Did you know Diwali is an official holiday in 10 different countries, not counting India. And did you also know that the festival of lights is celebrated in a big way in at least 25 nations with major Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh populations. Celebrating the Deepavali by millions across the world is understood. But to declare a public holiday for Diwali, takes it to a whole new level. […]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday celebrated Diwali with soldiers in a remote and strategic area in Himachal Pradesh, adjoining the Chinese border. Modi also made an unscheduled trip to a village, Chango, and said he was “deeply touched by the impromptu reception and their joy”. Dressed in olive green and donning a local cap with a green flap adorning dry flowers, the Prime Minister interacted with men from the […]

In the run-up to Diwali, a detergent brand has come out with a wonderful commercial with an even more wonderful message – look beyond your family and share some Diwali cheer with everyone you know. Shared on October 17, the video shows how a bunch of kids light up the festival for those who probably couldn’t celebrate it. The advertisement has received over 1.2 million views on YouTube so far.  […]

1. With Diwali approaching near, the demand for owls, red sand boa and turtles with 20 nails has increased once again as people are trying to secure these animals for use in Tantrik rituals said to bring great fortune to the person conducting the rituals. 2. Though the Forest Department officers claim to have declared a red-alert in the State, the strike by forest guards and subordinate forest staff has […]

Deepawali or Diwali is certainly the biggest and the brightest of all Hindu festivals. It’s the festival of lights (deep = light and avali = a row i.e., a row of lights) that’s marked by four days of celebration, which literally illumines the country with its brilliance, and dazzles all with its joy. This year Diwali falls on Wednesday, November 11, 2015. Each of the four days in the festival of Diwali […]