6+ day, 15+ hour ago (285+ words) Devotees upset as old clip shows anchor calling annaprasadam "costly prasadam." Tirupati: A video of a television anchor and Telugu Bigg Boss Season 3 contestant, Shiva Jyothi making comments about the annaprasadam at Tirumala has triggered public outrage after it resurfaced on social media. The clip, reportedly filmed during her visit to the hill shrine with her husband and friends, has renewed concerns over disrespectful content being shot in Tirumala despite repeated warnings from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). In the video, recorded and posted by Shiva Jyothi herself, she is seen in the queue for Srivani trust-linked break darshan tickets as Srivari Sevaks distribute annaprasadam. She remarks to a companion, "We are taking costly prasadam in Tirumala" we are the richest beggars." The comment has been widely condemned by devotees as an insult to the sacred offering made in the…...

1+ day, 17+ hour ago (248+ words) DEHRADUN: Haridwar Kumbh 2027 will be held from January 14 to April 20, incorporating 10 holy baths (Shahi Snans). The schedule was finalised at a meeting of the All India Akhara Parishad (AIAP) with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in Haridwar on Friday. In his meeting with representatives of all 13 Akharas, the Chief Minister sought their suggestions and guidance for the successful organisation of the 2027 Kumbh. Dhami said that the traditions of the AIAP, along with the requirements and facilities for seers, would remain top priority in all decisions related to the Kumbh. He added that organising a massive religious event like the Kumbh was impossible without the support, suggestions and blessings of the seer community. The government, he said, aims to make preparations for Kumbh 2027 more comprehensive, systematic and aligned with the expectations of the Akharas. At the meeting, held for the first…...

1+ week, 8+ hour ago (194+ words) TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh conveyed his greetings to devotees on the occasion of the centenary of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Lakhs of devotees are expected to take part in the centenary celebrations of Sathya Sai Baba, scheduled to be held at Sai Kulwant Hall at Prasanthi Nilayam in Puttaparthi on Sunday. Meanwhile, TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh conveyed his greetings to devotees on the occasion of the centenary of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. In a post on X, Lokesh said that Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who taught the virtues of love, non-violence, truth, righteousness and peace, continues to inspire millions across the world. Lokesh said it was his "fortune and blessing to be born in Andhra Pradesh, the sacred land where Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba was born." He added that taking part in the…...

3+ week, 3+ day ago (228+ words) Thousands of Sikh devotees and other community faiths celebrated it with religious fervour, gaiety and devotion Hyderabad: The 556th Prakash Utsav (Birthday Celebrations) of ''Sri Guru Nanak Devji'', the first Sikh Guru and founder of Sikh Religion, who spread the message of peace and communal harmony across the world concluded on Wednesday. Thousands of Sikh devotees and other community faiths celebrated it with religious fervour, gaiety and devotion. Celebrations were marked by offering prayers to Sri Guru Granth Sahibji, recitations of Gurbani Keertans and serving of Guru Ka Langar (free community kitchen) to devotees. The major celebrations of the concluding event was jointly organised under the aegis of Prabhandak Committees, Gurudwara Saheb Secunderabad and Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Ashok Bazar on Wednesday where thousands of Sikh devotees and other community faith participated in the mass congregation by offering prayers to…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago (1402+ words) Nellore:Preparations are in full swing for the Maha Kartika Deepotsavam to be held at Ganesh Ghat in Nellore Rural constituency on November 5 (Kartika Pournami). The event promises to be a grand spiritual celebration featuring a women's procession, floating lamps shaped like Lord Shiva, and a Ganga Harathi by priests from Haridwar. Nellore Rural MLA Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy, TDP leader Kotamreddy Giridhar Reddy, former Mayor Nandimandalam Bhanu Sri, and members of the Simhapuri Kartika Deepotsavam Committee inspected the arrangements on Monday. MLA Sridhar Reddy said the festival is being organized under the leadership of the Simhapuri Kartika Deepotsavam Committee in coordination with officials from all departments. He assured complete support for the event and invited people from all political parties, devotees, and service organizations to participate. The women's procession will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the Ganga Harathi at 6 p.m. on November…...

6+ day, 17+ hour ago (501+ words) Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, the chief guest at the celebrations, recalled the divine glory of Sri Sathya Sai Baba and highlighted the humanitarian initiatives inspired by the spiritual master, particularly the large-scale drinking water projects that transformed lives across regions: Reports PUTTAPARTHI: Celebrations marking the birth centenary of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, styled as the Swarna Rathotsavam, were held with great devotion at the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium in Puttaparthi on Sunday. The event featured Vedic chanting and a special performance by renowned percussion maestro Shivamani, drawing thousands of devotees. Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, the chief guest at the celebrations, recalled the divine glory of Sri Sathya Sai Baba and highlighted the humanitarian initiatives inspired by the spiritual master, particularly the large-scale drinking water projects that transformed lives across regions. He fondly remembered Baba's visit to the residence of former Tamil Nadu…...

3+ day, 14+ hour ago (248+ words) Tirupati: Online registration for the first three days of Vaikunta Dwara Darshan will open at 10 a.m. on Thursday, with Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) issuing tickets exclusively through the electronic dip (e-dip) for December 30, 31 and January 1. TTD clarified that no other category of darshan will be allowed on these days, as all privilege-based darshans have been cancelled to reserve more slots for ordinary devotees. TTD chairman B.R. Naidu said this year's arrangements place "complete priority on the common pilgrim. Of the total 182 hours of Vaikunta Dwara Darshan scheduled over ten days, 164 hours have been set aside for general pilgrims, he noted. From January 2 to 8, TTD will release 15,000 Special Entry Darshan (`300) tickets and about 1,000 SRIVANI VIP Break Darshan tickets daily, all through online booking. Naidu said elaborate preparations are underway for the 10-day festival, with TTD executive officer Anil Kumar Singhal and Additional EO…...

2+ day, 20+ hour ago (265+ words) Lakshmisha said the arrangements mirror the scale of the recent Dasara festivities. Vijayawada: Arrangements for the Bhavani Deeksha Viramana (relinquishment) in NTR district are in the final stages, with stringent security and extensive logistical planning in place for the event scheduled from December 11 to 15, 2025. More than six lakh devotees are expected to relinquish their 41-day Bhavani Deeksha at Sri Kanaka Durga Temple atop Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada. NTR district collector Dr G. Lakshmisha, police commissioner S.V. Rajasekhar Babu, and temple executive officer (EO) V.K. Seena Naik inspected the preparations on Wednesday and instructed officials to ensure seamless darshan and effective crowd management. Lakshmisha said the arrangements mirror the scale of the recent Dasara festivities. The area has been divided into 36 sectors, each overseen by a designated officer handling holding areas, queue lines, tonsure points, bathing ghats, laddu counters and related facilities. Around 3,000 police personnel…...

1+ week, 2+ day ago (187+ words) The spot booking was capped following the Kerala High Court's direction Pathanamthitta (Kerala): Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Thursday announced that spot booking for Sabarimala darshan has been capped at 5,000 people per day, officials said on Thursday. The spot booking was capped following the Kerala High Court's direction, a press release said. Spot booking will be available only at the Nilakkal and Vandiperiyar centres. The facility has been temporarily suspended at Pampa, Erumeli, and Chengannur and the restrictions will remain in place until November 24, officials said. TDB has urged devotees arriving for Sabarimala darshan to secure their slots through the Virtual Queue system as far as possible. Kerala High Court's division bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar criticised TDB, saying that the situation at the shrine had recently spiralled out of control as nearly two lakh…...

5+ day, 19+ hour ago (229+ words) Tirupati: The temple town of Tiruchanoor is set to witness a massive influx of devotees on Tuesday as the annual Karthika Brahmotsavams of Goddess Sri Padmavathi conclude with the auspicious Panchami Teertham at the sacred Padma Pushkarini. Temple priests said the Chakra Snanam, the highlight of the festivities, will be performed between 12.10 pm and 12.20 pm. The ritual holds immense spiritual significance, as devotees believe Goddess Padmavathi emerged from a divine lotus in this very tank. Thousands are expected to take a holy dip, considered highly meritorious on this day. To manage the anticipated crowds, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has rolled out extensive arrangements, including queue lines, barricades, dedicated entry and exit points, and clear signage across the temple town. More than 3,500 personnel'comprising police, TTD security staff, Srivari Sevaks, scouts, guides and NCC cadets'have been deployed to ensure smooth movement....