Mahalaya Amavasi is being observed all over Tamil Nadu today. Thousands of people took holy dip in Agni Theertham in Rameswaram Sea and performed tarpanam rituals for their ancestors.

Special rituals for ancestors were conducted in Srirangam Amman Mandapam in Trichy, Bhavani sangamam in Erode, Kodiakkarai, Poom Puhar, Mayiladuturai in Nagapattinam, districts.

oday is Mahalaya, the beginning of Devi Paksha, the greatest festival of Bengalees, Durga Pooja.

Mahalaya marks the end of Pitra Paksha and beginning of Devi Paksha. It is believed that Maa Durga begins her journey to the earth on Devi Paksha. On this day, people offer prayers betterly known as Tarpan to their ancestors.

In Kolkata, large number of people have gathered on the banks of river Ganga to perform Tarpan in the memory of their departed parents since early morning.

AIR Kolkata broadcast special traditional morning programme Mahishasur Mardini on the occasion of Mahalaya.

Most of the big community pooja organisers are now engaged for last minute preparation to make their presentation as an unique.

Going beyond domestic tourists, the West Bengal government has drawn up plans to attract foreign tourists during the upcoming Durga Puja festival.

According to state's Tourism Minister Rachhpal Singh, roadshows have already been organised in Bangalore and Mumbai, besides organising campaigns in USA and Canada. He said, while planning more such programmes in other major Indian cities, more campaigns are awaiting to draw attention of tourists from Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and neighbouring countries with the help of various central and foreign agencies.

Bengal's biggest festival Durga Puja, which will begin from October 21, is a four day melange of festive fun and devotion which brings everything else in the entire state to a standstill.

 In Nepal, a four day literature festival has begun in the capital Kathmandu today. Indian authors including Bengali poet and novelist Sunil Gangopadhyay, Journalist Vinod Mehta , Amish Tripathi, Advaita Kala, are taking part in the festival .

There will be various sessions on literature, theatre, art, music, sociology and economics in the four-day festival. alongwith book launches. The festival is organised by the Bookworm Trust .

 he Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has greeted the nation on the joyous occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. In his message, Dr. Singh said that the festival symbolizes the cultural unity of the country, bringing people of all walks of life together. He expressed the hope that this festival will bring all-round development, harmony and prosperity in the country.

 he President Pranab Mukherjee has greeted the nation on the occasion of Onam being celebrated tomorrow. In his message, Mr. Mukherjee said the occasion is marked by a resolve to lead our lives by imbibing the virtues of truth, love, piety and humility. The President said, the unique festival brings out the rich cultural heritage of Kerala in it’s best form and spirit. Mr. Mukherjee wished that may this festival instil in us the spirit of national integration and inspire us to work for further development of the country.

Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari has greeted the nation on the ocassion of Onam which marks the beginning of the harvest season. In his message, Mr Ansari said the auspicious festival celebrated with traditional gaiety plays an important role in uniting people in a common brotherhood. He wished the festival may usher in peace, prosperity and happiness in the society and contribute in the nation's progress.

 The 73rd URS of Hazrat Inayat Hasan Shah and 38th URS of Hazrat Rahat Hasan Shah began at Bhaisondi in Uttar Pradesh today. The URS is attracting a large number of devotees and will continue till Monday. Our Lucknow correspondent reports that special prayers were held on the opening day of the URS for peace and prosperity in the country.

Saudi Arabia, Gulf countries, U.S. and Europe are celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr today. Gulf countries including United Arab Emirates and European countries including Britain offered Eid prayers today and are celebrating Eid. 

Huge Eid prayer congregations were also held in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippine, Libya and Egypt. U.S., Canada, New Zealand and South Africa are also celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr today

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari has greeted the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of 'Navroj', which marks the beginning of Parsi New Year. In his message he said that Navroj is celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety and fosters the spirit of harmony and brotherhood that marks our composite culture. He has wished that this auspicious occasion may bring amity, prosperity and happiness in our lives.

In Odisha, the world-famous return car festival 'Bahuda Rath Yatra' of Lord Sri Jagannath, Sri Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra is going on at Puri. The pulling of three chariots will begin shortly as the 'Pahandi' of three deities from the 'Aadapa Mandapa' in Gundicha Temple to the chariots has been completed.

Gajapati King of Puri Dibyasingha Deb will sweep the three chariots with golden broom known as 'Chhera Pahanra' and then the three chariots will be pulled in the Grand Road 'Bada Danda' in Puri to Lion's Gate 'Singha Dwar' of Sri Jagannath Temple.

The return car festival or the Bahuda Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabahdra and Devi Subhadra is one of the main events in the world-famous Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra. It is also the end of Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra.

As per the annually performed ceremony, the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra visit Gundicha Temple and stay in 'Adapa Mandapa' for a week.

After the stay of seven days, the chariots return to Puri Jagannath Temple on the ninth day. This year, Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra took place on 21st of this month and the Bahuda Yatra is being held today.

During the Bahuda Yatra, three chariots visit 'Mausi Maa' Temple where Lord Jagannath along with Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are offered 'Poda Pitha', one type of pancake.

The presiding deity of 'Mausi Maa' Temple is the aunt of Lord Jagannath. Elaborate security arrangements have been made by the police for the 'Bahuda Yatra' following intelligence reports that some banned militant organisations have planned to attack the festival considering the huge gathering of lakhs of devotees from different parts of the world.

Jaireen from various parts of the country are continuously reaching Ajmer to attend Urs of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddinn Hasan Chishti. Minister of State in Prime Minister Office V Narain Sami and Minister of State for communication Sachin Pilot offered Chadar at Dargah on Saturday on behalf of the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. In his message Dr. Singh said that Khwaja Sahibb's message of love and humanity is still relevant. He stressed the need of unity and brotherhood and people of all communities have regard for Khwaja Sahib. Urs will be concluded on 28th May with the ritual of Kul. India Post will release 2 commemorative postage stamps on the occasion of 800th Urs tomorrow at Ajmer.

The most colourful and spectacular of all temple festivals in Kerala, Thrissur Pooram is being held today. The festivities will culminate today with processions of deities of smaller temples in and around Thrissur, converging at the Vadakkumnathan temple, where Lord Shiva is the presiding deity. The processions of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu temples accompanied by Panchavadyam and Pandimelam are the most important. A colorful display of fireworks will be held during the early hours of tomorrow as a part of the festival.

Today Akshay Tratiya is being celebrated with traditional joy in Rajasthan. Thousands of marriages are scheduled to took place today.Samuhik Vivah sammelans are being organized at various places which are very effective to check child marriages.

Police and administration has geared up to prevent child marriages.Air correspondent reports that Akshay Tratiya is known as Abujh Sawa in Rajasthan and thousands of marriages will took place today. The state government is alert about child marriages, a telephone help line has established in all districts where information about child marriage could be given on toll free 1098 number. 

Due to continuous awareness programmes number of child marriages has reduced in the state but in 12 districts including rural areas of Jaipur such marriages are still reported. Last year 1232 child marriages were not taken place due to timely intervention of police and women’s commission. Today also all arrangements have been made to check this social evil.

Samuhik Vivah sammelans are also being organized in the state which is an effective check on child marriages. This year the government has made compulsory to mention age of bride and groom on marriage invitation cards it was also an effective check.Controll rooms have also been established in all districts to stop child marriages.

India Post has offered a flat six per cent discount on the price of gold to mark the festival of Akshaya Tritya which will be celebrated on Tuesday. Chief Postmaster General of Delhi Postal Circle has announced this special festive offer on the purchase of gold coins from 31 designated post offices across the Delhi Postal Circle.

According to an official release, apart from this, the gold coins are also available on more than 800 post offices across the country. AIR Correspondent reports, buying gold items on the occasion of Aksaya Tritya festival is an important aspect and it is a part of worshipping goddess Laxmi.

Sri Lanka in a festive mood and is preparing to celebrate the traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year tomorrow. Sinhalese Buddhists and Tamil Hindus in Sri Lanka both celebrate Aluth Avurudda or Puthaandu on the 13th or the 14th of April. The festival coincides with ending of the harvest .

According to astrological calculations the day marks the transit of Sun from the House of Pisces to the house of Aries.Once these are done, the celebrations begin in earnest as families mingle in the streets and homes are thrown open. The ubiquitous plantain is dished out alongside celebratory feasts of kaung (small oil cake) and kokis (crisp and light sweetmeat).