Two Hindu temples in Madhya Pradesh observe India’s Independence Day on August 11 rather than August 15. Sources report that the Pashupatinath Temple in Mandsaur and the Bade Ganesh Temple in Ujjain hold special rituals and prayers on the earlier date.
Both outlets attribute the difference to a tradition of following the Hindu calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar. NDTV says the practice dates to 1985, while Times of India explains that the observance aligns with the Hindu date of Shravan Krishna Chaturdashi. According to the reports, devotees at both shrines participate in worship tied to national themes, with ceremonies conducted on the temple calendar.
The coverage focuses on the same underlying reason—temple observances based on Hindu dates—while offering slightly different details. NDTV emphasizes the start of the tradition in 1985, while Times of India frames it around the specific lunar calendar date used for the August 11 observance.
