- Celebrating Chhath Puja 2025 – Kharna Ritual Marks Spiritual Prelude
As the two-day long Chhath Puja observance begins in full spirit on 26 October, devotees prepare for the sacred Kharna or “Lohanda” ritual — a deeply-rooted custom forming the spiritual preamble to this festival. On the second day of Chhath, the faithful observe a day-long fast without water, culminating in the preparation of a sumptuous offering comprising jaggery-sweetened kheer (rice pudding), whole-wheat roti, and an array of seasonal fruits. This grand prasad is then offered to Chhathi Maiya in the evening after the reverent worship of the Sun God, and subsequently distributed among family members and fellow devotees in the long-cherished “prasād grahaṇ tradition.
This year, the Kharna ritual takes place on 26 October and is regarded as especially significant in the Chhath festival sequence because it symbolises the commencement of the rigorous 36-hour fast that follows over the next two days. The ritual not only represents deep spiritual preparation but also invokes a sense of commitment and devotion, with women devotees observing it with steadfast focus and humility, offering thanks to the Sun-God and Chhathi Maiya for their blessings.
- Cyclone Alert in Odisha & Neighbouring States – Emergency Teams Mobilised
In the eastern coastal state of Odisha, disaster‐management authorities have raised the alert to the highest levels as a low‐pressure system over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify and bring heavy rainfall starting 27 October. Multiple government departments — health, water resources, energy, agriculture — have been warned to brace for potential flooding, storm surge and river overflows. This impending weather event is not confined to Odisha alone; adjacent states such as Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal are also likely to experience significant rainfall in the coming days.
Fishermen have been strongly advised not to venture into the sea from 26 October onwards. The meteorological department further cautions that from Sunday onwards, scattered rainfall may begin in South 24 Parganas, East and West Medinipur districts of West Bengal — and in Odisha, heavy rainfall is likely during 27-29 October. The revenue & disaster‐management minister of Odisha, Suresh Pujari, has confirmed that the state is geared up for the storm, with all departments placed in readiness. Given that Odisha is prone to heavy rainfall, flooding, cyclones and river overflows, full preparedness has been declared.
- Yogi to Inspect Historic Kartik Fair Site on Ganga’s Banks
In the district of Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, preparations are in full swing for the annual grand Kartik Mela on the banks of the Ganga. On Sunday, the state’s chief minister Yogi Adityanath will visit the fair site at Garh for a review of arrangements. After an initial meeting with senior officials, he will personally inspect the fairground where a helipad is being constructed in anticipation of his arrival. Though the exact timing of the CM’s arrival hasn’t been publicly disclosed, his arrival is scheduled after inaugurating a hospital in Ghaziabad at about 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. Officials at the fair site have already begun mobilising resources following confirmation of the chief minister’s visit.
- President Murmu to Inaugurate Yashoda MediCity Hospital in Indirapuram
On Sunday, Draupadi Murmu, President of India, will inaugurate the new Yashoda MediCity hospital in Indirapuram. The ceremony will be attended by important dignitaries including Governor Anandi Ben Patel, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (UP) and Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak. Security arrangements for the event have been rigorous: police briefings, a full mock‐drill for the officers on duty, and simulation of the arrival and departure of all VVIPs. Entry passes will be strictly issued; only authorised vehicles will be permitted entry and different dignitaries will arrive via separate routes. Additional Commissioners and nodal officers from various districts have been tasked with overseeing parking, traffic management and overall route security.
- Ram Mandir Construction Speeds Up Ahead of Flag‐Hoisting Ceremony in Ayodhya
In Ayodhya, the build‐up has accelerated for the upcoming flag-hoisting ceremony in the Ram Janmabhoomi Complex. According to the temple trust, all construction work will be completed by 30 October. The chairman of the trust’s construction committee, Nripendra Mishra, expressed satisfaction with the progress. Work on the sanctum sanctorum and other key sections of the main temple as well as seven ancillary temples has concluded, according to the lead agency Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and other contractors. This includes finishing stonework, flooring, and tiling. The southern arm of the enclosure wall is still being joined but is expected to be done within the deadline. The footpath from the temple complex to the enclosure has been laid, and corridors plus footwear storage structures are complete and currently undergoing finishing touches. Officials say all inbound pathways for devotees are ready.
- BJP Mobilises Over 500 Expansion Agents Ahead of Assembly Elections
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has stepped up election preparations for next year’s assembly elections, appointing more than 500 expansion agents across the state. Already, 250 male agents have been deployed across 250 assembly segments; training for these agents kicks off this week in Kolkata. The plan to induct 250 female agents is also underway, targeting assembly seats where women’s social and political participation is high. In the state with 294 assembly seats, the party plans to assign either one or two agents per segment.
- Kedarnath ‘Panchmukhi Doli’ Begins Winter Rest at Ukhimath
In the hill town of Ukhimath in Uttarakhand, the six-month winter ritual has begun for Kedarnath Temple with the installation of the moving five-faced idol (Panchmukhi) in the Omkareshwar Temple. On 23 October the main temple doors were shut for winter. The “doli” (palanquin) pilgrimage which began at Nyalsu Rampur then proceeded to various waypoints before reaching Ukhimath’s Vishwanath temple on Saturday. Vedic recitations and special worship were held early morning, and rituals were performed by chief priest Shantal Ling in the presence of devotees. The deity will remain here for the next six months as the main temple enters its off-season period.
- Himachal to Launch Commercial Drone Services to Reach Remote Villages
Himachal Pradesh is preparing a transformative step in rural connectivity: the state government plans to deploy commercial drone services in remote, mountainous villages to transport essentials and boost rural livelihoods. The pilot will kick off in the districts of Hamirpur, Mandi and Kangra by mid-2026. Under the “Green Himachal” vision, this initiative will facilitate transportation of agricultural, dairy and forest produce to markets, deliver aid during emergencies, and connect disconnected communities. Young people in ITI drone training courses will gain employment as drone operators, data analysts, surveyors and maintenance personnel. The state infrastructure board has already initiated selection of consulting firms under a PPP model to analyse demand, logistics, financials, legal/regulatory frameworks and risk.
- Haryana’s Weather Turns Cool – Night Temperatures Drop, Rain Forecast
In Haryana, noticeable changes in weather have begun: in Narwana, the night temperature dropped to 14.6 °C—1.4 °C below normal—and in Rohtak the daytime high reached only 29 °C, 0.6 °C below average. Meteorologist Dr Chandramohan has predicted light rain from 27 October onwards, brought about by a western disturbance and a low-pressure area over the Arabian Sea. From 28-30 October, fog may descend earlier in areas with water accumulation, and residents can expect the onset of winter-like conditions starting 1 November.
- Amit Shah’s Bihar Rally: Nalanda University Safe from Any Threat
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a large rally in Biharsharif warning that even if 100 Bakhhtiyar Khilji come, no one will touch Nalanda University. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with restoring the university’s heritage. Taking aim at the RJD-led past administration under Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, and key opposition figure Rahul Gandhi, Shah claimed that under the previous regime law and order was so broken that elections spanned six phases – now, they can happen in just one with the NDA in power. Speaking from a rally for NDA candidates in Munger’s Navagrahi sports ground, he said, These people are busy making their children chief minister or prime minister — what about the nation’s future?
- JD(U) Takes Down 11 Rebels Ahead of Bihar Assembly Polls
Facing growing internal dissent ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) chief Nitish Kumar has expelled 11 of his party leaders from membership. The move was prompted by their alleged defiance of the party’s ideology and their decision to contest elections as independents. In a widely shared post on platform X, Nitish called out the previous government’s neglect of the Muslim community, pointed out that since 2005 his administration had increased the minority welfare budget by 306 times to ₹1,080.47 crore, and said structural measures like girding vulnerable graveyards began in 2006 to maintain peace in the state.
- Chhattisgarh’s Temples to Go Plastic-Free – Major Environmental Move
In Chhattisgarh, temples across the state will soon become plastic-free zones. Spearheaded by Green Army Chhattisgarh, a meeting at the Dudhadhari Satsang Bhawan in Raipur culminated in a pledge by temple priests, mahants and associated members to eliminate polythene items from worship material. Founder and state-head of the Green Army, Amitabh Dube, said this marks a milestone merging religion with environmental protection — when faith and sustainability walk hand-in-hand, change becomes inevitable.
These stories together capture the pulse of India on 26 October 2025 — from religious devotion and cultural milestones, to weather warnings, political mobilisations and green policy transformations.