UP teacher's song asking students to focus on studies and not Kanwar yatra irks saffron groups, complaint filed
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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Kamika Ekadashi 2025: Know the date, timings, vrat katha, and significance
Kamika Ekadashi 2025: Ekadashi is regarded as one of the significant days in Hinduism. On this day, devotees engage in worship and observe a fast dedicated to Lord Vishnu to receive his blessings. The word 'Kamika' implies 'fulfilling desires'; therefore, Kamika Ekadashi falls on the eleventh day (Ekadashi tithi) of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) in the sacred Hindu month of Shravana, which corresponds to July-August, according to the Gregorian calendar. This is the first Ekadashi after Devshayani Ekadashi, and those who worship Lord Vishnu with genuine devotion on this day are blessed with peace, happiness, prosperity, and salvation. Kamika Ekadashi is being observed today, Monday, 21 July 2025. The Ekadashi Tithi commenced at 12:12 PM on the previous day and concludes today at 09:38 AM. Ekadashi Parana, which signifies breaking the fast, is performed after sunrise on the next day of the Ekadashi fast. Parana must be performed throughout Dwadashi Tithi unless Dwadashi ends before sunrise. According to Drik Panchang, the Parana Day Dwadashi ends at 07:05 AM on July 22nd, while the timings for Kamika Ekadashi are from 05:52 AM to 07:05 AM. The significance of the Kamika Ekadashi Vrat Katha is that Lord Shri Hari is supreme and is effortlessly pleased with his devotees' real devotion when they offer Tulasidala, i.e., Tulasi leaves, which Lord Vishnu values more than diamonds, pearls, gold, and silver. The Kamika Ekadashi Vrat Katha is associated with Bhishma Pitamaha and Devarshi Narada; at his request, Bhishma Pitamaha describes the meaning of Kamika Ekadashi in this narrative. To read the whole vrat katha of Kamika Ekadashi, follow the link and read it on Jansatta or Drik Panchang. On this auspicious day, devotees should get up early and bathe before sunrise, followed by cleaning their home with Gangajal. This day is ideal for seeking blessings at the Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi temples or home, and offering flowers, panchamrit, bhog (kheer, fruits, and dried fruits), while reciting Vishnu Sahasranama, Vishnu Stotra, Geeta, followed by Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi Aarti.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
6 fascinating facts about the most populated continent in the world
Asia is known to be the world's most populous continent on Earth, with nearly 62.18% of the world's population. It is also considered that Asia's population is larger than the combined population of the other continents. Asia is not just the largest in population, the diversity of culture and heritage that is present in this continent cannot be found in others. Asia's population China and India, both of the countries are located in Asia and are considered as the world's most populated countries, standing at 1.4 billion. Asia not only consists of the most populated countries but also of the smallest countries like Maldives and Brunei. Extreme demographic population Asia also has a varied demographic population where Afghanistan has a majority in the young population, while Japan mainly has an aged population, around 49 years of age. This also creates problems in the social and economic sector of the countries. Countries like India and Philippines have a large working population, whereas Japan and South Korea face problems in this aspect as they have a rapidly aging population and low birth rates. Birthplace for cultural diversity Asia is considered to be a birthplace where all major world religions exist like Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism and many more. It also has great diversity in languages which reflects the continent's culture and traditions. Asia and Pacific have 297 sites listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from temples to natural landscapes depicting the rich cultural heritage of Asia. Earliest civilization In this continent, there are reports that humanity's earliest civilizations arose here. The Indus Valley Civilization in India showed signs of urban development, with planned cities like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. Asia's lands had witnessed some of the first cities, writing systems, mathematics and science, shaping global civilization. Economy and technology Asia also contributes greatly to the global economy. Here, you can find the world's largest economies like China, Japan and India. Asia has a growing influence in world trade, investment and development. It contributes roughly 57% to the GDP growth. This continent has also adopted various advanced technologies. Countries like Japan and South Korea have made great developments in the fields of robotics and electronics manufacturing. Hub for biodiversity Asia has a great range of biodiversity from Arctic tundra to tropical forests. The Asia-Pacific region contains 17 of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots. It has rainforests, the Himalayas and Eastern Himalayas. In recent years, Asia has taken a hit on its biodiversity. Rapid development and pollution and increasing population have led to great habitat loss. Asia will mainly face issues in the environmental sector in a few years, as it has the most plastic-polluted rivers in the world along with air pollution and deforestation. Asia provides shelter to a wide range of fascinating wildlife, from the majestic snow leopards in the Himalayas to the world's longest venomous snake, the king cobra in Southeast Asia. (Image Credits: Canva)
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
What was Lord Krishna's first name?
Our beloved Krishna—the one who stole butter, hearts and all our sorrows alike, is known by hundreds of different names. From Gopal to Govinda to Kanhaiya, each name reveals a part of his majestic story, his charm and divine lay. But recently, a simple yet deeply emotional question has stirred hearts and headlines. What was the first name Yashoda Maiyya gave her Krishna ? During a casual yet viral exchange between politician Akhilesh Yadav and popular spiritual speaker Aniruddh Acharya ji, the former asked the latter what name Yashoda gave to her Nanda laal the very first time she held him in her arms. The name that sparked curiosity According to many popular beliefs and traditions, the first-ever name given to Krishna was Kanhaiya. This name reflects the moment Yashoda maiyya saw him for the first time, wrapped in a cloth, glowing like a sapphire in the moonlight. Kanhaiya, she whispered, a name kept after love and wonder. Other names associated with lord Krishna In Hinduism, Krishna is addressed by more than 108 names, each one detailing some aspect of his nature—mischievous, wise, loving, divine. From Hari to Govinda, from Murlidhar to Gopal, these names are whispered by millions around the globe. Yet the very first name, whispered gently by a mother, retains a certain kind of innocence, before the miracles, before the leelas, prior to the world knowing who he was .1. Achala – The firm one 2. Achyuta – The infallible one 3. Adbhutah – The wonderful one 4. Adideva – The Lord of lords 5. Aditya – Son of Aditi 6. Ajanma – The unborn one 7. Ajaya – One who cannot be defeated 8. Akshara – The indestructible one 9. Amrit – Heavenly nectar that provides immortality 10. Anand-sagar – Sea of joy 11. Ananta – One who is endless 12. Anantajeet – The ever-victorious one 13. Ananya – One who has no superior 14. Aniruddha – One who cannot be obstructed 15. Aparajit – One who cannot be defeated 16. Avyukta – One who is very clearly visible 17. Balagopala – The child form of Krishna 18. Balkrishna – The child form of Krishna 19. Chaturbhuja – One with four arms 20. Danavendra – Giver of boons 21. Dayalu – Repository of compassion 22. Dayanidhi – The compassionate Lord 23. Devadidev – The God of gods 24. Devakinandana – Son of Devaki 25. Devesha – The Lord of lords 26. Dharmadhyaksha – Lord of Dharma 27. Dravin – The one without enemies 28. Dwarkapati – Lord of Dwarka 29. Gopal – Maintainer of cows 30. Gopalpriya – Lover of the cowherds 31. Govinda – One who gives pleasure to the cows; Knower of the activities of the senses 32. Gyaneshwar – Lord of knowledge 33. Hari – Absorber of all sorrows and pains; Lord of nature 34. Hiranyagarbha – The all-powerful creator 35. Hrishikesha – Lord of the senses 36. Jagadguru – Preceptor of the entire universe 37. Jagadisha – Protector of the universe 38. Jagannath – Lord of the universe 39. Janardana – One who afflicts felons; One who grants the prayers of devotees 40. Jayantah – Ever-victorious one 41. Jyotiraditya – Brightness of the sun 42. Kamalnath – Lord of Goddess Lakshmi 43. Kamalnayan – One with lotus-shaped eyes 44. Kamsantak – Slayer of Kamsa 45. Kanjalochana – Lotus-eyed one 46. Keshava – Slayer of demon Keshi; One with long, beautiful hair 47. Krishna – All-attractive one; Dark complexioned one 48. Lakshikantam – Lord of Goddess Lakshmi 49. Lokadhyaksha – Lord of all worlds 50. Madan – Lord of love 51. Madhava – Husband of Laxmi 52. Madhusudana – Slayer of demon Madhu 53. Mahendra – Lord of Indra 54. Manmohan – The mind-pleasing one 55. Manohar – One who pleases the mind 56. Mayur – Lord with a peacock-feathered crest 57. Mohan – All-attractive one 58. Murali – Flute-playing Lord 59. Murlidhar – Holder of flute 60. Murlimanohar – The one who pleases the mind with flute-playing 61. Nandagopala – Son of Nanda 62. Nandakumara – Son of Nanda 63. Narayana – The refuge of all 64. Navaneetha-chor – Thief of butter 65. Niranjana – Unblemished one 66. Nirguna – One without attributes 67. Padmahasta – One whose hands are like lotus 68. Padmanabha – One who has a lotus-shaped navel 69. Parabrahmana – The supreme absolute truth 70. Paramatma – The Supreme Soul 71. Param-purush – The Highest Person 72. Parthasarathi – Charioteer of Partha (Arjuna) 73. Prajapati – Lord of all beings 74. Punyah – The pure one 75. Purushuttama – The best of all men; The supreme person 76. Ravilochana – One who has the sun as His eyes 77. Sahasraakash – The thousand-eyed one 78. Sahasrajit – One who vanquishes thousands 79. Sakshi – One who witnesses everything 80. Sanatana – The eternal one 81. Sarvajana – The omniscient one 82. Sarvapalaka – Maintainer of all 83. Sarveshwar – The Lord of all 84. Satyavachana – Speaker of truth 85. Satyavrata – One who is dedicated to truth 86. Shantah – The peaceful one 87. Shrestha – The highest one 88. Shrikanta – The beautiful one 89. Shyam – Dark-complexioned one 90. Shyamsundar – Dark and Beautiful 91. Sumedha – Intelligent one 92. Suresham – Lord of the demigods 93. Swargapati – The Lord of heavenly planets 94. Trivikrama – Conqueror of the three worlds 95. Upendra – Brother of Indra 96. Vaikunthanath – The Lord of Vaikuntha 97. Varshneya – Descendant of Vrishni 98. Vasudeva – Son of Vasudeva 99. Vishnu – The all-pervading Lord 100. Vishwadakshinah – The most skillful one 101. Vishwakarma – Creator of the universe 102. Vishwamurte – The form of the entire universe 103. Vishwarupa – One who is the same as the universe 104. Vishwatma – Soul of the universe 105. Vrishaparva – Lord of Dharma 106. Yadava – Descendant of Yadu 107. Yadavendra – King of the Yadav clan 108. Yoginampati – Lord of the Yogis What began as a casual question became a national conversation. It brought us back to our roots, our Hindu culture and our shared memory of the Natkhat Makhanchor, Krishna. And maybe this is his power, he not just resides in temples but also in our hearts, in the love that we feel and in the moments that make us pause, smile and remember. The information provided here is based on general beliefs and available knowledge. Times of India does not confirm its accuracy.
