in November last year that accused the state's Waqf Board of grabbing farm land in the state. Justice SR Krishna Kumar quashed the cases against the Haveri Lok Sabha MP, noting that his comments at the did not constitute the offence of promoting enmity between two groups for which he had been booked under Section 196(1)(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The judge said the allegations ag ...Read More >
Agartala (Tripura) [India], June 27 (ANI): Joining the nation in celebrating the auspicious festival of Rath Yatra, the ISKCON temple and Hare Krishna Mandir in Tripura's Agartala on Friday hosted a grand celebration, drawing thousands of devotees from across Tripura. The vibrant and spiritually uplifting procession was marked by chanting, devotional songs, cultural performances, and traditional rituals. The streets of Agartala came alive as Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, embarked on the annual chariot journey amid joyous cries of "Jai Jagannath." The holy ch ...Read More >
Keonjhar: Thousands of devotees converged in Keonjhar town on Friday to participate in Rath Yatra. The chariot of Lord Balabhadra, considered the world's 'tallest' chariot, became the focal point of celebrations, drawing crowds from far and wide.Festivities commenced in the afternoon as servitors performed 'Dhadi Pahandi' ritual, ceremoniously escorting the deities from the temple to the chariot amid religious chants, creating a sanctified atmosphere.Panchanan Sahu, a servitor and caretaker of the temple, said, "This morning, we conducted rituals for the deities in the temple. In the afternoon ...Read More >
BHUBANESWAR/PURI: In a massive incentive, the Law department has approved Rs 2.25 crore for Daitapati servitors of the Shree Jagannath Temple if they ensure a smooth Rath Yatra. A proposal in this regard was sent by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) recently. In a letter to the Srimandir chief administrator, the department informed that the government has approved Rs 2.25 crore as a 'special reward' for Daita servitors for disciplined conduct during the annual festival of the Trinity. The money will be paid from the SJTA funds and replenished with the allotment of funds as spe ...Read More >