Indian cultural heritage
Delhi's Unprecedented December Diwali Celebration to Boost UNESCO Heritage List Application
Dec 10, 2025 02:10 am CST
Delhi is hosting a special Diwali celebration in December to strengthen India's application for the festival's inclusion in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The Red Fort will serve as the main venue for cultural performances and ceremonial lighting, while the entire city transforms with festive decorations to impress international delegates attending the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee session from December 8-13.
The 150-Year Legacy of 'Vande Mataram': India's National Song and Its Complex History
Nov 12, 2025 06:47 pm CST
Exploring the 150-year journey of India's national song 'Vande Mataram' from its composition by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875 to its controversial status today. This article examines its role in the freedom struggle, various musical interpretations, and the ongoing debate about religious sensitivities that has shaped its adoption and celebration across different political eras.
President Droupadi Murmu Joins Traditional Chhath Puja Celebrations at President's Estate
Oct 27, 2025 11:41 pm CST
President Droupadi Murmu participated in the sacred Chhath Puja festival at the President's Estate in New Delhi, joining devotees in offering Arghya to the setting sun. The President prayed for citizens' well-being during this important four-day celebration honoring the Sun God and Goddess Chhathi Maiya, demonstrating the continuing significance of cultural traditions in India's national leadership.
Trinidad & Tobago Plans to Build Grand Ram Mandir and Establish 'Ayodhya Nagari' in the Caribbean
Oct 25, 2025 05:28 pm CST
Trinidad & Tobago is developing plans to build a grand Ram Mandir and create "Ayodhya Nagari," a Hindu spiritual hub in Port of Spain. Despite having just 350,000 Hindu residents, the Caribbean nation aims to preserve Indian cultural heritage and serve North American devotees who cannot travel to India. The temple will function as both a religious center and a venue for cultural education and community gatherings.
35 Injured in Traditional Hingot Battle: Ancient Post-Diwali Ritual Continues Despite Dangers in Indore
Oct 22, 2025 10:57 am CST
The annual Hingot Battle in Indore, Madhya Pradesh resulted in 35 burn injuries this year as participants hurled gunpowder-filled fruit shells at opponents. This centuries-old post-Diwali tradition, believed to originate from Maratha warfare tactics during the Mughal era, continues despite safety concerns and legal challenges, representing a controversial blend of cultural heritage and dangerous festivity.
85-Year-Old Woman Devastated After 20-Year-Old Sacred Peepal Tree Illegally Cut Down in Chhattisgarh
Oct 12, 2025 08:10 pm CST
An 85-year-old woman in Chhattisgarh collapsed in tears after discovering the peepal tree she had nurtured for over 20 years was illegally cut down. The heartbreaking incident, captured on video and shared by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, shows Deola Bai's profound grief as she mourns the tree she cared for "like her own child." Two men have been arrested in connection with the felling, which was reportedly done for land development purposes.