चामुंडी पहाड़ी पर स्थित, यह मंदिर दुर्गा द्वारा राक्षस महिषासुर की हत्या का प्रतीक माना जाता है। 

Sikhs will not become a minority in Punjab anytime soon. Sikhs are the majority in Punjab, a state in northern India, and have been for many years. According to the 2011 Indian Census, Sikhs make up about 57% of the population of Punjab. The proportion of Sikhs in the state has declined slightly in recent decades due to migration and declining birth rates, but remains the majority population. It is also worth noting that Punjab has a rich Sikh cultural heritage and is considered the spiritual and cultural home of Sikhism. 

Buddhism is a philosophical set of teachings that originated from Siddhartha Gautama who was known as Buddha. Buddhism is over 2,500 years old and it aims at relieving pain as well as the development of the mind. Of all these different practices music and chanting are especially important in different schools of Buddhism. This article is aimed at explaining the occurrence of music and chanting in the context of Buddhism as well as the multifunctional character of the latter.

Buddhist prayer: Concept of music and chantingMusic and chanting in Buddhism are used for a variety of purposes: for providing devotional practices, for ritual, for meditation, as well as for education. These elements are not purely artistic expressions but are rather related to the spiritual goals of the subject. They can be used as a meditation tool, evoke spiritual states, pass the information, and make the audience united.

Theravāda Tradition: Simplicity and DevotionTheravada Buddhism is popular in Sri Lanka Thailand and Myanmar and general is quite conservative as it follows the early texts that were written. The chanting is a major practice in this branch as compared to the music which is rather minimal as compared to others.

Hinduism is full with stories of bravery, honesty and selflessness most of which are played out by Kshatriya characters. Warriors who are known as Kshatriyas hold a special position in Hindu society because they stand for the values of bravery, duty and respect. In this article we are going to explore the roles played by three iconic Kshatriya personalities in Hindu mythology; Lord Rama, Arjuna and Bhishma. Their life stories have taught us invaluable truths that continue to inspire believers and seekers alike.

Lord Rama: The Ideal King and Divine birthIn Indian mythology, Lord Rama is considered the perfect human being who carried justice (dharma). He was born a prince of Ayodhya but fate forced him into the forest for fourteen years. Throughout his exile period Rama stays faithful to his responsibility, rightness and ethics.

Rama is an ideal ruler and leader as shown by his qualities as a Kshatriya prince. To accomplish what he deemed best for his kingdom he did not hesitate to sacrifice what made him happy. Between difficult times inclusive of kidnapping of Sita his wife by demon king Ravana, Rama does not waver from his commitment to uphold dharma until evil is defeated.

The Bhagavad Gita, a sacred text of Hinduism, consists of 18 chapters (verses) in total. Each chapter is divided into several verses. The second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is called "Sankhya Yoga" or "The Yoga of Knowledge."

The Bhagavad Gita, a sacred text of Hinduism, consists of 18 chapters (verses) in total. Each chapter is divided into several verses. The second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is called "Sankhya Yoga" or "The Yoga of Knowledge."

The second verse of the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, is as follows:

"Sanjaya uvacha Tam tatha krpayavishtam ashrupurnakulekshanam Vishidantam idam vakyam uvacha madhusudanah"

Translation: "Sanjaya said: To him who was thus overcome with compassion and afflicted with sorrow, whose eyes were full of tears and who was bewildered, Lord Krishna spoke the following words."

This verse sets the stage for the teachings of Lord Krishna to Arjuna, who is in a state of moral dilemma and emotional distress on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. It highlights Arjuna's emotional state and his readiness to receive Lord Krishna's guidance.

For millions of Muslims in India, Umrah is among the most meaningful journeys of a lifetime. Unlike Hajj, which is performed once and requires a government quota, Umrah can be performed at any time of the year and does not carry a mandatory once-in-a-lifetime restriction. This accessibility, combined with a genuine spiritual pull, means Indian pilgrims make Umrah in enormous numbers each year — and in 2025–26, the process has changed significantly enough that anyone planning a trip needs to understand the new rules before booking anything.

Saudi Arabia has restructured the entire Umrah ecosystem under its Vision 2030 reforms. The Nusuk platform is now the digital backbone of every visa application, accommodation booking, and transport arrangement. New "No Booking, No Visa" policies mean you cannot obtain a visa without a verified hotel reservation. And the entry window — the period between visa issuance and required arrival in Saudi Arabia — has been shortened from 90 days to 30 days, changing how and when Indian pilgrims should apply.

This guide covers every dimension of the Umrah journey for Indian pilgrims: the ritual itself for those approaching it for the first time, the updated 2025–26 visa rules, a realistic cost breakdown across all budget tiers, the best Indian travel agencies, and a practical step-by-step planning framework.