www.business-standard.com

NEW DELHI, INDIA, June 12, 2008: Close on the heels of its animated feature film The Return of Hanuman, the Thiruvananthapuram-based Toonz Animation is readying an animated television series on Shiva. In an exclusive chat with Business Standard, Toonz Animation Chief Executive Officer (CEO), P Jayakumar, said: “We are venturing into a different format, which would be close to what may be called picture book animation, with ‘Shiva’”. The series would run for 13 half hour shows and the company has chosen Cartoon Network to air the animated picture book series for the Indian audience.

“Shiva” is expected to be aired on the cartoon channel in another six months. As was the case with Hanuman, Toonz Animation’s Shiva is also expected to churn out a trend in this genre of animation as soon as it goes on air in another six month.

www.telegraphindia.com

CUTTACK, INDIA, June 13, 2008: Thirty-two black granite statues, believed to be more than 800 years old, have been found from a well inside the precincts of the 12th century Chateswar-Bateswar Temple in Choudwar. “We stumbled upon the exquisite pieces when we were clearing the well. The work began from Sunday,” said Gagan Bihari Raul, the head of the temple managing committee.

“They appear to belong to a period before the temple was constructed, in the 12th century. Their exact date can be ascertained by archaeologists,” Raul said. Eight prominent Shiv pithas (temples) were established between 989 and 1211 by the Keshari Dynasty in and around Choudwar, most of which are now in ruins. The Chateswar-Bateswar is one of the temples that survived the ravages of time. It had a well in its precincts. The statues are of Hindu gods and goddesses such as Shiv, Nataraj, Durga, Laxmi, Ganesh and some Buddhist deities. Presently, the statues are in the custody of the temple managing committee and are being displayed in the temple.

uk.youtube.com

ENGLAND, June 13, 2008: A one-hour program on Hinduism narrated by Ben Kingsley has been posted on YouTube in five segments. The show is part of the “Religions of the World” produced in the UK. While one can find fault with the show, especially in its presentation of the impact of Buddhism and Islam on Hinduism, it is overall rather nicely done. The program is divided into five ten-minute segments, in keeping with YouTube restrictions on video length. The URL above takes you to the first one, when it is finished playing, you can click on the screen for the next segment.

www.sambodh.com

KALAMAZOO, MI, USA, June 13, 2008: The Sambodh Center for Human Excellence (SCHE) of Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA, celebrated the 1st Anniversary of their Ashrama on Saturday, June 7, 2008 in a ceremony honoring those who helped establish the Ashrama. The program included an outdoor ritual, worship of Lord Shiva and vegetarian refreshments. The Shiva Lingam was donated to SCHE by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami of Kauai’s Hindu Monastery, Kauai, Hawaii.

The worship was followed by a discourse by Swami Bodhananda Saraswati, SCHE Founder and Spiritual Director, and other dignataries. The Sambodh Society, Inc. is a non-profit religious organization whose purpose is the study of Vedanta and Hinduism. SCHE Programs include meditation, yoga, study groups, spiritual retreats, Sunday services, interfaith dialogues, spiritual guidance, a variety of wellness and cultural programs, and - its latest venture - organic gardening.

www.hinduismtoday.com

It is very important to give light and love to everyone, because everyone needs affection. Let light, love and peace live today and always in our hearts. Let these words not just be words pouring out of our lips. Let light invade your whole being so that everyone may be able to love.
   Mataji Indra Devi