Hindu Temples

TN temples earn ₹17.76 cr interest revenue through gold monetisation scheme

As many as 21 temples spread across Tamil Nadu earn a total revenue of Rs 17.76 crore annually, through the interest generated under the state government's gold monetisation scheme, State Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister P K Sekar Babu has said. Gold ornaments, weighing 1,074 kg, offered as donations to various temples and lying unutilised, were melted into bars and deposited with the SBI's gold investment scheme under the names of the respective temples. Gold weighing 53.38 kg from four temples in Kancheepuram district viz. Sri Kamakshi Amman temple, Subrahmanyaswamy temple, Kundrathur, Nithyakalyanaperumal temple in Tiruvidanthai, and Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple in Tirumalaivaiyavur, were handed over to the SBI on October 12, in the presence of retired Supreme Court judge Dorai Swamy Raju, state Ministers, and government officials. Also, 378.6 kg of gold from 12 temples will be deposited with the bank in the next phase, the Minister informed. In a release

Is Dussehra 2025 on October 1 or 2? When will Vijayadashami take place

Dussehra is a popular Hindu festival marking the victory of good over evil. It marks Lord Rama's victory over Ravana and Goddess Durga's over Mahishasura

Kerala HC orders devaswom boards to keep temple premises free of politics

The Kerala High Court has directed three prominent devaswom boards in the state to ensure that premises of temples under their control are not used for any political activity. The direction to the Travancore, Cochin and Malabar Devaswom Boards was issued by a bench of justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar on a plea by an Ernakulam resident N Prakash. In his plea, Prakash had claimed that various temple premises, like the Tali Temple at Kozhikode, Sree Indilayappan Temple at Attingal and Kadakkal Devi Temple in Kollam, were used for the promotion of political activities. "Such activities are inappropriate and hurt the feelings of the devotees," he said. The Malabar Devaswom Board had told the court that it was "not pragmatic" for the Devaswom Boards to issue directions regulating the selection of any forms of events or performing acts, other than those connected with the customary poojas, rites, and rituals of the temple. It also said that misuse of the temple and its ..

Happy Janmashtami 2025: Best Wishes, Greetings, Quotes on Krishna Birthday

Happy Janmashtami Wishes: Janmashtami is a major Hindu festival celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Krishna. This year it will start at 11: 49 pm on August 15 and till 09.24 pm on August 16, 2025

Hindu temple desecrated in US, Indian consulate calls act 'reprehensible'

The signboard of a Hindu temple was defaced in the US city of Indiana, an incident described by the Indian consulate as "reprehensible". The "hateful act" took place at the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Greenwood city, the temple's official public affairs account said in an X post on Tuesday. This was the fourth time in less than a year that a BAPS temple has been targeted, it said. The Indian Consulate in Chicago took strong note of the act and called it "reprehensible". "Desecration of main signboard of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Greenwood, Indiana is reprehensible," it said in an X post, adding that it has raised the matter with the law enforcement authorities for "prompt action". It added that the consul general also addressed a gathering of devotees and local leadership including the Mayor of Greenwood, "calling for unity & solidarity, and vigilance against miscreants there." The temple administration in its post also said that the act has "strengthened our community's ..

Swaminarayan Temple in Australia's Melbourne vandalised with 'racial slurs'

President of the Hindu Council of Australia, Victoria chapter, Makrand Bhagwat, expressed deep shock at the vandalism of the holy place

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

Beyond beaches: Goa to promote temple visits under spiritual tourism drive

The Goa government is planning to provide a spiritual experience to visitors, away from the beaches, by promoting a pilgrimage circuit comprising 11 iconic temples in the state, officials said on Tuesday. These temples will be the highlight of the Goa Tourism's 'Ekadasha Teertha Yatra' campaign, they said. A meeting was held on Monday with representatives of all the 11 temples to discuss promotion of the pilgrimage circuit and resolve any coordination-related issues, Goa Tourism Director Kedar Naik told PTI. The 'Ekadasha Teertha Yatra' will cover the 11 temples representing Goa's rich spiritual legacy. These include Sri Manguesh Temple in Mangeshi (North Goa), Sri Mahalasa Narayani Temple in Mardol (North Goa), Mahadev Temple in Tambdi Surla (South Goa) and Sri Shantadurga Temple in Fatorpa (South Goa). As part of the pilgrimage circuit, tourists will be taken around four temples in a day, covering the entire journey in two-three days, Naik said. The visitors will also be taken

Bangladesh drops Sheikh Mujib from currency, adds temples, landmarks

Bangladesh unveils new currency notes without Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's image, featuring Hindu and Buddhist temples, landmarks, and artwork instead, amid major political and leadership changes

Delhi starts 20-day cleanliness drive, bans plastic in markets, temples

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday launched a 20-day intensive cleanliness drive across Delhi, promising a visible transformation in public spaces under the "triple-engine" government model. She also announced a ban on the use of single-use plastics in religious places, schools, and markets. The cleanliness campaign, which begins Friday, will focus on large-scale waste segregation, removal of encroachments, and strict daily monitoring. "Civic officials will be held accountable for areas falling under their jurisdictions. No garbage, debris or encroachment will be tolerated in public places," Gupta said at a press conference. The announcement came after a high-level meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena at Raj Niwas, attended by district magistrates, deputy commissioners, DCPs and senior officials from civic bodies. "All top officials, including DMs and DCPs, must visit their areas daily and submit compliance reports. Cameras will monitor every corner of the ...

Demolition near Somnath: Compound wall should be 5-6 ft, SC to Gujarat govt

The Supreme Court on Monday told the Gujarat government that a compound wall, being constructed to prevent encroachment at a demotion site near Gir's Somnath Temple, should be five to six feet height. The observations came from a bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih which was informed by the state that they were constructing a compound wall to prevent encroachment. Contesting the petitioner's claims on the height of the compound wall, solicitor general Tushar Mehta, representing Gujarat, said the authorities could always protect a government land by constructing a compound wall. "Don't have a 12 feet wall. If you are protecting it, five feet, six feet is enough," Justice Gavai observed. Mehta said the claims about a 12-feet compound wall was only an "oral assertion" of the petitioner's counsel. "We are not putting up a fort so that nobody can enter inside. It is to prevent it from unauthorised encroachment," he added. The bench observed the compound wall should

Gyanvapi case: Allahabad HC to hear plea on Wazukhana ASI survey today

The Hindu side alleges that a shivling was found on its premises in 2022; however, the Muslim side has claimed it is a water fountain

UP govt bans sale of meat within 500 m of religious places during Navratri

Ahead of the commencement of the nine-day Chaitra Navratri festival on Sunday, the Uttar Pradesh government has directed the closure of illegal slaughterhouses and a ban on the sale of meat within 500 metres of religious places. Special restrictions will be imposed for Ram Navami on April 6, when animal slaughter and the sale of meat will be completely banned. Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department Amrit Abhijat has directed all the District Magistrates, Police Commissioners and Municipal Commissioners to immediately close the slaughterhouses and enforce the ban on meat sale near religious places, the UP government said in a statement on Saturday. Citing the orders issued in 2014 and 2017, the Yogi Adityanath government has clarified that illegal animal slaughter and sale of meat near religious places will be completely prohibited. To make this decision effective, district-level committees have been formed under the chairmanship of district magistrates. These will

Grand Sita Mata temple to be built, symbolising women's power: Amit Shah

Union Minister Amit Shah on Sunday hailed the people of Mithilanchal and Bihar for contributing to the development of Gujarat and said the area had a history of empowering democracy and philosophy from ancient times.Addressing the 'Shashwat Mithila Mahotsav 2025' event here, he also promised that a grand temple of Sita Mata will be built."When I went to Bihar during the Lok Sabha elections, I had said Ram Mandir has been built, now it is the turn to build a grand temple of Sita Mata. The temple will give a message of woman power to the whole world and how life should be ideal in every way," he said. "The people from Mithilanchal and Bihar who have settled in Gujarat have contributed significantly to its growth," he said while assuring them they were safe, respected and welcome in the state. The land of Mithila has been a land of intellectuals from the times of Ramayan and Mahabharat, with the ancient kingdom of Videha being the mother of democracy. "Mahatma Buddha had said many ...

India condemns vandalism at Hindu temple in US by Khalistani extremists

The repsonse comes after a BAPS Hindu Temple located in California's Chino Hills was vandalised with discretionary messages by extremists ahead of a 'Khalistani referendum' in Los Angeles

BAPS Hindu temple vandalised in California ahead of 'Khalistan referendum'

Official page of BAPS for United States, shared the details of the incident on social media, the 'anti-Hindu' messages included phrases such as 'Hindus go back,' alarming the local Hindu community

No VIP darshan at Kashi Vishwanath from Feb 25-27 due to Mahashivratri rush

Anticipating a heavy rush of devotees during Mahashivratri, authorities have decided to suspend the VIP 'darshan' facility at the Kashi Vishwanath temple here from February 25 to 27. Kashi Vishwanath Temple's Chief Executive Officer, Vishw Bhushan Mishra said on Monday that the number of visitors to the temple has significantly increased due to the return flow of devotees from the ongoing Maha Kumbh in nearby Prayagraj. With Mahashivratri falling on February 26 this year alongside the Kumbh Mela, pilgrims from across the country, along with saints from various akharas, including Naga sadhus, are expected to arrive in large numbers to offer prayers, he noted. "On this occasion, the Naga akharas will also take out a grand procession, which will temporarily block general access through gate number 4 of the temple. This is likely to increase the waiting time for regular devotees. Given the hot and humid weather conditions, prolonged waiting could pose health risks, especially for ...

Pak govt unveils 1 bn PKR master plan for renovation of temples, gurdwaras

The Pakistani government has prepared a 'master plan' for the renovation and beautifying of temples and gurdwaras in the country at a cost of PKR 1 billion. The decision was taken on Saturday in a meeting of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) here under its chief Syed Attaur Rehman. "Under a master plan, temples and gurudwaras will be decorated and development works will be done with a budget of PKR 1bn," said Rehman. "A huge amount of money is being spent on minority places of worship," he added. Rehman also said the ETPB received more than Rs 1 billion in revenue this year. The meeting was attended by members of the Hindu and Sikh communities from all over the country, as well as government and non-government members. Speaking about the ETPB development scheme that needs to be revised, board secretary Farid Iqbal told the members that after changing the scheme to increase the department's income, the trust properties are now being presented for development. "The departmen

Deaths of 23 Hindus, 152 attacks on temples in B'desh cited since Aug: Govt

Since August, reports have cited deaths of 23 Hindus and 152 incidents of attack on Hindu temples in Bangladesh, the government said on Friday. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written response to a query in the Lok Sabha also said "during the last two months (November 26, 2024 till January 25, 2025), 76 cases of incidents of attacks against Hindus have been reported in Bangladesh". The government was asked about the details of cases of harassment caused to Hindus in Bangladesh reported during the last two months; the number of Hindu people who have been injured or died along with the number of attacks on Hindu temples in Bangladesh. "Since August reports have cited deaths of 23 Hindus and 152 incidents of attack on Hindu temples in Bangladesh," he said in his response. The Government of India has taken note of the incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and shared its concerns with the government of Bangladesh, the ..

SC refuses to entertain PIL against special treatment for VIPs in temples

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a PIL against the practice of charging an additional fee for "VIP darshan" and according of preferential, selective and special treatment to a certain class of people in temples. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said it was for the society and temple management to decide the issue and the court cannot pass any direction. "While we may be of the opinion that no special treatment should be given but this court cannot issue directions. We do not think it is a fit case to exercise jurisdiction under Article 32 of the Constitution. However, we clarify that dismissal of the petition will not bar the appropriate authorities from taking appropriate action as required," the bench said. Advocate Akash Vashishtha, representing the petitioner, argued there is some Standard Operating Procedure required as there are 12 Jyotirlingas and this completely arbitrary practice of "VIP darshan". The top court was ...