#hindu-pilgrimage

Ugadi 2025: Date, Significance, Celebrations, and Rituals of the Telugu New Year
Ugadi, also spelled as Yugadi, marks the beginning of the New Year as per the Luni-Solar calendar. It is one of the most significant festivals celebrated in the southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. The festival not only signals the onset of a new year but is also observed as a harvest festival, celebrating abundance, renewal, and spiritual prosperity. In 2025, Ugadi falls on March 30. According to Hindu Panchang, the Prati
Ugadi 2025: Date, Significance, Celebrations, and Rituals of the Telugu New Year
Ugadi, also spelled as Yugadi, marks the beginning of the New Year as per the Luni-Solar calendar. It is one of the most significant festivals celebrated in the southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. The festival not only signals the onset of a new year but is also observed as a harvest festival, celebrating abundance, renewal, and spiritual prosperity. In 2025, Ugadi falls on March 30. According to Hindu Panchang, the Prati

Holika Dahan 2025: Date, Muhurta, Rituals, and Significance of Chhoti Holi
Holika Dahan, also known as Holika Deepak or Chhoti Holi, is a revered Hindu festival celebrated on the eve of Holi. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, symbolized by the burning of an effigy representing the mythical demoness Holika. It is observed on the full moon night of the Phalgun month as per the Hindu calendar. This year, Holika Dahan falls on Thursday, March 13, 2025, with the auspicious Holika Dahan Muhurta scheduled between 11:26 PM and 12:31 AM (March 14).
Holika Dahan 2025: Date, Muhurta, Rituals, and Significance of Chhoti Holi
Holika Dahan, also known as Holika Deepak or Chhoti Holi, is a revered Hindu festival celebrated on the eve of Holi. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, symbolized by the burning of an effigy representing the mythical demoness Holika. It is observed on the full moon night of the Phalgun month as per the Hindu calendar. This year, Holika Dahan falls on Thursday, March 13, 2025, with the auspicious Holika Dahan Muhurta scheduled between 11:26 PM and 12:31 AM (March 14).

Kedarnath Ropeway Sanctioned: Travel Time Cut to 36 Minutes, Major Boost for Pilgrimage Tourism
The Indian government has officially sanctioned the Kedarnath ropeway project, a long-anticipated initiative aimed at improving accessibility to one of India’s most revered pilgrimage sites. The 12.9-kilometer ropeway will significantly cut travel time for thousands of devotees visiting Kedarnath each year. Currently, the trek or mule ride to the temple takes around 8-9 hours, but once operational, the ropeway will complete the journey in just 36 minutes. This development is part of a b
Kedarnath Ropeway Sanctioned: Travel Time Cut to 36 Minutes, Major Boost for Pilgrimage Tourism
The Indian government has officially sanctioned the Kedarnath ropeway project, a long-anticipated initiative aimed at improving accessibility to one of India’s most revered pilgrimage sites. The 12.9-kilometer ropeway will significantly cut travel time for thousands of devotees visiting Kedarnath each year. Currently, the trek or mule ride to the temple takes around 8-9 hours, but once operational, the ropeway will complete the journey in just 36 minutes. This development is part of a b

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 Sets Record with 550 Million Devotees at World's Largest Religious Festival
Mumbai, India – February 21, 2025: India’s Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 has become the largest congregation in human history for a religious, cultural, and social event, attracting more than 550 million devotees in just six weeks. Hosted in the northern city of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, this grand Hindu festival has surpassed all previous records, making it one of the most significant religious gatherings ever witnessed.The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, carries deep spiritual meaning f
Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 Sets Record with 550 Million Devotees at World's Largest Religious Festival
Mumbai, India – February 21, 2025: India’s Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 has become the largest congregation in human history for a religious, cultural, and social event, attracting more than 550 million devotees in just six weeks. Hosted in the northern city of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, this grand Hindu festival has surpassed all previous records, making it one of the most significant religious gatherings ever witnessed.The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, carries deep spiritual meaning f

TTD Board Transfers 18 Non-Hindu Employees Following Devotee Concerns
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board, under the leadership of Chairman B.R. Naidu, has initiated a major personnel overhaul by transferring 18 non-Hindu employees. This action follows concerns raised by Hindu devotees about the promotion of non-Hindu activities, such as the availability of non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and drugs on the sacred Tirumala Hills, which some employees allegedly abetted.The decision has sparked mixed reactions, with many devotees expressing satisfact
TTD Board Transfers 18 Non-Hindu Employees Following Devotee Concerns
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board, under the leadership of Chairman B.R. Naidu, has initiated a major personnel overhaul by transferring 18 non-Hindu employees. This action follows concerns raised by Hindu devotees about the promotion of non-Hindu activities, such as the availability of non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and drugs on the sacred Tirumala Hills, which some employees allegedly abetted.The decision has sparked mixed reactions, with many devotees expressing satisfact

Pakistan Issues 84 Visas for Indian Pilgrims to Visit Katas Raj Temples
The Pakistan High Commission announced on Wednesday that it has issued 84 visas to Indian pilgrims for a visit to the Shree Katas Raj temples in Chakwal district, Punjab, Pakistan. The pilgrimage, scheduled from December 19 to 25, will allow Hindu pilgrims to visit this sacred complex of temples, also known as Qila Katas. The temples are a significant religious site for Hindus and are linked by walkways. These visits are part of the long-standing Pakistan-India bilateral protocol on
Pakistan Issues 84 Visas for Indian Pilgrims to Visit Katas Raj Temples
The Pakistan High Commission announced on Wednesday that it has issued 84 visas to Indian pilgrims for a visit to the Shree Katas Raj temples in Chakwal district, Punjab, Pakistan. The pilgrimage, scheduled from December 19 to 25, will allow Hindu pilgrims to visit this sacred complex of temples, also known as Qila Katas. The temples are a significant religious site for Hindus and are linked by walkways. These visits are part of the long-standing Pakistan-India bilateral protocol on

Bangladesh Summons Indian Envoy After Security Incident in Tripura
Bangladesh summoned India's High Commissioner to Dhaka after the closure of its visa and consular services in Tripura, India, due to a security incident involving a protest in Agartala. The protest, which occurred against the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, led to about 50 people entering the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission's premises. The Bangladeshi government expressed concerns over the lack of local police action to contain the situation, which left mission staff fe
Bangladesh Summons Indian Envoy After Security Incident in Tripura
Bangladesh summoned India's High Commissioner to Dhaka after the closure of its visa and consular services in Tripura, India, due to a security incident involving a protest in Agartala. The protest, which occurred against the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, led to about 50 people entering the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission's premises. The Bangladeshi government expressed concerns over the lack of local police action to contain the situation, which left mission staff fe

Sheikh Hasina Condemns Arrest of Hindu Priest and Lawyer’s Death in Bangladesh
Sheikh Hasina, the ousted prime minister of Bangladesh, has strongly condemned the arrest of a Hindu priest and the violence in the country that followed. She demanded the immediate release of the arrested Hindu priest, describing the action as unjust. Hasina also spoke out about the death of a lawyer in Chittagong, who was killed during clashes related to the protest over the priest’s arrest. She condemned the rise in religious and communal violence, pointing out that temples, mosques,
Sheikh Hasina Condemns Arrest of Hindu Priest and Lawyer’s Death in Bangladesh
Sheikh Hasina, the ousted prime minister of Bangladesh, has strongly condemned the arrest of a Hindu priest and the violence in the country that followed. She demanded the immediate release of the arrested Hindu priest, describing the action as unjust. Hasina also spoke out about the death of a lawyer in Chittagong, who was killed during clashes related to the protest over the priest’s arrest. She condemned the rise in religious and communal violence, pointing out that temples, mosques,

India Condemns Arrest of Hindu Leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh
On Tuesday, India condemned the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a prominent Hindu priest and leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh, calling for the protection of religious minorities in the country. Chandan Kumar Dhar, also known as Chinmoy Krishna Das, was arrested on Monday afternoon at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. A Dh
India Condemns Arrest of Hindu Leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh
On Tuesday, India condemned the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a prominent Hindu priest and leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh, calling for the protection of religious minorities in the country. Chandan Kumar Dhar, also known as Chinmoy Krishna Das, was arrested on Monday afternoon at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. A Dh