ISKCON Dwarka is gearing up to celebrate Rath Yatra 2025 with a unique and flavorful twist—a grand Mango Festival beginning June 27 at the Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarkadhish Temple in Delhi. This vibrant celebration will blend devotion, tradition, and fruit-filled joy in honour of Lord Jagannath, a deity known for his eternal affection for mangoes.

The highlight of the festival is the sacred offering of 1,100 kilograms of 108 mango varieties—including popular types like Alphonso, Langda, Dasheri, and Safeda—to Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. This divine offering will be followed by a grand aarti and distribution of mango prasad to thousands of devotees, making it a spiritually rich and community-focused event.

Festivities will begin at 8:00 AM with a spiritual narration of Lord Jagannath’s divine appearance, setting a sacred tone for the day. As evening falls, the temple will come alive with soulful kirtans during a Kirtan Mela, accompanied by traditional Vedic rituals like Yagna.

A Maha Abhishek will also be performed using sacred waters drawn from the divine well of Jagannath Puri, which symbolizes the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Traditional Odia bhog offerings and a concluding Maha Aarti will cap the spiritual celebration, followed by prasad distribution.

Visitors will also be treated to a curated mango exhibition, featuring over 108 unique varieties. Adding a touch of fun and community engagement, a mango-eating contest is planned, allowing participants to indulge in the Lord’s favourite fruit in a light-hearted way.

“Mangoes hold a special significance in our tradition and are deeply cherished by Lord Jagannath,” said Shri Gaur Prabhu, Vice-President of ISKCON Dwarka. “Through this festival, we hope to celebrate not just the fruit, but the spirit of offering, joy, and unity it brings.”

The outreach doesn’t stop in Delhi. As part of the wider Rath Yatra celebrations, ISKCON Dwarka will also extend its service to Jagannath Puri, the Lord’s sacred abode. In collaboration with the Adani Group, ISKCON will distribute over 3 million glasses of juice and prasadam to devotees. This builds on their earlier partnership during Mahakumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, where they jointly served free meals to over 50 lakh devotees.

“The Rath Yatra reminds us of essential values—humility, service, faith, and detachment,” added Shri Gaur Prabhu. “These teachings help us find direction in today's uncertain world.”

The Mango Festival at ISKCON Dwarka promises to be a multi-sensory celebration that captures the spirit of Rath Yatra with a refreshing and meaningful twist, reinforcing devotion through taste, tradition, and togetherness.

The Piano Man, one of India’s most iconic live music venues, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this September by launching a fresh and culturally rich chapter: Clubs @ TPM. This subscription-based initiative aims to build deeper connections beyond music by bringing people together through shared experiences in art, film, food, and community activities.

What started as a cozy jazz bar in South Delhi has evolved into a household name in India’s live music scene. With venues in Safdarjung, Gurugram, and now Malviya Nagar, The Piano Man continues its mission of meaningful cultural engagement by expanding into weekend sessions and club-based formats.

The debut season of Clubs @ TPM introduces a diverse line-up of experiences, including:

 The Choir Club – Guided by renowned musician and educator Manta Sidhu, this initiative offers weekly group sessions in Delhi and Gurugram. Open to individuals aged 25 and above, no prior musical background is required—just a love for singing and connecting with others.

 Paint n’ Vineyard – In partnership with Rajesh Srivastava of Kohlart, this popular event returns with a fresh twist. Guests can sip on wine and indulge in unlimited pizza as they recreate famous artworks by Picasso, Van Gogh, M.F. Husain, Jamini Roy, and more.

 Gourmet Cinema – A collaborative effort with Sunset Cinema Club, this experience pairs film screenings with menus inspired by the story and setting of the movie, making for a multisensory cultural evening ideal for both teenagers and adults.

“The last ten years have been about creating places where music can thrive. But beyond the music, we’ve always believed in building a sense of belonging,” said Arjun Sagar Gupta, founder of The Piano Man. “With Clubs @ TPM, we’re opening the doors a little wider… to people who want to be part of something, even if they’re not getting on stage.”

The overarching philosophy remains the same—artist-first spaces and thoughtfully curated programming—but this new direction signals Phase One of a broader anniversary rollout, focused on deeper community integration and creative expression.

Since its founding in 2015, The Piano Man has hosted over 7,000 concerts, including performances by legends like Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Tigran Hamasyan, and Jojo Mayer, along with 500+ international artists. Beyond the stage, every element—from baroque interiors to curated menus—has been part of the venue’s mission to deliver a truly immersive cultural experience.

With Clubs @ TPM, the brand enters its next decade not just as a venue, but as a movement—where art, music, and community come together in a more personal, participatory way.

Subscription packages for Clubs @ TPM are now live, with various options tailored to activity types and engagement levels.

Indian cinema legend Kamal Haasan has been extended an invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the prestigious body that votes for the annual Oscar Awards. With this, Kamal Haasan becomes only the second Indian actor ever to receive such an honor, following Suriya, who was invited in 2022.

This significant recognition highlights Haasan’s immense contribution to the world of filmmaking and global cinema. The Academy’s invite to Haasan comes as part of its 2025 class of 534 global members, drawn from various disciplines such as acting, directing, cinematography, and costume design.

Kamal Haasan has been invited under the “Actors” category, with his critically acclaimed works like Nayakan and Vikram cited as part of his artistic legacy. Known for his versatility and deep impact on Indian cinema over several decades, this honor further cements his place on the global stage.

Ayushmann Khurrana Joins as Co-Voter

Among the new Indian names invited this year is Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana, best known for his roles in films like Andhadhun. His inclusion as a co-voter is seen as a nod to his unique film choices and growing global recognition.

More Indian Talent Recognized

This year’s list reflects growing Indian representation, with other invitees including:

• Payal Kapadia – Filmmaker
  

• Smriti Mundra – Documentary Filmmaker
  

• Maxima Basu – Costume Designer
  

• Ranabir Das – Cinematographer
  

• Nandini Shrikent – Casting Director
  

Their inclusion showcases the rising visibility of Indian talent across multiple disciplines in global cinema.

How Academy Membership Works

According to the Academy, the membership process is by invitation only. Individuals are typically nominated by two current members from their professional category. However, Oscar nominees are automatically considered for membership in the year of their nomination. The selection emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and global representation.

The 2025 class includes:

• 41% women
  

• 45% from underrepresented groups
  

• 55% from 60 countries outside the U.S.
  

• 91 Oscar nominees, including 26 winners
  

Global Names Among the Invitees

The Academy’s invitee list also features several global celebrities such as Ariana Grande, Sebastian Stan, Gillian Anderson, Jason Momoa, and Jeremy Strong, reflecting its inclusive and diverse outlook.

What’s Next for the Oscars

The 2026 Oscars will be held on March 15, hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien. Final nominations voting will take place between January 12–16, and the official nominations will be announced on January 22.

Kamal Haasan’s Latest Venture

Recently, Kamal Haasan starred in Thug Life, a gangster drama directed by Mani Ratnam. While their previous collaboration Nayakan is considered a cinematic classic, Thug Life received a lukewarm response at the box office.

With this prestigious recognition, Kamal Haasan once again proves that his influence transcends borders, bringing Indian cinema closer to the global spotlight.