Festivals

Wear, return, repeat: How festive shoppers are hurting online sellers

Small online sellers say customers returning ethnic wear after wearing it for festivals are leaving them with damaged inventory, mounting logistics costs and losses that can wipe out profits

Some pockets of stress emerge in India's FMCG demand ahead of Diwali

FMCG stocking ahead of Diwali is uneven across regions, with inflation weighing on demand in the east and west while packaged-food sales rise in central and northern India

PM Modi greets people on Vijayadashami, wishes happiness and prosperity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday greeted people on the occasion of Vijayadashami and prayed that the festival would enrich everyone's life with happiness, prosperity, and success. "Heartiest greetings of Vijayadashami to everyone. May this festival of victory, filled with joy and faith, empower everyone's resolve with renewed strength," Modi said in a post on X in Hindi. "May every life be enriched with happiness, prosperity, and success-this is my sincere wish," he added. The festival celebrates Lord Rama's vanquishing the 10-headed demon king Ravana, and symbolises the triumph of good over evil. It is celebrated across the country with revellers coming out in large numbers to witness the burning of Ravana effigies, marking a culmination of 10 days of festivities filled with rituals, songs, dance and processions.

Rock Machine: The renegades who changed Indian rock's frequency forever

Formed in 1984 in what was then Bombay, Rock Machine began as a covers band before betting on originals. Its first overseas tour came in 1988, when it travelled to Soviet Union for Festival of India

FSSAI asks states to step up checks to curb food adulteration in 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 ...

Vishwakarma Puja 2026: Will schools and colleges be closed today?

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

Ganpati pandals step up insurance cover as festival risks mount

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

Raksha Bandhan 2026 special trains: Check new routes and timings

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

Beyond rakhis and mithai: Sibling gifting gets a premium makeover

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

Bank holiday on Muharram: Will banks be closed on June 26? Check full list

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

Dates announced for 10 bathing festivals during Ardh Kumbh Mela in Haridwar

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 .

'Together, let us empower our Nari Shakti!': Prime Minister Narendra Modi

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

The Festive Season Surge: How Credit Cards Shape India's Spending Habits

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1 million devotees take holy dip at Prayagraj Sangam on Mahashivaratri

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

Turning Pongal Demand into Opportunity with Strategic Business Financing

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Festivals, wedding sales, GST rate cuts may have fuelled Q3 retail growth

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

Pongal a global festival, cherished by Tamil community world over: PM Modi

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

Happy Makar Sankranti 2026 wishes, messages and greetings to share

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

Makar Sankranti 2026 date: Is it on January 14 or January 15? Know more

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

Lohri 2026: Know the date, rituals and cultural importance of the festival

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