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BIHAR, INDIA, January 23, 2008: The Ma Mundeshwari Temple in Kaimur District, Bihar, has been reported as having been built in 108 CE. Since then rituals and worship have been taking place at the temple without a break, possibly making it the oldest functional temple in the world.

But the use of the term “oldest” is risky when talking about temples associated with Hinduism, because no one has been able to clearly state how old Sanatana Dharma is. It is safer to state that Ma Mundeshwari Temple is one of the oldest functioning Hindu temples in the world.

It is situated atop the Kaimur Hill and built in an octagonal shape. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple is dedicated to Devi Mundeshwari. There is also a Chaturmukha Shivalinga there, a clear indication that Shiva and Shakti were worshipped here. Temple materials and murtis can be found scattered near this very rare octagonal shaped temple.

The temple attracts devotees during festivals like Ramnavami and Shivaratri.

www.hindu.com

BENGALURU, INDIA, February 11, 2008: The State Government has decided to step up security for temples across the State and initiate a series of other measures to prevent burglaries at temples. The move comes in the wake of the recent burglary at the famous Yoga Narasimha Temple at Melkote, in which temple ornaments estimated at US$ 12,000 were stolen.

The Sate Government decided to install burglar alarms in 100 temples classified under Category A, that generate US$ 25,000 or more in donations per month. Most of the revenue comes from offerings made by devotees and these temples, Mr. Bhat said, possessed gold, silver, diamond ornaments and priceless articles of historical value. It will be mandatory for the temple administrations to deposit gold, silver and other articles with the District Treasury, except for the items used in daily worship ceremonies.

The most important items will also be insured by the government.

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LONDON, UK, February 15, 2008: A Hindu organization in the UK on Friday blamed the British for the caste system in India, saying the “current adulteration” of the varnashram system is a result of “generations of British colonial bureaucracy.”

“It was the British who single-handedly formulated the caste schedules that remain in place today,” Raj Pandit Sharma, a member of the Hindu Council UK’s (HCUK) Executive, said. “The evils manifest in the current form of the caste system could not be ascribed to the Hindu faith.” The report included quotations from Hindu scripture in support of the concept of egalitarianism and cites many sacred texts - respected by people of all castes - that were written by “Dalits,” or “outcastes.”

The result of several months research by Sharma, a report lifts the lid on rarely-heard Hindu perspectives on a subject assumed by most non-Hindus to be always a gross form of unjust discrimination, used to justify attempts by Christians to convert Hindus. The report acknowledged and condemned continued abuse in India, despite an official ban on caste discrimination.

The detailed report challenges assumptions about caste and details that, concluding that contrary to their assertions and popular belief, caste, as described in the Hindu scriptures, is not determined by birth.

www.hinduismtoday

To listen to some devout people, one would imagine God never laughs. Aurobindo Ghose, Indian Philosopher (1872-1950)