18+ hour, 9+ min ago (371+ words) Kerala HC directs ambulance use for Sabarimala deaths; pilgrim safety and inspections intensified Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Saturday expressed being "shocked and dismayed" at the current practice of transporting mortal remains of devotees who die during the Sabarimala pilgrimage on stretchers. The bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar directed that an ambulance must now be used for this purpose. The court highlighted that transporting bodies on stretchers causes distress to relatives and other pilgrims on the trekking path. Following a report from the Sabarimala Special Commissioner, the High Court said an old ambulance stationed at Pamba could be used immediately. "This arrangement shall continue until further orders or until a more suitable vehicle is made available for this purpose. We make it clear that the said ambulance shall be used only for the purpose…...

18+ hour, 9+ min ago (371+ words) Kerala HC directs ambulance use for Sabarimala deaths; pilgrim safety and inspections intensified Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Saturday expressed being "shocked and dismayed" at the current practice of transporting mortal remains of devotees who die during the Sabarimala pilgrimage on stretchers. The bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar directed that an ambulance must now be used for this purpose. The court highlighted that transporting bodies on stretchers causes distress to relatives and other pilgrims on the trekking path. Following a report from the Sabarimala Special Commissioner, the High Court said an old ambulance stationed at Pamba could be used immediately. "This arrangement shall continue until further orders or until a more suitable vehicle is made available for this purpose. We make it clear that the said ambulance shall be used only for the purpose…...

1+ day, 21+ hour ago (184+ words) Sabarimala pilgrims can now carry Irumudi as cabin luggage on flights, a concession from the Ministry of Civil Aviation effective immediately. This special concession is valid from Friday until January 20. Hyderabad: Ayyappa devotees undertaking the sacred Sabarimala pilgrimage can now carry the holy 'irumudi' as cabin luggage on flights rather than check-in baggage, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced. Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu stated in a video post on X that the concession takes effect from Friday and remains valid until January 20. "Understanding the deep sentiments attached to the sacred irumudi, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to permit devotees to carry it with them on flights, ensuring their traditional practices remain uninterrupted. All necessary security protocols are being followed, while fully respecting the sentiments of the people," he said. Naidu emphasised that the decision underscores…...

2+ day, 6+ hour ago (424+ words) As pilgrim numbers cross 10 lakh this season, authorities have tightened surveillance and crowd control on the traditional Sabarimala forest route to ensure smooth darshan. Pathanamthitta: Authorities have decided to intensify surveillance along the traditional forest route to the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple to manage heavy crowding during the ongoing pilgrimage season. The decision was taken at a review meeting held at the Devaswom Hall in Erumely, chaired by Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan. As the model code of conduct is in place due to the local body elections, approval from the Kerala High Court was obtained to convene the meeting. According to an official release, pilgrims trekking via the forest path will be required to follow only the traditional route to reach Sannidhanam, as using alternative tracks could disrupt existing arrangements. Monitoring will be stepped up at key points, including Mukkuzhi,…...

3+ day, 15+ hour ago (1239+ words) Pope Leo XIV begins his first foreign trip with a sensitive pilgrimage to Turkey and Lebanon, stepping into a region unsettled by conflict, rising tensions and unresolved trauma Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV is embarking on his first foreign trip, a pilgrimage to Turkey and Lebanon that would be delicate under any circumstances but is even more sensitive now because of tensions in the Middle East and the intense media attention surrounding the first American pope. Leo is completing a journey that Pope Francis had planned to mark an important anniversary with the Orthodox Church in Turkey. In Lebanon, he aims to encourage a long-suffering Christian community and support Lebanese of all faiths who are still seeking justice over the 2020 Beirut port explosion. Leo, who spent 12 years as superior of his Augustinian religious order and two decades as a missionary…...

3+ day, 15+ hour ago (1239+ words) Pope Leo XIV begins his first foreign trip with a sensitive pilgrimage to Turkey and Lebanon, stepping into a region unsettled by conflict, rising tensions and unresolved trauma Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV is embarking on his first foreign trip, a pilgrimage to Turkey and Lebanon that would be delicate under any circumstances but is even more sensitive now because of tensions in the Middle East and the intense media attention surrounding the first American pope. Leo is completing a journey that Pope Francis had planned to mark an important anniversary with the Orthodox Church in Turkey. In Lebanon, he aims to encourage a long-suffering Christian community and support Lebanese of all faiths who are still seeking justice over the 2020 Beirut port explosion. Leo, who spent 12 years as superior of his Augustinian religious order and two decades as a missionary…...

4+ day, 3+ hour ago (176+ words) Sreedharan Swami, 67, has walked to Sabarimala daily for 25 years, delivering newspapers and upholding a life of devotion and service. Sabarimala: Those who have visited Sabarimala know the challenges of climbing and descending the steep mountain. For 25 years, however, one man has undertaken the journey every day and now, at the age of 67, continues to do so. Sreedharan, known locally as Swami, hails from Meenangadi in Wayanad and distributes newspapers around the Sabarimala Sannidhanam. He increases distribution during the Mandala and Makaravilakku seasons and continues even after the temple closes. Although newspapers are transported to Pampa by tractor, Sreedharan delivers them on foot, as carrying passengers is not permitted. Sreedharan credits his daily routine for his good health, saying he has not experienced any major illness so far. While he shows signs of ageing, he continues to make the daily climbs…...

5+ day, 2+ hour ago (404+ words) Her brother, believing her deceased after a long illness, had brought her to the temple for cremation services. In a shocking turn of events that has left temple staff stunned, a 65-year-old woman in Thailand was discovered alive inside her coffin just minutes before her scheduled cremation at a Buddhist temple on the outskirts of Bangkok. Temple staff at Wat Rat Prakhong Tham in Nonthaburi province heard a faint knocking sound emanating from the wooden coffin, prompting them to investigate the source of the noise. Upon opening the casket, they found the woman, identified as Chonthirat Sakulkoo, lightly tapping on the wooden interior with her eyes slightly open and her arms and head moving. "I was a bit surprised, so I asked them to open the coffin, and everyone was startled. I saw her opening her eyes slightly and knocking…...

5+ day, 2+ hour ago (312+ words) Baba Vanga's eerie prophecies are once again in the spotlight as the world looks ahead to 2026. Baba Vanga, the blind Bulgarian mystic often dubbed the "Nostradamus of the Balkans', remains at the centre of global fascination as another cycle of predictions circulates online. Over the years, she has been widely credited " often without verifiable records " with forecasting major world events, including the deaths of Princess Diana and former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Below is a breakdown of 10 striking predictions widely linked to 2026 " along with who Baba Vanga was and why many of her prophecies are questioned." Who was Baba Vanga? Born Vangeliya Pandeva Gushterova in 1911 in Strumica, in present-day North Macedonia, Baba Vanga lost her sight at age 12 after being caught in a powerful storm. Followers believed this marked the beginning of her clairvoyant abilities. Her reputation grew in…...

6+ day, 17+ hour ago (243+ words) Dalai Lama`s good health sparks China`s concerns. Discover the future of Tibetan leadership & cultural preservation. Learn more about the Tibetan cause now! The Dalai Lama, who turned 90 this July, remains in "very good" health, according to Central Tibetan Administration leader Penpa Tsering Tibetan: The Dalai Lama, who turned 90 this July, remains in "very good" health, according to Penpa Tsering, head of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). Tsering said the spiritual leader's longevity has unsettled China, which is reportedly waiting for the current Dalai Lama's passing. The 14th Dalai Lama has hinted he may live for decades more, even suggesting the possibility of reaching 130 years. Emotional red flags: Bare minimum signs they are not interested in you KL Rahul named India ODI captain vs South Africa; squad list inside McLaren DSQ pushes Kimi Antonelli to podium at Las Vegas GP;…...