Sunday, February 8

Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Shivers as Mercury Drops by 2°C; Cold Wave Intensifies from Haridwar to Joshimath
State, Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Shivers as Mercury Drops by 2°C; Cold Wave Intensifies from Haridwar to Joshimath

Dehradun, Uttarakhand: A sharp drop in minimum temperatures across Uttarakhand has intensified the chill, prompting the Meteorological Department to issue warnings of further falls over the next two to three days. According to officials, minimum temperatures have fallen by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius, causing a noticeable increase in cold both in the plains and hilly regions. The state continues to experience dry weather, but the rapid temperature decline is making mornings and evenings particularly harsh. Weather Observations Across Key Locations: Dehradun: Max 25.6°C, Min 8.4°C (2°C below normal minimum) Udham Singh Nagar: Max 25.0°C, Min 6.8°C Mukteshwar: Max 15.5°C, Min 2.5°C New Tehri: Max 16.1°C, Min 3.7°C The Meteorological Department predicts that dry conditions w...
Tehri Bus Tragedy: Passengers Allege Driver Negligence, Not Brake Failure
State, Uttarakhand

Tehri Bus Tragedy: Passengers Allege Driver Negligence, Not Brake Failure

Tehri, Uttarakhand: A tragic bus accident on Monday in Tehri claimed the lives of five people, including four women and one man, while injuring several others. Initially reported as a brake failure, passengers on board have now alleged negligence by the driver as the primary cause of the accident. According to survivors, the bus, carrying about 29 passengers, was parked on a slope when the driver suddenly started moving it. Only 18 passengers had boarded at that time, and some shouted warnings that others were still outside. The driver, however, did not slow down. The bus began to swerve uncontrollably, and despite attempts to apply brakes, it eventually plummeted into a gorge approximately 100 meters deep. The injured were rushed to AIIMS Rishikesh and Narendranagar Combined Hospita...
Badrinath Temple Closes for Winter; Pilgrims to Visit Winter Abode Sites
State, Uttarakhand

Badrinath Temple Closes for Winter; Pilgrims to Visit Winter Abode Sites

Dehradun, Uttarakhand: The gates of Badrinath Temple will officially close today, marking the beginning of the six-month winter period when the Char Dham pilgrimage remains inaccessible at the main shrines. During this time, devotees can continue worship at the winter abodes of the deities, as the Uttarakhand government promotes winter pilgrimage tourism to ensure year-round spiritual and economic engagement. Ceremonial Closing of Badrinath Temple GatesThe gates of Badrinath will close at 2:56 PM, with the temple adorned with 10 quintals of flowers for the auspicious occasion. Since 21 November, rituals had already begun at Badrinath, including the closing of gates at the Ganesh Temple, Adi Kedareshwar, and the Adi Guru Shankaracharya seat, followed by the cessation of Vedic recitations...
Bride Goes Missing After Mehndi Ceremony in Pithoragarh, Younger Sister Marries in Her Place
State, Uttarakhand

Bride Goes Missing After Mehndi Ceremony in Pithoragarh, Younger Sister Marries in Her Place

Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand: In a bizarre turn of events, a bride went missing after completing her Mehndi ceremony, just a day before her wedding. To preserve family honor and ensure the wedding proceeded as scheduled, her younger sister stepped in and performed the seven pheras in her place. Full Story: The incident has sent shockwaves through the quiet valleys of Pithoragarh. The bride, a young woman employed in Delhi, had her wedding planned meticulously, and relatives and guests had started arriving for the celebrations. The Mehndi ceremony was underway, bringing joy and festivity to the household, when the unexpected occurred. According to the family, after the Mehndi, the bride went to her room to change clothes but never returned. Her disappearance quickly spread panic. Famil...
Tragic Bus Accident in Tehri: 5 Dead as Vehicle Plunges into Deep Gorge
State, Uttarakhand

Tragic Bus Accident in Tehri: 5 Dead as Vehicle Plunges into Deep Gorge

Tehri, Uttarakhand: A devastating accident occurred in Narendra Nagar, Tehri district, when a bus carrying around 28 passengers fell into a deep gorge. At least five people—four women and one man—have died, while several others have been injured. Rescue operations by the SDRF are currently underway. Full Story: The incident took place near Kunjapuri-Hindolakhal. Preliminary reports suggest that brake failure led to the tragic accident. The bus was returning from a pilgrimage to the Maa Kunjapuri Temple as part of a “Bharat Darshan” tour when it lost control shortly before joining the Gangotri National Highway. According to the Tehri District Control Room, the bus plunged approximately 70 meters into the gorge. Several passengers have been rescued and rushed to nearby hospitals, wh...
Love Story of Former Uttarakhand BJP MLA Suresh Rathore Takes a Turbulent Turn, Conflict Between Both Wives Escalates
State, Uttarakhand

Love Story of Former Uttarakhand BJP MLA Suresh Rathore Takes a Turbulent Turn, Conflict Between Both Wives Escalates

Dehradun: The personal life of former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore of Jwalapur, Haridwar, has once again become the center of public attention. Actress Urmila Sanawar has accused Rathore of sexual harassment in a tearful video and threatened self-immolation if action is not taken within four days. Full Story: In a video that went viral on social media, Urmila alleged that Rathore has subjected her to physical and mental abuse for the past four years. She appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for help, claiming that local authorities, including the Haridwar SSP, have not taken any action despite her complaints. “I am Urmila Sanawar, the wife of former Jwalapur MLA Suresh Rathore. I reques...
Indian Army’s Tsewang Wins Mussoorie Ultra Marathon, Completes 50 km in 3 Hours 40 Minutes
State, Uttarakhand

Indian Army’s Tsewang Wins Mussoorie Ultra Marathon, Completes 50 km in 3 Hours 40 Minutes

Mussoorie witnessed a thrilling display of endurance and skill as Indian Army personnel Tsewang claimed first place in the 50 km Ultra Marathon. Tsewang, currently posted in Ladakh, completed the challenging course in 3 hours and 40 minutes, overcoming steep inclines along the route. Full Story: Mussoorie: Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Himalayan hills, runners from across India participated in the Mussoorie Ultra Marathon, showcasing their talent and determination. Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi, the chief guest at the closing ceremony, honored the winners with trophies and cash prizes. Minister Joshi congratulated Sandeep Sahni, head of the organizing committee, local sports enthusiasts, and social organizations for successfully hosting the event. He lauded the runners’ ...
Uttarakhand Villages Ban Fast Food, DJs, and Expensive Gifts in Weddings; Violation Attracts ₹1 Lakh Fine
State, Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Villages Ban Fast Food, DJs, and Expensive Gifts in Weddings; Violation Attracts ₹1 Lakh Fine

In a unique move to revive tradition and reduce social pressures, around two dozen villages in Uttarakhand’s Chakrata region have collectively banned fast food, DJs, and lavish gifts in weddings. Villagers have mandated that only traditional Garhwali meals made from local grains like mandua and jhangora be served. Violators face fines of up to ₹1 lakh imposed by the Gram Panchayat. Full Story: Dehradun: Representatives from villages in the Jaunsar-Bawar region have unanimously implemented rules aimed at bringing weddings back to their cultural roots while alleviating financial burdens on families. The new regulations prohibit serving fast foods like chowmein and momos, as well as exchanging expensive gifts, during wedding celebrations. Rajendra Tomar, head of the Doha village clus...
Cold Wave Intensifies in Uttarakhand; Plains See Sunshine Relief, Frost Creates Trouble in Hills
State, Uttarakhand

Cold Wave Intensifies in Uttarakhand; Plains See Sunshine Relief, Frost Creates Trouble in Hills

Uttarakhand is experiencing a sharp increase in cold as a cold wave grips the region. While sunny spells in the plains are providing some relief, frost in the hilly areas is causing difficulties for commuters and affecting crops. The dry chill is also raising health concerns, particularly for children, the elderly, and pregnant women. Full Story: Dehradun: The weather in Uttarakhand remains dry, with temperatures expected to drop by 2–3°C in some areas. The cold wave has intensified the chill, making the mornings particularly biting across the plains. Meanwhile, frost in the mountainous regions has created slippery road conditions, posing challenges for drivers. The absence of pre-monsoon rains has resulted in a dry cold, increasing the risk of infectious diseases. While daytime s...
Uttarakhand Villages Ban Chowmein, DJ Music and Expensive Gifts at Weddings; ₹1 Lakh Fine for Violations
State, Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Villages Ban Chowmein, DJ Music and Expensive Gifts at Weddings; ₹1 Lakh Fine for Violations

In a remarkable move aimed at curbing social pressure and restoring traditional customs, nearly two dozen villages in Uttarakhand’s Chakrata region have collectively banned fast food, DJ music, extravagant gifts, and lavish wedding rituals. Under the new rules, any violation will attract a ₹1 lakh fine imposed by the village panchayat. According to the decision, items like chowmein, momos, and other fast-food snacks have been completely removed from wedding menus. Instead, families have been encouraged to serve the traditional Garhwali thali, prepared with local grains such as mandua and jhangora, to promote regional cuisine and cultural heritage. Rajendra Tomar, head of the Doha village group, told The Times of India that the excessive display of wealth in weddings had sparked an un...