http://www.samachaar.in Smachaar.in en-us 2010 Samachaar.In Sat, 14 Apr 2012 06:28:42 GMT Sat, 14 Apr 2012 06:28:42 GMT http://samachaar.in/Kerala/Fun_and_fervour_mark_Vishu_in_Kerala_127266 Thiruvananthapuram: Devout Hindus here Saturday heralded Vishu, the Kerala new year, with traditional cultural fervour with people visiting temples in the morning.Crowds gathered at the famed Sabarimala, Guruvayoor, Sree Padmanabha Swamy temples... Sat, 14 Apr 2012 06:28:42 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/PM_greets_nation_on_Baisakhi_Vishu_and_Bihu_127164 New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday greeted the nation on the occasion of the traditional harvest festivals Baisakhi, Vishu and Bihu.The prime minister said in his message that these traditional new year festivals coinciding with ... Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:00:17 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Hanuman_Jayanti_celebrated_in_Agra_126893 Agra: Hanuman Jayanti was Friday celebrated with devotion and fervour in and around Agra -- even as Christians observed Good Friday.Large crowds thronged Hanuman temples all over the Taj city.Hanuman Chalisa recitals and reading of 'Sundar Kand' f... Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:25:41 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/President_greets_nation_on_Mahavir_Jayanti_126789 New Delhi: President Prathiba Patil Wednesday greeted the nation on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti which will be celebrated Thursday. In her message, she conveyed her "greetings" and "good wishes" to people."May we all re... Wed, 04 Apr 2012 08:59:13 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Holi_splashes_Delhi_with_colours_125601 New Delhi: Delhi was drenched in a multitude of colours as people Thursday celebrated Holi by smearing gulal on each other, spraying coloured water, dancing to music and distributing sweets.Small bands of children, armed with pichkaris filled w... Fri, 09 Mar 2012 04:13:32 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/This_Holi_wanderlust_grips_the_weekend_travelers_125589 New Delhi: For many people in Delhi, this Holi will not be a riot of colors but a quiet getaway, far from the maddening crowds of the city.Traditionally, Holi is a two day festival when on first day, a bonfire is lit to commemorate the victory ... Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:12:17 GMT http://samachaar.in/Health/_This_Holi_play_with_a_splash_of_safety_125465 New Delhi: Amid the riot of powdered hues and watery splashes that Holi brings, experts say people should not ignore safety issues as toxic chemical colours could bring on severe skin infections, eye injuries and other problems.   Th... Mon, 05 Mar 2012 09:34:54 GMT http://samachaar.in/Entertainment/_Bollywood_movies_give_Holi_songs_a_miss_125463 ew Delhi: It's a festival that has inspired some evergreen songs and scenes in Bollywood, from "Rang barse" to "Holi ke din". But notice how Holi has slowly been edged out of Hindi movies in the past decade?   Tho... Mon, 05 Mar 2012 09:32:57 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Over_200_deities_to_join_Himachals_Mahashivratri_124829 Mandi (Himachal Pradesh),  The festival of Mahashivratri Monday is marked in a unique way in this town, popularly known as Chhoti Kashi, as it sees a congregation of over 200 deities from hundreds of village temples.   The celebr... Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:18:08 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Over_200_deities_to_join_Himachals_Mahashivratri_124825 Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), Feb 20 (IANS) The festival of Mahashivratri Monday is marked in a unique way in this town, popularly known as Chhoti Kashi, as it sees a congregation of over 200 deities from hundreds of village temples.The celebrations... Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:00:39 GMT http://samachaar.in/International/Hindus_to_celebrate_Shivaratri_in_Pakistan_124726 Islamabad: Hindus will celebrate Shivaratri dedicated to Lord Shiva at a temple in Lahore, said a media report.Shivaratri will be celebrated Feb 20.According to an estimate, Hindus form about five percent of the country's population of 180 million.... Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:36:34 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Jama_Masjid_packed_on_Eid_spirit_of_sacrifice_reigns_122912 New Delhi: Thousands of Muslims thronged the 17th century Jama Masjid and other mosques in the capital on Eid-ul-Zuha Monday, celebrating the festival with special prayers and the spirit of sacrifice.  Chants of "Allah ho Akbar"... Mon, 07 Nov 2011 07:58:06 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Back_home_in_Bihar_on_Chhath_122825 Patna: Satender Singh and Jagnarain Yadav are happy to be back home to celebrate Chhath, Bihar's most popular festival, with family and friends.In their mid-30s, both left the throbbing hosiery town of Tripur in Tamil Nadu, reached Patna and im... Tue, 01 Nov 2011 10:58:49 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Karva_Chauth__a_fast_catching_trend_122607 New Delhi: For some women it's like reliving a Bollywood fantasy, for others it's all about decking up as a bride, and for some it is just a fad. From a sacred fast to pray for the husband's long life, Karva Chauth today has evolved into a moder... Sat, 15 Oct 2011 11:20:22 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/President_PM_greet_nation_on_Dussehra_Durga_Puja__122451 New Delhi: President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Vice President Hamid Ansari have greeted the nation on the occasion of Dussehra and Durga Puja.Patil said in a message Wednesday: "On the festive occasion of Dussehra, I... Thu, 06 Oct 2011 03:09:50 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/In_Meghalaya_celebrating_Durga_Puja_differently_122433 Nartiang (Meghalaya), As millions across India thronged Durga Puja marquees on the penultimate day of the festival Wednesday, so did the Jaintias, an indigenous tribe of Meghalaya comprising Christians, continuing a 400-year-old unique tradition... Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:44:00 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Dussehra_inspires_to_work_for_the_nation_President_122431 New Delhi: President Pratibha Patil Wednesday greeted the nation on Dussehra, which falls Thursday, saying the festival inspires to work whole heartedly for the betterment of the country."On the festive occasion of Dussehra, I send my gree... Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:33:59 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/___Guns_give_way_to_Puja_revelry_in_Maoist_belt_122418 algarh (West Bengal), The festivities of Durga Puja, in celebration of the goddess and her 'children' descending on earth, have begun across West Bengal -- including in the Maoist belt of West Midnapore district, otherwise synonymous with violence.&... Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:12:14 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/_Tamil_Nadu_celebrates_Ganesh_Chaturthi_121553 Chennai: The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi as it is known in Tamil Nadu, was celebrated across the state Thursday with people thronging temples.  Special prayers were offered by devotees to Lord Ganesh and homes wore ... Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:34:10 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Rakhi_highlights_importance_of_women_in_Indian_society_PM_121193 New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday greeted the nation on the festival of Raksha Bandhan and said it fosters "community bonding" and also highlights the "importance of women in Indian society".In his message, t... Fri, 12 Aug 2011 12:39:29 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Rakhi_celebrated_in_Pakistan_121184 Islamabad: The festival of Rakhi was celebrated with traditional zeal in a town in Pakistan's Punjab province.Hindus and Sikhs celebrated Rakhi at the Gurdwara Punja Sahib in Taxila Thursday, Dawn said Friday.Rakhi is a festival that celebrates the... Fri, 12 Aug 2011 06:13:49 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/PM_greets_the_nation_on_Ram_Navami_117501 New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday greeted the nation on the occasion of Ram Navami and hoped the festival will "strengthen our faith in the goodness of mankind"."The festival commemorates the prosperous and righteous... Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:45:18 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/President_vice_president_greet_nation_on_Ram_Navami_117500 New Delhi: President Pratibha Patil and Vice President Hamid Ansari Monday greeted the nation on the occasion of Ram Navami, which will be celebrated Tuesday.In her message, the president said : "On the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami,... Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:43:48 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Celebrate_Holi_but_with_care_116624 New Delhi: Smearing gulal and splashing each other with colours - people love doing all this on Holi. But amidst the fun and frolic, they should not forget to take precautions to protect their skin and hair from the chemicals used in the colour... Fri, 18 Mar 2011 09:47:27 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/__Celebrate_Holi_but_with_care___116606 New Delhi: Smearing gulal and splashing each other with colours - people love doing all this on Holi. But amidst the fun and frolic, they should not forget to take precautions to protect their skin and hair from the chemicals used in the colours.&n... Fri, 18 Mar 2011 03:52:35 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/_Holi_revelry_picks_up_momentum_in_Braj_area_116450 Agra/Mathura/Vrindavan: With the winter nip remaining later than usual, Holi revelries in Agra and the surrounding Braj area of Uttar Pradesh, which last almost two months, began on a delayed note this year but have now picked up momentum.Holi is s... Tue, 15 Mar 2011 06:24:52 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/___Chandigarh_to_host_Rose_Festival_115185 Chandigarh: A three-day rose festival will be held at the Rose Garden here Feb 25-27, it was announced Friday. The 39th edition of the festival will also see concerts, musical nights, comedy shows, 'antakshri', food streets and various competi... Fri, 04 Feb 2011 08:06:43 GMT http://samachaar.in/Entertainment/Mahindra_Group_launches_Blues_festival__113067 Mumbai: A host of international Blues stars like Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Shemekia Copeland and Matt Schofield will perform here as part of the debut edition of the Mahindra Blues Festival, launched by the Mahindra Group. The festival, to be... Thu, 09 Dec 2010 12:44:38 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/__Women_all_decked_up_keep_fast_on_Karwa_Chauth_112269 New Delhi: All decked up in colourful clothes and beautiful jewellery with exquisite henna designs on their hands, women in many parts of north India Tuesday celebrated the festival of karwa chauth, observing a day-long fast for long life of their ... Tue, 26 Oct 2010 12:30:35 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/_Durga_Puja_fervour_grips_north_Bengal_112058 Siliguri (West Bengal),  Durga Puja festivities in north Bengal, while matching the rest of the state in fervour and enthusiasm, have their own distinctive touch.  The local Nepalis have their own rituals to worship the goddess. The p... Sat, 16 Oct 2010 06:24:03 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Pilgrims_flock_to_annual_Goverdhan_fair_108538 Goverdhan (Uttar Pradesh) The annual trek to Goverdhan hill, which according to Hindu mythology was lifted by Lord Krishna on his little finger to save villagers from lightning and heavy rain, has drawn hordes of pilgrims arriving on foot, by bus... Fri, 23 Jul 2010 07:34:15 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Pilgrims_flock_to_annual_Goverdhan_fair_108525 Goverdhan (Uttar Pradesh), July 23 (IANS) The annual trek to Goverdhan hill, which according to Hindu mythology was lifted by Lord Krishna on his little finger to save villagers from lightning and heavy rain, has drawn hordes of pilgrims arriving on... Fri, 23 Jul 2010 07:15:08 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Centuriesold_festival_takes_Tripura_on_spiritual_journey__108245 Agartala: A centuries-old tradition comes alive in Tripura as the idols of 14 Hindu deities, kept locked in a room throughout the year, are brought out for worshipping during the tribal Kharchi festival from Monday - a spectacle witnessed by hundre... Mon, 19 Jul 2010 04:18:39 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Modi_flags_off_Jagannath_yatra_in_Ahmedabad_108088 Ahmedabad: The annual chariot festival of the Hindu god Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra started here Tuesday morning with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi flagging off the daylong procession amid the chanting of hymns.The ... Tue, 13 Jul 2010 06:25:44 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Muslims_greet_Kashmirs_Hindus_at_temple_festival_106869 Srinagar: Thousands of Kashmiri Hindus from across the country Saturday thronged the Khirbhawani temple in north Kashmir's Ganderbal district for an annual festival. Local Muslims greeted them with sweets as part of a centuries' old practice in the... Sat, 19 Jun 2010 08:35:45 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Buddha_Purnima_celebrated_at_Bodh_Gaya_105126 Bodh Gaya (Bihar), May 27 (IANS) Hundreds of Buddhists from across the world Thursday celebrated  Buddha Purnima, the day Lord Buddha was born, at Bodh Gaya in Bihar where he attained enlightenment.Bodh Gaya temple management committee organise... Thu, 27 May 2010 06:49:22 GMT http://samachaar.in/Art_and_Books/Festival_of_India_in_France_to_begin_April_14_102369 New Delhi: The \'Namaste France\' festival will be flagged off in Paris April 14 to seal the Indo-French cultural exchange that began with Bonjour India, the three-month festival of France in India.Karan Singh, president of the Indian Council For C... Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:36:38 GMT http://samachaar.in/Haridwar/Over_100000_bathe_in_Ganga_on_Basant_Panchami_98751 Haridwar:Over 100,000 people bathed in the holy river Ganga on the morning of Basant Panchami - the official onset of spring in the country. On this day, Saraswati, the goddess of learning, is venerated across the country.“One lakh people have... Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:39:01 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/_Inflations_toll_at_Mahakumbh__few_buyers_for_handicrafts_98414 Haridwar: The banks of the holy Ganga here are teeming with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims for the Mahakumbh Mela, but very few among them are interested in buying any of Haridwar's brassware, silverware, woollen clothes or textiles. The shrinkin... Sat, 16 Jan 2010 09:12:02 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Muslims_in_Kerala_celebrate_Bakr_Eid_94519 Thiruvananthapuram: Muslims across Kerala Friday gathered in mosques and special prayer centres to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha, or Bakr Eid, the festival of sacrifice. Soon after the morning prayers, thousands of devotees sacrificed goats and other anima... Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:19:44 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Punjab_India_celebrate_Gurparab_92566 Amritsar/Chandigarh:   Millions of devotees lined up at gurdwaras across Punjab and elsewhere in the country early Monday morning to celebrate Gurparab -- the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. A heavy rush of de... Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:22:44 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Devotees_pray_to_rising_sun_to_mark_end_of_Chhath_puja__91763 Patna: The four-day Chhath festival ended Sunday in Bihar with millions of devotees, mostly women, taking a dip in the Ganga river and praying to the rising sun. The devotees also ended their 36-hour long fast by offering prayers and floating light... Sun, 25 Oct 2009 05:57:34 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/Brothersister_bond_celebrated_on_Bhai_Dooj_91113 New Delhi: Delhiites Monday celebrated Bhai Dooj as women put vermilion on their brothers' forehead and prayed for their long life. Bhai Dooj, also known as Bhaiyya Dooj or Bhai Phonta in West Bengal, is celebrated on the second day after Diwali.&n... Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:28:29 GMT http://samachaar.in/International/Millions_of_diyas_light_up_Diwali_in_Trinidad_and_Tobago_91047 Port-of-Spain: Colourful fireworks ornamented the skyline and millions of diyas, or earthen lamps, flickered in homes as people of Indian origin in Trinidad and Tobago celebrated Diwali - the 164th year of the Hindu festival since Indian emigrants a... Sun, 18 Oct 2009 09:30:06 GMT http://samachaar.in/Punjab/Golden_Temple_glitters_in_Diwali_celebration___91005 Amritsar: Zillions of lights, tens of thousands of devout and a scintillating fireworks display were part of the Diwali celebrations at the holiest of Sikh shrines Harmandar Sahib (popularly called Golden Temple). The Golden Temple complex was Satu... Sun, 18 Oct 2009 05:45:29 GMT http://samachaar.in/Delhi/Delhiites_throng_markets_for_last_minute_Diwali_shopping_90986 New Delhi: Last minute rush kept the markets in the national capital buzzing Saturday as thousands thronged them to buy gifts for their friends and family on the occasion of Diwali. Confectioners who had opened early expecting a brisk business from... Sat, 17 Oct 2009 12:27:12 GMT http://samachaar.in/Tripura/Illuminated_marquees_guntoting_troopers_at_508yearold_Kali_temple_90977 Udaipur (South Tripura): It's festival time in the northeastern state of Tripura, with colourful marquees, illuminated buildings, religious songs and prayers amid beating of drums to celebrate Diwali and Kali Puja. The state government has heightene... Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:02:06 GMT http://samachaar.in/Karnataka/Bangaloreans_begin_Diwali_with_gaiety_caution_90945 Bangalore: Festive mood gripped Bangaloreans as the three-day Diwali celebrations began here Saturday with lights, colours and a bit of caution. Hundreds of homes across the city were decorated with strings of small bulbs of various colours while o... Sat, 17 Oct 2009 06:11:10 GMT http://samachaar.in/Delhi/Delhiites_begin_Diwali_with_prayers_crackers___90940 New Delhi: Adorned in new clothes, Delhiites Saturday began their Diwali celebrations with firecrackers, greetings, sweets and prayers for prosperity. Many thronged temples, distributed sweets and sent "Happy Diwali" greetings to friends ... Sat, 17 Oct 2009 06:06:00 GMT http://samachaar.in/Festivals/A_gender_bender_in_the_worship_of_Goddess_Lakshmi___90932 New Delhi: The rites of invoking Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu whom millions worship on Diwali, is also mired in several "gender loopholes", says writer-researcher R. Mahalakshmi, a professor of ancient history at Jawaharlal Nehru... Sat, 17 Oct 2009 03:21:49 GMT