Art & Culture

Janmashtami 2025, the joyous Hindu festival celebrating Lord Krishna’s birth, will be observed on August 16. Marking his 5252nd birth anniversary, devotees will fast, sing bhajans, and reenact Krishna’s divine childhood. Discover the puja timings, significance, and vibrant traditions like Dahi Handi.

Invoking the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi goes beyond material wealth—her presence is believed to bring harmony, purity, and abundance. But how do you ensure she graces your home? Discover six sacred Hindu practices that devotees swear by to attract and retain her divine favor.

A Historic Triumph in ParisAt the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Paris this July, the “Maratha Military Landscapes of India” were officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This recognition marks India’s 44th entry on the prestigious list, reaffirming the country’s rich historical and architectural legacy. With this latest…

A Milestone Marked by Joy and ReflectionOn Sunday, the Dalai Lama, the revered spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, celebrated his 90th birthday after a week filled with festivities across the global Tibetan community. The event was not just a time for jubilation but also for reflection on his extraordinary life journey and enduring commitment to…

Tensions Flare Over Successor ChoiceChina has intensified its stance that any future Dalai Lama must be approved by the Chinese government. At a July 2 press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized that key religious figures, including the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama, must be selected using the Qing dynasty’s “golden urn” ritual and…

Stampede Strikes During Early-Morning RitualA tragic stampede erupted near the Shree Gundicha Temple in Puri, Odisha, early Sunday (June 29), coinciding with a key ceremony during the Rath Yatra festival. Three devotees lost their lives and around 50 others sustained injuries, as a sudden crowd surge led to panic and chaos among throngs of early-morning pilgrims. Overcrowding…

Devotees Flock at DawnThousands gathered in the early morning hours at Puri’s famed Jagannath Temple to witness the Nabajouban Darshan, a traditional moment marking the youthful reappearance of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra following their fortnight-long seclusion. The temple’s Lion Gate (“Singha Dwar”) saw devotees lining up from before sunrise, eager for a…

A Historic Auction on the HorizonAstaGuru Auction House is gearing up to host an online sale next week featuring the most extensive Rabindranath Tagore lot ever offered: 35 handwritten letters dated between 1927 and 1936, accompanied by 14 original envelopes. The auction’s estimated value ranges between ₹5 crore and ₹7 crore, underscoring the collection’s cultural…

Modi’s Greetings from Andhra PradeshOn June 21, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm wishes to the nation on International Yoga Day from the coastal city of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The event saw an unprecedented scale of participation as tens of thousands gathered to celebrate the ancient practice, highlighting India’s growing role as the global…