Varanasi witnesses high demand for flowers on the occasion of DiwaliOctober 15th, 2009 VARANASI - Ahead of Diwali, the festival of lights, flowers are in high demand in the holy city Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. The wholesale flower market of Varanasi is popular in north India.
Sale of miniature Quran books up in Varanasi during RamadanSeptember 6th, 2009 VARANASI - The copies of a one-inch miniature Quran are selling like hot cakes in Varanasi during the holy month of Ramadan. The miniature of the Quran, available in different colour covers, are being curiously lapped up by the customers.
Violence erupts in Varanasi after truck mows down schoolgirlAugust 7th, 2009 VARANASI - Residents in Varanasi resort to violence after a 14-year-old schoolgirl was killed after being mowed down by a speeding truck on Friday. The accident happened in the Mudela area when Pooja Patel, a schoolgirl studying in 9th class, was riding the pillion on her brother's motorbike.
Rains bring relief to Varanasi farmersJuly 29th, 2009 VARANASI - Monsoon rains have brought much-needed respite to people in the drought-hit Varanasi. Farmers, who have been anxious about their crops following a prolonged dry spell in this monsoon season, are ecstatic in particular.
Crush of people kills two eclipse watchers in VaranasiJuly 22nd, 2009 VARANASI - Two people were killed here Wednesday morning when thousands of people gathered at the banks of the Ganges to watch the solar eclipse. "One person died because of drowning and the other got crushed in a stampede.
One dead, thirteen injured in Varanasi stampedeJuly 22nd, 2009 VARANASI - One person was killed and thirteen others injured in a stampede at the Dasaswamedh Ghat on Wednesday morning. The stampede took place when a large number of people gathered at the Ghat to watch the eclipse and perform rituals.
Bhopal zookeepers to study effect of solar eclipse on animal behaviourJuly 17th, 2009 BHOPAL - The Van Vihar National Park in Bhopal has commissioned a unique study to know the changes in behaviour of animals caused by solar eclipse. The first total solar eclipse of 21st century will be visible in India on July 22.
Badge business in Varanasi unscathed by global economic slumpMay 9th, 2009 VARANASI - The economic slump may have affected every business sector but the badge business of Varanasi does not seem to be affected at all. The demands from across the world are just as they used to be.
Sex workers dance at cremation ground for 'salvation' in VaranasiApril 3rd, 2009 VARANASI - Sex workers from far and near converged at a cremation ground here and danced through the twilight hours of Wednesday to "attain salvation or a better re-birth". Wearing 'ghungroos' (anklets with tiny bells) on their unshod feet and with garish make-up, they danced to the tune of folk songs.
BJP's Joshi files nomination from VaranasiMarch 25th, 2009 VARANASI - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Murli Manohar Joshi on Tuesday filed his nomination from the Varanasi constituency for the upcoming general elections. Joshi handed over his papers to the District Electoral Officer and District Magistrate of Varanasi Ajay Kumar Upadhyay.
A Hindutva champion, a murder accused, a rebel... Varanasi has it allMarch 24th, 2009 VARANASI - With a known Hindu hardliner, a murder accused as well as an influential party rebel in the fray, the electoral battle in this Hindu pilgrim town is getting hotter by the day. Among the most prominent candidates is Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veteran Murli Manohar Joshi, who has switched from Allahabad to Varanasi this time in search of better prospects.
CPI-ML wants probe against BJP, BSP for Varanasi clashesMarch 15th, 2009 LUCKNOW - The Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist (CPI-ML) Saturday urged the Uttar pradesh Election Commission to probe the alleged role of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Wednesday's communal clashes in Varanasi that claimed two lives. 'Based on the information gathered by our activists, BJP and BSP had a role in provoking riots in Varanasi,' CPI-ML state unit head Sudhakar Yadav told reporters here.
Poll panel seeks report on cash dole by Congress MPMarch 14th, 2009 LUCKNOW - Taking note of TV footage showing Varanasi MP Rajesh Misra of the Congress offering money to people in his constituency, the Election Commission Friday sought a report from the district magistrate. 'No sooner than I came to know that the Varanasi sitting MP was seen distributing notes to local people, I asked the Varanasi DM to get the matter inquired into and submit his report promptly,' Uttar Pradesh Chief Election Officer A.K.
Varanasi all set to rock in its first discothequeMarch 13th, 2009 VARANASI - This ancient holy city whose lanes and riverbank resound with the chanting of prayers by priests and hundreds of Hindu devotees will now have a discotheque where people can dance to the latest Bollywood and international tunes. 'The stage is all set for the opening of the disco.
Communal clash in Varanasi on HoliMarch 12th, 2009 VARANASI - Over a dozen people were injured in religious violence in Varanasi on Wednesday. rouble broke out after a group of revellers sprayed colours while celebrating Holi near a mosque.