temple

More than one lakh devotees thronged the Kanaka Durga temple on Vijayawada's Indrakeeladri hill on the opening day of the Dasara festival, according to the Times of India. The huge turnout marks the start of the nine-day celebrations, with large crowds expected to continue through the festivities.

Navratri, the nine-night Hindu festival honouring the goddess Durga, is under way in India, with Telugu-language media publishing guides on which of Durga's nine avatars is worshipped each day and which flowers should be offered. Devotees are following daily puja traditions ahead of Dasara festivities, with temples and households observing rituals throughout the period.

Anticipation is building for 'Jailer 2', the sequel to Rajinikanth's 2023 hit, with the Tamil superstar returning as Tiger Muthuvel Pandian. The film releases October 15 in five languages, including a confirmed Hindi version. Fans have created rangoli at a Madurai temple to pray for its success, the Madras High Court has ordered restraint on online piracy ahead of release, and co-star SJ Suryah has praised director Nelson Dilipkumar's filmmaking.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced a new series called 'Dedicate', which looks at the Salt Lake Temple from the perspective of young adult members. The series explores the temple's history, renovation and significance for a younger generation of Latter-day Saints.

Railways are reporting thousands of vacant seats on trains heading to Tirupati, with Telugu media urging pilgrims to book tickets immediately. Reports say around 6,801 seats are still available across these services, giving travellers to the temple town a rare chance to secure confirmed reservations at short notice.

Searches are rising in India for the cast of Jailer 2, the sequel to Rajinikanth's 2023 hit film Jailer. Fans want to know which actors will join the Tamil superstar in the new film, while a Rajinikanth-themed display at a Madurai temple has added to the buzz around the actor.

A temple in Tamil Nadu has decided to allow devotees to bring mobile phones onto its premises, ending a long-standing restriction. ABP Nadu reports the change as good news for worshippers, and the move is drawing attention as other major temples in the state continue to ban phones over security and sanctity concerns.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has opened its new Modesto California temple to the public, launching an open house ahead of its dedication. Visitors can tour the building and see its interior before it is reserved for church members' religious ceremonies, an event drawing local and regional attention.

Navratri celebrations in India have reached their fourth day, with devotees honouring Maa Kushmanda and observing the day's traditional colour. Festivities across the country continue with fasting, temple visits, and cultural garba and dandiya events. Media outlets have been running daily features on the festival's nine colours, and social media is filled with outfit and celebration posts tied to each day.

New statistics for Temple Maker 64, a Zelda-style dungeon building game, reveal that most temples contain more puzzles than combat encounters, and the vast majority follow the traditional Zelda dungeon formula. Only two temples run longer than two hours, and players are being challenged to see whether they can complete them.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released 'Dedicate Part 1', the opening installment of a series exploring the meaning and purpose of temples for its members. The episode, titled 'A Journey to Understanding the Temple', is drawing large audiences as viewers follow the church's temple dedication efforts and reflections on what temples mean in Latter-day Saint worship.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released the first episode of a new series titled 'Dedicate', titled 'All Nations Will Flow unto It'. The episode draws on the biblical prophecy that all nations will flow unto the house of the Lord, reflecting the Church's emphasis on temple building and worship worldwide. Viewers have responded strongly, with engagement surpassing 650,000 across audiences, and many discussing the series' message of gathering and devotion.

Brigham Young University's new School of Medicine has received preliminary accreditation, a key milestone allowing the school to recruit students and begin operations. The university is calling the school 'a temple of learning', reflecting its religious mission. Preliminary accreditation from the LCME would clear the way for BYU to open Utah's first new medical school in decades, though full accreditation depends on meeting standards before future students graduate.

On the first day of Navratri, the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi held special darshan arrangements for women for the first time. Amar Ujala is highlighting the move as part of its Navratri coverage, noting the significance of women receiving dedicated access at the prominent shrine at the start of the nine-day Hindu festival.

A Buddhist temple in Washington state is celebrating its 125th anniversary, marking more than a century as a gathering place for its local community. The Seattle Times reports that the temple has not only endured but thrived across generations, continuing to serve as a spiritual and cultural center for residents in the region.

Barbara Trapido, the British novelist known for witty coming-of-age fiction including 'Temples of Delight' and 'Brother of the More Famous Jack', is being urged back into literary conversation. Commentary argues her sharp, playful novels were unfairly overlooked and deserve recognition alongside better-remembered contemporaries, prompting renewed interest in her work among readers.