“This Was the Order of Mahadev and Maha Kaali”

Dressed in saffron robes and adorned with a rudraksha mala, Kulkarni performed the traditional ‘Pind Daan’ ritual at the sacred Sangam Ghat. Speaking to the media, she said:

“This was the order of Mahadev, Maha Kaali. This was the order of my guru. They chose this day. I didn’t do anything.”

According to Acharya Mahamandleshwar Laxmi Narayan of Kinnar Akhara, Kulkarni had been in touch with the Akhara for over a year and a half, and the rituals of her initiation had been carefully prepared.

What Is a Mahamandleshwar?

The title Mahamandleshwar is one of the most revered in Sanatan Dharma. While the highest seat within the 13 recognised akharas is that of the Shankaracharya, Mahamandleshwar ranks just below, carrying immense spiritual and cultural significance.

Astrologer Dr. Virender Sahni explains:

• A Mahamandleshwar must first take sannyas (renunciation), which includes performing their own pind daan, symbolically ending their ties with family and past identity.

• After this act of rebirth, the aspirant’s life is considered to begin anew from the moment of initiation.

• The Pattabhishek ceremony follows, where the aspirant is anointed with Panchamrit (milk, ghee, honey, curd, and sugar) and presented with the pattu, a ceremonial garment, in the presence of saints from all 13 akharas.

The Path Ahead

As a Mahamandleshwar, Mamta Kulkarni — now Yamai Mamta Nandgiri — is expected to devote herself entirely to spiritual practice and service to humanity. The role demands detachment from past worldly ties, including family and identity, while elevating her words and actions to a position of greater weight within India’s religious and cultural landscape.

Pitru Paksha 2025 began on 7 September and will conclude with Mahalaya Amavasya on 21 September. One of the important days during this period is Indira Ekadashi, observed with devotion, fasting, and offerings to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.

What Is Indira Ekadashi?

Indira Ekadashi falls on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of the Shukla Paksha of the month of Ashwin. On this day, devotees:

• Observe a fast

• Perform ritual bath (snan)

• Engage in daan (charity)

• Worship Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi

The observance is especially significant for the salvation of ancestors. It is believed to:

• Relieve one from pitru dosha

• Absolve sins of past births

• Aid in attaining moksha

According to ISKCON Delhi,

“Indira Ekadashi benefits the devotee even after death. All sins perish, the devotee goes to higher planets, and ancestors are relieved from past misdeeds.”

When Is Indira Ekadashi in 2025?

As per Drik Panchang, the timings for 2025 are:

• Ekadashi Tithi Begins: 12:21 PM on 17 September 2025

• Ekadashi Tithi Ends: 11:39 PM on 17 September 2025

Hence, the fast will be observed on Wednesday, 17 September 2025, during Pitru Paksha.

Parana (Breaking the Fast)

The parana of Indira Ekadashi fast is performed the next morning, after sunrise and before the end of the Dwadashi tithi. In 2025:

• Dwadashi Tithi Ends: 11:24 PM on 18 September 2025

• Auspicious Parana Time: 6:07 AM – 8:34 AM on 18 September 2025

Observing the fast and breaking it within the parana period is believed to maximize spiritual benefits for oneself and ancestors.

Significance of Indira Ekadashi

Observing Indira Ekadashi during Pitru Paksha:

• Satisfies and honors departed souls

• Brings happiness, prosperity, and good fortune

• Helps the devotee gain spiritual merit and release karmic burdens

It is a day of devotion, reflection, and spiritual alignment, making it one of the most important Ekadashis of the year.

Disclaimer: This article is based on popular beliefs and traditional practices. Times Now is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the information provided.

What Is the 999 Portal?

The much-discussed 999 Portal is formed by a rare alignment of the day, month, and year, all adding up to 9:

• Day: 9

• Month: September (9th month)

• Year: 2025 → 2 + 0 + 2 + 5 = 9

This forms a triple 9 alignment (999), which is considered highly auspicious in numerology. Adding to its potency, September 9, 2025, falls on a Tuesday, ruled by Mars (also associated with number 9). Mars is also in its own Nakshatra (Chitra), further enhancing the positive energies of this day.

Sidhharrth explains:

“Number 9 symbolizes completion of a cycle and the beginning of a new journey. The 999 Portal is a time to reflect, release what no longer serves you, and align with your life’s next chapter.”

Spiritual Significance

The 999 Portal is a perfect moment to pause and connect with your higher self. It allows alignment of:

• Conscious mind with subconscious mind

• Physical body with cosmic energy

This alignment helps in manifesting clarity, guidance, and spiritual growth.

Zodiac Signs That Need to Be Cautious

According to Sidhharrth, Taurus, Gemini, and Virgo need to exercise extra care during this portal. The main caution is:

• Avoid sudden emotional outbursts

• Prevent impulsive actions that could affect personal or professional relationships

Mindful behavior and emotional awareness are key for these signs to navigate the portal positively.

How to Manifest on This Day

Here are some recommended practices to harness the energies of the 999 Portal:

1. Letter to Your Higher Self

• Take white paper and a green pen

• Write a heartfelt letter to your higher self, including guidance and directions for decision-making

• Fold the letter into a rectangle, place it in an envelope, and leave it near the feet of Hanuman Ji in a temple

2. Recite a Special Prayer 45 Times

“Dear Higher Self, I am sorry for the times I ignored your guidance. Please forgive me for not trusting fully. Thank you for always being with me. I love you, and I now open my heart to your wisdom and light.”

3. Meditation at Mars Frequency

• Meditate to Mars’ sound frequency to align your aura with cosmic energy

• Mars Frequency tracks are available on AstroSure AI or YouTube

• This helps enhance manifestation, focus, and energetic alignment

Key Takeaways

The 999 Portal of September 9, 2025, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for:

• Reflection and spiritual clarity

• Manifestation of goals and desires

• Letting go of what no longer serves you

By consciously using this day’s energies, you can connect deeply with your higher self and invite cosmic guidance into your life.

How the Vice President is Elected

The Vice President of India is elected by all Members of Parliament (MPs) through a secret ballot. In theory, MPs can vote according to their personal preference. In practice, however, votes usually follow party lines. Cross-voting, though less common, has played a role in past elections. For instance, in 2022, Jagdeep Dhankhar won with nearly 75% of the votes, aided by support from the YSR Congress and the Biju Janata Dal.

The election is conducted under the supervision of the Election Commission, which appoints a Returning Officer to oversee the process. Candidates must have at least 20 proposers and 20 seconders from among MPs and deposit ₹15,000 to file a nomination. MPs rank candidates in order of preference, and the candidate must secure a simple majority of valid votes to win. If no candidate achieves this in the first round, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed until a winner emerges.

BJP and NDA’s Numbers

Currently, there are 239 Rajya Sabha MPs and 542 Lok Sabha MPs eligible to vote. However, with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) of Odisha and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) of Telangana abstaining, the total voting strength drops to 770, making the majority mark 386.

The NDA has 425 MPs, giving them a clear advantage. The BJP’s candidate, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, is expected to win comfortably, even without the support of BRS and BJD. The NDA may also gain backing from the YSR Congress, which has 11 MPs.

If every vote falls in favor of Radhakrishnan, including potential cross-votes from independents and smaller parties like the Akali Dal and Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), his tally could reach 458 votes. While this is lower than Dhankhar’s 528 votes in 2022, it is still more than enough to secure victory.

Opposition Numbers

The Congress-led INDIA bloc has nominated retired Supreme Court judge B. Sudershan Reddy. The opposition has 324 MPs on paper, giving them a stronger presence than in the previous election. However, even with full participation, the INDIA bloc would fall short by 100–135 votes.

Even if independents, smaller parties, and potential cross-voters supported Reddy, the opposition would still likely fall around 70 votes short. The opposition itself has acknowledged the challenge, indicating that the poll is as much about optics and signaling strength as it is about winning.

Why Cross-Voting Matters

Cross-voting has historically influenced the outcome of vice-presidential elections. In 2022, support from parties outside the NDA helped Jagdeep Dhankhar secure a historic margin. This time, sources suggest at least 150 cross-votes could come from the Rajya Sabha alone, further cementing Radhakrishnan’s lead.

Key Takeaways

• Majority mark: 386 votes

• NDA strength: 425 MPs, potentially rising to 458 with cross-votes

• Opposition strength: 324 MPs, unlikely to surpass the majority mark

• Key abstentions: BJD and BRS

• Potential swing factors: Independents, smaller parties, and cross-voting

In conclusion, the BJP-led NDA is poised to retain the Vice President’s post, though the margin will likely be narrower than in 2022. The opposition contest is significant more for optics than an actual chance at victory, setting the stage for political messaging ahead of critical state Assembly elections.

The statement comes after TikTok’s website briefly became accessible last month on certain broadband and mobile networks, including Airtel Broadband and Vodafone, fueling speculation about the app’s potential return. TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, was among the 59 apps blocked by the Indian government in June 2020 citing national security concerns. Apple and Google subsequently removed TikTok from their stores, and in January 2021, the ban was made permanent. Prior to the ban, India was TikTok’s largest market with over 200 million users.

Alongside TikTok, other ByteDance offerings such as Helo and CapCut were also taken down. Earlier this year, ByteDance shut its music-streaming app Resso in India following government directives.

On the broader topic of Chinese investments, Vaishnaw commented, “We will see as it happens. Policies will be clearly shared with everybody. We are a very transparent country.” Until 2020, Chinese investors including Tencent, Alibaba, Ant Financial, and Shunwei Capital were among the largest backers of India’s startup ecosystem, investing billions across sectors like e-commerce, fintech, food delivery, mobility, digital content, and edtech.

However, in April 2020, the Indian government tightened FDI norms via Press Note 3, requiring prior approval for investments from countries sharing a land border with India. This policy shift made Chinese investments significantly more challenging, prompting many startups to reduce stakes, offer exits to Chinese investors, or seek alternative funding sources.

For updates on market trends, investments, and policy changes, stay tuned to reliable news platforms and financial apps.

Vamana Jayanti 2025 Date and Shubh Muhurat

• Date: September 04, 2025

• Dwadashi Tithi Begins: 4:21 AM on September 04, 2025

• Dwadashi Tithi Ends: 4:08 AM on September 05, 2025

• Shravana Nakshatra Begins: 11:44 PM on September 04, 2025

• Shravana Nakshatra Ends: 11:38 PM on September 05, 2025

Vamana Jayanti Puja Vidhi

Devotees celebrate Vamana Jayanti with devotion, fasting, and ritualistic worship:

1. Wake up early and take a holy bath.

2. Place the idol of Lord Vamana and perform Panchopachara or Shodashopachara Puja, adorning the deity in saffron or yellow cloth.

3. Observe a fast until noon, and in the evening, recite the Vrat Katha before breaking the fast.

4. Perform Aarti and distribute prasad to devotees.

5. Donations of rice, mishri, and curd are considered auspicious on this day.

6. Devotees can chant the following mantra throughout the day:
   “Chalayasi vikramane balim adbhuta-vamana |
   Pada-nakha-nira-janita-jana-pavana |
   Kesava dhrta-vamana-rupa jaya jagadisa hare”

The Story of Vamana Avatar

The Vamana avatar teaches humility and devotion. King Bali, grandson of Prahlad, became so powerful that he started threatening the gods and expanding his kingdom across the three worlds: Swarga (heaven), Bhu (earth), and Patala (netherworld).

Seeking help, the gods approached Lord Vishnu, who took birth as Vamana, the dwarf Brahmana, son of Aditi and Kashyapa. When Vamana approached Bali, he requested three steps of land as Bhiksha (alms). The generous king agreed.

Vamana then transformed into a gigantic form, covering the entire earth in the first step and heaven in the second. Realizing the deity’s true identity, Bali offered his head for the third step. Impressed by Bali’s humility and devotion, Lord Vishnu sent him to Patala Lok but granted him a boon to visit his kingdom once a year, celebrated in Kerala as Onam.

Significance of Vamana Jayanti

• Marks the birth of the Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu.

• Symbolizes humility, devotion, and righteousness.

• Reminds us that true power lies in wisdom and virtue, not ego or material conquest.

• Strengthens faith and devotion among devotees.

Vamana Jayanti is not only a day of religious observance but also a reminder to balance power with humility and embrace the virtues of generosity and righteousness.

Yadav’s Objection

During the programme, Yadav said the term makhan chor was “improper” and failed to capture the real essence of Krishna’s actions.

“Even saying the word ‘Makhan Chor’ feels improper. Lord Krishna’s fondness for butter was such that it often ended up in the house of Kansa. His anger was that Kansa was consuming what rightfully belonged to him and still oppressing him. To express this anger, he formed a team of cowherd boys who would eat the butter themselves or break the pots, but ensure that the enemy did not get it. Lord Krishna’s perspective was one of rebellion… but unknowingly, we call his rebellion by such terms which sound unpleasant to utter,” Yadav said.

According to Yadav, Krishna’s love for butter should be interpreted as an act of defiance against tyranny, rather than a mischievous pastime.

Congress’ Response

The comments quickly spread on social media and drew a sharp response from the opposition. Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar accused Yadav of distorting centuries-old traditions:

“Mohan Yadav wants to write his own version of history. For centuries, Krishna’s pastimes have been recorded and celebrated. Does he now want to change the ancient stories of Sanatana Dharma?”

A Festival, A Flashpoint

With Krishna Janmashtami celebrations still fresh in public memory, Yadav’s remarks have given the festival a political edge in Madhya Pradesh. While supporters argue he is offering a deeper interpretation of Krishna’s symbolism, critics see it as an unnecessary attempt to reinterpret established cultural narratives.