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Lucknow: This Durga Puja, you can relive the spiritual splendor of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.Months after the world's biggest religious congregation, an iconic Durga Puja pandal of Latouche Road Puja Sangsad Society is set to bring the Kumbh Mela experience to life, transporting visitors to the sacred grounds, vibrant tents, and revered akharas.As Pitra Paksh enters its final lap and Matri Paksha, the sacred period dedicated to the Goddess beckons, the city's Durga Puja pandals are abuzz with activity, with hammer and chisel giving shape to devotion and spectacle.At the heart of this festive rush stands the Latouche Road Puja Sangsad Society, gearing up for its 84th Durga Puja celebrations from Sept 28 to Oct 2 at Jogendra Pathak Road, Shivaji Marg. One of Lucknow's most iconic pujas since 1942, it draws devotees from Aminabad to Hussain Ganj, from Latouche Road to Naka, binding the city in a shared festive spirit."This year, our pandal pays tribute to the Kumbh Mela of Prayagraj, a Unesco-recognised intangible cultural heritage," said president Sanjay Banerjee. "Artisans from West Bengal are working day and night to recreate the grandeur of the world's largest spiritual congregation."Unlike last year's much-admired Ayodhya Ram Lila theme, this time the focus shifts to the Akhara tradition that forms the spiritual backbone of the Kumbh's shahi snan.The pandal will showcase portraits of the 13 major Akharas -- from Juna Akhara and Niranjani Akhara to Udasin Panchayati Bada Akhara -- alongside depictions of their maths and revered Mahamandaleshwars.A sprawling backdrop of the entire Prayagraj Kumbh Mela grounds will dominate the pandal, while details of the Akharas' three-tier hierarchy -- Acharya Mahamandaleshwar, Mahamandaleshwar, and Shrimahant -- will be highlighted to inform visitors of this deep-rooted tradition."The idea is to express gratitude to the saints, Akharas, administration, and ordinary people who make the Kumbh possible," said general secretary Sanjay Ghosh, adding that an estimated 15,000-20,000 visitors daily are expected. Treasurer Siddharth Sanyal noted that the five-day festivities will blend rituals, cultural programmes, and social gatherings, making it much more than a religious observance.The theme has been conceptualised by Sri Niloy Sen, who is overseeing the pandal's intricate decorations.Our Puja committee is among the few that organise community "bhog" distribution on all three days. Chochori, porer bhaja, and chaler payesh are the highlights of these festive meals.On Shashti, devotees will be treated to a dance drama based on Mahishasuramardini. Navami night will sparkle with a lively Dandiya celebration, bringing together people of all ages. On Dashami, the traditional Sindoor Khela will be observed in a grand manner, with enthusiastic participation from numerous members of the Puja community.
Lucknow, Jan 8 (UNI) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said that the belief system of Sanatan Dharma represents the world's oldest culture, standing above comparison with any religion or sect. The CM said, "I inherit a legacy that spans thousands of years, with its cultural and spiritual events equally ancient. The tradition of Sanatan is higher than the sky and beyond comparison." Speaking at the 'Mahakumbh Mahasammelan, he emphasised the profound significance of the Maha Kumbh. He explained that after the Devasura Sangram (the battle between gods and demons), drops of nectar fell ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 8 (ANI): The anti-terror squad (ATS) of Maharashtra has arrested 60 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants across the entire state in the year 2024. In December 2024 alone, the ATS managed to arrest 43 Bangladeshi nations residing illegally. In 2025, to date, four cases have been filed against the illegal Bangladeshi nationals and six accused have been arrested. Most Bangladeshis have been arrested from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi To Inaugurate, Lay Foundations for Projects Over INR 2 Lakh Crore in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam T ...Read More >
PRAYAGRAJ, India (AP) -- Millions of Hindu devotees, mystics and holy men and women from all across India flocked to the northern city of Prayagraj on Monday to kickstart the Maha Kumbh festival, which is being touted as the world's largest religious gathering. Over about the next six weeks, Hindu pilgrims will gather at the confluence of three sacred rivers -- the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati -- where they will take part in elaborate rituals, hoping to begin a journey to achieve Hindu philosophy's ultimate goal: the release from the cycle of rebirth. Here's what to know abo ...Read More >
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 5 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Speaker Satish Mahana visited the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj on Wednesday and expressed his admiration for the arrangements, calling them "unique, amazing, and unimaginable." Speaking to ANI, Mahana shared his experience of visiting the Kumbh twice, remarking on the inclusivity of the event, where people from all walks of life--regardless of wealth, caste, or background--gather to bathe in the Triveni Sangam, embodying unity. "I am fortunate to have the opportunity of coming twice to Maha Kumbh. The arrangements her ...Read More >
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 10 (ANI): Veteran classical dancer Sonal Mansingh is extremely happy to witness the witness spiritual significance of the Maha Kumbh Mela. Sharing her experience attending the Maha Kumbh, Sonal Mansingh said, "...It is the most special event in my life and also in the history of India in this century. What happens is that there is so much energy and devotion, there is no tension on anyone's face, and people are smiling. I am so fortunate to have come here and offered my 'nritya seva' here. My dancers are delighted to be here. I thank the Ministry of ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Axiom-4 crew members, including Shubhanshu Shukla, were welcomed with hugs and drinks as they stepped into the International Space Station on Thursday. The newly launched spacecraft -- the fifth in the Dragon series and named Grace -- successfully completed a soft docking with the International Space Station at 4.01pm while orbiting above the North Atlantic Ocean."At 6:31 am EDT (4:01 IST) on Thursday, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station for the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4," the National Aeronautics ...Read More >
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 8 (ANI): As the commencement date for the 2025 Maha Kumbh nears, popular seers and saints are joining the crowd in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj. Amid celebrations, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Maharaj on Wednesday demanded that cow be given the status of 'Rashtra Mata'. He said that one of the biggest problems was cow slaughter and it must be stopped. The seer said that they would organise a 'maha yagya' to press their demands. "All Sanatani Hindus are uniting here for Kumbh. Even though we have a number of problems, the ...Read More >
PRAYAGRAJ, India: Tens of thousands of Hindus seeking absolution of their sins immersed themselves on Monday in freezing waters at the confluence of sacred rivers, as India began a six-week festival expected to draw the world's largest gathering of humanity. Held every 12 years, the Maha Kumbh Mela or Great Pitcher Festival, as the religious event in the city of Prayagraj in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh is called, attracts more than 400 million visitors, both Indians and tourists. As many as 40,000 police officers are on guard to provide security and help manage the crowds, while surv ...Read More >
Kanpur, January 27: Due to the massive influx of devotees for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, Varanasi's District Magistrate in Uttar Pradesh has announced that all schools in the district will be closed from Monday, January 27, 2025, to Wednesday, February 5, 2025. The decision is aimed at ensuring the safety of students and managing traffic congestion caused by the large number of pilgrims arriving in Varanasi for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Despite the school closures, online classes will continue as usual to maintain the academic schedule, News18 reported. This directive applies to all CBSE, ICSE ...Read More >
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 7 (ANI): Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan arrived at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj on Friday and said that the 'Sanatana' culture embodies the oneness of being and that all the differences dissolve in it. Speaking to the media here, Arif Khan highlighted the Indian culture of seeing divinity in humanity, asserting that "manav" (humans) are a reflection of "Madhav" (God). Khan also noted that India's heritage, values, and ideals continue to be celebrated at the Mahakumbh, fostering unity among people beyond personal familiarity. "We should always not ...Read More >
The incident occurred around 1:30 am in Bengaluru's Veerabhadra Nagar. Bengaluru: The statue of the revered Lingayat seer Shivakumar Swami of Bengaluru's Siddaganga Mutt was vandalised on November 30. The accused, 37-year-old delivery executive Srikrishna, was arrested by the police, but his explanation for the act has left both the cops and the people of Karnataka bewildered. Srikrishna, a native of Andhra Pradesh, confessed to the crime during interrogation, claiming that he was "inspired" to ...Read More >
New Delhi, December 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the government is committed to providing every facility to the devotees visiting Prayagraj for Maha Kumbh. Ahead of his visit to Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday, PM Modi said that he will take stock of the works related to the Maha Kumbh and also inaugurate and launch multiple development projects. PM Modi Prayagraj Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi To Arrive in Prayagraj Today To Launch Development Projects Worth Around INR 5,500 Crore. "Along with making the Maha Kumbh of faith divine and grand, we are committed to providi ...Read More >
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) January 27 (ANI): Spiritual leader and orator Devkinandan Thakur on Monday said that the Sanatana Dharma Sansad, which he convenes at the ongoing Mahakumbh, is organised for safeguarding Sanatanis. Devkinandan Thakurji Maharaj, as he is popularly known, said that the Dharma Sansad has been called for a board that can bring all our puja, tradition, culture, and Gau mata together and protect them. Also Read | Mahakumbh 2025: After Taking Holy Dip, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Along With His Family, Performs 'Aarti' at Triveni Sangam. "This Sanatana Dharma Sansad is ...Read More >
Kolkata: Trinamool Congress on Wednesday distanced itself from statements made by party MP Shatrughan Sinha, who said non-vegetarian food should be banned, and that the Uniform Civil Code is good but should only be implemented after consultations with all parties. The party also chose to describe MP and actor Rachna Banerjee's praise for the Kumbh Mela as her "personal opinion." Sinha, the two-time Asansol MP, speaking to ANI, said, "At first glance, whatever happened in Uttarakhand is commendable. The Uniform Civil Code should definitely be there. I believe there should be an all-party meeti ...Read More >
Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) [India], February 10 (ANI): The West Central Railway has made special arrangements for passengers travelling to MahaKumbh in Prayagraj, with around 40 special trains operating from Jabalpur on February 9 and 10, officials said. To manage the rush, unreserved trains are also running, and additional ticketing counters, food and water facilities, RPF deployment, and help desks have been set up at stations, said West Central Railway's Chief PRO Harshit Srivastava. Also Read | Ranveer Allahbadia Parental Sex Question: Case Filed Against YouTuber-Podcaster BeerBiceps, Sam ...Read More >
ISKCON Bangladesh has strongly condemned the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a prominent Hindu leader, and spokesperson for the "Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jot" and also issued a list of demands to the Muhammad Yunus-led government for subsequent violence and attacks against Sanatanis in various regions of Bangladesh. The organisation has also issued a statement and called upon the government authorities to promote peaceful coexistence. ISKCON Bangladesh made note of the above points and more matters in a statement issued, regarding the current situation in Bangladesh and the arres ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 28 (ANI): India has expressed its concern over the escalating incidents of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and desecration, and damage to their places of worship, and has also called on the interim government there to ensure the safety of minorities. In a response to question asked by RJD MP AD Singh, Minister of State for Ministry of External Affairs, Kirit Vardhan Singh in a written reply to Rajya Sabha, stated that the "primary responsibility" for the protection of life and liberty of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities, "rests with ...Read More >
New Delhi, December 5: Uttar Pradesh's Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh expressed confidence that Mahakumbh 2025 will play a pivotal role in showcasing India's rich cultural heritage and Sanatan traditions globally. Speaking on the progress of preparations, he told IANS, "The arrangements for Mahakumbh are progressing in full swing. We are committed to welcoming all devotees, irrespective of their origin -- whether from different states of India or other countries. We aim to host them with unmatched arrangements that combine magnificence, divinity, and cultural vibrancy." "This gran ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], January 27 (ANI): Delhi Police detained BJP workers and leaders who were protesting against AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and the Punjab Government regarding the vandalism of a statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar in Amritsar on Monday. The Delhi BJP, led by party chief Virendra Sachdeva, MP Yogender Chandolia, and national general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam, protested against AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and the Punjab Government. This demonstration was in response to the vandalism of a statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar in Amritsar. Also Read | Maha Kumbh Mela 20 ...Read More >
New Delhi: Alleging "blatant misuse" of agencies to defame its leaders, AAP on Thursday questioned why the first information report filed against former Delhi ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Satyendar Jain was being kept under wraps and "selective" press notes were being leaked to the media.Bharadwaj, who is Delhi AAP convener, alleged that only two former ministers were named in the case without any reasonable cause while all the officers of the health and public works departments, who were actually responsible for executing the hospital projects, were spared. "Is the FIR so baseless that BJP ...Read More >
Bengaluru news: The accused who vandalised statue of the revered Lingayat seer Shivakumar Swami from Bengaluru's Siddaganga Mutt last month has been arrested and is currently remanded in the judicial custody. However, the reason given by him for his wrongdoings is shocking. The accused, identified as Srikrishna, reportedly claimed that a vision of Jesus Christ in his dream inspired him to deface the statue, according to NDTV report. On November 30, Srikrishna at 1.30 am reached near the statue which was at Bengaluru's Veerabhadra Nagar. He partially defaced Seer's statue and left the scene. ...Read More >
Silchar: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited the flood-ravaged districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi in the Barak Valley. He assured affected residents of providing timely disbursement of rehabilitation grants and swift repair of damaged infrastructure.This marks Sarma's second visit to the flood-hit region within four days, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Speaking to the media in Sribhumi after inspecting multiple relief camps, the CM said, "Flood-related problems may persist till July. I will return before Durga Puja to ensure that roads and infrastructure ar ...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 >
Bhopal: The Gita recitation programme by the Madhya Pradesh government has found a place in the Guinness World Records. "More than 7,200 'acharyas' and 'vatuks' collectively recited the third chapter 'Karma Yoga' on Wednesday, making a record," a statement issued by the government said. The event was parallely organised at Bhopal's Lal Parade Ground and Ujjain to mark the sacred occasion of Gita Jayanti. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that the collective recitation of the Gita by thousands of Acharyas in Bhopal and Ujjain has been registered in the 'Guinness Book of World Records'. He con ...Read More >
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 21 (ANI): Former President Ram Nath Kovind arrived at the MahaKumbh in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on Tuesday morning. Kovind expressed happiness over the arrangements at MahaKumbh. " The arrangements done here are really good; all facilities are there... I went to several camps. I'm very happy. Yogi Adityanath and UP's arrangements are really good; I thank the administration," Kovind told ANI. On One Nation, One Election, the former president, who was the chairman of the committee on the proposed bill, said, " The work is going on; it is in the hand ...Read More >
New Delhi, January 21: Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday extended greetings to the people of Tripura, Meghalaya and Manipur on their 53rd Statehood Day. In a social media post on X, Rahul Gandhi said wished for peace, progress and prosperity for the people of the state. "Best wishes to the people of Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura on their Foundation Day! The rich diversity of languages, cultures, histories, and traditions in these states represents the true strength of India. May this special day strengthen our unity and bring peace, progress and pro ...Read More >
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 27 (ANI): The ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj has witnessed an extraordinary surge in devotees, with over 6.019 million pilgrims taking the holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers as of 12 pm on Monday, as per Uttar Pradesh government. Earlier today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday took a holy dip at the Sangam Triveni in Prayagraj in the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela. Also Read | Uttarakhand Becomes First State To Implement Uniform Civil Code; CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Launches UCC Portal, Credits People for Implementatio ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], February 10 (ANI): Northern Railways is making extensive preparations for the upcoming Snan on February 12, ensuring smooth travel for MahaKumbh devotees. CPRO Northern Railway Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay said over 300 trains operated on February 9, with continuous monitoring through CCTV cameras and a control centre at Prayagraj stations. He urged passengers to ignore rumours about train cancellations. Also Read | Ranveer Allahbadia Parental Sex Question: Case Filed Against YouTuber-Podcaster BeerBiceps, Samay Raina, Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh and Apoorva Makhija for ...Read More >
BHOPAL: With the huge rush of devotees bound for the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj causing massive and long traffic jams in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, CM Mohan Yadav has urged pilgrims to avoid travelling towards Prayagraj for the next couple of days. "There is traffic pressure in areas of the state adjoining Prayagraj, especially in Rewanchal (places surrounding Rewa district) region, as people have travelled from other states. I am requesting everyone not to move ahead on this road for the next couple of days," Yadav urged the pilgrims travelling through Madhya Pradesh to Mahakumbh on Mo ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana, who was part of the all-party parliamentary delegation to Europe, said that during their recently conclued visit they successfully communicated India's development story and its resolute stand against terrorism, particularly emanating from Pakistan. Highlighting the delegation's key discussions during the tour, Khatana told ANI, 'We discussed how we dismantled the terrorism factory in Pakistan by responding... We also talked about tourism infrastructure, G20 Summit, and projects like the six-lane roads, bridges, solar initiatives, our ...Read More >