People offer Eid-ul Fitr prayers at mosques in Uttar Pradesh

The people in Uttar Pradesh offered special Eid-ul Fitr prayers in various mosques this morning.

Afterwards, they embraced and greeted each other and offered Eid's good wishes.

Lakhs of people offered Namaz at Nadwa College, Eidgah Aishbagh, Tile Wali Masjid, Asifi Imambara and at all other major mosques in Lucknow.

The state administration has made elaborate security arrangements all over the state in view of the festival.

Sonia Gandhi greets nation on occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr

 Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday greeted the nation 'Eid Mubarak'.

Congratulating all, who have undertaken the purifying Ramadan fast, she said "Holy Prophet's teachings of honesty, love, peace, compassion, equity and peaceful co-existence have immense value to strengthen our nation and enrich brotherhood."

Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety in various parts of the country today.

JK celebrates Eid-ul-Fitr with fervor

In Jammu and Kashmir, Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated today with traditional religious gaiety and fervor, as lakhs of Muslims will be attending congregational Eid prayers in Eidgahs, Masjids and Shrines across the state.

Eid-ul-Fitr, is the festival of thanksgiving and celebrated after the culmination of holy month of Ramadan.

With the sighting of Shawaal Crescent late last evening, the Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated today across Jammu and Kashmir.

PM greets nation on Buddha Purnima

With entire nation celebrating Buddha Purnima, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that Gautam Buddha's noble teachings have made an impact on millions of people over centuries.

"Gautam Buddha's noble teachings have impacted millions of people over centuries. He is the epitome of knowledge, peace and compassion. May his teachings continue to inspire us to create a peaceful and just society," Prime Minister Modi said in a tweet.

President Pranab Mukherjee has also extended his greeting to the people on the eve of Buddha Purnima, stressing on Lord Buddha's message of love, compassion, non-violence and equality.

"On the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima, I convey greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens. The message of love, compassion, non-violence and equality preached by Lord Buddha has an ageless significance. Lord Buddha's teachings serve as an eternal beacon light for humanity," President Mukherjee said.
-Source ANI

Kolkata's Durga Puja to get Chinese twist this year

Kolkata's famous Durga Puja will have a Chinese touch as the country is planning to become a partner for the celebrations this year.

As part of a plan to build people to people relations between West Bengal and Yunnan province, which will be connected through the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) economic corridor, China will bring in tourists to Kolkata from Kunming city during the festive season.

Grand celebrations in West Bengal on Rabindranath Tagore's birth anniversary

In West Bengal, people are paying homage to Guru Rabindranath Tagore today on the Nobel laureate's 155th birth anniversary.

As per the Bengali calendar, the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore is observed on the 25th day of Boisakh, which is today.

In other places, his birthday is celebrated on 7th May, as per the Gregorian calendar.

Ujjain: Normalcy restored at Simhastha Kumbh Mela

Millions of pilgrims flocked to take the holy dip in the Kshipra river in Madhya Pradesh as normalcy has been restored at the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain after Thursday's rain and storm that claimed 7 lives.

Millions of pilgrims flocked to take a holy dip in Kshipra river on 'Vaishakh Krishna Amavasya' yesterday despite facing hardships after the tents were damaged and electricity supply cut off.

Heavy rush of pilgrims prompted police to put up barricades at the main intersections and stop vehicular traffic on the approach roads to the Ramghat.

Around 2 million pilgrims are said to have visited the Kshipra ghat on Friday.

Devotees who faced problems in procuring food ate at the community kitchen of various Akharas.

The district administration drew flak after a drainage line burst at the Ram Ghat on Thursday evening and dirty water flowed into the river, raising health concerns.

However, Akhara Parishad president Narendra Giri said it was a natural disaster and that the administration responded swiftly.
-Source ANI

PM Modi greets nation on holy occasion of Ram Navami

New Delhi, Apr. 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday extended his greeting to the nation on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami.

"I offer my greeting on the holy occasion of Ram Navami," he Tweeted.

Meanwhile, on the last and ninth day of chaitra navrati, devotees have gathered in Ayodhya to attend the main religious ceremonies at the birth place of Lord Rama.

Over 15 lakh people took holy bath in River Saryu this morning. Elaborate security arrangements have been made for peaceful Ramjanamotasav programmes in Ayodhya.

Devotees are reaching various temples including lord Ram birth place kanak Bhawan temple for offering their prayers.

Devotees in large number are also reaching to various holy places in Varanasi and Allahabad to take dip in holy rivers and offer prayers in various temples.
-Source ANI

President, Vice-President, Prime Minister greet nation on occasion of Easter

New Delhi, Mar. 27 (ANI): President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted the nation on the occasion of Easter.

In his message, President Mukherjee said, "The sacred day of Easter is a constant reminder of Jesus Christ's endless love for humanity and inspires people to follow his ideals of truth, sacrifice and forgiveness."

Hamid Ansari said, "The occasion reminds everyone that love is stronger than hatred. He hoped that the festival will bring peace, harmony and happiness in people's lives.

Prime Minister Modi recalled Jesus Christ's inspiring teachings and called for strengthening bonds of harmony and togetherness.

"Easter greetings to people around the world. Let us recall Jesus Christ's inspiring teachings & strengthen bonds of harmony & togetherness," he tweeted.

Easter is being celebrating today. It signifies resurrection of Jesus Christ after crucifixion and death at Calvary on Good Friday.

In Tamil Nadu, special mass is being held in churches all over the state.

Easter Sunday is celebrated by pious Christians all over Tamil Nadu.

Easter signifies resurrection of Jesus Christ after crucifixion and death at Calvary on Good Friday. Special prayers and holy masses are being held from midnight at the world famous Annai Velankanni shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Health.

Thousands of pilgrims from Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Maharashtra apart from Tamil Nadu attended the special morning mass.

The shroud was removed from the Holy Cross and special prayers were held with Christians holding paschel candles. Easter also signifies the culmination of 40 day lent period of fasting for Christians.
-Source ANI

Amit Shah celebrates Holi with BJP activists

New Delhi, Mar 24 (PTI) It was a riot of colours and festivities at the official residence of BJP President Amit Shah here today with a swarm of party workers coming to greet him and play Holi.

Besides party activists, some Union ministers also dropped by to greet Shah at his 11, Akbar Road residence.

Earlier in the day, Shah greeted people on the occasion of Holi.

"Heartiest greetings to all on the joyous mega festival of Holi," Shah tweeted.

Amid beats of drums with local artistes dancing to the tune of traditional music, Shah played Holi with gulal with enthusiastic party workers, who had gathered in the lawns of his residence since morning.

Before this, he exchanged festival greetings also with the party workers.
-Source PTI

Ahmedabad experiences 'La Tomatina' Holi

Ahmedabad, Mar. 24 (ANI): This year, Ahmedabad saw some really different ways of playing Holi - some used foams and some used tomatoes.

Ahmedabad saw a mini 'La Tomatina,' wherein thousands of tomatoes were used instead of colours to mark this festival.

La Tomatina is basically a food fight festival held on the last Wednesday of August each year in the town of Bunol near to Valencia in Spain, where thousands of people make their way from all corners of the world to fight in this 'World's Biggest Food Fight' where more than one hundred metric tons of over-ripe tomatoes are thrown in the streets.

Another part of Ahmadabad saw usage of foam, where instead of colour-showers and coloured-water pools, people were seen enjoying in an area covered with foam.
-Source ANI

Holi festival inaugurated in HP

Shimla, Mar 21 (PTI) The four-day long state level Holi festival at Sujanpur Tira in Hamirpur district got off to a colourful start with the traditional 'Shobha Yatra'.

Led by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, and accompanied by Assembly Speaker BBL Butail and several other dignitaries, the Shobha Yatra started from Vikram Batra ground and culminated at Gandhi ground.

Holi enthusiasts donning colourful attires and radiant turbans danced to the tunes of beating of drums and trumpets.

Singh also declared open the traditional 'Chinj' (wrestling) by hoisting the 'Lakhdata Peer' flag and performed rituals.

He also announced the opening of an indoor stadium in Palampur.
-Source PTI