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500,000 take ritual dip in Konark
Bhubaneswar, Jan 30: Braving the chill, about 500,000 Hindu devotees Monday took a ritual bath in a pond in Orissa's temple town of Konark and offered prayers to the sun god on the occasion of auspicious Magha Saptami.
Gangasagar fair: over two lakh devotees assemble
Sagar Island (West Bengal), Jan 14: Tens of thousands of devotees have assembled at the Sagar Island in West Bengal to take a dip in the Ganga where it flows out into the Bay of Bengal on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. The state government has made elaborate arrangements for the annual Gangasagar fair beginning on Saturday.
Partygoers play it safe this New Year's Eve
'Play it Safe' seems to be the new mantra of partygoers this New Year's Eve. They may chant party, party and more party at year-end, but at the same time they are following the 'Don't drink and drive' message religiously as is evident from the boost in bookings for chauffeur-driven cars.
India rejoices in Christmas revelry with carols, feasts
Homes decked up with lights and stars, midnight masses, church services, gifts, carols and feasts -- India, where Christians constitute 2.3 percent of the population, celebrated Christmas in its joyful spirit.
For Christmas, Kolkata truly turns city of joy
In Bow Barracks, central Kolkata's famous heritage address inhabited by Christians and Anglo-Indians, residents are brewing wine, baking cakes, decking up ceilings with silver bells and streamers.
Wining, dining and a lot more on X-mas
Perhaps the kids would like to build a gingerbread house? Or perhaps you would like to get clicked with your family at a special studio? Eateries in the capital have lined up activities galore along with slashed menu prices and gift hampers to make Christmas merry for everyone.
Northeast soaked in yuletide spirit
It's that time of the year again when live popular Christmas carols like 'Silent Night', 'Jingle Bells', 'We wish you a Merry Christmas' and 'Joy to the World' are being heard across the rolling hills and green dales in India's northeast. The yuletide spirit is surely spreading among people preparing for the Christmas and readying to welcome the New Year.
Shimla's white Christmas a thing of the past
Oh, for a white Christmas and New Year! That is now the feeling in Shimla where snow on Christmas has become a thing of the past.
Thousands take part in Muharram processions
Thousands of Muslims in India took out processions on Tuesday to mark the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram and mourn the killing of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, who was martyred some 1,400 ago at Karbala in Iraq.
Brazil lights world's largest floating Christmas tree
The world's largest floating Christmas tree has been lighted in Rio de Janeiro, marking the official start of the holiday season in the Brazilian city.
Where Diwali comes late and brings on animal slaughter
Shimla, Nov 28: Almost a month after the rest of India celebrated Diwali, some interior areas of Himachal Pradesh ushered in the festival, slaughtering hundreds of animals in celebration, in keeping with the tradition.
Crowds throng Ajmer for Sufi saint's Urs
Ajmer, June 3 Courted by emperors and commoners alike to have their wishes granted, Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti still draws pilgrims centuries after his death, with people of all faiths in Ajmer for his 799th Urs, or death ceremony, beginning on Friday.
All set for Kerala's Thrissur Pooram
Thrissur, May 10 Described as the 'cultural capital' of Kerala, Thrissur is all set to host Thursday the annual 'Thrissur Pooram' — the state's temple festival that attracts tens of thousands of people.
Good Friday weekend drives tourists to Himachal
Shimla/Manali, April 22 With fresh snow on the higher reaches and a long weekend owing to Good Friday, Himachal Pradesh is teeming with tourists.
Bengalis celebrate 'Poila Baisakh' with prayers and sweets
Kolkata, April 15 Devotees thronged the famous temples of goddess Kali at Kalighat and Dakshineshwar to offer prayers and people greeted each other with sweets Friday as West Bengal ushered in 'Poila Baisakh', the Bengali New Year 1418.
Tamils, Punjabis celebrate festivals in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, April 14 Tamils and Punjabis settled in Malaysia on Thursday celebrated the Tamil New Year and Vaisakhi on Thursday.
Drums, cymbals, Bihu dancers — Assamese New Year's here!
Guwahati, April 14 The lilting beats of drums, cymbals, and the mellifluous notes of the bamboo flute, accompanied by the graceful gyrations of Bihu dancers — the spectacle is being staged across the hills and dales of Assam as the people herald the New Year or Rongali Bihu first day celebrations on Thursday.
Nine days of fasting ends with Ram Navami festival
New Delhi, April 12 With prayers and rituals, Indians Tuesday celebrated the festival of Ram Navami, the birth anniversary of Lord Ram, a day that also marked an end to nine days of fasting for some.
Clinton wishes 'Shubho Nobo Borsho' to Bengalis
Washington, April 12 US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wished Bengalis across the globe a 'Happy New Year' with the traditional Bengali greeting 'Shubho Nobo Borsho!'
Ugadi celebrated in Tamil Nadu
Chennai, April 4 Andhraites and Kannadigas in Tamil Nadu on Monday celebrated the Telugu and Kannada New Year Ugadi with traditional fervour.
Harvest festival adds to World Cup joy in Maharashtra
Mumbai, April 4 Celebrations for the World Cup victory blended with gaiety over the harvest festival of Gudi Padwa, which marked the Maharashtrian New Year and was observed across the state on Monday.
United colours of Holi splash India
New Delhi, March 20 Green, magenta, red, yellow, purple — clouds of coloured gulal, smiling faces smeared with them, joyful dancing and sweetmeats. That is how India on March 20 immersed itself in Holi, one of the Hindu festivals celebrated most widely by all, be it young or old, rich or poor, and irrespective of religion.
With a burst of yellow, Indians mark Basant Panchami
New Delhi, Feb 9 Mustard fields danced in the wind, hundreds of thousands took a holy dip in rivers, young men and women sought the blessings of Saraswati, the goddess of learning...For it was Basant Panchami, the day Indians mark the onset of spring.
Tamil Nadu celebrates Pongal
Chennai, Jan 15 The aroma of ghee and fried cashew wafted through homes in Tamil Nadu as people cooked the traditional Chakarai Pongal dish — made with rice, jaggery and milk — to celebrate the harvest festival of Pongal on Saturday.
Assam celebrates Bihu festival
Guwahati, Jan 15 Bonfires and community feasts were held across Assam as the state celebrated the harvest festival of Magh Bihu on Saturday.
India celebrates Makar Sankranti
Patna, Jan 14 Millions of people in Bihar took a dip in the holy Ganga river on Friday to mark the annual harvest festival of Makar Sankranti.
Makar Sankranti, Pongal celebrated
New Delhi, Jan 13 President Pratibha Patil and Vice President Hamid Ansari on Thursday greeted the nation on Makar Sankranti and Pongal and wished prosperity and happiness to the people.
Tales of love and reunion at a kite fest
Ahmedabad, Jan 13 Love soars like kites. And sure enough, tales of friendship and sweet reunion fill the air as kite flyers from across the world mingle at the 21st International Kite Festival in Gujarat's principal city.
Gujarat kites touch new high for Uttarayan festival
Ahmedabad, Jan 12 Multi-coloured kites of all shapes and sizes dotted the otherwise calm blue sky as they soared in the soft breeze at the sprawling Sabarmati river front at the 21st International Kite Festival here on Tuesday.
All decked up, women celebrate Karva Chauth
New Delhi, Oct 27 Wearing colourful clothes, beautiful jewellery and sporting exquisite henna designs on their hands, women in many parts of north India on Tuesday celebrated the festival of Karva Chauth with fervour, observing a day-long fast for the long life of their husbands.
Freebee is this year's mantra for Diwali sale
New Delhi, Oct 25 Planning to buy a plasma TV and a designer watch this Diwali? Then how about getting both the things at the cost of one!
Global media salutes India for holding successful Games
A day after the Commonwealth Games ended in Delhi as spectacularly as it began, the international media hailed India and the host city for organising one of the world's best sporting events.
Mumbai readies for Ganesh Chaturthi
Mumbai, Sep 10 Come Saturday and millions of people will immerse themselves in Ganesh festival, a 10-day gala that sees the elephant-headed god being worshipped in Mumbai's nooks and corners and crores of rupees being splurged on preparations.
Janmashtami celebrated across India
New Delhi, Sep 2 Men, women and children of all ages on Thursday thronged temples that were decked up in bright coloured lights, decorations and flowers across Delhi for Janmashtami which celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. Despite the hot and humid weather, crowds were large.
PM greets nation on Rakhi
New Delhi, Aug 24 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh greeted the country on the eve of Raksha Bandhan, asking the people to make renewed efforts to ensure women's dignity and promote peace in society.
President greets nation on Rakhi
New Delhi, Aug 23 President Pratibha Patil on Monday greeted the nation on the eve of Raksha Bandhan, a festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters.
Kerala celebrates Onam
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 23 Women wearing white and gold saris and men in spotless 'mundus' (dhotis) thronged temples across Kerala early Monday and beautiful 'pookalams' (floral designs) adorned homes but the 24-course 'sadhya' feast was clearly the highlight of Kerala's Onam celebrations.
Metro plans extra trips on Raksha Bandhan
New Delhi, Aug 23 The Delhi Metro will run 187 extra trips to avoid overcrowding on the Raksha Bandhan festival on August 24, an official said on August 22.
Women to get free bus rides on Rakhi day
New Delhi, Aug 23 Women in the capital city can enjoy a free ride in public buses Tuesday on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit announced on Monday.
PM greets nation on Parsi New Year
New Delhi, Aug 19 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Thursday greeted the Parsi community on their new year and hoped Navroz would usher in prosperity to all Parsis and the nation.
Faith drives millions to throng Deoghar temple
Deoghar (Jharkhand), Aug 11 They come in droves on foot, trekking for over 100 km to reach this town revered by Hindus for its ancient Shiv temple.
Deaths, births not allowed - Tripura marks Ker Puja
Agartala, Aug 2 A centuries-old tribal custom in Tripura called Ker Puja permits no deaths, births or even recreation within a notified area. No outsiders are allowed to enter either, and anyone violating the rules has to pay.
Pilgrims flock to Govardhan fair
Govardhan (Uttar Pradesh), July 23 The annual trek to Govardhan hill, which according to Hindu mythology was lifted by Lord Krishna on his little finger to save villagers from lightning and heavy rain, has drawn hordes of pilgrims arriving on foot, by buses, tractors and any which way.
Lakhs converge in Puri for Bahuda Yatra
Puri (Orissa), July 21 Mindless of the sweltering heat, over six lakh devotees converged in this temple town for the Bahuda Yatra or homecoming festival of the Hindu god Jagannath and two other deities on Wednesday.
Puri celebrates bath festival
Puri, June 26 The annual bath festival of the three deities at the temple town of Puri took place on Saturday with thousands witnessing the event.
Jumbos steal the show at Thrissur Pooram
Trissur (Kerala), April 26 Thirty elephants vying with each other in a colourful display of umbrellas, including some that looked like a seven-storied building, on April 24 enthralled lakhs of people who gathered at the Thrissur Pooram, considered the mother of all festivals in Kerala.
Millions throng Mathura, Vrindavan for prayers
Mathura/Vrindavan, April 26 Lakhs of pilgrims have gathered at the temple towns of Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh for special rituals this month, also called 'Purushottam Mas', which is an extra month added to the Hindu calender and is considered auspicious.
President greets nation on Baisakhi
New Delhi, April 14 President Pratibha Patil on Tuesday greeted the nation on the auspicious occasion of Baisakhi, Vishu and Bihu — festivals that are celebrated in different parts of the country to mark the advent of the new year.
Assam reverberating with drum beats
Guwahati, April 14 Sounds of drum beats and cymbals echoed the hills and dales of Assam with the state heralding the Assamese New Year or Rongali Bihu with tremendous enthusiasm on the first day of celebrations on Wednesday.
Eggs with pearls, crystals to be showcased
New Delhi, April 5 Art is charting an eclectic course in the capital. After its brush with cereal art, glass art and vegetable art — Delhi is now readying for egg art.
Easter celebrated with prayers
Aizawl, April 4 Easter, signifying the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion, was celebrated Sunday in churches across northeast India with special prayer and worship programmes.
PM greets nation on Mahavir Jayanti
New Delhi, March 27 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Saturday greeted the nation on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira, saying his teachings help us live a 'life of happiness and contentment'.
PM greets nation on Ram Navami
New Delhi, March 23 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday greeted the nation on Ram Navami, the birthday of the Hindu god Ram, which will be celebrated Wednesday.
PM greets nation on Parsi New Year
New Delhi, March 20 Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Saturday greeted the nation on the occasion of Navroz, the Parsi New Year.
Navratras begin, devotees throng Himanchal temples
Shimla, March 16 Thousands of devotees thronged temples in Himachal Pradesh early Tuesday to mark the start of the nine-day long Navratra festival, the holy period of Hindus.
President, VP greet nation on spring new year
New Delhi, March 16 President Pratibha Patil and Vice President Hamid Ansari on Monday greeted the nation on the occasion of spring New Year, to be celebrated on Tuesday under different names in various parts of the country.
Malaysian Sikhs observe Nanakshahi New Year
Kuala Lumpur, March 15 Sikhs in Malaysia observed a low key New Year, as per the Nanakshahi calendar named after the founder of the faith Guru Nanak.
Holi splashes its colours on India
New Delhi, March 1 Clouds of colour in the air, faces unrecognisable but for big smiles, frenzied dancing, and the sweetest of sweetmeats...India Monday immersed itself in Holi - a festival that leaves few untouched, be it young or old, rich or poor, Hindu or Muslim.
Pongala fest to see 3 mn women devotees
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 27 Hundreds of thousands of women carrying bricks, firewood, rice, jaggery and coconut have converged around the Attukala Bhagavathi temple here for a mega festival known as pongala on Sunday. Authorities expect the crowd to exceed last year's three million.
Thousands take dip on Mahashivratri
Haridwar, Feb 12 Braving the dark of the pre-dawn hours, the chill in the air and the ice cold water of the Ganga, thousands of devotees ecstatically shouting 'Bom Bom Bhole' started bathing in the holiest river of the Hindus on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Friday, one of the biggest days of the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela here.
Chhath festival ends peacefully in Bihar
atna, Nov 5 Millions of people, mostly women, took a dip in rivers and ponds across Bihar and offered prayers to the rising sun early on November 5 to mark the end of the four-day long Chhath festival, which concluded peacefully.
Indians around the world celebrate Diwali
London, Oct 29 Indians around the world celebrated Diwali with great pomp and show - visiting temples and gurdwaras, spending the evening at musical concerts and hotel parties besides lighting earthen lamps and firecrackers.
Devotees in West Bengal celebrate Mahanavami
Kolkata, Oct 8 Festivities reached a crescendo, as thousands of people resplendent in their finest attire swarmed the streets on October 8 to visit different Durga Puja pandals celebrating Mahanavami across West Bengal.
Durga Puja celebrations come to an end in West Bengal
Kolkata, Oct 9 Five days of Durga Puja festivities finally ended as West Bengal bid a tearful adieu to the goddess and her children on October 9, marking another yearlong wait for her autumnal homecoming.
Ravan effigies go up in flames to mark Dussehra
New Delhi, Oct 9 Wild cheering and applause rent the air as effigies of demon king Ravan, his brother Kumbhakaran and his son Meghnad exploded in a brilliant display of fireworks to mark Dussehra, the grand finale of the nine-day Navratri celebrations, on October 9.
Markets packed on Eid eve in Kashmir
Srinagar, Sep 30 As Eid-ul-Fitr, the Muslim festival marking the end of month-long fasting, draws closer, buying is at a feverish pitch with people in the Kashmir valley thronging markets to shop, jostling, haggling and pushing one another to jump the queue.
Onam's journey from harvest festival to shopping carnival
There is a morning-after air in Kerala as the state recovers from the hectic annual Onam festivities.
Evocative debut tale of social divisions, family dynamics
'Evening is the Whole Day' is an absorbing and richly embroidered tale about the life of an Indian immigrant family in Malaysia. The title is drawn from a Tamil song and the story revolves around the dynamics and relationships within lawyer Rajasekharan's family, their hopes, aspirations and disappointments.
Go on the Ramayana trail this Dussehra
New Delhi, Sep 9 Tour operators are increasingly cashing in on mythical tales to lure more pilgrims and the curious to religious trails.
Thousands celebrate Janmashtami in T&T
Port-of-Spain, Aug 25 Thousands in Trinidad and Tobago celebrated the Janmashtami festival at temples here, joining their counterparts the world over in marking the occasion of the birth of Lord Krishna, one of Hinduism's most popular deities.
Janmashtami celebrated with fervour in India and abroad
New Delhi, Aug 24 Millions of Hindus in India and abroad on August 24 celebrated Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, one of the most popular Hindu gods, with visits to ornately decorated temples, prayers, devotional songs and preparing special sweets.
Prayers, fasts mark Janmashtami celebrations
New Delhi, Aug 24 Little children dressed up as Krishna - flute in hand and peacock feather stuck on headband - did the rounds of colonies as Hindus decorated homes with garlands and floral motifs and visited temples on August 24 to celebrate Janmashtami, the birthday of the much-loved Hindu god.
Dwarkadhish temple decorated for massive Janmashtami celebrations
Jamnagar (Gujarat), Aug 23 The famed 16th century Dwarkadhish (Lord of Dwarka) temple here is all decked up to celebrate the 5,235th birth anniversary of Lord Krishna on August 24.
Stores crammed with rakhis and gifts
New Delhi, Aug 14 With the Hindu festival Raksha Bandhan to be celebrated on August 16, markets across the city are chock-a-block with an array of rakhis in mind-boggling styles, colours and designs, as also with expensive designer rakhis and upmarket gifts.
Teej Festival Celebrates The Spirit Of Parvati
Once upon a monsoon, in a land called Bimala Nagari, King Chandraprabha set out for a hunt in a nearby forest. While he was roaming the woods, he chanced upon a group of apsaras engaged in an intense ritual of prayer and fasting for the goddess Parvati. They tied a sacred thread around the king’s wrist, after which he returned home. On seeing the thread, the king’s favourite wife Vishalakshi seethed with anger and jealousy. She snatched off a bit of the thread and threw it on a dead tree. Instantly, the tree bloomed to life. The king’s second wife, Sri Mahadevi, took some of the thread from her husband’s wrist and placed it on herself and thenceforth she became the centre of the king’s attentions. Vishalakshi, banished to the forest, prayed to Swarna Gauri or Parvati and in so doing she won back the goodwill of the king and she returned to the palace, her life and love restored.
Gordon Brown unveils Sikh 'golden rule' on Baisakhi
London, April 15 With his popularity sliding in opinion polls, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has presented a new 'golden rule' to Britain that he said reflects Sikh values.
Baisakhi celebrated in Poland
Warsaw, April 13 The Indian community celebrated Baisakhi with traditional fanfare at a gurdwara in the Polish capital. This is the only Sikh shrine in the whole of Eastern Europe.
Over 20,000 Sikh pilgrims attend Baisakhi Mela in Pakistan
Hasanabdal (Pakistan) More than 20,000 pilgrims from all over the world, including 3,000 from India, participated in the annual Baisakhi Mela (spring festival) in Panja Sahib Sikh shrine here, some 60 km from Islamabad.
Malaysian Tamils mark New Year
Kuala Lumpur, April 14 The Tamil New Year or 'Varusha Pirappu' saw Hindus across Malaysia offering prayers and seeking divine blessings.
Trinidad to host Hanuman festival
Port of Spain, March 25 Trinidad & Tobago is set to host a 'Hanuman Heritage Festival' this month that will include cultural events, religious discourses and a global Hindu conference on the popular monkey god.
Lord Krishna's land rocks to beats of Holi
Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh), March 20 The influx of pilgrims, both foreign and Indian, to the Hindu holy town of Vrindavan to enjoy the famous Braj ki Holi - festival of colours in Lord Krishna's land - has added sparkle to the celebrations already underway.
Trinidad Hindus observe Good Friday
Port-of-Spain, March 22 Hindus in Trinidad & Tobago participated in hundreds to observe Good Friday. The tradition is that hundreds of devout Hindus, mainly women, visit the Roman Catholic Church at Siparia, 50 km from the city, and offer obeisance to 'La Divina Pastora, or Divine Shepherdess', but Hindus honour her as 'Soparee Mai' — the incarnation of Mother Kali.
Milk and metal skewers - Malaysia's Thaipusam festival
The jeep's headlights penetrate the night to reveal granite blocks bearing carved and weathered inscriptions. Thousands of graves half sunken in the hilly grassland stand at the foot of Mount Erskine.
Gypsies to be the focus of diaspora festival
When an Indian scholar went to study the Romas or gypsies in Kosovo in Serbia in summer 2007, his hosts had a special term for him - Purano Manush or ancient person.
Through Eid, Muslims should convey message of peace
The day of Eid-ul-Fitr truly symbolizes piety, patience, fortitude and godliness. Socially, Eid reminds us of the noble human feeling to share the festivities with the poor, underprivileged, downtrodden, orphans, the neglected and the cast off besides embracing people from all walks of life. Muslims need to clearly denounce those misguided people who in the name of Islam call for the death of innocent people.
Unique Indian festival celebrates brother-sister bond
There's Valentine's Day for the love of your life, Father's Day and Mother's Day, but it is perhaps only in India that there is a festival dedicated exclusively to sibling bonds. Raksha Bandhan, or Rakhi for short, celebrated this month is the day when sisters all over northern India tie a silken thread on their brothers' wrist as a symbol of lasting love and loyalty.
Big global bang of NRI Diwali
Diwali has become a global festival today - thanks to non-resident Indians (NRIs). Wherever Hindu NRIs live in sizeable numbers, be it Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, the Middle East, South Africa, to Europe, North America and the Caribbean, Diwali has the same colour, feasting, gifting and sparkle as in India, dominated by the worship of the goddess of wealth, or Lakshmi Puja.
Ramadan, the month of unprecedented shopping in Hyderabad
With the Muslim holy month of Ramadan entering its final phase, Eid shopping has reached its peak in this city of nawabs, palaces, pearls and tasty biryani.
Spring festival that celebrates the diversity of India
Baisakhi in Punjab. Bohag Bihu in Assam. Poila Baisakh in West Bengal. Vishu in Kerala. Pudu Varsham in Tamil.
Of Good Friday and Easter Sunday
In the Roman Catholic Church, liturgical service is held on this day. The liturgy, now celebrated after 3 p.m., consists of three distinct parts: readings and prayers (including the Passion according to St. John), the veneration of the cross, and the communion (in place of the Liturgy of the pre-sanctified which developed in the Middle Ages).
April 14, 2006: Unique day in Kerala's calendar
Vishu, the Malayalam New Year's Day, and Good Friday on the same day - a coincidence that marked a clash of emotions in Kerala with the day signifying all-round happiness for Hindus but mourning for Christians who recall Christ's crucifixion.
A splash of myths on Holi!
As myriad as the delectable greens, yellows and reds that hang in the air on Holi are the legends woven around it. And the rich harvest of myths makes for equally diverse festivities across India.
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