Durga Puja

Bengaluru man attends meeting on laptop at Durga puja pandal, video viral

A video of a Bangalore man doing a client meeting with his phone and laptop while surrounded by people praying at a Durga Puja pandal went viral, sparking a debate

Unrest amid Durga Puja festivities: 1 dead in UP; police attacked in Howrah

In UP, the victim died due to a gunfire incident as a clash broke out in Bahraich district between two groups over immersion of the idol of goddess Durga

No untoward incident reported in Tripura during Durga Puja, says Police

Tripura witnessed a peaceful Durga Puja with no untoward incident reported from anywhere in the northeastern state during the festival days, police said on Sunday. The immersion of the clay idols of the goddess has also commenced from Saturday, they said. The puja passed off peacefully with no untoward incident reported during the festival amid tight security. Noise pollution was under check, too, with organisers using loud speakers within the permissible limit of below 65 decibels, said Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Law and Order, Ananta Das. Das said all puja organisers have been asked to complete the immersion process by October 14. Around 50 puja committees have already completed immersion of idols on Saturday, while the rest will be done on October 14 as per guideline set by the government, he said. The traditional immersion of the idol of the two-arm Goddess Durga worshipped at the Rajbari' here also took place on Saturday, amid thousands of devotees, the AIG said. The

RG Kar case: Junior doctors' hunger strike enters 9th day in West Bengal

The hunger strike by junior doctors of West Bengal to press for their demands following the RG Kar hospital incident entered the ninth day on Sunday, even as their health parameters continue to decline. Three of the junior doctors who were observing fast unto death' in Kolkata and Siliguri have so far been hospitalised after their condition deteriorated. "Their conditions are worsening but the state administration remains unmoved, a leader of the agitating Junior Doctors Forum said. The agitators have been demanding justice for the RG Kar hospital victim, immediate removal of Health Secretary N S Nigam, workplace security and other measures. The doctors have urged people to observe "Arandhan" (no cooking) on Sunday to show solidarity and support for their cause. A large number of people visited the venue of the hunger strike during the past few days when the Durga Puja festivities were on. The hunger strike followed nearly 50 days of cease work' in two phases. Their agitation beg

Happy Dussehra 2024: Wishes and greetings to share with your loved ones

The festival of Dussehra is a celebration of good over evil, which was achieved by Lord Rama defeating Ravana and Goddess Durga defeating Mahishasura. This year, it will be celebrated on Oct 12, 2024

Delhi govt identifies sites for Durga idol immersion for devotees' safety

The Delhi government has identified multiple sites across the city for Durga idol immersion to ensure safe and coordinated process for the devotees. In compliance with environmental regulations, idol immersion in rivers, including the Sahibi River, is strictly prohibited,an official statement said. The Delhi government announced comprehensive plans for Durga idol immersion. With directives issued to Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) a month in advance, the government has identified 31 immersion sites across the city, an official statement said. SDMs will conduct inspections of these sites in collaboration with the concerned departments ensuring that all necessary arrangements are in place, the statement read. The Delhi government has asked everyone to adhere to the guidelines and maintain cleanliness at the sites. "In a meeting chaired by the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of West Delhi on October 10, the Delhi government outlined comprehensive plans for Durga Pooja idol ...

Rajnath performs 'Shastra Puja' at Army's 33 Corps HQ on Dussehra

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday performed "Shastra Puja" (worship of weapons) on the occasion of Vijayadashami at the headquarters of an Army corps in West Bengal. Vijayadashami marks the end of Navratra and is celebrated as the festival of Dussehra. "On the occasion of Vijayadashami in India, there has been a long-standing tradition of weapon worship. Today, I performed 'Shastra Puja' at the 33 Corps headquarters in Sukna, Darjeeling," Singh posted on X in Hindi. Singh also shared photographs. Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, senior officers and jawans were also present on the occasion. Singh was scheduled to address the Army Commanders Conference in Gangtok on Friday in person. But due to bad weather in the Sikkim capital, he addressed them through video conference from the Army location in Sukna.

35 incidents related to Durga Puja in Bangladesh since Oct 1, 17 arrested

Seventeen persons have been arrested and about a dozen cases registered after Bangladesh witnessed about 35 untoward incidents related to the ongoing Durga Puja celebrations across the country this month, police said here. The development comes a day after it was discovered that a hand-crafted golden mukut (crown) gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stolen from a Hindu temple in Bangladesh's southwestern Satkhira district amid Durga Puja celebrations, a theft over which India expressed concern. The five-day Hindu religious festival began with an invocation of Goddess Durga, an occasion called Maha Shasthi on Wednesday. The celebrations would conclude with the immersion of Goddess Durga murtis on Sunday. The minority Hindu population -- Hindus constitute just about 8 per cent of the 170 million Bangladesh population -- faced vandalism of their businesses, and properties and destruction of temples during the student-led violence that erupted following the ouster of Prime Minist

Happy Dussehra 2024: Wishes and greetings to share with your loved ones

The festival of Dussehra is a celebration of good over evil, which was achieved by Lord Rama defeating Ravana and Goddess Durga defeating Mahishasura. This year, it will be celebrated on Oct 12, 2024

Dussehra 2024: Top 5 places in Delhi to watch Ravan Dahan this year

Dussehra will be celebrated on Oct 12, 2024. This day witnesses the burning of effigies of Ravana and his brothers for the victory of good over evil. So, here are some of the places to visit in Delhi,

Durga Puja an occasion to fully devote to the Goddess: President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday greeted all citizens on Durga Puja, saying the festival is an occasion to fully devote to Goddess Durga and promote unity and understanding among all religions. In a message, Murmu said Durga Puja is celebrated as the victory of good over evil and Goddess Durga is considered the symbol of 'Shakti'. "On the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all Indians living in India and abroad," she said. "It is a festival of devotion and during this period we take our spiritual journey to a higher level of consciousness. This festival is an occasion to fully devote ourselves to Goddess Durga and promote unity and understanding among all religions. Let us pray that Maa Durga give us strength, courage and determination to create a just, sensitive and equitable society," she said. The president said that on this auspicious occasion of propitiating 'Mahashakti', "let us resolve to treat women with utmost respect and .

RG Kar case: Doctors continue fast unto death amid Durga Puja festivities

The junior doctors, agitating over the rape and murder of their colleague at the RG Kar hospital, continued their fast unto death for the fifth day on Thursday amid the Durga Puja festivities across West Bengal. At 9.30 am, the fast by the nine junior doctors of various medical colleges entered its 108th hour. The junior doctors began the fast unto death on Saturday evening at the Dorina Crossing in Dharmatala in the heart of Kolkata after ending the total cease work that had crippled healthcare services. Meanwhile, the state government convened a meeting on Wednesday evening with the protestors but failed to break the deadlock. Following the meeting, which was chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, the protesting doctors alleged that they received nothing concrete from the state except "verbal assurances". "Our friends have been protesting without food for over four days, and the government says it will consider our demands only in the third week of October, after the pujas. We n

RG Kar case: Junior doctors to distribute leaflets at Kolkata puja pandals

Agitating junior doctors will distribute leaflets outlining their demands for justice for their murdered colleague at various Durga Puja pandals across the city on Wednesday besides holding a blood donation camp, one of the agitating medics said. "Tomorrow we will hold a blood donation camp and distribute leaflets at various puja pandals, highlighting our demands. The mass resignation of our senior doctors earlier during the day has boosted our confidence, but we believe that the West Bengal government is exerting pressure on them," junior medic Debasish Halder said on Tuesday night. Seven junior doctors have been on a fast-unto-death since Saturday night, supported by several senior colleagues who joined them in solidarity. Earlier during the day, more than 50 doctors at RG Kar hospital tendered mass resignations to back the junior doctors' cause. However, the state government claimed it had not received any such resignation letters. "The state cannot remain silent. They must eng

Happy Durga Puja 2024: Best Wishes and Greetings to Share on Durga Puja

One of the most esteemed Hindu festivals is Durga Puja, honouring Goddess Durga's triumph over the evil Mahishasura. Here are the best wishes for Navratri 2024 that you may give to your loved ones

Kolkata slowly gets into Durga Puja spirit as retail, sponsors bounce back

Retail, restaurant, sponsorship scene gradually recovers from the strain of protests and the absence of Bangladeshi shoppers

RG Kar case overshadows Durga Puja festival in WB, celebrations unlikely

Durga puja, West Bengal's biggest carnival, is likely to be subdued this year as calls to boycott the festivities grow in response to protests over the brutal rape-murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar hospital in August, casting a shadow over the city's festive spirit. The killing of the doctor on duty at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 has ignited profound emotional turmoil across the state, as the vibrant excitement of Durga puja has been overshadowed by the troubling paradox of worshipping the goddess of strength and protection while real-life women continue to face grave dangers. As Kolkata grapples with this tragedy, the city stands at a crossroads between tradition and change, torn between devotion to the goddess Durga, symbolising strength, protection, and justice, and the harsh reality of daily violence and injustice faced by women. It appears that this year's Durga puja will be much more subdued due to the RG Kar incident and the ongoing protests

RG Kar case: Junior doctors begin fast unto death ahead of Durga Puja

The junior doctors, protesting over the rape and murder of their colleague at the RG Kar hospital, went on fast unto death on Saturday evening, claiming that their demands were not fulfilled by the West Bengal government. With three days left before the Durga Puja festivities start, the doctors had on Friday begun a sit-in demonstration at the Dorina Crossing in Dharmatala in the heart of Kolkata, setting a 24-hour deadline for the state government to fulfil their demands. "The state government has failed the deadline and hence we are starting the fast unto death, which will continue till our demands are fulfilled. To maintain transparency, we have installed CCTV cameras at the dais where our colleagues are holding the fast," a junior doctor said. "We joined duty last night but will not eat anything," he said, adding that at present six junior doctors were sitting on fast. The six doctors who were sitting on the fast were identified as Snigdha Hazra, Tanaya Panja and Anustup ...

Guwahati idol-makers anxiously await end of rains to complete Durga idols

An anxious Ratan Paul peeks towards the entrance of his smoke-filled workshop in Guwahati's Pandu area, hoping to catch a bright ray of sunlight without the raindrops cutting it out. Paul claims not to have witnessed such a long spell of incessant rains in his career of nearly 50 years as a sculptor of idols as he, like other idol-makers in Assam's largest city, pray to the heavens to clear the weather so that they can complete their Durga idols in time. "I have been in this profession for 49 years now and never has it rained for so long before Durga Puja. We are really worried about how to complete the idols," Paul told PTI while giving the finishing touches to special decorative pieces of clay for the idols at his workshop. "We are using firewood, coal and even burners connected to LPG cylinders to dry the idols," he said, pointing to the sculpted idols being placed in groups around lit stoves with the smoke filling the entire workshop. Paul's son, Kanchan, who joined his family

Top 10 Bollywood Garba and Dandiya songs to groove to this Navratri 2024

The celebration of Navratri 2024 will begin on October 3 this year. Nationwide, devotees observe the days with great devotion, fasting, and dancing, such as garba and dandiya

Navratri 2024: Celebrating the nine colours and their significance

For Hindus, Navratri is a colourful festival with great cultural and religious significance. Let's know the importance of nine colours of Navratri 2024