Latest news with #AkshayaTritiya
New Indian Express
6 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Divine wedding solemnised as part of Sital Sasthi, celebration in Sambalpur
SAMBALPUR: Thousands of people from across western Odisha converged at Sambalpur as the divine marriage of Lord Shiva with his consort Goddess Parvati was solemnised as part of the ongoing Sital Sasthi celebrations on Saturday.' While rituals of the week-long festival began on May 27, the ritualistic wedding was solemnised as per the Vedic rituals in small hours of Saturday. The city streets bustled with excitement as the temples were adorned for the festive occasion. The significance of the festival is that people perform the role of parents of Goddess Parvati and offer her hands to Lord Shiva. This year, Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari and his wife have taken on the responsibility as the parents of Parvati from Jhaduapada Sasthi Committee. In a magnificent procession, Lord Shiva departed from the city's temples and proceeded to the residence of the Parvati. The procession included local deities, senior residents of the area, and thousands of artists. 'The preparation for Sital Sasthi festival starts from the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya with 'Thala Utha' which marks the collection of funds for the festival. The festival begins with various rituals including Patrapendi (engagement) followed by Niuta (invitation) before the sacred marriage takes place,' said member of Mudipada Sita Sasthi Yatra committee, Jagadish Panda.
India Gazette
a day ago
- India Gazette
Char Dham Yatra draws over 1.6 mn devotees, Kedarnath sees more than 6.50 lakh visitors in 30 days
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], May 31 (ANI): In a remarkable display of faith and devotion, the Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra has attracted immense enthusiasm from devotees across India and overseas. Since the commencement of the pilgrimage, over 1.6 million devotees have flocked to the revered Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib. Notably, Kedarnath Dham has witnessed unprecedented crowds, with more than 650,000 visitors arriving in just 30 days following the doors' opening on May 2. This surge in attendance highlights the deep spiritual connection and devotion that continues to draw pilgrims to these sacred sites. The Char Dham Yatra 2025 officially began on April 30 with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham on Akshaya Tritiya amid Vedic chants and rituals. The doors of Kedarnath Dham were opened on May 2, and those of Badrinath on May 4. One of the most revered temples in the country, dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, Kedarnath draws countless devotees and visitors from across the country. The high-altitude shrines remain shut for six months every year, opening in summer (April or May) and closing at the onset of winter (October or November). The Char Dham Yatra holds profound spiritual significance in Hinduism. This journey typically occurs from April-May to October-November. It is believed that one should complete the Char Dham Yatra in a clockwise direction. Hence, the pilgrimage starts from Yamunotri, proceeds towards Gangotri, onto Kedarnath, and finally ends at Badrinath. The journey can be completed by road or by air (helicopter services are available). Some devotees even do a Do Dham Yatra or a pilgrimage to two shrines, Kedarnath and Badrinath, as per the Uttarakhand tourism official website. The Char Dham Yatra, or pilgrimage, is a tour of four holy sites: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. In Hindi, 'char' means four and 'dham' refers to religious destinations, as per the Uttarakhand tourism official website. (ANI)
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Char Dham Yatra draws over 1.6 mn devotees, Kedarnath sees more than 6.50 lakh visitors in 30 days
In a remarkable display of faith and devotion, the Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra has attracted immense enthusiasm from devotees across India and overseas. Since the commencement of the pilgrimage, over 1.6 million devotees have flocked to the revered Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib. Notably, Kedarnath Dham has witnessed unprecedented crowds, with more than 650,000 visitors arriving in just 30 days following the doors' opening on May 2. This surge in attendance highlights the deep spiritual connection and devotion that continues to draw pilgrims to these sacred sites. The Char Dham Yatra 2025 officially began on April 30 with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham on Akshaya Tritiya amid Vedic chants and rituals. The doors of Kedarnath Dham were opened on May 2, and those of Badrinath on May 4. One of the most revered temples in the country, dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, Kedarnath draws countless devotees and visitors from across the country. Live Events The high-altitude shrines remain shut for six months every year, opening in summer (April or May) and closing at the onset of winter (October or November). The Char Dham Yatra holds profound spiritual significance in Hinduism. This journey typically occurs from April-May to October-November. It is believed that one should complete the Char Dham Yatra in a clockwise direction. Hence, the pilgrimage starts from Yamunotri, proceeds towards Gangotri, onto Kedarnath, and finally ends at Badrinath. The journey can be completed by road or by air (helicopter services are available). Some devotees even do a Do Dham Yatra or a pilgrimage to two shrines, Kedarnath and Badrinath, as per the Uttarakhand tourism official website. The Char Dham Yatra, or pilgrimage, is a tour of four holy sites: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. In Hindi, 'char' means four and 'dham' refers to religious destinations, as per the Uttarakhand tourism official website.
Business Mayor
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Gold jewellery sales in India remain subdued amid high prices and economic uncertainty
Gold jewellery sales in India during April and early May remained subdued, except on the day of Akshaya Tritiya, due to high and volatile gold prices coupled with broader economic uncertainties, according to a World Gold Council (WGC) report. Anecdotal evidence suggests that consumers were deferring their purchases, waiting for price stability, or opting for lighter-weight jewellery to accommodate fixed budgets and need-based buying, WGC said. Gold's momentum accelerated in April, surging to a record high of US$3,500/oz and marking its fourth consecutive month of gains, with a 6% increase. The speed and sharp rise were fuelled by a weakening US dollar, heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainties, and strong inflows into global gold ETFs. However, prices have since retreated, with the LBMA Gold PM price falling 8% so far in May. In India, domestic gold prices mirrored the global trend. Although the May m-t-d correction was milder at 5%, cushioned by the appreciation of the Indian rupee WGC said that stability in gold prices could prompt a resurgence in demand. Consumer sentiment that the downside to gold prices is limited would reinforce gold's appeal as a reliable investment. So far in 2025, the LBMA gold price PM in USD has climbed by US$583/oz or 22%, to US$3,192/oz. The Indian domestic spot gold prices have also followed a similar trajectory, rising 23% y-t-d to Rs 93,407/10g. Despite the recent decline, gold outshines other major asset classes on a year-to-date basis Read More Calpak: Travel Bags Made For The Long-Haul Every Day & Far Away The festival of Akshaya Tritiya, which traditionally drives gold purchases, fell on 30 April this year. Overall demand during the festival was restrained and mixed as per market reports. While large and corporate retailers reported higher footfalls and sales – largely driven by aggressive promotional and marketing campaigns – small and independent jewellers experienced sharp declines in demand. The bullion segment, bars and coins, performed better than jewellery, with low weight coins (especially 5g) proving popular. These were bought as 'token' purchases for the festival, with a notable share of sales occurring through online and e-commerce platforms. This behaviour highlights a growing consumer shift towards organised players and investment-oriented gold products, WGC said. Regional trends also varied. The southern states recorded stronger sales compared to the other parts of the country, given the greater significance of Akshaya Tritiya in the region. A moderate performance followed this in the western parts of the country. Despite a likely year-on-year decline in the volume of gold sold during Akshay Tritiya, the overall value of sales is expected to have increased, reflecting the nearly 30% rise in gold prices since last year. This indicates a degree of resilience in Indian gold demand. Additionally, the exchange and recycling of old gold jewellery remained a prominent trend.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Gold jewellery sales in India remain subdued amid high prices and economic uncertainty
Gold jewellery sales in India during April and early May remained subdued, except on the day of Akshaya Tritiya, due to high and volatile gold prices coupled with broader economic uncertainties, according to a World Gold Council (WGC) report. Anecdotal evidence suggests that consumers were deferring their purchases, waiting for price stability, or opting for lighter-weight jewellery to accommodate fixed budgets and need-based buying, WGC said. Gold's momentum accelerated in April, surging to a record high of US$3,500/oz and marking its fourth consecutive month of gains, with a 6% increase. The speed and sharp rise were fuelled by a weakening US dollar, heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainties, and strong inflows into global gold ETFs. However, prices have since retreated, with the LBMA Gold PM price falling 8% so far in May. In India, domestic gold prices mirrored the global trend. Although the May m-t-d correction was milder at 5%, cushioned by the appreciation of the Indian rupee WGC said that stability in gold prices could prompt a resurgence in demand. Consumer sentiment that the downside to gold prices is limited would reinforce gold's appeal as a reliable investment. So far in 2025, the LBMA gold price PM in USD has climbed by US$583/oz or 22%, to US$3,192/oz. The Indian domestic spot gold prices have also followed a similar trajectory, rising 23% y-t-d to Rs 93,407/10g. Despite the recent decline, gold outshines other major asset classes on a year-to-date basis The festival of Akshaya Tritiya, which traditionally drives gold purchases, fell on 30 April this year. Overall demand during the festival was restrained and mixed as per market reports. While large and corporate retailers reported higher footfalls and sales – largely driven by aggressive promotional and marketing campaigns - small and independent jewellers experienced sharp declines in demand. The bullion segment, bars and coins, performed better than jewellery, with low weight coins (especially 5g) proving popular. These were bought as 'token' purchases for the festival, with a notable share of sales occurring through online and e-commerce platforms. This behaviour highlights a growing consumer shift towards organised players and investment-oriented gold products, WGC said. Regional trends also varied. The southern states recorded stronger sales compared to the other parts of the country, given the greater significance of Akshaya Tritiya in the region. A moderate performance followed this in the western parts of the country. Despite a likely year-on-year decline in the volume of gold sold during Akshay Tritiya, the overall value of sales is expected to have increased, reflecting the nearly 30% rise in gold prices since last year. This indicates a degree of resilience in Indian gold demand. Additionally, the exchange and recycling of old gold jewellery remained a prominent trend.
