Temple

Navratri, the nine-night Hindu festival honouring the goddess Durga, is under way in India, with Telugu-language media publishing guides on which of Durga's nine avatars is worshipped each day and which flowers should be offered. Devotees are following daily puja traditions ahead of Dasara festivities, with temples and households observing rituals throughout the period.

On the first day of Navratri, the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi held special darshan arrangements for women for the first time. Amar Ujala is highlighting the move as part of its Navratri coverage, noting the significance of women receiving dedicated access at the prominent shrine at the start of the nine-day Hindu festival.

A 1951 woodblock print by Hasui Kawase, 'After Autumn Rain, Nanzenji, Kyoto', is being shared by art lovers, linked to an NHK World programme. Kawase, a leading figure of Japan's shin-hanga movement, is admired for his atmospheric landscapes of temples and seasonal scenery, and this quiet depiction of a Kyoto temple in rain is striking a chord with viewers.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released the first episode of a new series titled 'Dedicate', called 'All Nations Will Flow unto It'. The episode, released on the church's official channel, draws on the biblical prophecy from Isaiah about nations gathering to the temple. It has drawn large engagement from Latter-day Saint audiences, who are sharing and praising the production.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released 'Dedicate Part 1', a video about understanding temples, drawing hundreds of thousands of likes from viewers worldwide. The release is part of a series aimed at explaining the purpose and meaning of temples to church members and the broader public. It has quickly become one of the most engaged-with religious items currently circulating online.

October 22 marks the 1041st Sathaya Vizha, the birth anniversary celebrations of the medieval Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola, celebrated annually in Tamil Nadu. Tamil-language media report festive observances marking the birthday of the king famed for building the Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur, with devotees and history enthusiasts honouring his legacy.

Leaders of Temple Israel in Michigan say they are moving forward with rebuilding after their synagogue was targeted in a terror attack. In interviews, congregational leaders expressed optimism about the future, with one saying "I feel very hopeful," as the community rallies around plans to restore the building and its role as a center of Jewish life.

Emily Temple's piece on Literary Hub gathers ten literary translators reflecting on their craft. Among them, one compares the translator's work to ghostwriting, saying the translator must 'slip on a second skin' of the author. The roundup is drawing attention from readers and book communities interested in how literature crosses languages.

Temple University's men's tennis team secured 11 wins at the Saint Joseph's Invitational, facing strong opposition at the weekend tournament in Philadelphia. The results suggest encouraging early-season form for the Owls as players picked up victories across matches against a competitive field. Temple athletics highlighted the performance as a positive step for the programme heading into the rest of the fall schedule.

India has added five new sites, along with serial and transnational proposals, to its UNESCO Tentative List, raising the country's total to 78. The newly added sites include the Buddhist-era Bagh Cave Paintings, the Group of Temples of the Chambal Valley, and the Gupta-era Udaigiri. The inclusion marks a step toward possible future World Heritage recognition for these locations, drawing attention from heritage and cultural observers across India.

Eddie Vedder joined singer-songwriter Stephen Wilson Jr. on stage in the United States for a rendition of Hunger Strike, the Temple of the Dog classic, according to Rolling Stone. The pairing of the Pearl Jam frontman with the rising country-rock artist has drawn attention from fans of both acts.

Stephen Wilson Jr. performed 'Hunger Strike' alongside Eddie Vedder at a recent show, delivering the Temple of the Dog classic as a duet. Footage of the collaboration has been shared by Rolling Stone, drawing attention from fans of both artists. The pairing of the rising country singer-songwriter with the Pearl Jam frontman on the grunge-era staple is striking chatter across music circles.

Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh and Singapore's Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam offered prayers at the Tirumala Venkateswara temple in Andhra Pradesh. The joint visit by the two officials has drawn attention as a sign of warm India-Singapore ties, with the Sri Lankan-born Singapore minister taking part in the famed Hindu shrine's rituals during his trip.

"Jai Ambe Gauri", the traditional aarti dedicated to Goddess Durga, is drawing renewed attention across India. The devotional hymn, sung daily during Navratri in temples and homes, is being searched and shared widely as devotees observe the festival season. Many are posting renditions and lyrics, keeping the chant among the country's most-viewed devotional content at the moment.

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has offered a preview of the Salt Lake Temple in Utah as its extensive renovation approaches completion. The multi-year restoration and seismic upgrade project is one of the most significant in the church's history, and members are watching closely for reopening plans.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has broken ground on its new temple in Iquitos, Peru, marking the formal start of construction. The ceremony in the Amazonian city signals the beginning of a building project that members in the region have anticipated. The church announced the groundbreaking through its official newsroom.

Gotokuji temple in Tokyo, widely known as the 'Cat Temple', is attracting attention from travellers and photographers. The site is famous for its hundreds of small maneki-neko lucky cat figurines placed on the grounds, tied to a Japanese legend that cats bring good fortune and visitors.

Guatemala City is set to become the second city outside the United States to have two temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The milestone highlights the rapid growth of the church in Central America, where Guatemala has become one of its strongest membership bases, and members are celebrating the expanded presence in the capital.

A photographer known as BewareTheCheese shared a photo of trees inside a temple complex in Seoul, South Korea, drawing attention to the city's blend of historic religious sites and natural scenery. The image comes from the photographer's archive and is part of a daily photo series.

Travel writers are highlighting Kyoto's temples as a top destination for autumn leaf viewing, with a guide to the best spots for fall foliage circulating among Japan travel enthusiasts. The seasonal coverage points readers to specific temple grounds renowned for their autumn colours, as interest in Japan travel continues during the peak foliage season.