1. Gai Jatra, Festival Of Cows Held in Nepal
2. Interview With Astrologer Chakrapani Ullal
3. Centenarians Say Faith Is Source Of Longevity
4. The World's Southernmost and Northernmost Hindu Temples
5. "What is Hinduism?" -- What's Your Answer?

1. Gai Jatra, Festival Of Cows Held in Nepal

english.ohmynews.com

KATMANDU, NEPAL, August 10, 2006: Gai Jatra, known in English as the festival of cows, is celebrated across Nepal but particularly in the Kathmandu valley. This year the festivities began on August 10. In this festival teenage boys dress up as cows and parade the streets of the town. This custom springs from the belief that cows help the members of the family who died within that year to travel to heaven smoothly. According to tradition, every family who has lost one relative during the past year must participate in a procession through the streets of Kathmandu. A painted crown with two funny horns is made sacred by mantras from the priest and put on the head of a relative of the deceased. Then he, along with thousands of others, march the streets of city center. The deceased's family also offers various things to these "cows" including malpuwa and swari (Nepali sweets), biscuits, juices, and milk. Clowns and comedians perform street shows wearing funny masks or with heavily painted faces. There is a long tradition of including jokes, satires, mockery and lampoon in the Gai Jatra festival. In the 17th century when King Pratap Malla lost his son, his wife remained grief stricken. During Gai Jatra the Queen saw the cow procession and the satirical attacks on the high and mighty, and she was so amused that she could not stop smiling. After that Pratap Malla made sure that the festival always included comedians. The festivities last for a week with dance and drama performances held in different parts of Katmandu. For video footage from the Gai Jatra festival in Nepal, click URL above.

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2. Interview With Astrologer Chakrapani Ullal

www.vedicastrology.com

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, August 12, 2006: Coming to the United States in 1979 at the behest of his guru, Swami Muktananda, Chakrapani's professional life underwent a dramatic transformation. Soon after arriving in California, he prepared a brochure called Vedic Astrology. "Until then," he says, "the term Vedic astrology had never been used. It was only called Hindu astrology. It wasn't even called Vedic astrology in India. It was really a suggestion of Swami Muktananda, because the word Hindu is linked to religion, yet this astrology is universal. It does not belong to a religion. So why not restate it as Vedic knowledge. It is a Vedic tradition. Why not name it Vedic astrology?" To read the complete interview in which he describes his early professional life and the introduction of Vedic astrology to the United States, go to URL above.

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3. Centenarians Say Faith Is Source Of Longevity

www.cnn.com

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, August 11, 2006: Faith and spirituality were cited most often by people over the age of 100 as the source of their longevity, according to a survey sponsored by a unit of UnitedHealth Group. In a survey of 100 people between the ages of 100 and 104, 23 percent said faith rather than genes and good medical care were responsible for their long life. Other factors given included hard work, a healthy diet and "living a good, clean life." Sixty-one percent of those surveyed said there was nothing they would have done more of in their lives and 78 percent said there is nothing they would have done less. About 13 percent said they wished they had traveled more, 9 percent said they wished they had worked less and 6 percent said they wished they had spent more time with their families. The survey, conducted by Evercare which provide health plans to the disabled and chronically ill, indicated that 30 percent of centenarians considered raising a family as their most satisfying achievement while 20 percent valued mostly their careers.

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4. The World's Southernmost and Northernmost Hindu Temples

gbooks1.melodysoft.com

CHILE, August 12, 2006: The "Centro Cultural y Templo Hindu" in Punta Arenas, Chile, is located at 53.10 degrees south of the Equator. It is a building of 800 sq meters financed by the Sindhi community. When inaugurated in 2002 it displaced the Wellington, New Zealand, Kurinji Kumaran temple (at 41.17 S) as being the southernmost Hindu temple in the world! The Sri Ganesha Mandir in Anchorage at 61.13 N holds the distinction of being the northernmost temple followed by Oslo's Norges Hindu Kultur Senter and Sollentuna, Sweden's Hanuman Mandir.

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5. "What is Hinduism?" -- What's Your Answer?

Hinduism Today

KAUAI, HAWAII, August 12, 2006: Hinduism Today magazine is preparing a special issue and a book on "What is Hinduism?" As part of this attempt to provide an overview of a vast religion we invite our readers to submit their answer to the question "What is Hinduism?" You may answer this question yourself, find an answer to it given by a Hindu spiritual leader, or ask a spiritual leader you know for an answer. Answers should run about one paragraph. You may send to ar@hindu.org. Please include your name (or the author's name), age, occupation, city and country.

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