Mahavir Jayanti is a significant festival in Jainism that celebrates the birth of Lord Mahavir, the 24th and last Tirthankara. This day is observed with great reverence and devotion by Jains across India and worldwide. The festival marks the birth of Lord Mahavir, who was born in 599 BCE in Kundagrama, near present-day Vaishali. His teachings have profoundly influenced the Jain community and beyond, encouraging people to lead a life filled with peace, compassion, truth, and non-violence. Maha

Salaried employees often claim House Rent Allowance (HRA) for rent paid to family members, such as parents or spouses, under the current tax regime. However, under the proposed draft Income-tax Rules, 2026, such arrangements may soon undergo closer scrutiny, especially if the rent exceeds Rs 1 lakh in a financial year. The new rules, if implemented, would require taxpayers to disclose their relationship with the landlord along with other details like the landlord’s name, address, and PAN nu

Maha Shivratri is one of the most important festivals for Lord Shiva's devotees, the god of destruction and transformation. While it is celebrated every month, it holds a special place when it falls during the months of Magha or Phalguna in the Hindu calendar. This festival marks the beginning of the summer months and is a time for fasting, prayers, and deep reverence for Lord Shiva. It is a night dedicated to Lord Shiva, filled with rituals, celebrations, and an opportunity to reflect on the

Peter Mandelson has announced that he will step down from the United Kingdom’s House of Lords following fresh disclosures connecting him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a development that has prompted a government review and renewed scrutiny from law enforcement authorities. The former British ambassador to Washington informed parliamentary officials of his decision to retire from the unelected upper chamber earlier this week. The move was confirmed by the Speaker of th

Ratha Saptami, also known as Surya Jayanti, is a highly auspicious festival dedicated to the worship of Lord Surya, the Sun God. Celebrated on the seventh day (Saptami) of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Magha month, this festival is observed with great devotion by millions of Hindus worldwide. In 2026, Ratha Saptami will be observed on January 25th. The day honors Lord Surya for his life-giving energy, seeking blessings for health, prosperity, and spiritual growth. Th

The Thiruvannamalai Annamalaiyar Temple, one of India’s most revered Shiva temples, stands at the foothills of the sacred Arunachala Hill in Tamil Nadu. Known as the temple of fire (Agni) among the five Panch Bhoota Sthalams, it holds deep spiritual significance. Devotees believe that Lord Shiva manifested here as an infinite column of light, symbolizing supreme truth and divine power. Rich in history, the temple has been shaped by the Chola, Pallava, Hoysala, Pandya, and Vijayanagara dynas

The Defense Department announced Monday that it has launched a formal investigation into Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, over his participation in a video urging members of the military and intelligence community to refuse illegal orders. The video, recorded by Kelly and several other Democratic lawmakers, called on uniformed personnel to uphold their oath to the Constitution amid growing political tensions surrounding former President Donald Trump’s statements about execut

Elon Musk, the founder of xAI and several other major tech ventures, has once again drawn global attention with a social media post that showcased the capabilities of his artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok. In a recent interaction, Musk shared an image of Lord Ganesha—the revered Hindu deity known as the remover of obstacles—and asked Grok a simple question: “What is this?” The AI’s response, detailed and culturally precise, quickly went viral, impressing users with its accuracy

Texas homeowners and landlords now have stronger legal authority to protect their properties as two new state laws officially take effect. Senate Bill 38 and Senate Bill 1333 are designed to stop squatters, speed up eviction proceedings, and give property owners faster access to justice. For years, Texas landlords and property managers have faced an ongoing struggle against squatters occupying vacant or abandoned homes. These unauthorized occupants have often been difficult to remove,

New Albany officials are weighing new regulations that could significantly change how residents and visitors use electric bikes and scooters within city limits. During recent meetings, members of the New Albany City Council discussed proposed legislation that would redefine how these increasingly popular modes of transportation are classified and where they can operate. Under the proposed ordinance, electric bikes and scooters would be formally categorized as vehicles under city law

A fresh controversy has erupted after a woman accused border officials in Georgia of subjecting a group of 56 Indian tourists to what she described as “the most inhuman treatment” while they attempted to cross into Armenia. The incident allegedly took place at Sadakhlo, one of the most important crossing points on the Georgia-Armenia border, and has since drawn criticism and sparked heated debate among travellers and social media users. According to the complainant, the

The decades-old Tirumala Pink Diamond controversy has finally been resolved with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) releasing its investigation findings. Director Muniratnam Reddy confirmed that the necklace offered by the Mysore Maharaja to Lord Venkateswara never contained a pink diamond. Palace records and inputs from Mysore Maharani Pramoda Devi verified that the ornament was crafted in Delhi for ₹8,500 and was set with rubies and other stones, but

San Jose city leaders have taken a firm stand against absentee landlords who allow properties to fall into neglect and create hazards for surrounding communities. In a unanimous decision, the City Council approved a dramatic increase in daily fines for code violations tied to blighted properties, raising the penalties from $2,500 per day to as much as $20,000 per day. The cap on cumulative fines was also lifted from $100,000 to $500,000, sending what officials

Krishna Janmashtami is one of the most revered and widely celebrated festivals in Hinduism. In 2025, Krishna Janmashtami will be observed on Friday, 15 August 2025, commemorating the divine birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Krishna's birth is a symbol of victory over evil, and it marks the restoration of dharma, or righteousness, in the world. The festival is celebrated with immense devotion, and its rituals vary based on geogra

While India celebrates its Independence on August 15, 1947, with great pride, parts of West Bengal, particularly in the Nadia and Malda districts, observe a different date – August 18. This unique observance is a result of a cartographic error that occurred during the partition of British India, which delayed their freedom by three days. Today, these areas mark August 18 as their true day of independence. In 19

Several neighborhoods in Schaumburg are under a boil order following an emergency water main break that caused widespread service disruptions and required an overnight shutdown. Crews worked through the night to make repairs after the break forced road closures and left multiple areas without water. Village officials confirmed that the incident affected properties across more than a dozen locations, including a major entertainment venue on North Roselle Road. Water service was res

The third Test between India and England at Lord's ended with a narrow defeat for India, with the team falling short by 135 runs on Day 5. Despite a valiant effort from Ravindra Jadeja, India could not manage to recover after losing four wickets early in the session. India started Day 5 with six wickets in hand and the target of 135 runs in sight. However, the collapse of top-order batters left the team struggling, with England's bowlers – Ben St

A recent rath yatra procession held in Toronto has sparked diplomatic concern after a video surfaced online allegedly showing eggs thrown at the religious gathering. The incident, which occurred during the annual chariot procession dedicated to Lord Jagannath, has prompted India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to issue a formal response, describing the act as “regrettable” and urging Canadian authorities to take appropriate action against those involved.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has launched a new initiative called "Book Prasadam" to promote Sanatana Dharma and raise spiritual awareness among devotees. This innovative move is part of the temple’s broader effort to counter religious conversions and spread the glory of Hindu traditions. Under the guidance of TTD Chairperson BR Naidu, this programme will provide visitors with sacred Hindu texts along with the traditional laddoo pra

Guru Purnima 2025: A Celebration of Spiritual Wisdom Guru Purnima 2025, falling on Thursday, July 10, is a special day dedicated to honoring the gurus—those who guide us on the path of knowledge and enlightenment. This auspicious occasion is celebrated by the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain communities and holds deep spiritual significance. Guru Purnima commemorates