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COIMBATORE, INDIA, January 2012 (The Hindu): The Rest and Restoration camp for temple elephants was doing a world of good not only for the pachyderms but also their handlers (mahouts), observed the Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments M.S.M. Anandan at the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve on Sunday.

With the camp for 36 female and one male temple elephant which got underway on December 14 scheduled to end in about a week, Mr. Anandan accompanied by the Commissioner, HR and CE J. Chandrakumar visited Mudumalai to get a first hand feel of the situation on the ground.

Stating that over the last five weeks there was a marked difference in the physical well being of the animals and the handlers, he said that a chart containing dos and don'ts for the elephants would be handed over to the handlers at the conclusion of the camp.

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Give up everything to Him, resign yourself to Him and there will no trouble for you. Then you will come to know that every thing is done by His will.
-- Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886)

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"Maha Sivaratri is the most important religious day in the calendar of the Hindus and Hindu temples. The government declared this day Public and Bank Holiday but not a Mercantile Holiday in spite of our repeated requests. We, as the Federation of Hindu Religious Associations and Trustees of Hindu Temples of this country appeal, once again to the government that the Maha Sivaratri day be declared a Mercantile Holiday. However, we kindly request the Labour Ministry and all mercantile establishments to allow Hindus to enable them to observe fast and keep vigil throughout the day and night on this day.

"The All Ceylon Hindu Congress has also made an appeal to the government to ensure free movement of the devotees in the areas surrounding Sivan Temples and also to ensure adequate transport facilities by providing extra buses for the convenience of the devotees and in particular to those who will be traveling to Thiruketheeswaram Temple in Mannar from Colombo, Jaffna, Vavuniya, Batticaloa and Upcountry and also to the other Sivan Temples in the Country.

"The Indian government has undertaken the rehabilitation of Thiruketheeswaram Temple with US$3 million. The All Ceylon Hindu Congress on behalf of all Hindus of this country wish to thank the Indian government once again for their generous gesture.

"Further, the All Ceylon Hindu Congress requires that all Hindus and Hindu Temples should observe Sivaratri Vigil by conducting Poojas and praying to Lord Shiva and not to participate in any unnecessary luxurious ceremony.

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HAIBOWAL, PUNJAB, INDIA, February 19, 2012 (Times of India): The Shiv temple in Haibowal has been witnessing a unique activity since February 7. People of all age groups are all busy making clay Siva Lingams, and it's not just one, two or even thousands, but over 400,000 that they have made till now. The number will reach 500,000 by Monday. There is a strong belief among the devotees that whoever makes a Siva Lingam gets relief from his or her problems and receives Lord Siva's blessings. If Janak Rani, a homemaker and resident of area, wishes well being of her family, student Shivani Sharma eyes good marks in exams. There is a strong belief among people that worshipping Lord Siva helps girls in getting a good life partner. "I come to this temple every morning. When I saw people making shivlings I too pitched in. This time Shivratri is falling on Monday, which is considered very auspicious. My mother had also told me to do so because it would help get me a suitable match," said Kavita Verma, a student.

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SALISBURY, NORTH CAROLINA, USA, February 19, 2012 (Salisbury Post): The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to let stand a ruling that Forsyth County commissioners' opening prayers are unconstitutional is rippling across the state as other governments examine their own practices. The nation's highest court declined in January to hear an appeal to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals' 2011 ruling that prayers to open Forsyth County board meetings were too overwhelmingly Christian. That decision led the American Civil Liberties Union to call on other government bodies to adhere to the ruling and end sectarian prayer.

The Forsyth County prayer fight stretches back to at least 2006. According to reporting by the Winston-Salem Journal, the ACLU asked commissioners in October of that year to stop opening meetings with prayer "invoking the name of Jesus Christ." and adopt a policy banning sectarian prayers. Beginning in late 2009, the county lost successive court rulings and appeals in federal and district courts, then in the 4th Circuit Court, where the majority opinion said that even though the county's policy was to invite local religious leaders to pray "according to the dictates of their faith" but to avoid proselytizing or disparaging other faiths, the prayers were still unconstitutional because they "referred to Jesus, Jesus Christ, Christ, or Savior with overwhelming frequency."

When the Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal to that ruling, it essentially let stand the court's landmark 1983 decision -- in a case involving the Nebraska state legislature and its paid chaplain -- that there's nothing wrong with opening governments meeting in prayer, as long as the prayer doesn't favor one religion over another. Parker, the ACLU legal director, puts it this way: "A reference to a general god is considered nonsectarian. What's sectarian is when someone references a deity in whom only a particular religion believes."

To groups like the ACLU, though, diversity may be no substitute for nonsectarianism, especially at meetings where government policy is made. "If a Hindu gives a prayer and prays to Vishnu, that's a sectarian prayer," said Parker, the ACLU legal director.

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KAUAI, HAWAII, February 18, 2012 (HPI): Maha Sivaratri will be celebrated throughout the Hindu world on the 19th or 20th (depending on location). On "Siva's Great Night," Maha Sivaratri, the fourteenth day of the dark half of Kumbha, or Aquarius (Phalguna February/March), devotees fast all day in preparation to worship Lord Siva from evening until early dawn bathing the sacred Siva Linga with water, milk, honey and saffron water, then offering bilva leaves while chanting Sri Rudram, the pre-eminent Vedic hymn to Siva, or reciting His 1,008 names are the high points of the all-night vigil. Only when the last puja is finished in early morning do devotees break their fast by eating the sacred prasadam offered earlier to the Lord. The following day is one of feasting and gaiety, especially at grand fairs held in many parts of India. On Siva's night we contemplate Siva as the Unmanifest Reality.

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BATU CAVES, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSSIA, February 7, 2012 (The Star): It was a fitting pre-Thaipusam tribute as thousands of devotees gathered here while others joined the chariot procession in preparation for the annual festival today . The chariot carrying the statue of Lord Murugan made its way from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Jalan Bandar, starting the journey at about 11.30pm on Sunday. It was estimated that about 150,000 devotees followed the procession.The chariot arrived in Batu Caves at about 4pm and will remain there until Wednesday, when it will return to Jalan Bandar in the afternoon.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, February 10, 2012 (Knox Leader): A group of 12 young Indian students are the first Hindu chaplains to graduate in Australia. The Melbourne Hindi Foundation announced the first round of graduates after five months of intensive training, in-patient management at hospitals, spiritual services, family counseling and Hindu prayer. They will get refresher courses every six weeks to expand their skills and ensure they are up to date with all hospital policy. The chaplains will work mostly in hospitals and nursing homes with the sick and dying.

Hindu Foundation executive director Pandit Abhay Awasthi said Melbourne had 35,000 Hindus, with a massive increase expected over the next four years. "These new chaplains will cover the southeastern region of Melbourne and relieve older chaplains looking to retire," Mr Awasthi said. "It is a lifelong position. "We will begin training another 20 for the northwestern region in February." Mr Awasthi said the chaplaincy role was very orthodox and provided a cultural connection for Australian Hindus.

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COLOMBO, SRI LANKA, February 14, 2012 (AP): The Maldives' national museum reopened Tuesday without some of its most valuable exhibits a week after a mob of suspected religious extremists smashed images from the pre-Islamic era of this Indian Ocean archipelago. About 35 exhibits -- mostly images of Buddha and Hindu gods -- were destroyed. Some of the artifacts dated to the sixth century, museum director Ali Waheed said. Waheed says 99 percent of the Maldives' pre-Islamic artifacts from before the 12th century, when most inhabitants were Buddhists or Hindus, were destroyed. "Some of the pieces can be put together but mostly they are made of sandstone, coral and limestone, and they are reduced to powder," he said. The mob of suspected Muslim extremists attacked the museum during the Maldives' unfolding political crisis. The country has seen weeks of protests and last week President Mohamed Nasheed stepped down. He later said he was forced to resign at gunpoint.

The attack was the latest blow to the island nation that is best known as a high-end tourist destination. "We are very sad. This is the physical and archaeological evidence of the country, we have nothing to show (of the pre-Islamic history)," Waheed said. The items had been preserved since the museum opened in 1952. Waheed said the the attackers did not understand that the museum exhibits were not promoting other religions in this Muslim country.

Practicing or preaching any religion other than Islam is prohibited by the Maldives constitution, and there have been increasing demands for conservative Muslim policies to be implemented. Last year, a mob destroyed a monument given by Pakistan marking a South Asian summit with an engraved image of the Buddha in it. Pakistan is an Islamic republic that also has a Buddhist history.

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As righteousness resides in the hearts of the virtuous, so does deceit dwell in the hearts of thieves.
-- Tirukkural 288

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HATHAZARI, BANGLADESH, February 12, 2012 (Times of Assam): What happened with Hindu minorities at Hathazari in Bangladesh is not only a matter of grave concern but also clearly shows the rise of religious fanatics in the country, which upheld the sentiment of religious harmony for centuries. The incident in brief is some miscreants spread rumor in the locality on Thursday (February 9, 2012) stating a mosque had been attacked by the local Hindus. Immediately some religious extremists in the locality put seize on the Chittagong-Rangamati highways and continued to chant slogans against Hindus. The Muslim agitators alleged that a mosque in the locality was hurdled with brick bats from a procession of the Loknath Sebashram. The blockaders demanded arrest of those linked with "hurtling brick bats" on the mosque.

According to the local people, Hindus in the area took out a procession to celebrate the founding anniversary of Loknath Sebasram in the morning of the day of the incident. They used loudspeakers and drums in the procession to cheer the celebration. When the procession was passing through a local mosque, Muslims in the mosque forbade them to drums. At one stage, someone hurled a brick bat on the procession. This resulted in chase and counter-chase between the Muslims and Hindus. At one stage, the confronting situation was eased through the intervention of some local leaders and both parties sat for peaceful discussion to reconcile the entire situation. While such meeting was continuing, a group of fanatic Muslims attacked the temple, smashed deities and damaged a number of vehicles of the devotees in the temple. It was later learnt that an announcement to 'give proper response' to Hindus for playing loudspeakers and drums in front of the mosque were announced from a local madrassa, which actually instigated some unruly Muslim fanatics in committing such heinous crime on the religious minority. Vandalizing of temples as well as looting of business establishments and shops of the Hindus minorities continued for hours, before the local law enforcing agencies rushed on the spot to stop such notoriety. It is reported that more than 50 Hindu residences also came under attack of the Muslim fanatics. During this vandalism, a number of Hindus temples namely Sri Sri Jagadeshwari Ma Temple and Jagannath Bigroho Temple at Nandirhat, Raksha Kali Temple, Jalakumari Bari Temple, and Sita Kalibari Temple at Sadar Upazila. Attackers also set fire at the Sri Sri Jagadeshwari Ma Temple.

Taking advantage of such confronting situation, some vested interest groups started giving instigations to spreading the religious riot in a greater area. Sensing such severe consequences, local authorities and police imposed Section 144 banning all forms of rallies, demonstrations and gathering of more than 4 people in a group. Police have filed two separate cases accusing more than 800 unnamed miscreants over the vandalism and arson attack on several Hindu temples as well as blockade of the Chittagong-Rangamati highways. Police sources said, one case was lodged under the Explosives Act over the vandalism and arson while the second one was lodged for barricading the highway and attacking members of the law enforcing agencies.

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TRINIDAD/TOBAGO, January 29, 2012: "This highly religious event welcomes the Phagwa season as devotees boil the first abee amidst the singing of devotional songs in honour of Goddess Saraswati," said Ramsingh. Today's event will be the precursor to Phagwa festivities on March 10.

Vasant Panchami 2012 is titled "And May God Bless Our Nation", as it initiates a series of programmes dedicated to the well being of the country through prayer, thanks, reflection, sharing and community action. The event also showcases the talent of a selected musician who performs as an offering to Mother Saraswati. The Kendra will be honouring Dr. Beni Balkaran, who is an accomplished singer, this year.

Today's musical offering will be followed immediately by 'Chook-Olikaa', the traditional inauguration of Phagwa 2012. Ramsingh said the "Chook-Olikaa" establishes the ritual space for the Holika bonfire which, on the full moon night of Phalgun in March, is followed by the Phagwa celebrations.

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PATHANAMTHITTA, KERALA, February 12, 2012 (IBN Live): Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, the 163rd Dharmacharya of Nandinatha Sampradaya, Kailasa Parampara, Kauai Aadheenam, Hawaii, USA, has said that spiritual awakening comes from improving one's behavior. Delivering a talk on Hinduism and spiritual unfoldment at the centenary celebrations of Ayiroor Cherukolpuzha Hindumatha Parishad on Saturday, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami said that, "awakening comes from learning from one's mistakes."

Satguru Veylanswami said, "Unfortunately this process is often inhibited somehow, by the idea that we are not supposed to make mistakes, that mistakes are bad. Far too many children grow up being scolded for their mistakes by parents. Teachers ridicule students when they make mistakes. Supervisors yell at workers on making mistakes. No wonder adults feel terrible when they commit mistakes. To spiritually benefit from our mistakes, we need a new attitude towards them. My guru Jagadguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami describes mistakes as wonderful opportunities to learn. Parents and caretakers should teach children that making mistakes is not bad. Everyone makes mistakes. It is natural and it shows we do not understand something about the matter at hand, or we have been inattentive."

"Usually punishment is the only response. But punishment misses the point if it does not incorporate teaching that will help the child learn how not to repeat the mistake. The responsibility of this solely rests on the parents. Happiness is something that everyone wants to achieve in life. In our modern world, the expectation is that happiness automatically comes from achieving one's professional and family goals. Many adults have told me that they are surprised that even though they have, after many years, achieved professional and family goals, they find themselves not happy", the seer said.

"Swami Chinmayananda has a relevant quote: 'The tragedy of human history is decreasing happiness in the midst of increasing comforts. Swami Chinmayananda would certainly agree that a deeper approach to achieving happiness is needed than simply expecting it to automatically be present when professional and family goals are achieved. If a man yearns whole-heartedly for victory in subduing his mind, let him practice sivadhyana - meditation on Siva daily. Then he himself will see that, step by step his mind will become one-pointed. Serenity, forbearance, control and other qualities will develop in him. His mind will always be full of joy," Satguru Veylanswami said.

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If a diplomat says yes, he means maybe. If a diplomat says maybe, he means no. If a diplomat says no, he ain't no diplomat!
-- Andre Gabor, economist

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BALI, INDONESIA, February 9, 2012 (The Jakarta Post): The predominantly Hindu island of Bali lost an influential high priestess and a great offering-maker on Monday, with the death of 111-year-old Ida Pedanda Istri Mas of Griya Alit, Budakeling. Known as one of a few high priestesses who truly understood the physical and spiritual complexities of Balinese Hinduism, Ida Pedanda Istri Mas served as the main offering-maker at many of the most important rituals in the last century, including Eka Dasa Rudra, once in a century sacrificial ritual at the Besakih temple. "She passed away calmly and peacefully at around 4:30 a.m. on Monday," her nephew Ida Mangku Siwi said.

In their 2004 book on Ida Pedanda Istri Mas, prominent Hindu thinkers IBG Agastia and IBP Suamba described the high priestess as a Maha Tapini, an individual who has reached the perfect understanding of offering as the shrine of the divine. Her lay and ordained disciples venerated her as Surya Kasuwun -- "the sun that is placed on the top of their head" -- due to her spirituality and seniority.

She was born on May 1, 1901 as the eldest daughter of high priest Ida Pedanda Gede Ketut Datah. In 1949, she and her husband, Ida Wayan Oka Karang, were ordained into high-priesthood by their spiritual mentor, Ida Pedanda Gede Ketut Kerta of Griya Panji. In 1963, Ida Pedanda Istri Mas was appointed as one of two Wiku Tapini (high priestess responsible for preparing and supervising the creation and placement of offerings) for the Eka Dasa Rudra ritual at the Besakih temple on Mt. Agung.

As Eka Dasa Rudra was about to reach its climax, Mt. Agung erupted and sent lava, hot ash and stones down into the temple. Defying the then Bali governor, Ida Pedanda Istri Mas decided to stay in the temple and presented the offerings. "The offerings had been completed and there was only one thing left to do: present the offerings to the God. I believed the God of Mt. Agung would protect me and indeed that was the case," she told The Jakarta Post. Ever since, she has played an important part in most major rituals.