Culture

British MPs are set to hold a debate in Parliament later this month on whether Hindu and Muslim religious occasions such as Deepavali and Id should be made into public holidays, following public calls for change, including through petitions submitted to Parliament. Over 45,000 people have signed a petition on …

Tribal people gathered in large numbers on Tuesday to protest against the State government’s decision to implement the Supreme Court order permitting women of all age groups to offer worship at the Sabarimala temple. Uthaman, leader of the Malampandaram tribe at Laha, told The Hindu that denial of entry into …

Confusion over whether the new name for Allahabad has already taken effect The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday adopted the proposal to rename the historical city of Allahabad as Prayagraj, a move opposed by the Opposition parties in the State. The State government said it was only restoring an old …

The police cracked down on protesters at Nilackal, the entry point to the Sabarimala hill temple, arresting eight persons from the Namajapa pandal of the Sabarimala Aachara Samrakshana Samiti late on Tuesday. By late evening, the police had also taken control of the main road to Pampa, with Devaswom Minister …

The only worthwhile goal to be attained by all is moksha and the only path is renunciation, say the scriptures. Hence, only when a jivatma gives up attachment to the world does he become qualified to be selected to the most exalted and coveted status, the state of liberation, pointed …

Subhankar Manna touched the messages on the walls of the pandal at Ballygunge Samaj Sevi — said to be in Braille — but could not make much sense out of them. The Durga Puja of this well-known south Kolkata club has been much touted this year for being inclusive. Therefore …

An air of uncertainty hovers over the pilgrimage as the Sabarimala temple opens for monthly poojas on Thursday, the first time since the Supreme Court lifted curbs on entry of women into the hill shrine. While the State government reiterates its constitutional obligation to implement the verdict, the Travancore Devaswom …

Queen mother invites traditional leaders from four States for a meeting The Bastar Dialogue, aimed at furthering peace in the Red Corridor, concluded in Jagdalpur on Saturday with the passing of a resolution and finalising a roadmap towards achieving peace in the Dandakaranya region. Krishna Kumari Devi, the queen mother …

Garba, the traditional dance from Gujarat, connects the entire world and gives people abundant joy — this is the essence of a song penned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi about 25 years ago. As various parts of the country celebrate Navratri, a group of visually challenged girls from Andh Kanya …

Most Consulates are participating in the celebration and see it as an opportunity to enhance ‘cultural ties with eastern India’ The participation of foreign envoys in Durga Puja festivities in Kolkata saw a new upsurge on Thursday with the arrival of U.S. Ambassador to India Keneth I. Juster in Kolkata …