SACRED GROVE
Why Krishna's Sharad Purnima Night Is Special in Braj? The Story Behind Krishna, Radha and the Moonlit Night of Maha Raas
Raas Purnima 2026: Observed on Sunday, October 25, Sharad Purnima holds special significance in Braj, the region associated with Lord Krishna's childhood and divine pastimes. Known locally as Raas Purnima, the occasion commemorates the Maha Raas Leela, the divine dance of Shri Krishna with Radha and the gopis of Vrindavan. The full moon, Krishna's flute and the devotional traditions of Braj make this night one of the most cherished occasions.
Great civilisations: Built on trade, but wary of traders
China ranked people in four groups: scholar, farmer, artisan, merchant. Shi, nong, gong, shang. The idea is old, found in the Guanzi. The scholar governs. Farmer grows food. Artisan makes things. The merchant makes nothing. He buys low, sells high and keeps the difference. So, he goes to the bottom. The first Han emperor, Gaozu, took this seriously. Sima Qian tells us he banned merchants from wearing silk and from riding in carriages. He taxed them hard. Made them look poor, even if they were rich. Then the state ran short of money.
Sanctity of glaciers
Glaciers, revered as life-givers, are declining due to global warming. This retreat devastates ecosystems and water supplies. It also deeply affects the spiritual beliefs of communities who venerate mountains and glaciers as deities. Exploitation by industries and policies, not the faithful, causes this destruction. Faith alone cannot protect these vital water sources.
Theatre – The Myth of Reality OTT Release: When and where to watch Rima Kallingal’s acclaimed film online
The internationally acclaimed Malayalam film Theatre: The Myth of Reality is finally set for its digital debut after a successful theatrical and festival run. Starring Rima Kallingal in a powerhouse performance that earned her the Best Actress award at the 48th Kerala Film Critics Awards, the film is directed by Sajin Baabu, known for the award-winning movie Biriyani.
Graves of Australian soldiers damaged in Gaza war zone, Canberra commits to full restoration
Gaza's war cemetery, a resting place for over 250 Australian ANZAC heroes, has been bulldozed. Satellite images confirm extensive damage to the Gaza War Cemetery in Gaza City. Australia has pledged full restoration of the site. The cemetery, managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, was previously maintained by a local family.
'India not for beginners': Internet erupts with videos of devotees parading with snakes around their necks during Nag Panchami mela
A unique spectacle unfolded in Bihar's Samastipur district during the annual Nag Panchami fair. Devotees, ranging from young boys to elderly men, paraded with live snakes draped around their bodies, treating them as divine symbols. The century-old festival, drawing crowds from across the Mithila region, centers on the worship of Mata Vishhari, the local snake goddess.
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Revere and conserve
Sacred trees thrive due to reverence. The Gurusheng tree in Arunachal Pradesh grew from Dalai Lama's stick. Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree in Sri Lanka is another example. Buddhist temples in China shelter endangered trees. Religious sites in eastern China are refuges for old trees. Sacred groves in India also protect revered trees. Conservation happens through respect.
Sacred and protected
In a groundbreaking move, the city of Linhares, Brazil, has granted legal personhood to ocean waves, recognizing their intrinsic right to exist, regenerate, and be restored. This law aims to protect the waves at the mouth of the Doce River from pollution and ensure their natural formation.
Sacred groves and Sarna
In Chota Nagpur, Sal tree groves are treated as sacred groves, called Jaher Than or Jaher Ghar. Sacred worship is carried out by the community, with participation of village priests, pujaris and devotees. The sacred grove could also include other trees like mahua, neem and banyan trees.
Kerala government adopts divine route to fight climate change
The government of Kerala has implemented a project to improve the green cover and water resources of more than 3,000 temples managed by five Devaswom Boards under their control. Called 'Devankanam Charuharitham' or 'Beautiful Green Abodes of God', the project aims to plant trees and flowering plants in temple compounds to enhance green cover and make these places self-reliant.
Sacred Groves CIC in talks for 10-year investment for restoration of forest lands near Kaziranga
A meeting was held by India's representative of the environment conservation oriented social enterprise set up with the objective of conserving the planet’s natural habitats all over the world, Dr. Arvind Kumar Jha, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and (DG), Social Forestry, Maharashtra with Assam Environment and Forest Minister, Parimal Suklabaidya at the latter's office chamber here on Saturday evening.
New plant species found in south Maharashtra named for Sharad Pawar
The species has been named 'Argyreia sharadchandrajii' in recognition of Pawar's contribution as Union agriculture minister, said researchers Dr Pramod R Lawand and Dr Vinod B Shimpale.
Janhvi Kapoor, father Boney congratulate artist Subash Awchat on solo show at Mumbai art opening; Naseeruddin Shah in attendance
The artist's show will move to Gallery Art & Soul on December 18.
Plan a romantic getaway and discover the ruins of this ancient city of love
Nestled in the Meander river valley, Aphrodisias is one of the oldest sacred sites in Turkey.
Move over organic farming, Bengaluru is all for 'natural farming' now
Many Bengalureans may have just discovered the joy of composting at home and growing their own food.
Study maps distribution of wild herbivores outside Tiger Reserves in Karnataka
A new scientific study by the Wildlife Conservation Society India Program has assessed seasonal distribution patterns of five wild herbivores in human-use areas adjoining Tiger Reserves in Karnataka.
Haryana okays buffer for Mangarbani grove
Ending the controversy over the protection of Mangarbani grove, the apex panel decided to protect the area and demarcate a 500m buffer as "No Construction Zone"
Himalayan vulture makes a comeback in the Aravalis
The Himalayan griffon vulture, a threatened species was recently spotted in the Aravalis along Gurgaon-Faridabad highway, near Mangar Bani sacred grove.
Deserts are just!
Kadam’s claim to fame is its association with Krishna. The Lord stood on its branches and sported with the gopisbathing beneath.
New Great Indian Bustard habitat found in Jaisalmer, conservation hopes soar
A flock of 24 GIBs was recently spotted in the grasslands of Salkha area, 45 km from Jaisalmer district. Of them, 21 were males and three females.
World Wide Fund to document sacred groves of Himachal Pradesh
Focus this time would be on groves situated in the interiors of the state such as those in remote areas of Dodra Kawar.
Plants of plenty
The Great Spirit that supposedly fulfils all the desires of the devotees also teaches them the value of forbearance and curbing of wanton use of scarce resources.
100 trees felled in Mangar Bani
There is some fresh evidence of around 100 of trees having been cut in and around Mangar Bani in the Aravalis even as the ministry of environment and forest has asked the Haryana chief secretary to identify it and other such areas that are deemed forests.
Land grab in the Aravalis: Green tribunal steps in
Taking suo motu cognizance of TOI report, National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday issued notices to the principal conservator of forest and the chief secretary of Haryana.
Special incentive to protect sacred groves in Kerala
While the dwindling forest cover is a matter of concern that has not been addressed successfully in Kerala, the state forest department has ensured protection of nearly 300 sacred groves in the state.
Gender bender
The patch of forest on the Palakkad-Coimbatore road kindles memories of sacred groves.
Biodiversity conservation gets a push
The state forest department has developed a plan for conservation of the rich biodiversity outside the protected forest areas, that is, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
Cosmic Coils
An awesome nine-hooded serpent carved on a single sheet of limestone dominates the ruins of the Buddhist Stupa unearthed at Kanaganahalli in Karnataka. This is the Naga Muchilinda, who protected the Buddha under his hood for seven days and nights during torrential rains that occurred soon after the Master’s enlightenment.....
Kerala to protect sacred groves
With global warming spurring biodiversity conservation efforts, the Kerala government has started an ambitious programme to protect 'sacred groves', small patches of forests in and around villages, which have rich flora and fauna.
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