April/May/June 2003
Digital Dharma
PUBLISHING
Font Tools!
Every so often we find a utility that works so well that it must to be shared! Such is the case with the Sanskrit ITranslator 99, a free utility which can be downloaded for Windows 95/98/ME/NT/XP/ 2000. Many Sanskrit aficionados have written to us for a tool which can change text or text files into Devanagiri, or Tranliteration (True Type). This download from the Omkarananda Ashram website, www.omkarananda-ashram.org/Sanskrit/Itranslt.html, may be the answer to your prayers. It's a user-friendly tool, only a 1.89MB download, with fonts included. Transliterations are clearly explained on the site, and the documents can be saved in Rich Text Format(.rtf), as web page (.htm), as ANSI text (.txt), or pasted via clipboard into any other application. The Technical Manual of Itranslator 99 in pdf format is on site for further instruction.
PILGRIMAGE
Magical Andhra
Andhra pradesh is a land bejewelled with ancient temples. Though it is a religious "melting pot," its sacred Hindu temples far outnumber other religious edifices. Here are Tirupati, Sri Sailam and scores more sacred sites, beaches, wildlife, cuisine, arts, crafts and festivals. Andhra Tourisms' www.aptourism.com/home.html presents all this and more. It is a window into one of India's most beautiful religious and cultural realms—a gateway for pilgrimage to a world of holy adventures.
KNOWLEDGE BASE
A Well of Resources
Just as the cloth of a beautiful sari unfolds with ultimate grace, so does the site, a Tribute to Hinduism, www.atributetohinduism.com, open to reveal page after page of inspiring, positive information about the world's oldest religion. Each category has been carefully researched and substantiated with thoughts of renowned scholars of Hinduism. For those wishing to pursue the study, books are recommended for further reading and useful links on the Web are provided. Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Bharat Mata, and to the countless rishis who lived for Sanatana Dharma, the site educates, enlightens and creates an awareness of the traditions of the Hindu faith. It explains and successfully removes many common misconceptions and misinterpretation surrounding rituals and worship, dispelling confusion and instilling a sense of Hindu pride.
EDUCATION
Go to the Source
Have you ever had a desire to immerse yourself in India's culture and tune in to your religion? The Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM) offers programs in India Studies that let you experience India's dynamic, diverse culture while living with a family in Pune, India, a crossroads of tradition and modernity. Known as Off-Campus Studies for undergraduates, each program is designed to offer a balance of regular courses with independent study, field trips and extracurricular activities. Past participants rank the experience of living with families as the best part of the program. Explore ACM India Studies Program at www.acm.edu/india/index.html.