Page 2 - Durga Puja

Ramleela, Durga Puja events to continue in Delhi till midnight, says CM

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday said her government has permitted cultural events like Ramleela and Durga Puja to continue until midnight, asserting that "Ram-rajya should come in Delhi" and for that "we all should work a little." "I always used to say that our Hindu festivals were facing problems. Which Ramleela ends at 10 pm? Durga Puja cannot end at 10 pm. When in Gujarat, Dandiya can go on all night and events can take place throughout the night, then what is the fault of the people of Delhi?" Gupta said. "That is why this time we have given permission till 12 am. All the Ramleela, Durga Puja, and other cultural programmes can take place till midnight now," she added. On Monday, the Delhi government extended the permissible time for the use of loudspeakers and public address systems during Ramleela, Durga Puja, Dussehra, and related events. The relaxation, valid from September 22 to October 3, was approved by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena. The extension pushes the

B'desh's Chief Adviser Yunus visits Dhakeshwari temple ahead of Durga Puja

Bangladesh interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday visited the Dhakeshwar National Temple to witness preparations for the upcoming Durga Puja and exchanged greetings with members of the minority Hindu community. He went around the temple premises and inspected the preparatory work ahead of the annual Hindu religious festival, state-run BSS news agency reported. Speaking at the function, he said that no government has the right to deny citizens their fundamental constitutional rights. "Whatever faith or ideology one follows, whether rich or poor, every person is first and foremost a citizen. All rights of citizens are guaranteed in the Constitution," he said. "We -- the entire nation is a broader family. The government is committed to ensuring equal rights and dignity for all citizens," The Daily Star newspaper quoted Yunus as saying. The interim chief's greetings came amid widespread concerns over repeated incidents of alleged attacks on members of the Hindu ...

Hilsa prices to pinch pockets this Puja despite Bangladesh exports: Traders

The Md Yunus government in Bangladesh may have chosen to honour the commitment of culinary tradition and issue a notification to export hilsa to India ahead of the festive season, but fish importers in West Bengal aren't sure whether the move will broaden smiles of the average middle class waiting to savour the delight of Padmar Ilish' this Durga Puja. Fish traders on this side of the international border attribute dual factors of lower quantity of export from Bangladesh compared to previous years, as well as higher cost of imports, as reasons behind the high prices of 'rupali shosyo', which means 'silver crop'. Putting apprehensions of an export freeze on hilsa to rest, the Bangladesh government's notice on Monday stated that it has approved in-principle the conditional export of 1200 metric tonnes of hilsa to India this year, in keeping with its traditional Durga Puja gift to Bengalis in India. For this, the Md Yunus government has invited applications from interested exporters i

Delhi govt to offer free power, civic aid to Ramleela, Durga pandals

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday announced a series of measures to support Ramleela and Durga pandal committees ahead of the festive season. The measures include free electricity, single-window no-objectionable certificates (NOC) and enhanced civic facilities. After meeting representatives of Ramleela committees, Gupta said the Delhi government will provide 1,200 units of free electricity, while meters will be installed on just 25 per cent security deposit. "This is a welcoming and happy news for all the Ramleela and Durga pandal committees," she said. She further said that public amenities such as toilets, security arrangements, healthcare services, ambulances and fire brigades will be ensured at the venues. The government, to ease administrative hurdles, will issue NOCs for various services through a single-window system, eliminating the need for organisers to approach multiple departments. "The Delhi government will also ensure cleanliness in the grounds. A committ

More organisers opt for event insurance before major festive season

The Dahi Handi festival saw 160,000 participants insured for ₹10 lakh each, with the Maharashtra government bearing the cost for 150,000 Govindas

CM Mamata hikes Durga Puja grant to ₹1.1 lakh, waives taxes for committees

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hiked the Durga Puja grant to Rs 1.10 lakh for 40,000 committees, waived taxes, announced an 80 per cent electricity concession, drawing cheers from organisers and criticism from the opposition ahead of the 2026 assembly polls. Addressing a mega coordination meeting of Puja committees at the Netaji Indoor Stadium here, Banerjee said the enhanced financial assistance, up from Rs 85,000 last year, was a recognition of Durga Puja's cultural significance and its status as a UNESCO-recognised intangible heritage. Durga Puja is not just a religious celebration. It is the lifeline of Bengal's cultural identity, our praner utsab' (festival of the heart). We are proud that UNESCO has recognised this. It's our collective responsibility to preserve that glory, Banerjee told a packed audience of organisers and top bureaucrats. Along with the increased grant, Banerjee announced an 80 per cent concession on electricity bills for Puja pandals, a waiver of

Tripura govt asks NHDCL to complete NH repair work before Durga puja

The Tripura government has asked the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) to complete the repair work of the Assam-Agartala National Highway (NH-8) before Durga puja, a senior official said on Sunday. The Durga puja, the biggest festival in the northeastern state, will commence on September 29. Following reports of the bad condition of the national highway from Kumarghat to Churaibari in Unakoti and North districts, PWD secretary Kiran Gitte, along with senior officials of NHIDCL and state PWD, visited the national highway to take stock of the situation on Saturday. Earlier, Chief Minister Manik Saha also held a meeting with officials to review the bad condition or roads, including the national highway and asked for repair works on a war footing. "On Saturday, I travelled over 400 km through the national highway from Khowai to Kamalpur and Churaribari via Manu and Kumarghat. Senior officials from NHIDCL and state PWD also accompanied me. The roa

Bangladesh clarifies Durga temple built without permission on Railway land

According to the Foreign Ministry, the local Hindu community installed a makeshift Puja Mandap on railway land during Durga Puja last year without prior permission

India criticises Bangladesh for demolition of Durga temple in Dhaka

The MEA condemned the demolition of a Durga temple in Dhaka's Khilkhet by Bangladesh Railway, saying the interim government failed to protect Hindu religious institutions

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 .