devotees
Zool: Fest of faith in Kashmir
November 30, 2022
Every April, the shrine of Hazrat Zain-ud-Din Wali, a renowned 15th century sufi saint, features a unique sight as thousands of people march the streets in Aishmuqam village of Anantnag district in Kashmir, carrying blazing torches, or zool. The group ascends a hillock in the vil...
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Bamana Utsav: Celebrating the 5th incarnation of Vishnu
September 8, 2022
As per Odiya tradition, every year in Srimandira temple, on the 12th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadrav is a celebration of Bamana Utsav as the anniversary of Bamana Avatar, the 5th incarnation of Lord Vishnu in Srikhetra, which is near the holy city of Puri, the...
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Panguni Uthiram: When bodies are pierced to thank Lord Murugan
March 19, 2022
As many residents of Delhi celebrated ‘Holi’, the festival of colours, many Tamilians living in the national capital alongside also gathered at various Tamil temples to mark one of their most important festivals, ‘Panguni Uthiram’. Besides the more renowned ...
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Thousands mark Chhath Puja 2021 in Delhi
November 11, 2021
It is still dark, with the dense, toxic smog that has come to symbolise New Delhi each winter, enveloping in a tight embrace the entire city and the Yamuna River, already covered with a dense toxic foam. As the city lights struggle to penetrate the poisonous air and even before t...
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Kanwar Yatra- Saffron-clad Shiva devotees on a spiritual journey
August 10, 2018
With the start of the auspicious month of Shravan, the streets in India are filled up with barefoot, saffron clad Kanwar Yatris carrying a pitcher filled with holy water. The Kanwar Yatra takes place during the Hindu month of Shravan, is usually held in the month of July-A...
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Hola Mohalla – a unique Sikh festival
March 9, 2018
Hola Mohalla is a festival celebrated by Sikhs, held annually at Takhat Sri Keshgarh Sahib Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship) in Anandpur Sahib in north Indian state of Punjab. It is usually celebrated one day after the Hindu festival, Holi that celebrates the arrival of spr...
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Ecological effects of idol immersions
October 13, 2016
Navratri celebrations just concluded in India. The nine days of worshipping, singing, dancing, feasting and fasting ended on the tenth day with immersion of idols of Goddess Durgain the holy Yamuna River. While many people remain oblivious toissues pertaining to pollution, many h...
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Kashmiri Hindus Celebrate Kheer Bhawani Festival
June 15, 2016
Thousands of Kashmiri Brahmans (hindu priest cast in India) come from different parts of India to the Kheer Bhawani shrine in Tulmul Ganderbal area of Kashmir. The festival is celebrated every year in May-June.
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