2+ week, 11+ hour ago (128+ words) Vrishchik Sankranti marks an auspicious day in Hindu astrology, which is being observed on Sunday this year. This significant day is noted for its spiritual significance as it marks the beginning of new solar month. On this day, devotees partake in charitable acts, fasting and offer prayers to Sun God. This day holds immense religious, spiritual and astrological significance and is considered as a period for deep cleansing, clarity, inner transformation and deep introspection. Vrishchika Sankranti Punya Kala - 7:58 AM to 1:45 PM on November 16 Vrishchika Sankranti Maha Punya Kala - 11:56 AM to 1:45 PM on November 16 Vrishchika Sankranti Moment - 1:45 PM on November 16 Given below are specially curated wishes and messages to mark the beginning of new solar month:...

2+ week, 1+ day ago (90+ words) Utpanna Ekadashi 2025: The auspicious festival dedicated to Lord Vishnu is being celebrated today, November 15. One of the significant Ekadashis, this holy and widely celebrated occasion falls on in Margashirsha month after Kartik Purnima. Following Devutthana Ekadashi, Utpanna Ekadashi fast is observed on the eleventh day of Krishna Paksha. Ekadashi Tithi Begins - 12:49 AM on November 15 Ekadashi Tithi Ends - 2:37 AM on November 16 Parana Time - 1:14 PM to 03:25 PM on November 16 On Parana Day Hari Vasara End Moment - 09:09 AM...

1+ week, 5+ day ago (290+ words) Wednesday, November 19, is the day of Margashirsha Amavasya " the first new moon night after Deepawali, as per Drik Panchang. This day is important as it marks the completion of one full lunar cycle since the festival of lights. While this day doesn't fall in the pitru paksh, it is considered an auspicious occasion to make charitable grants for the welfare of our ancestor spirits. The day is also known for being a suitable occasion for the worship of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. So, if you missed making donations in the name of your ancestors during the Pitru Paksh, this is the time to correct that mistake. On the auspicious occasion of Margashirsha Amavasya, the Amrit Kaal's timings will be 01:05 AM to 02:53 AM, IST. Also, beware of the Rahu Kaal, it will be operational from 12:06 PM to 01:26 PM IST. Otherwise,…...

2+ week, 22+ hour ago (324+ words) Across the Himalayan belt - Uttarakhand, Himachal, stretches of Jammu & Kashmir and the North-East - people have long believed that unseen beings walk with them. Isolation shaped their customs, and nature dictated their stories. Fairies, guardians, and wandering spirits aren't fantasy here; they're part of everyday memory. Uttarakhand calls its fairies Aachhris. Local lore describes them as protectors who step into human form when they wish. One long-told story speaks of Khait Parvat - a mountain said to hold a gateway where Aachhris lead people into their world. Kinnaur has its own version. Here, the fairies are known as Sauni. During winter, when the cold can be unforgiving, people believe the Saunis descend from celestial palaces to watch over the villages. They guide, they safeguard, and they bring a sense of reassurance that the community leans on. Raulane marks the moment they are…...

2+ day, 5+ hour ago (316+ words) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the historic Kanaka Mantap, here and offered floral tributes to Kirthanakar Kanakadasa, the revered 14th-15th century saint-philosopher. Kanakadasa is credited with the legendary episode of Lord Krishna's idol turning westward at the Udupi Sri Krishna Temple. Later, Prime Minister Modi participated in the "Laksha Geeta Pathana", a mass recitation in which more than one lakh devotees chanted verses from the Bhagavad Gita. The participants included students, monks, scholars, and citizens from diverse backgrounds. Accompanied by Paryaya Puthige Math seer, Sugunendra Thirtha, Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot and others, the PM joined the mass recital and read out the hymns. Earlier, after paying homage at the Mantap, Modi proceeded to the Sri Krishna Temple complex, where he was received with traditional honours by Sugunendra Thirtha, along with the Diwan of the Math and senior temple officials....

4+ week, 2+ hour ago (1709+ words) Bengaluru: In October, an Indian restaurant owner in England found himself embroiled in a court case with a competitor. While his lawyer handled a hearing featuring evidence recorded by an employee, the worried owner was on the phone with a holy man living in a small apartment in Ludhiana. Acharya Ashok Shastri chanted for six hours straight while the legal proceedings played out thousands of miles away. Speaking to Mint, Shastri claimed that though the case remains unresolved, his client told him later that he felt steadier through the ordeal. "Nothing untoward happened. Couldn't have happened," insists Shastri. The pandit's services are in high demand, not because of any advertising but thanks to referrals from such clients: "One satisfied client refers to thousands of others," he says. Shastri's life sits at the intersection of two worlds. Born in Vrindavan and…...

4+ day, 8+ hour ago (287+ words) The idol of the Hindu Goddess Kali Mata was found by devotees dressed as Mother Mary in a temple in Mumbai, leading police to arrest a priest of the shrine. According to the RCF police station official, a video has surfaced on social media showing the Kali Mata idol dressed as Mother Mary in the temple in suburban Chembur. Devotees visiting the temple on Sunday were taken aback to find the idol of Goddess Kali dressed in attire resembling that of the mother of Jesus Christ. They contacted the local police and told them about the change in the deity's attire. When quizzed by devotees, a temple priest, identified only as Ramesh, claimed the Hindu Goddess appeared in his dream and instructed him to "adorn her in the form of Mother Mary". A case was registered under relevant sections of…...

3+ week, 7+ hour ago (303+ words) Reliance Industries Limited Chairman and Managing Director, Mukesh Ambani, visited Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala on Sunday morning to offer his prayers and seek blessings. The industrialist had the darshan of Lord Venkateswara during the auspicious Suprabhata Seva in the early hours. He was formally welcomed by Additional Executive Officer Venkayya Chowdary, who made special arrangements for the darshan. Following the prayers, Vedic scholars at the Ranganayakula Mandapam offered Veda Ashirvachanam (Vedic blessings) to Mukesh Ambani. As a token of divine blessings, the Additional EO presented the Reliance chairman with theertha prasadam and a portrait of Lord Venkateswara, ANI reported. India's richest man, Mukesh Ambani visited the Tirumala temple shortly after his trip to Uttarakhand, where he had offered prayers at the Badrinath Dham in Chamoli in October. Badarinath, often referred to as Badari Vishal, is one of the…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago (274+ words) The annual Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage kicked off on 16 November after Melshanthi Arun Kumar Namboothiri opened the Sabarimala sanctum sanctorum at 5 PM for the Vrischikam rituals. On Sunday, newly appointed Travancore Devaswom Board President K Jayakumar visited Sabarimala Sannidhanam with other officials. The opening ceremony was also attended by Tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanaru. "ED Prasad will assume charge as the new Melshanthi (chief priest) of Sabarimala, and M G Manu will take charge as the Melshanthi of Malikappuram," officials informed ANI. Chants of Ayyappa reverberated the temple premises as current melshanthi Arun kumar Namboothiri opened the sanctum sanctorum. Following the opening, Melshanthi Arun Kumar Namboothiri descended the 18 sacred steps to light the Aazhi using the lamp brought from the sanctum, ANI reported. Later, he guided newly appointed Melshanthis to the Sannidhanam, who were waiting below the steps with their Irumudikettu. Elaborate arrangements…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (381+ words) Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the holy shrine and 'Mahasamadhi' of Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, on Wednesday and offered his obeisance and paid respects. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan were also present with PM Modi. Before that, PM Modi held a roadshow while on his way to Puttaparthi to attend the birth centenary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. People gathered in large numbers to welcome PM Modi. A video shared by news agency ANI showed PM Modi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Union Ministers Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, G Kishan Reddy and others attending the birth centenary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi. The area has been secured with barricades, and police have been…...