” Ugadi ” and “Gudi Padwa” – Hindu Lunar New Year Ugadi is an important festival for people from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is the New Year according to the Hindu calendar. The first month of the year is called Chaitra and Ugadi is the first day of Chaitra. The festival is called Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra. Ugadi is also known as ‘Chaitra Suddha Padhyami’. The Lunar New Year’s Day (Ugadi) varies every […]
Maha Shivaratri : Significance of Fasting An important aspect of the festival is the Shivratri fast or Shivratri vrat. All through India, many people observe the Shivratri fast. Unlike other Hindu festivals, where food is eaten after performing the puja of the deity, the Shivratri vrat continues through the day and night. There is a significance attached to the Shivratri vrat. Fasting detoxifies the body and purifies the mind. The body feels lighter and the […]
Maha Shivaratri: Night Dedicated to Worship of Lord Shiva Celebrations of Shivaratri begin with the break of the dawn on the Shivratri day and continue all though the night. Devotees observe fast and spend the day in devotion and worship of Lord Shiva. Many worshippers also participate in the jaagran or the night vigil organized in various Shiva temples across the country. Devotees believe that sincere observance of Shivaratri puja and all night worship of […]
South India Religious News Updates (4th Week of February 2019) Tamil Nadu : Four decades after the theft, police register the case!! Four decades after an ancient Nataraja idol was stolen from a temple in Tamil Nadu, the state idol wing police have registered a case recently. A Nataraja idol worth Rs. 50 crore was stolen in 1972 from a Shiva temple in Thandanthottam village, police said. Earlier in 1971, five idols worth Rs. 60 […]
‘Attukal Pongala’ in Kerala is the Celebration of Women Power! Attukal Pongala is a unique festival. It is a celebration of womanhood and explores our relationship with nature and divinity. Nature bestows upon us its blessings and sustains life on earth. By offering Pongala to the Goddess, devotees express their gratitude towards the supreme power. When offered with utmost devotion, Pongala leads to spiritual awakening in the devotee. Attukal Pongala is the most famous festival […]
IRCTC introduces new train ‘Ram Sethu’ to explore TN temples Ram Sethu Express Tamil Nadu Temple Tour Starts Railways introduced the Ramayana Express Also launched a seven-day tour to religious destinations in Maharashtra The IRCTC, Railways is offering a tour package covering temples in Tamil Nadu, christening it the “Ram Sethu Express Tamil Nadu Temple Tour”, an IRCTC statement said Tuesday. Last year, the IRCTC, Railways introduced the Ramayana Express for those wishing to travel […]
Finally, Kerala Catholic Church comes out with Guidelines for Bishops The Kerala-based Syro-Malabar Catholic Church last month decided to set up internal committees at the diocesan level to create a “safe environment” for all, including children and vulnerable adults. A body of catholic bishops in Kerala has come out with guidelines to protect minors and vulnerable adults in church-run institutions from any form of sexual exploitation or abuse and proposing action against anyone committing such […]
India is a land of historical sites many of its monuments have been declared as world heritage sites. But ruining its reputation a video of vandalism of the historical Hampi went Viral last month, which distressed every Indian and history lover. The said video had two men pushing and destroying erect pillars at the UNESCO World Heritage site Hampi. The video, which appeared to be a recording of an Instagram story, went viral after it […]
Police has held two persons in connection with the brutal murder of Rajathi, a transwoman priest, inside a temple in Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu. The transwoman was brutally beheaded inside the sanctum of the temple and her head was kept outside the temple on Friday, 15th February. The deceased has been identified as Rajathi, a Bharatnatyam dancer and priest. Police reports claim that her decapitated head was left outside of the Mariamman temple she […]
The Lesser Known Sun Temples of Varanasi The month of Magha and Sun have lot to do in common. It is in this month that the Rathasapthami, Surya Jayanthi is celebrated. This month is particularly dedicated to Lord Surya and people worship Sun God on the four Sundays of Maagha maasam. Reciting Aditya Hrudyam on the four Sundays of the month visiting Sun Temples and performing ‘Magha Snanam’. This week Religion World is presenting the […]
Goddess Saraswati retains one of the most important places in the Hindu calendar which is also most commonly known as Basant Panchami. The month of Magh in the Hindu calendar sees an important festival of Basant Panchami dedicated to the goddess Saraswati who is worshipped as the deity who fosters knowledge and art. Denoting serenity, peace and calmness, always seating on a white lotus or riding her white swan, Goddess Saraswati in her pure white […]
Basanth Panchami: Must Visit Saraswathi Devi Temples in India Basant Panchami is popular not just in India but also in Nepal Hindu tradition, it is believed that Saraswathi, the Goddess of knowledge, music and the arts. Basant Panchami or Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of the spring season and the fifth day of ‘Magh’ month is celebrated as Saraswati Puja, the goddess of wisdom and knowledge. Basant Panchami is popular not just in India but […]
