The spiritually revered Char Dham Yatra officially began on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, with the ceremonial opening of the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dhams in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. As thousands of devotees make their way to the sacred shrines nestled in the Himalayas, this annual pilgrimage continues to symbolize a deep confluence of devotion, tradition, and spiritual heritage. This year's yatra coincides with Akshaya Tritiya, an auspicious date in the Hindu calendar,

Akshaya Tritiya 2025, one of the most revered and spiritually significant days in the Hindu calendar, will be celebrated this year on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Observed annually on the third tithi of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Vaisakha, the day is also known as Akti or Akha Teej. It is marked by a strong belief that any good deed performed on this day—be it charity, religious rituals, or financial investments like buying gol

In anticipation of the heavy summer vacation rush, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has announced several key measures to better manage the flow of devotees visiting the sacred shrine of Sri Venkateswara Swamy. Effective from May 01, 2025, the TTD will restrict VIP Break Darshan privileges, allowing only protocol VIPs (self) to access the special darshan slots during the busy summer season. This decision is intended to prioritize the darshan experience for common devotees who travel in la

In a historic announcement, Bishop T.D. Jakes revealed Sunday morning that Pastors Touré Roberts and Sarah Jakes Roberts will become the new senior pastors of The Potter’s House, the globally recognized megachurch based in Dallas, Texas. The transition will not happen immediately but is set to take place later in 2025. Bishop Jakes, who founded The Potter’s House in 1996 and has led it for nearly 30 years, will be stepping away from daily pastoral duties, while continuing t

In the heart of Washington D.C., within the historic stone walls of St. Matthew’s Cathedral, memories of a profound spiritual encounter continue to echo nearly a decade after it occurred. It was September 2015 when Pope Francis, newly elected and on his first visit to the United States, made an unannounced yet deeply symbolic stop at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in DuPont Circle. For those present, including the cathedral’s rector, Monsignor Ronald Jameson, the experience

A federal judge has declined a request to block immigration enforcement operations at religious institutions, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal battle over the balance between national immigration policy and religious freedom. The ruling was delivered by U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich in Washington, D.C., who determined that the plaintiffs—over two dozen religious organizations representing Christian and Jewish communities—did not demonstrate sufficient gro

Ram Navami 2025 in Ayodhya will be marked by the extraordinary Surya Tilak event at the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, where a beam of sunlight aligns perfectly with the forehead of the idol of Ram Lalla at precisely 12:00 PM. This sacred moment symbolizes a celestial blessing from Surya Dev (the Sun God), reflecting Lord Ram’s lineage as part of the Suryavanshi Dynasty. The event is the pinnacle of Ram Navami celebrations, witnessed by thousands of devotees who travel to Ayodhya for this rare

Ram Navami 2025 is set to be one of the grandest spiritual celebrations in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Scheduled for April 6, 2025 (Chaitra Shukla Navami), the event will witness over 20 lakh devotees from across India and abroad arriving to receive Ram Lalla’s darshan at the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir.   The Uttar Pradesh Government has announced extensive preparations to ensure a smooth, safe, and sacred experience for pilgrims:

Eid-ul-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, is one of the most significant Islamic festivals celebrated by millions of Muslims across the world. It marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. The date of Eid is determined by the sighting of the new moon, which varies across regions. In 2025, Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to fall on Monday, March 31 or Tuesday, April 1, depending on moon sightings.  

The auspicious festival of Chaitra Navratri 2025 is set to begin on Sunday, March 30, with devotees across India and abroad preparing to celebrate nine spiritually significant days dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms, known collectively as Navadurga. The first day, known as Pratipada, marks the commencement of rituals with Ghatasthapana or Kalash Sthapana—an important rite that symbolises the invocation of divine energy. Chaitra Navratri is observed during the Hi

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

Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the most significant festivals for Muslims across the globe. It marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. The festival is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar (Hijri), and its exact date depends on the sighting of the crescent moon.   Eid-ul-Fitr 2025 Date in India In India, Eid-ul-Fitr is likely to be observed either on March 30 (Sunday) or March 31

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).

Masan Holi is one of Varanasi's most intriguing and spiritually significant festivals, celebrated in a way that deeply connects to the city's profound devotion to Lord Shiva. Unlike traditional Holi celebrations filled with vibrant colors and gulal, Masan Holi is played using pyre ashes — a symbolic practice believed to offer blessings, prosperity, and the grace of Lord Shiva.   When is Masan Holi 2025 Celebrated? In 2025, Masan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Mauritius, marking a nostalgic return to the island nation where he had previously set foot in October 1998 as the BJP general secretary. This visit brought back memories of his earlier trip when he actively engaged with the Mauritian community and participated in key cultural events.   A Historic Connection: Modi's 1998 Visit to Mauritius Mauritius, often called ‘mini India’ due t

Magha Masam: The Sacred Month of Spiritual Renewal and Divine Blessings Magha Masam, a highly auspicious month in the Hindu calendar, typically falls between January and February. Deeply rooted in ancient scriptures, this sacred period is dedicated to purifying the mind and body, fostering spiritual growth, and reconnecting with divinity. Hindus believe that rituals performed during this time yield manifold spiritual benefits, making it one

In a heartfelt appeal to the youth, Jaya Kishori, a renowned spiritual orator and motivational speaker, has urged young people to attend the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj to experience peace, happiness, and spiritual bliss. Speaking exclusively  at the Maha Kumbh 2025, Ms. Kishori shared her personal experience of taking her first Amrit Snan (sacred bath) at the Sangam, describing it as a &quo

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh): Gangapuri Maharaj, also known as Chhotu Baba from Assam's Kamakhya Peeth, has become a major attraction at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The 57-year-old, who stands at 3 feet 8 inches tall, has gained attention for his unique lifestyle, as he has not taken a bath for 32 years. "This is a Milan M

Pujya Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji’s Visit to Vijayawada Avadhoota Datta Peetham (30/12/2024 - 05/01/2025)   Pujya Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji embarked on a sacred Nada Yatra across the Datta Kshetras of Andhra Pradesh. As part of this divine journey, Sri Swamiji graced the Vijayawada branch of Avadhoota Datta Peetham from December 30, 2024, to January 5,

Pausha Maas: Significance, Festivals, and Worship Practices Pausha Maas, the tenth lunar month in the Hindu calendar, holds great significance for Hindus. This month, corresponding to December or January in the Gregorian calendar, is marked by the shifting Lunar cycles, which cause the start and end dates of Pausha Maas to vary annually. It is a winter month associated with the Hemant Ritu (cold season