Festivals

Food regulator FSSAI has asked states to increase surveillance for preventing the sale of adulterated and counterfeit food items during the upcoming festival season, as part of the objective to safeguard public health. In an advisory to all state food commissioners dated September 29, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) stressed the need to focus on sensitive locations. With the onset of the upcoming Navratri and Diwali festivals, the demand for sweets, savouries, beverages, edible oil and milk & milk products and other food items rises, the regulator said. In view of this, the FSSAI stressed the need for "heightened surveillance and enforcement actions to prevent the circulation of adulterated, counterfeited and unsafe food products namely - milk & milk products, sweets, snacks & savouries including namkeen, papad/fryums, edible oil, beverages and ghee." To safeguard public health, the FSSAI asked state food commissioners to conduct inspections and ...

Students in many states may get an extended break around Vishwakarma Puja this week. The states government have revised the holiday date from Sept 17 to Sept 18, alongside the weekends

Oriental Insurance has covered around 100 Ganpati pandals this year, up from 20-30 last year, as organisers seek protection against calamities and accidents

For the Raksha Bandhan travel rush, Indian Railways has announced special trains to accommodate the festive demand. The additional services will offer travellers more options across several routes

From jewellery that doubles as a keepsake to personalised hampers and sibling getaways, Raksha Bandhan is becoming a bigger spending occasion as consumers look beyond the traditional envelope of cash

Banks in several states and union territories will remain closed on June 26 for Muharram, followed by the fourth Saturday and Sunday holidays, giving many customers a 3-day banking break

The Ardh Kumbh Mela, scheduled to be held in Uttarakhand's Haridwar in 2027, will feature a total of 10 major bathing festivals, including three 'amrit' (royal) baths, the mela administration announced on Tuesday. While declaring the dates for the Ardh Kumbh baths, Mela Officer Sonika Singh stated that during the four-month-long mela - spanning from January to April 2027 - the first bathing festival will take place on January 14 (Makar Sankranti); the second on February 6 (Mauni Amavasya); the third on February 11 (Basant Panchami); the fourth on February 20 (Magh Purnima); and the fifth on March 6 (Mahashivratri). Singh added that the sixth bathing festival of the Ardh Kumbh will occur on March 8 (Phalguna Amavasya); the seventh on April 7 (Nav Samvatsar); the eighth on April 14 (Mesh Sankranti); the ninth on April 15; and the final bathing festival on April 20 (Chaitra Purnima). Singh further noted that, among these dates, the baths scheduled for March 6 (Mahashivratri), March 8 .

Amid festive celebrations, India stands at a historic moment to advance women's reservation and strengthen inclusive democracy

.

The administration has implemented strict security measures, with Uttar Pradesh ATS mobile patrol squads actively monitoring the Prayagraj Magh Mela 2026

.

Analysts at Elara Capital, in a note last week, said they expect the retail companies to deliver a revenue growth of 12 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in the quarter

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said Pongal, which gave the message of maintaining harmonious balance with nature, has emerged as a global festival, cherished by Tamilians world over. Participating in Pongal celebrations at the residence of Union Minister L Murugan, the prime minister said this festival celebrates the hard work of the farmers and expresses gratitude to the land and the Sun. "The festival of Pongal reminds us that gratitude should go beyond mere words and become an integral part of our daily lives. When the Earth provides us with so much, it is our responsibility to cherish and protect it," Modi said at the celebrations that had Union Ministers, bureaucrats, and people from a cross-section of society in attendance. The prime minister said that around the world, the Tamil community and those who cherish Tamil culture celebrate Pongal with great enthusiasm, and he was proud to be among them. Modi said Tamil culture was one of the oldest living civilisations

Makar Sankranti marks the transition to longer, brighter days and celebrates the spirit of harvest and renewal. Here are heartfelt wishes and greetings to share with your loved ones this season

India and Nepal celebrate Makar Sankranti, a Hindu holiday. The end of winter and the beginning of a new agricultural cycle are marked by this harvest festival. Here's all you need to know

North India will observe Lohri 2026 on January 13 with traditional bonfire ceremonies. The celebration honours Punjabi cultural history and marks the end of winter by uniting communities

Once a quiet riverside ritual, Dev Deepawali has evolved into UP's largest soft-power spectacle - merging faith, art, enterprise into a global cultural brand that reflects state's growing confidence

Spending between Sept 22 and Oct 21 - the period between the Hindu festivals of Navratri and Diwali - increased 8.5 per cent from the same time last year

The Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory ahead of Chhath Puja, anticipating heavy traffic near major roads and ponds from the afternoon of October 27 to the morning of October 28

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday greeted citizens on Chhath Puja and said the festival gives the message of unity, cooperation and collective participation in the society. During Chhath Puja, devotees worship and offer 'arghya' to the Sun, she said in a message. "On this festival, we express our gratitude to nature. We worship the rivers and ponds, and pray for the well-being of our families. This festival also conveys a message of cleanliness and environment conservation," the President said. Chhath Puja also gives the message of unity, cooperation and collective participation in the society, Murmu said. "On this sacred occasion, I pray for happiness and prosperity of all citizens," she said, and extended wishes to all her fellow citizens. Chhath Puja, a four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, is being celebrated and it will conclude on October 28.