Thousands of devotees thronged the famous Grishneshwar Temple in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar of Maharashtra on Sunday to offer prayers on the occasion of Mahashivratri 2026. The temple, located in Ellora, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is regarded as the 12th Jyotirlinga in the country. Devotees began arriving early in the day, with many standing in long queues for darshan. Amid heavy police deployment, the district rural police have enforced strict security measures to ensure smooth crowd management. A total of 450 personnel have been deployed in and around the temple premises. This includes 32 officers, 250 police personnel and 175 home guards, officials said, reported the PTI. They said that it is expected that nearly four lakh devotees to visit the temple for Mahashivratri celebrations till Monday morning. A senior official said the temple will remain open for devotees throughout the night to allow continuous worship. To avoid congestion near the shrine, parking arrangements have been made at least one kilometre away from the temple this year. Authorities have urged visitors to follow instructions and cooperate with security staff. Festival of faith and devotion Mahashivratri is one of the most important festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is marked by prayers, fasting and night-long worship across the country. Devotees believe that offering prayers on this day brings blessings, peace and prosperity. Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple in Pune to remain closed due to construction The Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple in Pune district of Maharashtra will remain closed to devotees during Mahashivratri 2026, an official statement said on Monday. The decision comes amid ongoing construction work on the temple’s assembly hall (sabhamandap) and the stone steps leading to the shrine, part of the Bhimashankar Development Plan. Earlier, the district administration had announced that the temple would be closed for three months from September 9, 2026 to complete the construction, but it had also stated that the shrine would reopen for devotees during the Mahashivratri period (February 12-18, 2026). However, the latest update states that large stones have been brought into the temple premises for the construction work. Because of the heavy materials and the risk of accidents due to crowds, the temple cannot be opened even during the festival period. A press note announcing the closure has been issued by the District Planning Officer of Pune, urging the devotees to stay informed. One of most sacred festivals Mahashivratri, one of the most sacred festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva, will be observed on February 15, 2026, according to the Hindu calendar. The festival holds deep religious and spiritual significance and is marked by night-long prayers, fasting and devotion. Mahashivratri falls on the Chaturdashi tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalguna. Since the festival is centred on worshipping Lord Shiva throughout the night, Mahashivratri will be celebrated on Sunday, February 15. Devotees observe the night with special rituals, including offering milk, water and bel leaves to the Shiva lingam, chanting prayers and performing meditation. The night symbolises gratitude, spiritual awakening and the victory of light over darkness. (with PTI inputs)
15 February,2026 06:25 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | mid-day online correspondentThe Supreme Court has ordered a 75-year-old monk to vacate a portion of the historic Babulnath Temple in Mumbai within four years, while upholding an earlier eviction order passed by the Bombay High Court, reported the PTI. The court noted that it is unusual to grant such a long period for vacating premises. However, it said the monk’s advanced age and his religious way of life weighed in its decision. The case concerns a small space on the landing of the main staircase leading to the centuries-old temple located in the Gamdevi area of Mumbai. A bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and N Kotiswar Singh dismissed the appeal filed by Jagannath Giri, who challenged the High Court’s order dated November 6 last year directing his eviction, according to the PTI. The bench observed that there was no reason to interfere with the concurrent findings of the Small Causes Court, its appellate bench, and the High Court, which had exercised its powers under Article 227 of the Constitution. Despite dismissing the appeal, the top court granted Giri four years to hand over vacant possession of the premises to the temple trust. The judges said the extended period was allowed to enable him to arrange alternative accommodation, considering he is in the later stage of his life and has renounced worldly affairs, as per the PTI. The court also directed that while he remains on the premises, he must live peacefully and not obstruct any development work related to the temple. At the same time, it instructed the temple authorities not to allow any third party to occupy the space and not to disturb the monk during the four-year period. Long-running legal battle According to the court order, the premises were originally let out in 1927 to Baba Ramgiri Maharaj. After his death, his disciple Baba Brahmanandji Maharaj took over possession as a tenant, the news agency reported. Following his demise, Jagannath Giri was brought on record as his legal representative and continued to occupy the disputed portion. The occupation has reportedly continued since around 1968, with rent being paid, reported the PTI. The temple trustees filed a suit before the Small Causes Court in Mumbai seeking eviction. On October 18, 1996, the court ruled in favour of the temple trust and directed the tenant to hand over possession. An appeal filed in 2001 was dismissed by the appellate bench. The matter was later taken to the Bombay High Court, which refused to interfere, stating that its supervisory jurisdiction is limited and does not permit re-examination of evidence. With the Supreme Court now dismissing the appeal, the eviction order stands, subject to the four-year relief granted to the monk. (with PTI inputs)
15 February,2026 06:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFrench President Emmanuel Macron is set to arrive in Mumbai, Maharashtra, on Monday, where he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, the External Affairs Ministry (MEA) announced. According to the news agency ANI, after their Mumbai meeting, both leaders will travel to New Delhi to participate in the AI Impact Summit 2026. During the Mumbai visit, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron are scheduled to exchange memorandums of understanding (MOUs), followed by a joint press statement. The Hotel Taj Mahal Palace will host the India-France Innovation Forum, which will be followed by celebrations marking the India-France Year of Innovation and Cultural Commemoration at the Gateway of India. Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Madame Brigitte Macron will visit Mumbai and Delhi during their visit to India from February 16-19, the ministry said, reported ANI. The Year of Innovation 2026 initiative will be celebrated throughout the year in both countries and aims to deepen collaboration in innovation, technology, research, and people-to-people exchanges. French President Macron’s fourth visit to India strengthens bilateral ties This will mark French President Macron's fourth visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi, signalling sustained momentum in the India-France strategic partnership, with a particular focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) cooperation and emerging technologies. In a post on X on Friday, the French Embassy in India said that President Macron will visit India for bilateral engagements and attend the AI Impact Summit, marking another significant chapter in the expanding ties between New Delhi and Paris. Macron's upcoming visit comes against the backdrop of a steadily deepening partnership between India and France across defence, space, civil nuclear energy, climate action, education and people-to-people exchanges. According to the French Embassy in India, President Macron's first visit to India in 2018 marked a new chapter in France-India relations, reported ANI. Meanwhile, the upcoming India-AI Impact Summit, the first-ever global AI Summit to be hosted in the Global South, from February 16 to 20, will be anchored in three guiding "sutras" of People, Planet and Progress and structured around seven key "chakras," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, reported ANI. (With ANI inpust)
15 February,2026 02:23 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe air quality in Delhi deteriorated to the ‘poor’ category on Sunday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 221 around 7 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This marks a marginal decline from Saturday’s AQI of 197. Several areas reported elevated pollution levels, including Mundka (275), Anand Vihar (265), Bawana (241), Rohini (250), Dwarka (221), ITO (213), Ashok Vihar (243), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (265), Vivek Vihar (252), and Chandni Chowk (228), reported ANI. As per CPCB standards, the AQI scale ranges from 0 to 500 and is categorised into six levels based on pollution severity and associated health risks. An AQI between 201 and 300 falls under the ‘poor’ category, where prolonged exposure may cause breathing discomfort to most people. According to the ANI, the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi has forecast that the AQI may improve to the ‘moderate’ category, around 180, later in the day. Meanwhile, the deteriorating air quality has drawn criticism from the Opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The party questioned the credibility of Delhi’s pollution data and objected to the BJP government’s decision to install six new AQI monitoring stations in green and open areas. AAP Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that the move was aimed at artificially lowering AQI readings rather than addressing the root causes of pollution Mumbai weather update: Hot Sunday ahead as IMD predicts 36 degrees Celsius; city AQI at 135 The city is witnessing unusually warm and entirely dry weather for mid-February, with daytime temperatures rising significantly above seasonal averages. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 36 degrees Celsius and 22 degrees Celsius, respectively, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). As per the SAMEER app, Mumbai’s AQI on Sunday stands at 135, placing it in the ‘moderate’ category. Such air quality may cause breathing discomfort to people with lung disorders, asthma, and heart disease. AQI across Mumbai Bandra Kurla Complex – 161Borivali East – 133Byculla – 124Andheri East – 172Chembur – 115Colaba – 115Deonar-150 In the neighbouring regions of Mumbai, air quality levels also remained in the ‘moderate’ category. Thane recorded an AQI of 106, Kalyan stood at 120, and Navi Mumbai registered 130. These readings indicate moderate air quality, which may cause discomfort to individuals with respiratory or heart conditions. (With ANI inputs)
15 February,2026 12:30 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Bihar government has earned around Rs 6 crore in revenue in the last two months towards fancy and preferred vehicle registration numbers, Transport Minister Sharwan Kumar said on Saturday. A total of 4117 vehicle owners opted for their choice of numbers from December 1, 2025 to February 13, 2026 through e-auction, according to data provided by the state transport department. “The department has introduced an online booking system for fancy number registration,” the minister said. Patna topped the list, while vehicle owners in Khagaria and Sheohar showed the least interest in fancy numbers. According to the transport department data, Patna residents spent Rs 2.46 crore on fancy numbers, while people in Khagaria and Sheohar spent only Rs 93,500 and Rs 52,000. The vehicle owners must pay a special fee for selected numbers, categorised into five groups (A, B, C, D, and E), each with a specific fee. Group A’s reserved numbers, such as 0001, 0003, 0005, 0007, and 0009, cost Rs 1 lakh for non-transport vehicles and Rs 35,000 for transport vehicles, they added. Rs 1LPrice of Group-A numbers for non-transport vehicles This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 February,2026 11:12 AM IST | Patna | AgenciesThree exclusive public toilets for transgender individuals have been opened in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district in a bid to prevent discrimination and provide a safe space to members of the community. “The transgender community has long faced social neglect and inconvenience, and the administration is committed to removing these barriers,” Ramgarh Deputy Commissioner Faiz Aq Ahmed Mumtaz said. The DC directed all departmental officials concerned to ensure the effective implementation of the schemes being run, the statement said. Members of the transgender community in Jharkhand have long been demanding separate toilets in public places. They had held a march in Ranchi last year to raise awareness about their rights and press for their demands, including employment opportunities, access to education, housing, separate toilets in public places and equal healthcare facilities. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 February,2026 11:09 AM IST | Ramgarh | AgenciesViolence broke out at Delhi University’s Faculty of Arts on Friday evening when Left-leaning student organisations gathered on campus demanding the implementation of the University Grants Commission’s Equity Rules. The situation turned volatile when YouTuber Ruchi Tiwari from “Breaking Opinion” was allegedly attacked by a group of students. Tiwari said in a statement, “About 500 people attacked me. The girls around me whispered rape threats in my ears just because I am a Brahmin. ‘Aaj tu chal, tera nanga parade niklega’ [come today, we will parade you naked].” A video of YouTuber Megha Lawariya raising slogans like “Brahminvad Zindabad” has gone viral. PIC/TWITTER@ZOO_BEAR The matter soon reached the Maurice Nagar police station, where students from different organisations assembled. The Left alleged that students affiliated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) surrounded the police station and attempted to attack them. Police personnel were deployed to prevent further escalation. Officials said they intervened to separate the groups and restore order. No official statement has yet been issued on whether any arrests were made or complaints registered in connection with the alleged assault on the YouTuber. What is the new ruling? The UGC’s new 2026 Equity Regulations require all universities to set up strict anti-discrimination mechanisms, including Equal Opportunity Centres and complaint systems, to prevent caste-based discrimination and promote equity on campuses. The other side Prasenjeet Kumar Prasenjeet Kumar, All India Student Association (AISA) National General Secretary alleged, “It was a peaceful program. But amid all this, a YouTuber [Tiwari] pushed another YouTuber who hails from the Bahujan community and attempted to disturb our program.” He further claimed that a deliberate attempt is being made to create such an atmosphere. “Yesterday in DU, a YouTuber was placed at the front, and we saw the kind of slogans that were raised in front of the police station,” he said referring to a now viral video of YouTuber Megha Lawariya raising slogans like “Brahminvad Zindabad”.
15 February,2026 09:19 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe hearing for “logical discrepancy” cases in the SIR exercise concluded across West Bengal on Saturday, an EC official said, adding that the final electoral rolls are scheduled to be published on February 28. The hearings, which addressed omissions and inconsistencies in name spellings, began on December 27 and continued across the state at camps set up in schools, club rooms and administrative buildings. “The poll officials will now scrutinise documents till February 21, and the final electoral rolls are slated for publication on February 28,” the official said. Any pending data for Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) must be uploaded by Monday. During the enumeration exercise, around 58 lakh names (deceased/duplicate/shifted voters) were referred as fit for omission and kept out of the draft electoral rolls published in December. The last date of publication of the final electoral rolls was February 14, which was later extended by the EC to February 28. The official did not spell out the final number of names to be excluded, but said most of these people did not turn up at the hearing sessions despite being served repeated notices. 58LNumber of voter names deemed fit for omission This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 February,2026 09:16 AM IST | Kolkata | AgenciesPunjab Aam Aadmi Party leader Lucky Oberoi was shot dead on Friday outside a gurdwara in Jalandhar's Model Town by unidentified assailants, police said. The incident took place in the morning, a senior police official from Jalandhar said over the phone. Oberoi had arrived at the gurdwara in his Thar vehicle when the assailants, who were on a two-wheeler, opened fire at him. He was rushed to a hospital in Jalandhar, but succumbed to injuries, police said. Further investigations are on, they said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
14 February,2026 10:56 PM IST | Chandigarh | PTIExternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday asserted that India remains firmly committed to strategic autonomy, even as the global energy markets evolve and partnerships shift, amid a question over whether a recent trade agreement with the United States would affect New Delhi's energy ties with Russia. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Jaishankar was asked whether the new trade agreement with the US would compel India to reduce its reliance on Russian oil, potentially impacting its strategic autonomy. "We are very much wedded to strategic autonomy because it's very much a part of our history and our evolution. It's something which is very deep, and it's something which cuts across the political spectrum as well," he said. Addressing concerns over energy sourcing, the minister described the global oil market as complex and dynamic, stressing that commercial considerations guide procurement decisions. "As for energy issues, this is a complex market today. Oil companies in India, as in Europe, as probably in other parts of the world, look at availability, look at costs, look at risks and take the decisions that they feel are in their best interest," he noted. Jaishankar said that in a rapidly changing global environment, countries continuously reassess their calculations and partnerships. "So many things are changing, and so many of us are doing our calculations and recalculations," he said, adding that while India may not agree with all partners on every issue, dialogue and a willingness to find common ground remain important. "We would not necessarily agree on everything, but I do believe that by doing that, and if there is an inclination to find common ground and overlaps, that would happen," he said. Emphasising India's independent decision-making, Jaishankar concluded, "If the bottom line of your question is, would I remain independent-minded and make my decisions? And would I make choices which sometimes may not agree with your thinking or somebody else's thinking, yes, it can happen." External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday met with G7 Foreign Ministers and their global counterparts at the Munich Security Conference 2026, reiterating India's support for the UN80 agenda and underscoring New Delhi's role in safeguarding global security. He also emphasised India's role in safeguarding the sea lines of communication, acting as a first responder in crises, strengthening port security, and contributing to resilient submarine cable infrastructure. Earlier, on February 9, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that "national interest" would continue to guide India's energy-related decisions, underlining that the key drivers of the country's energy policy are "adequate availability, fair pricing and reliability of supply", amid reports suggesting New Delhi is cutting its oil imports from Russia. Speaking during a Special Briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) here, Misri stated that decisions in the energy sector, whether by the government or businesses, would be guided by national interests, while clarifying the issue of actual sourcing. Misri clarified that oil companies make procurement decisions based on market conditions, including availability, risk assessment, costs, and logistics, while adhering to internal accountability and fiduciary responsibilities. "As far as the actual sourcing of energy is concerned, this is undertaken by oil companies, which make decisions based on market conditions. They assess availability, evaluate risks, analyse costs, and follow their internal accountability processes and fiduciary responsibilities. At any given time, there is a complex matrix of considerations, including financial and logistical aspects, that these companies must take into account," he stated. "What you will continue to see in this sector are business choices being made based on these considerations. Whether it is the government or businesses, national interest will continue to guide our choices," he added. Misri noted India is a net importer in the oil and gas sector and, as a developing economy, must remain conscious of its resource availability and the impact of import dependence on inflation. He added that safeguarding the interests of Indian consumers remains a top priority for the government. Highlighting the volatility in global energy markets in recent years, the Foreign Secretary said that India, along with many other countries, shares a common interest in stable energy prices and a stable supply, noting India's role as a stabilising factor in global energy markets. Misri emphasised that India does not depend on a single source for its crude oil imports and instead sources energy from dozens of countries. He also noted that the mix of import sources naturally varies with market conditions. "The key drivers of our energy policy are adequate availability, fair pricing and reliability of supply. If you look at the data, we import crude from dozens of countries. We do not depend on a single source, nor do we intend to. It is natural for the mix of sources to vary over time depending on market conditions. Our objective is to maintain multiple sources and diversify them to ensure stability. The more diversified we are in this area, the more secure we are," the Foreign Secretary stated. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
14 February,2026 09:38 PM IST | Munich, Germany | ANIMaharashtra is experiencing unseasonably warm and completely dry conditions in mid-February, with daytime temperatures soaring well above normal across most regions and no rainfall recorded anywhere in the state, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). In its latest updates on Saturday, IMD highlighted that Amravati in Vidarbha is the hottest spot in the state, recording a maximum temperature of 35.8 degrees Celsius, which is 4.3 degrees Celsius above normal, marking the highest maximum reported. Interior districts, particularly in Vidarbha, are seeing persistent above-normal daytime highs amid the ongoing warm, dry spell. In Pune (Shivajinagar), the maximum temperature stood at 32.7 degrees Celsius, which is 1.1 degrees Celsius above normal. The minimum temperature was recorded at 14.0 degrees Celsius, which is also above normal by 1.6 degrees Celsius. Pune’s Lohgaon recorded a maximum temperature of 34.1 degrees Celsius, while the minimum stood at 18.6 degrees Celsius. In Solapur, the mercury touched 34.8 degrees Celsius, while Ahilyanagar posted the state's lowest minimum at 13.7 degrees Celsius. No rainfall recorded across Maharashtra; interior districts see above-normal temperatures Coastal Konkan and Goa also witnessed elevated heat, with Ratnagiri reaching 35.7 degrees Celsius, which is 4 degrees Celsius above normal, followed by Mumbai suburbs (Santacruz station) at 33.8 degrees Celsius and Mumbai City at 32.6 degrees Celsius. Panjim recorded 34.9 degrees Celsius. In Marathwada and Vidarbha, the maximum temperature ranged between 32 and 35 degrees Celsius, with Akola recording 35.4 degrees Celsius and Chandrapur at 34.0 degrees Celsius — both above normal and contributing to the persistent dry weather. No rainfall was recorded at any station in the state. Relative humidity readings in Pune showed a sharp drop from 81 per cent at 8.30 am to 27 per cent at 5.30 pm, indicating drier conditions by evening. For Sunday, the IMD has forecast mainly clear skies with morning haze for Pune, with temperatures expected to be around a maximum of 32 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 14 degrees Celsius. This warm, rain-free pattern reflects a broader shift toward early summer-like conditions in parts of Maharashtra, with interior districts bearing the brunt of the heat while coastal humidity keeps nights warmer. No significant change in weather conditions is indicated in the latest bulletin.
14 February,2026 09:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1771085111233_d.png "Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar. File Pic")
