Varanasi, Oct. 16 : People in Varanasi celebrate Akashdeep festival in remembrance of martyrs by lighting earthen lamps on the banks of holy River Ganga on the beginning of auspicious Kartik month as per Hindu almanac.

The ritual is believed to have existed even centuries ago when it was held to pay tributes to the numerous soldiers who died in the epic Mahabharata war.

The Akashdeep festival is now devoted to the memory of jawans who lost their lives during wars like the Kargil and 1965 and 1971 wars against Pakistan.

Varanasi, Sep. 18 : Though there is concern and outrage across the country against terrorism, foreign tourists arriving in Varanasi are not perturbed by terror incidents.

A growing number of foreign tourists are of the view that terrorism related incidents keep happening in different parts of the world, irrespective of country or city.

Varanasi, Sept 18 : Children of seers'' families in Varanasi along with school children took to the banks of river Ganga today to save the river.

On the call of the yoga guru, Baba Ramdev, these child- priests have pledged to save the river.

As part of the campaign, pressure groups across India have decided to hold rallies on to submit charters listing the demands of the ''Ganga Raksha Manch'', a committee that is spearheading the save Ganges campaign.

"Under the leadership of Baba Ramdev, we are taking out this march. All of us who love Ganga have got together to save this river," said Swami Abhimukteshwaranand, a seer.

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Sep 2 : Married women in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and other parts of the country today celebrated Teej festival, dedicated to Hindu deities, Lord Shiva and his wife goddess Parvati, with traditional fanfare.

Women observe fast to rededicate themselves to their husbands and family. It is believed that praying to goddess Parvati, who is also known as Gauri, consort of Shiva, bestows marital bliss.

Varanasi, Aug. 14 : To prevent terrorists succeed in their nefarious designs in the holy city Varanasi, the Uttar Pradesh police have thought it prudent to spread general awareness to equip people to safeguard their lives.

As part of its initiative, the Uttar Pradesh Police recently reached out to students and informed them about what to do after coming across any terror threat or incident. Students were told how to react in different situations.

Varanasi, Aug. 8 : Many astrologers in Varanasi have been busy brainstorming and explaining the likely impact of August 8 of this year on people’s lives. Many people have become scared after learning that children delivered on this date could be ominous.

Besides, this date of the year, according to astronomical calculations holds significance considering the fact that when calculated numerically, it sums up digit 8 by all angles.

The date contains eight numerals and also it adds up to eight Aug. 8, 2008 denotes (8+8+2+8 = 26 and 2+6 = 8).