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Mumbai: Mid-growing confusion over the exact date of Holi celebrations this year, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam on Monday sought to clarify the situation, linking the uncertainty to a lunar eclipse coinciding with the festive period. Speaking to IANS, Nirupam said the rare overlap of the festival calendar and the celestial event has resulted in differing interpretations among priests and religious bodies regarding the appropriate day and time for observance. "There is considerable confusion this time because of the lunar eclipse. Owing to the eclipse, people are advised not to step out during specific hours," he said. He explained that as per traditional beliefs, religious activities are often avoided during an eclipse, prompting variations in observance across regions. As a result, Holi is being celebrated on different days in different parts of the country. Describing the situation as an "astronomical challenge," Nirupam noted that such occurrences occasionally lead to differences in festival dates, depending on local customs and interpretations of the lunar calendar. Despite the confusion, the Shiv Sena leader extended his wishes to citizens. He urged people to celebrate the festival with enthusiasm, whether they mark it on March 3 or March 4, while maintaining decorum. "Celebrate Holi joyfully, but in a civilised manner. When we observe our festivals with dignity, it enhances their respect," he said. About Holi 2026 Holi, also known as Dhuleti, Dhulandi, or Rangwali Holi, stands out as one of India's most colourful and widely celebrated festivals. The timing of the festival changes every year as it follows the Hindu lunar calendar. In 2026, Holika Dahan will be observed on March 3, with the main festival of colours celebrated on Wednesday, March 4. Significance The festival traces its roots to ancient Hindu lore. As per legend, Holika, the sister of demon king Hiranyakashipu, possessed a boon that protected her from fire. Seeking to punish her nephew Prahlad for his unwavering devotion to Lord Vishnu, she entered a blazing pyre with him. However, divine grace ensured Prahlad's safety, while Holika perished in the flames. Holika Dahan symbolises the triumph of devotion and virtue over arrogance and evil. On the eve of Holi, people gather to light bonfires, offer grains and coconuts, and recite prayers, reaffirming the enduring message that good ultimately prevails over wrongdoing.
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 >
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 >
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 >
Bengaluru: Mysuru Dasara is set to run for 11 days this year -- a rare extension driven by celestial alignment and cultural planning -- with the inaugural ceremony on Sept 22 and the grand Jamboo Savari taking place on Oct 2, coinciding with Vijayadashami and Gandhi Jayanti.Chairing a high-level meeting at Vidhana Soudha Friday, chief minister Siddaramaiah said, "Mysuru Dasara in 2025 will be celebrated for 11 days, due to a unique astronomical occurrence -- the Panchami tithi (fifth lunar day) will appear on two consecutive days, Sept 26 and 27, a rare alignment that hasn't occurred in nearly ...Read More >
Following Uddhav and Raj Thackeray's joint rally celebrating the government's reversal on Hindi language imposition, Congress leaders downplayed their claim. Prithviraj Chavan acknowledged the Thackerays' celebration but highlighted widespread opposition to the GRs.After Uddhav and Raj Thackeray hosted a joint rally claiming credit for the government's climbdown on the "imposition" of the Hindi language, the Congress reminded the cousins that the government's move was opposed by various sections ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (VOICE) The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered that no fresh suits would be registered under the Places of Worship Act in the country, and in the pending cases, no final or effective orders would be passed till further orders of the Apex Court. A Special Bench headed by CJI Sajiv Khanna asked the Union government to file within four weeks its reply to the clutch of petitions challenging the validity of the 1991 Act, which prohibits the filing of a lawsuit to reclaim a place of worship or seek a change in its character from what prevailed on August 15, 1947. The Bench, also c ...Read More >
Thane, Jun 7 (PTI) Tension gripped the Durgadi Fort area in Kalyan on Saturday when workers belonging to both factions of Shiv Sena tried to reach the goddess Durga temple atop the hill while Eid ul-Azha prayers were being offered at its foothills. Police detained several protesters for violating the prohibitory orders. Activists of Uddhav Thackeray-headed Shiv Sena (UBT) and Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde arrived at the foothills of the fort separately in the morning and ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Maharashtra Samajwadi Party chief Abu Asim Azmi on Wednesday criticised the state government over the controversial Maharashtra Public Safety Bill 2024, as activists, civil society organisations, and Left parties announced plans to unite in opposition to the proposed law. Abu Azmi questioned the need for the new legislation, saying there is already a law in the country through which people can be imprisoned or even hanged. "What will you achieve by bringing a new law? There is no benefit in introducing it. The secularism of the country, the freedom of speech t ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) National Award-winning filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor reflected on the possibility of political implications of his forthcoming web series, "The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case". During an exclusive conversation with IANS, Kukunoor shared that he has tried his best to steer clear of any scenes that could have any political implications but nowadays people tend to find controversy in anything. Speaking to IANS, the director said, "See I have done it to the best of my ability. I have handled it with the utmost sensibility. I have made sure that I steer clea ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 7 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray clarified that his party is not against the Hindi language but accused certain groups of comparing Marathi people to terrorists and undermining Marathi identity. He criticized them for failing to protect Hindus and siding with those who harm Marathi interests. 'We are not against the Hindi language... They are comparing Marathi people to the terrorists of Pahalgam, they are the real Marathi killers... They cannot save Hindus either, they are siding with those who do injustice to Marathi... The original BJP, wh ...Read More >
Kolkata, July 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) The West Bengal unit of BJP, under the leadership of its new State party President Samik Bhattacharya is making all efforts to ensure a political rally in the state, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing it, before Trinamool Congress's annual Martyrs' day rally in Kolkata on July 21. An insider from the state committee of BJP said that the week before July 21, the Prime Minister is scheduled to go for an election campaign in Bihar where the Assembly polls are scheduled later this year. "We are trying hard so that the Prime Minister can spare some time ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 5 (ANI): Ahead of the upcoming Muharram procession, the Delhi Police has made detailed traffic arrangements across the national capital to ensure smooth vehicular movement and public safety, a senior officer said. Muharram will be observed in the capital on June 6, he said. Also Read | Centre Notifies Waqf Management Rules 2025; Portal, Database, Audit of Waqf Properties. Speaking to ANI, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Dinesh Kumar Gupta said, " As Muharram is on June 6 in Delhi, we have set up detailed arrangements for traffic. It will be our job to pro ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 5: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said he and MNS head Raj Thackeray have come together to stay united as the cousins shared a political stage for the first time after two decades on the issue of Marathi identity and "imposition" of the Hindi language. Addressing a "victory" rally in Worli here to celebrate the rollback of the Hindi language GRs (resolutions) by the BJP-led government, Uddhav hinted at contesting the upcoming civic elections together. "We have come together to stay together. We will together capture power in the Mumbai civic body and Maharasht ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jul 6 (PTI) Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar on Sunday said while terrorists had targeted tourists in Pahalgam based on their religion, people were being attacked in the state on linguistic lines, which was disappointing. He asserted that the BJP, being the largest party in Maharashtra, would safeguard the pride of Marathi people while also protecting non-Marathi residents. "Marathi is not a political issue for us," the BJP leader told reporters here. A viral video recently showed workers of the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) last week thrashing a shop-keeper i ...Read More >
Puri (Odisha), Feb 4 (PTI) Thousands of people took a holy dip at Chandrabhaga at Konark in Odisha's Puri district on the occasion of 'Magha Saptami' on Tuesday. Magha Saptami is observed as the birthday of the Sun God and is held on the seventh day of 'Magha' month of the Hindu calendar. People offer prayer to 'Tri Mahadev' after taking a dip at the confluence of Chandrabhaga River and the Bay of Bengal. Devotees also offer puja at 'Naba Graha' on the premises of the Sun temple at Konark. This year, the holy dip started at 4.37 am and the sadhus were given the first opportunity to take a d ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 27 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party's Jangpura MLA Tarvinder Singh Marwah on Friday wrote a letter to Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, requesting the temporary closure of meat and fish shops along Kanwar Yatra routes during the upcoming holy month of Sawan. In his letter, Marwah highlighted that the Kanwar Yatra is a matter of deep religious faith, during which devotees of Lord Shiva collect sacred water from Haridwar and other holy sites to perform Jalabhishek of Shivlings in their hometowns. He urged the government to maint ...Read More >
Sambhal: In a tragic incident, eight members of a family died after a Bolero SUV carrying a wedding party crashed into a wall of a college in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district on Friday. The groom and two minors were among the people who lost their lives in the accident. Two others were also injured. Five people died on the spot, while three others lost their lives during treatment, reported NDTV. At the time of the incident, there were 10 occupants in the car. The wedding party was en route from Har Govindpur village to Sirtoul in Budaun. The incident took place in Sambha's Junawai area. Vis ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jul 5 (PTI) Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said he and MNS head Raj Thackeray have come together to stay united as the cousins shared a political stage for the first time after two decades on the issue of Marathi identity and "imposition" of the Hindi language. Addressing a "victory" rally in Worli here to celebrate the rollback of the Hindi language GRs (resolutions) by the BJP-led government, Uddhav hinted at contesting the upcoming civic elections together. "We have come together to stay together. We will together capture power in the Mumbai civic body and Maha ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 7 (ANI): A youth, identified as the son of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Javed Shaikh, was detained by Mumbai Police on Monday after a video surfaced showing him allegedly abusing a woman following a minor road accident in Andheri West. According to police, the youth, identified as Rahil Shaikh, son of MNS state vice president Javed Shaikh, could be seen in the viral video verbally abusing the woman, reportedly after his car hit hers. The incident took place on Vira Desai Road in Andheri West, Mumbai. An FIR has been filed at Amboli Police Statio ...Read More >
Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 3 (ANI): Ahead of Muharram and Kanwar Yatra, security has been heightened and CCTVs installed in Moradabad. SP City, Ranvijay Singh, said that arrangements had been made for both occasions using technology. SP City, Ranvijay Singh said, "We have made all the arrangements for the Muharram and Kanwar Yatra. All the homework has been done. All the peace committee meetings have been held in all police stations. We have held a meeting with all the stakeholders. Internal departmental coordination has also been done. We have accessed the route for Tazia, and t ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 7 (ANI): Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare & Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday inaugurated the 11th edition of the India Maize Summit, organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in association with (IIMR) Indian Institute of Maize Research. Speaking at event, Chouhan emphasized that 'Farmers' sewa is our mool mantra,' reaffirming the government's commitment to farmer-centric policies. He outlined a multi-pronged strategy to boost maize production, and increase farmer incomes, while ensuring environme ...Read More >
Haridwar: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sakshi Maharaj on Sunday demanded that hotel, dhaba and eatery owners on the Kanwar Yatra routes should display their names and identities on boards outside their business establishments. The owners, who hide their identities under fake names, on the Kanwar Yatra routes should not be spared, he told reporters here. "Tampering with faith of the Hindu devotees during the Kanwar Yatra will not be tolerated," said the Unnao MP. The food shops on the Kanwar Yatra routes should have a board outside with the names of their owners clearly written on them, h ...Read More >
Mumbai: Senior BJP leader Ravindra Chavan is all set to become the next Maharashtra BJP chief as he filed his nomination for the post of party's state president on Monday. Mr. Chavan presented the nomination forms to Union Minister Kiran Rijiju, who has been appointed as a central observer for the elections by the BJP. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and outgoing party chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule were present on this occasion. With no other nomination being filed for the post, Mr. Chavan is certain to become the next state president of Maharashtra BJP, said party leaders. The ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 7 (ANI): Social media influencer Rajshree More has demanded strict action against Rahil Shaikh, the son of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Javed Shaikh, after he allegedly abused and threatened her following a road accident in Mumbai's Andheri West. A video of the incident, which shows a shirtless Shaikh hurling abuses at More, has gone viral on social media, prompting police action. 'I was coming from Goregoan to my home. On the way, a car hit my car. After moving a bit ahead, the car hit me again,' More told ANI. 'On the way, I got two policemen. ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 8 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday termed BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's recent comments as "ill-advised," warning they could sow "confusion in the minds of people", as leaders cutting across party lines condemned the Jharkhand politician's statement. Fadnavis's reaction comes as Dubey's "inappropriate" remarks on the language issue drew sharp condemnation from across the political spectrum, including strong disapproval from within the state BJP and ruling alliance. Also Read | PM Modi in Brasilia: PM Narendra Modi Receives Grand Welcome From Brazil Presid ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: A day after a court in Ajmer issued notices in a civil suit claiming that there is a Shiva temple in the dargah of Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Thursday termed the development as "worrisome" and wondered where the country was being taken for political dividends. A local court in Ajmer on Wednesday directed that notice be issued to three parties in a civil suit which claims there is a Shiva temple in the dargah, the plaintiff's advocate said. In a post on X, Sibal said, "Worrisome. The latest claim: Shiv Temple at Ajmer Dargah. Where are we taking thi ...Read More >
Mumbai: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Thursday that he held discussions on cabinet expansion with union home minister Amit Shah, party national president J P Nadda, and the party national general secretary B L Santhosh on Wednesday night. Fadnavis was on a two-day visit to Delhi days after being sworn in as chief minister. He met President Draupudi Murmu, PM Narendra Modi, defence minister Rajnath Singh and union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari. He also presented five different ...Read More >
Mumbai, June 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) As estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray unite in opposing what they call the "imposition" of Hindi in Maharashtra's school curriculum, the Shiv Sena and BJP on Friday hit back, accusing them of indulging in political theatrics ahead of the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Speaking to IANS, Shiv Sena leader Yogesh Kadam dismissed the opposition as mere political posturing. "This is just politics. Marathi is and should be known to everyone in Maharashtra. We have made Marathi compulsory in all schools, but we have not ...Read More >
Tiruppur: A shocking case of alleged dowry harassment and suicide has emerged from Tamil Nadu's Tiruppur district, where a 27-year-old woman died by suicide on Saturday, 29 June -- just 78 days after her wedding. Rithanya, daughter of Annadurai, a real estate businessman, was married on 11 April 2025 to Kavin Kumar (28), the grandson of a senior Congress leader in Tiruppur. The wedding was a grand celebration, with the bride's family gifting 300 sovereigns of gold and a Volvo SUV worth ₹70 lakh to the groom's side, bringing the total expenditure to over ₹2.5 crore. According to Rithanya's f ...Read More >
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 3 (ANI): The UP government's move to make it mandatory for all shops along the Kanwar Yatra route to have proper licenses and clearly display the owner's original name has come in for criticism from the opposition. However, the state government has defended the move, with senior minister Sanjay Nishad saying that the accusation holds no weight. Also Read | Karnataka Slapgate: Additional SP Narayana Baramani Refuses To Withdraw Resignation, Says 'CM Siddaramaiah Raised His Hand at Me in a Threatening Manner; Harm to My Dignity Can't Be Restored'. Nishad ...Read More >