The world's largest Hindu temple outside India, the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Jersey, is set to be inaugurated on October 8. Spanning over 183 acres, the temple was built over 12 years by more than 12,500 volunteers. It measures 255 ft x 345 ft x 191 ft and features design elements from ancient Indian culture, including 10,000 statues, carvings of musical instruments, and dance forms. The temple is possibly the second largest in the world after Cambodia's Angkor Wat. It was envisioned as a place for all people to learn universal values based in Hindu tradition.

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and wife Nita Ambani offered prayers at Mumbai's famous Lalbaugcha Raja pandal on Ganesh Chaturthi. They visited the pandal along with their family members to seek blessings from the Lalbaugcha Raja idol. The day before, actor Shah Rukh Khan had also visited the pandal with son AbRam to celebrate the festive occasion. Lalbaugcha Raja Secretary Sudhir Salvi recently lauded Mukesh Ambani's son Anant for supporting the committee's activities. The 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival started on September 19 this year, marking the celebrations of Lord Ganesha as the god of new beginnings and the remover of obstacles. Lakhs of devotees in Mumbai and across India celebrate the festival with great fervor each year.

Mumbai's iconic Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati, one of the city's most revered Ganesha idols, enters its 90th year with festivities starting Tuesday. The pandal in Lalbaug Market draws lakhs of devotees annually seeking Lord Ganesha's blessings during the 11-day Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Like every year, massive crowds are expected for darshan which will be open round-the-clock till September 28. There are two lines – 'Navsachi' to go on stage and touch the idol's feet and 'Mukh Darshanachi' for distant viewing. Founded in 1934, the Lalbaugcha Raja mandal has become synonymous with Mumbai's vibrant Ganpati culture. CLICK on the window for LIVE 'darshan' of Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati.

Ganesh Chaturthi, also called Vinayak Chaturdashi or Ganesh Utsav, is being celebrated across India today with great fervour, especially in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. The major Hindu festival is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, who is believed to have been born on this auspicious day. Ganesha is worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. The 10-day festival sees elaborate pandals and huge idols of the elephant-headed god installed in homes and public spaces. CLICK on the link to watch the morning 'aarti' at Shree Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai.

This Janmashtami, explore a unique dimension of Lord Krishna beyond the ritualistic observances. Join Sadhguru as he unravels Krishna not as a mythological figure but as a living possibility and spiritual possibility. Through Sadhguru's insight and mystic wisdom, discover Krishna's teachings as a gateway to ultimate liberation and how to turn inwards to experience the same boundless sense of life embodied by the playful cosmic dancer. Become Krishna not just in costume but in consciousness, and taste the bliss of his divine song with Sadhguru's guidance on this Janmashtami.

After a 20-year wait, Germany's biggest Hindu temple is set to open in Berlin this Diwali. Spearheaded by 70-year-old volunteer Vilwanathan Krishnamurthy, the Sri-Ganesha Hindu Temple overcame funding challenges through donations from the Indian diaspora. Krishnamurthy hopes the temple can be inaugurated in November as part of a 6-day celebration. The temple diversifies Berlin's religious landscape. Craftsmen are making idols to be delivered before opening. The temple will finally provide a gathering place for Hindus in the German capital to celebrate together. (Image courtesy: @dw_hotspotasia on X)

Indian leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal recently visited Bageshwar Dham in Rajasthan to meet spiritual leader Dhirendra Shastri, after being omitted from the Indian squad for the upcoming Asia Cup and ODI World Cup. Chahal had lacklustre performances during India's recent West Indies tour, with Kuldeep Yadav taking his spot as lead wrist spinner. Having faced disappointing selection snubs, especially for the Asia Cup, Chahal shared a video of his spiritual meeting on social media, seeking divine help to regain his form and place in the Indian team.

BK Asha, Director of the Brahma Kumaris organization, shared Rakshabandhan's joy by tying rakhi on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. Brahma Kumaris sisters globally continued the celebration, tying rakhis on the envoys of Indian Missions worldwide, including High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami and Deputy High Commissioner Sujit Ghosh in London. These festivities, uniting Indian community members and local dignitaries, aimed to fortify cultural bonds and people-to-people connections between India and various nations. The event was a testament to the organization's commitment to strengthening global ties and showcasing the richness of Indian traditions on an international stage. [photo courtesy: @BrahmaKumaris]

This year, Raksha Bandhan falls on August 30 and 31. According to Drik Panchang, the two dates are because of Bhadra Kaal, during which one should not perform Raksha Bandhan rituals. Therefore, you can tie Rakhi on these two dates. The Raksha Bandhan Bhadra Kaal end time is at 9:01 pm on August 30. Thus, you can perform rituals from this time. This year, the Raksha Bandhan Bhadra Poonch will last from 5:30 pm to 6:31 pm on August 30, and the Raksha Bandhan Bhadra Mukha will begin at 6:31 pm and end at 8:11 pm on August 30. The Poornima Tithi (Full Moon) starts on August 30 at 10:58 am and ends on August 31 at 7:05 am. (All times in IST)

Shorts91 wishes all its readers a Happy and Prosperous Onam! In this special animated video for Onam world-renowned humanitarian, spiritual leader, and ambassador of peace and human values Gurudev Shri Shri Ravi Shankar tells us the story of the auspicious festival and why Onam is celebrated. Through his life and work, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has inspired millions around the world with a vision of a stress-free and violence-free world. Gurudev founded The Art of Living, a non-profit organization that is engaged in stress management and service initiatives across the world.