village ritual

Jitu Munda underwent a community purification ritual after exhuming his sister's skeletal remains to withdraw her bank deposits. This ritual, involving sacrifices and a feast, allowed him to rejoin his caste group. The incident prompted authorities to expedite death certificates and provide financial assistance.

A wedding ritual in a Chhattisgarh village has gone viral, showing a newlywed couple walking barefoot over burning embers. This ancient tradition, known as an 'agnipariksha,' symbolizes endurance and faith, with villagers claiming no injuries occur due to divine protection. The practice is deeply rooted in the Gandhel gotra of the Rathiya community, involving strict fasting and temple pujas.

A 47-year-old Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionary, Isakkiappan, attempted self-immolation in Tirunelveli, reportedly due to frustration over his party leader Vijay's delayed Chief Ministership. Previously known for a unique penance for Vijay's electoral success, Isakkiappan's distress over TVK's political pace led to the incident. Bystanders intervened, and he is receiving intensive medical care.

A wedding in Chhindwara took a dramatic turn when the bride garlanded her lover instead of the groom, leading to chaos and a scuffle. The groom's side left without completing the ceremony, with the bride's family reportedly assaulting the man and forcing him out.

Thousands of transgender women, dressed in fine silk saris and adorned with traditional jewellery and flowers, participated in a symbolic mass wedding.

During this year’s Buru Sendra festival at Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, an intensive public awareness campaign dramatically curtailed hunting practices. Forest officials celebrated a stark reduction in attendance, with the encouraging note that no wildlife casualties were recorded. Tribal members respectfully participated in traditional rituals without any weapons, ensuring a spirit of harmony.

For the first time since assuming office, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is gearing up to visit Nalanda district. His itinerary includes attending the grand finale of the biennial fair at Pranawa village, where he will pay his respects at the revered Baba Mahto Sahib Temple.

In a unique Navami tradition, Naurangiya village in Bihar emptied for 12 hours, with residents and livestock retreating to nearby forests. This Tharu community ritual, believed to appease a deity and ward off calamities, has roots in past epidemics and disasters. Villagers spend the day in the forest, fostering a community spirit, before returning to their homes.

Marigold cultivation is proving to be a profitable venture for farmers in Ganjam, Odisha, offering a reliable income source. Hybrid African marigold varieties are yielding significant profits, with farmers like Hiramani Reddy and Pandav Sahu reporting substantial earnings. The Krishi Vigyan Kendra is actively promoting this crop, distributing seedlings and providing training to encourage wider adoption.

Travel vlogger Emma Judd shared a heartwarming journey through Kerala with her son, highlighting the emotional depth of travel beyond mere sightseeing. Their experience included witnessing a vibrant temple festival and exploring the blend of old and new in Kochi, strengthening their mother-son bond and reminding viewers of travel's true meaning.

Thousands of transgender women participated in the Koothandavar festival, reenacting the Mahabharata legend by marrying and then mourning the symbolic sacrifice of Lord Aravan. This annual event in Koovagam serves as a vital space for the transgender community to assert identity and foster solidarity, culminating in rites of widowhood and purification.

A man's desperate act of carrying his sister's skeletal remains to a bank to withdraw her money has sparked outrage and prompted multiple inquiries. Officials are now investigating the incident, which highlights the challenges faced by tribal communities in accessing formal banking services. The man will also face renewed traditional rituals.

Officials note that many such sites exist across Haryana but have never been systematically mapped or formally recognised despite their ecological and social value

In the vibrant tapestry of Mithila, the festive spirit of Madhu Shrawani once echoed the joys of community and nature. However, as modernization sweeps through the region and migration pulls families apart, these treasured rituals are quietly disappearing. Today, young individuals find themselves increasingly distanced from these ancestral customs.

Discover the Ravana Janmabhoomi Mandir in Bisrakh, Uttar Pradesh, believed to be the birthplace of Ravana. This unique temple worships a mysterious, self-manifested Shiva Linga, said to be over 30 feet deep. Unlike the rest of India, Dussehra here is a time of mourning and prayer for Ravana's soul, reflecting a complex view of the epic character.

The Raulane Festival in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur valley marks the end of winter and the start of the harvest season with vibrant celebrations. Villagers dress in bridal finery, dancing and singing for days. This ancient tribal festival, traditionally held after Holi, involves rituals to bid farewell to mountain fairies.

Five men from Bihar were apprehended in Sundargarh for posing as religious figures and extorting gold and cash from villagers. They instilled fear of supernatural harm, demanding valuables to avert misfortune. The gang, operating from Aurangabad, was caught after a complaint from a local villager. Authorities recovered gold, cash, and mobile phones.