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.

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.

 Sanskriti University in Mathura turned heads this International Yoga Day with a grand celebration that combined wellness, culture, and community. The event saw widespread participation from students, faculty, staff, and specially-abled children—all joining in to practice yoga under the expert guidance of seasoned yoga gurus.

Preparations for the day began well in advance, reflecting the university’s strong belief in the deeper values of yoga. Students and faculty not only geared up for the event on campus but also took yoga beyond the university gates. As part of the initiative, students from Sanskriti Ayurvedic Medical College & Hospital and the Sanskriti Nursing School conducted awareness drives and led community rallies—encouraging locals, both in urban and rural areas, to make yoga a daily habit.

The thoughtful outreach drew praise from respected personalities across India.

Spiritual leader Anantashree Vibhushit Sadguru Shri Ramanandacharya Swami Satishacharya Ji Maharaj commended the effort as a sacred step toward national wellness, especially appreciating the inclusive spirit of involving differently-abled children. “Yoga is for everyone,” he remarked.

Acharya Balkrishna Maharaj, Co-founder of Patanjali Yogpeeth, applauded the university’s commitment to promoting health and Indian traditions. He noted how the event contributes to building a generation that is not only healthy but also deeply rooted in values.

Mathura’s Member of Parliament, Dr. Hema Malini, shared her appreciation, urging students and citizens alike to make yoga a daily habit. “Yoga isn’t just about one day—it’s about building a life of balance and well-being,” she said.

Shri Aniruddhacharya Maharaj, a respected spiritual figure, acknowledged the university’s leadership in spreading the message of yoga across communities. Ayurveda expert Acharya Manish also praised Chancellor Dr. Sachin Gupta for initiating such a powerful and inclusive program that reinforces the message that “Yoga is for all.”

Reflecting on the day, Dr. Sachin Gupta, Chancellor of Sanskriti University, shared,

“Yoga is an invaluable gift from India to the world—one that has shown humanity the path to health, harmony, and inner balance. At Sanskriti University, we integrate yoga deeply into our students’ lives. It helps them do better in studies, sports, and overall well-being. Let’s make yoga a daily habit—not just a once-a-year event.”

With this celebration, Sanskriti University has set a shining example of how educational institutions can go beyond the classroom to promote wellness, cultural values, and social inclusion.