All posts tagged: shrine

Record 1.3 lakh pilgrims visit Amarnath shrine in 5 days in Kashmir

Record 1.3 lakh pilgrims visit Amarnath shrine in 5 days in Kashmir

Published by Parlour News

Pilgrims proceed towards the holy cave shrine of Amarnath during the ongoing ‘Amarnath Yatra’, in Ganderbal district, Jammu and Kashmir, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI The ongoing Amarnath yatra in south Kashmir on Tuesday registered a record number of 1.13 lakh devotees visiting the cave shrine, at an altitude of nearly 3,888 metres, in the first five days of the 57-day annual pilgrimage. “So far, more than 1.13 lakh devotees have performed darshan at the holy cave. Our goal is to make this pilgrimage a truly memorable experience for everyone and they have access to the best possible amenities. Safety, security and hassle-free darshan of Baba Barfani must remain our top priority,” said Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. Officials said over 20,000 pilgrims paid obeisance at the shrine on Tuesday. This pushed the number of devotees visiting the shrine to 1.3 lakh, which is a record. The numbers are showing an upward trend a year after militants attacked tourists at Pahalgam, one of …

Holi Meets Ramadan: Sufi Shrine In Barabanki Hosts Peaceful Celebration Across Faiths | India News

Holi Meets Ramadan: Sufi Shrine In Barabanki Hosts Peaceful Celebration Across Faiths | India News

Published by Webster

Last Updated:March 05, 2026, 13:22 IST At Dewa Sharif Dargah, Muslims observing Ramadan and Hindus celebrating Holi honored Sufi saint Haji Waris Ali Shah, symbolizing unity and blending devotion and festivity. Devotees played Holi with dry colours and flower petals only, respecting the sanctity of the shrine. As the azaan marked prayer time and devotees prepared for another day of fasting, Gulal rose gently into the air at Dewa Sharif Dargah. What followed was not contradiction but coexistence. Muslims observing Ramadan stood shoulder to shoulder with Hindu devotees celebrating Holi at the shrine of 19th-century Sufi saint Haji Waris Ali Shah, transforming the courtyard into a quiet yet powerful statement of brotherhood in the heart of Barabanki. On Wednesday, the historic shrine — long regarded as a symbol of syncretic culture — presented a rare and compelling image. While the holy month of Ramadan calls for restraint, prayer and reflection, the dargah’s expansive courtyard bloomed in shades of pink, saffron and red as rose petals mingled with gulal. The fragrance of flowers mixed with the …

Jammu and Kashmir: Vaishno Devi shrine receives first snowfall of season

Jammu and Kashmir: Vaishno Devi shrine receives first snowfall of season

Published by Webster

The holy Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district witnessed the season’s first snowfall on Friday, covering the Trikuta Hills in a pristine white blanket and turning the pilgrimage route into a picturesque winter landscape. Katra, Jammu & Kashmir: First #snowfall of the season blankets Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine, covering Holi Bhawan in a serene white layer.#JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/J5Bt4Rp09v — All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) January 23, 2026 The scenic Bhaderwah Valley also received its first snowfall of the season on Friday morning, delighting residents who had waited eagerly for snow. Roads, streets, and surrounding hills were transformed into a white wonderland, while cold weather intensified, prompting locals to take precautions. Authorities, including Bhaderwah Police and the district administration, issued helpline numbers and advised travellers to exercise caution, especially while heading to higher reaches. The hill resort town of Batote in Jammu district also reported heavy snowfall. Other popular hill resorts in Jammu province — including Patnitop, Nathatop, Sanasar, and Batote — experienced the season’s first snow, ending a long dry spell. …

Snowfall blankets Kedarnath Dham, harsh winter conditions grip shrine

Snowfall blankets Kedarnath Dham, harsh winter conditions grip shrine

Published by Webster

The snowfall at Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand has covered the temple premises and surrounding areas in a thick white blanket of snow as winter showed its full impact with the onset of the New Year. Heavy snowfall since Friday afternoon has blanketed the entire region, intensifying the cold and beginning to affect daily life in and around the shrine area. The weather at Kedarnath Dham remains harsh, with biting cold due to continuous snowfall. The ongoing reconstruction work at Kedarnath Dham is also facing delays due to extreme cold and snow accumulation, which have significantly slowed construction. In October, Uttarakhand Governor Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd.) visited the Kedarnath Dham and inspected ongoing construction and development work. The portals of the world-famous eleventh Jyotirlinga, Kedarnath Dham, were ceremoniously closed for the winter season at 8:30 am on October 23, 2025, coinciding with Bhai Dooj (Kartik Shukla Saptami, Anuradha Nakshatra). Before the closure, the temple was decorated with flowers, and the temple complex resonated with devotional music played by the Indian Army band and chants of …

Vaishno Devi Shrine Board halts registration amid massive New Year rush

Vaishno Devi Shrine Board halts registration amid massive New Year rush

Published by Webster

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) decided to suspend registrations on Wednesday evening as thousands of devotees arrived in Katra to seek blessings for the New Year 2026. The suspension is a precautionary measure to ensure crowd safety and smooth management at the Bhawan and along the trekking route. Registration is expected to resume on Thursday morning after the crowd density is reviewed. In Jammu and Kashmir`s Reasi district, a large number of devotees arrived at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra on the New Year 2026. Despite dense fog and chilly conditions, pilgrims were seen undertaking the yatra with devotion and enthusiasm. The entire hilltop is buzzing with energy as devotees from across the country gather to start their New Year on a spiritual note. n the occasion of the New Year 2026, a large number of devotees are arriving in Katra for darshan at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple. A devotee said, “I am very excited, emotional and happy. I hope this year`s end will be a good start …

Sabarimala gold: SIT conducts scientific tests at hill shrine

Sabarimala gold: SIT conducts scientific tests at hill shrine

Published by Parlour News

Pathanamthitta , The SIT probing the disappearance of gold from the Sabarimala temple on Monday removed several gold-clad plates from just outside the sreekovil for scientific examination, officials said. Sabarimala gold: SIT conducts scientific tests at hill shrine The process, suggested by the Kerala High Court, began at 1.15 pm after the ‘deva anujna’ rituals and the temple’s closure following ‘uchcha puja’. “The procedure continued till 3 pm when the temple was reopened for rituals,” an official said. The team, led by Deputy SP S Sasidharan, the investigation officer, has been stationed at Sabarimala since Sunday for the examination. In addition to police personnel, the Special Investigation Team included 20 members, comprising forensic experts and chemical analysts, officials said. The entire procedure was videographed and photographed. Travancore Devaswom Board sculptors assisted the team in removing the gold-clad plates from the side pillars, the pedestals of the ‘dwarapalaka’ idols, and the door frames of the sreekovil. The plates were then transferred to another room, where their weight was recorded and samples were collected for forensic analysis. …

Helicopter service at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine resumes after seven days

Helicopter service at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine resumes after seven days

Published by Webster

The helicopter service to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir`s Reasi district resumed on Wednesday after being suspended for a week due to the military standoff between India and Pakistan, officials said. This came a day after flight operations recommenced at 32 airports, including Jammu and Srinagar, following the suspension of hostilities between the two neighbouring nations. “The helicopter service at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine resumed this morning after remaining suspended for the past seven days,” an official of the shrine board said, adding pilgrim footfall has also started picking up after witnessing a sharp decline since the beginning of this month. The battery car service for the pilgrims is also functional, the official said. Over 30 lakh pilgrims have paid their obeisance at the shrine since January this year as against 94.84 lakh last year, he said and expressed hope that the rush will increase manifold. “We are happy about the resumption of the helicopter service and the arrangements made by the shrine board,” said Shubam Kumar, a pilgrim from …

Senior Puri Jagannath temple servitor who took part in Digha shrine consecration suspended for 30 days | India News

Senior Puri Jagannath temple servitor who took part in Digha shrine consecration suspended for 30 days | India News

Published by Parlour News

TEN DAYS after he attended the inauguration of a Jagannath temple in West Bengal’s Digha, a senior servitor at the Puri Jagannath temple was on Sunday suspended by the temple authorities for a month for “demeaning the sanctity and dignity” of the 12th century shrine, one among the four dhams in Hinduism. According to the suspension order issued by Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator Arabinda Padhee, Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra has been debarred from participating in any temple ritual and also from entering into temple premises for 30 days. Officials said the disciplinary action has been initiated as per the provisions of the Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955. The order also warned against any attempt to influence or intimidate other servitors or individuals which will impact the rituals of the temple. If he makes any such attempt, the suspension period will be extended, according to the order. Instruction has also been issued to monitor his behaviour during the suspension period. Story continues below this ad “The action has been initiated to ensure discipline in the …

Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board takes stock of security measures after Pahalgam terror attack

Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board takes stock of security measures after Pahalgam terror attack

Published by Webster

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Chief Executive Officer Anshul Garg said after the Pahalgam incident, the pilgrim footfall has declined but the board is trying to ensure a smooth yatra. Katra (J&K): Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Chief Executive Officer Anshul Garg on Tuesday took stock of security measures as pilgrim footfall at temple declined after Pahalgam terror attack. Board working on different segments in terms of security He said, “In every season, the board ensures top-notch arrangements for the pilgrims. We have seen that with Mata Rani’s blessings, the yatra gets conducted smoothly. After the Pahalgam incident, the pilgrim footfall has declined but we are trying to ensure a smooth yatra. The board is working on different segments in terms of security.”   Smart locker system launched at Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Earlier this month, Anshul Garg had said the board introduced a smart locker system during the Navratri period, which received positive feedback. He added that over 50,000 devotees benefitted from the langar services in nine days and that cleanliness …

Kerala: Male devotees protest Lord Ayyappa Temple’s dress code, enter shrine without removing shirts

Kerala: Male devotees protest Lord Ayyappa Temple’s dress code, enter shrine without removing shirts

Published by Webster

The protestors demanded a permanent end to the conventional practice of requiring male devotees to remove their shirts or other upper garments before entering the shrine. A group of male protested against the long standing practice of removing upper clothes before entering the Pathanamthitta situated Lord Ayyappa temple. They entered the temple on Sunday without removing their shirts in protest. Protestors were members of the SNDP Samyuktha Samara Samithi. They formed a queue in front of the shrine in Perunadu managed by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and offering prayers without removing their shirts. Temple management did not object  The protest went off without incident, as neither the police nor the temple management objected. The protesters later demanded a permanent end to the practice of requiring male devotees to remove their upper garments. “The protest was peaceful. The temple management had already clarified that they had no objection if anyone entered the shrine without removing their shirts, though devotees traditionally followed the practice,” a police officer said. The protest took place months after a prominent monk called for the practice to …