Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Special event on Holi and Holika Dahan at Parmarth Niketan

YOGA lovers, seekers, devotees and pilgrims from across India and around the world have joined for a special event on Holi and Holika Dahan at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh. 

The event was organised as part of the 100-day countdown to International Yoga Day in collaboration with India's Ministry of AYUSH and Morariji Desai National Institute of Yoga.


Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to India Dr Roger Gopaul and his family joined the event to celebrate their children's first Holi on the banks of river Ganga.

The special Yogic Holi Celebrations started with a common Yoga Protocol session at the feet of Shankar Bhagawan, on the banks of river Ganga. Parmarth Niketan’s president, HH Param Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and president of Divine Shakti Foundation Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji have given blessings on the occasion.

A special eco-friendly Yagya and prayer ceremony with cow dung patties instead of wood was also held. In the evening there was another special Yoga session that was live-streamed across the Ashram and Ministry’s platforms. Later, the yoga practitioners and participants joined in a special Eco-Friendly, Waterless Holi celebration with organic colours and flowers.

The celebrations flowed into the world-famous Ganga Aarti. There was a special Satsang Session inside the Ashram premises, followed by a special green campfire, made again from cow dung patties and old wood, as part of a special Eco-friendly Holika Dahan puja.

HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, president of Parmarth Niketan, said: “Today, people from across the world enjoyed the colours of Holi in a whole new way, a way that represents the true essence of our Incredible India. These celebrations are a symbol of the power of uniting as one family, in the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, as people of all castes, colours, cultures and creeds come together in the name of Yoga."

Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, director of the International Yoga Festival, said: “Today’s beautiful celebrations brought the world together in song, dance, joy and colours. We celebrated Holi because we want everyone to return to their nations with their hearts coloured in the colour of yoga, the colour of union, the colour of oneness and peace and the colour of our beautiful, timeless Bharatiya Sanskriti. The colours on our faces wash right off, but the colour of love, yoga and peace on our hearts is what everyone will take home."

HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji inaugurated and delivered the Keynote address in Vigyan Bhawan, Delhi on March 13 during a special Yoga Mahotsav as part of the 100-day countdown to Yoga day.

India's AYUSH minister Sarbananda Sonowal, ministers Bhupendra Yadav, Meenakshi Lekhi, Mahendra Munjpara, Haryana chief minister Monhar Lal Khattar, Sikkim chief minister Prem Singh Tamang, yoga experts and enthusiasts have participated in the event.

The special campaign will bring together 100 cities, 100 organizations to host 100 events in the lead up to the International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2022, according to a statement.

More For You

uk weather

Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England

iStock

England faces widespread heat alerts and hosepipe bans amid rising temperatures

Highlights:

  • Amber heat health alerts in place for large parts of England
  • Hosepipe bans announced in Yorkshire, Kent and Sussex
  • Temperatures could reach 33°C over the weekend
  • Health risks rise, especially for elderly and vulnerable groups

Heat warnings in effect as UK braces for another hot weekend

Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England, with temperatures expected to climb to 33°C in some areas over the weekend. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) activated the warning at 12 pm on Friday, with it set to remain in place until 9 am on Monday.

The alerts cover the East Midlands, West Midlands, south-east, south-west, East of England, and London. Additional yellow alerts were issued for the north-east, north-west, and Yorkshire and the Humber, starting from midday Friday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Essex ladybird invasion

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear

Dee-anne Markiewicz / SWNS

Swarms of ladybirds invade Essex coastline amid soaring temperatures

Highlights:

  • Ladybird swarms reported across Essex and Suffolk coastal towns
  • Hot weather likely driving the sudden surge in population
  • Sightings include Point Clear, Shoebury, Clacton and Felixstowe
  • Similar outbreaks occurred in 1976 during another hot UK summer

Sudden surge in ladybird numbers across the southeast

Millions of ladybirds have been spotted swarming towns and villages along the Essex coast, with similar sightings stretching into Suffolk. Residents have reported unusually high numbers of the red and black-spotted insects, particularly near coastal areas, with the recent hot weather believed to be a major contributing factor.

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear, a village near St Osyth in Essex, where the insects could be seen piling on top of each other on driftwood and plants.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kapil Sharma

Kapil Sharma’s Canada cafe shot at days after opening

Instagram/ginnichatrath

Kapil Sharma’s Canadian café targeted in shooting, Khalistani terrorist cites mockery of Nihang Sikhs as motive

Highlights:

  • Shots were fired at Kap’s Café in Surrey, Canada, owned by comedian Kapil Sharma, just days after its opening.
  • Khalistani extremist Harjit Singh Laddi, linked to banned group BKI, claimed responsibility.
  • The motive cited was an old comedy segment from The Kapil Sharma Show that allegedly mocked Nihang Sikhs.
  • No injuries were reported; Canadian authorities are investigating the incident.

Comedian Kapil Sharma’s recently launched Kap’s Café in Surrey, British Columbia, was the target of a shooting in the early hours of 10 July. Though no one was harmed, the property sustained significant damage. A known Khalistani extremist, Harjit Singh Laddi, has claimed responsibility for the attack, citing perceived religious disrespect on The Kapil Sharma Show.

 Kap\u2019s Cafe in Surrey  Kap’s Cafe in Surrey was struck by gunfire late at night with staff still insideInstagram/thekapscafe_

Keep ReadingShow less
Police probe hate crime over migrant effigies bonfire in Northern Ireland

Models depicting migrants wearing life jackets in a small boat alongside two banners reading 'Stop the boats' and 'Veterans before refugees' are displayed on top a bonfire in Moygashel, Northern Ireland, on July 9, 2025. (Photo by PETER MURPHY/AFP via Getty Images)

Police probe hate crime over migrant effigies bonfire in Northern Ireland

POLICE in Northern Ireland have launched a hate crime investigation after a bonfire topped with effigies of migrants in a boat was set alight in the village of Moygashel, County Tyrone.

The incident, which took place on Thursday (10) night, has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders, church officials, and human rights groups.

Keep ReadingShow less
Navratri festival in Wembley

A similar event held at the same site last year resulted in a planning enforcement notice being issued due to complaints of noise and disturbance.

Getty Images

Navratri festival in Wembley faces objections

A PROPOSED 10-day Hindu festival in Wembley, north London, has drawn objections over concerns about noise and disruption in the area.

Asian Events Media (AEM) has applied to Brent Council to host the Navratri celebration at Alperton Studios from September 22 to October 1, according to The London Standard.

Keep ReadingShow less