THAILAND, November 16, 2025 (the witty passport): Thailand’s temples are places of serene beauty and deep spiritual significance. Visitors are welcome to experience their tranquility. However, you must show respect through your attire. Understanding the dress code is essential for a smooth and meaningful visit. It shows reverence for Thai culture and Buddhist traditions. There are basic guidelines that will…
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, February 11, 2016 (SAYS, by Sadho Ram): My family traces its roots to the Marwar region of Rajasthan, and my early understanding of Hinduism was shaped by that geography and by the eastern part of India in which I was raised. Ours was a faith practiced through Rajasthani customs and eastern Indian beliefs. We prayed to Surya,…
GERMANY, December 25, 2026 (Indian Express): Naveen Kakkar and his wife Sheela fled Afghanistan nearly three decades ago as the first Taliban regime was ready to take control of Kabul. Later, their son, Nishant, a special child, was born in Germany in 1991. Three decades on, with the Taliban back in Kabul, the religious fundamentalist group seems to be controlling…
INDIA/NEPAL, OCTOBER 29, 2022 (YouTube): This video explores how social media activism is being used to pressure museums, auction houses, and private collectors to return cultural artifacts that were taken from their countries of origin—often during colonial eras or periods of conflict. Activist groups and online sleuths are leveraging platforms like Twitter and Instagram to track down looted statues, challenge…
INDIA, February 9, 2026 (NT by Leila Saldanha and Sheela Krishnaswamy): This academic article examines how vegetarianism in India is deeply rooted in the country’s religious and cultural traditions, with about 83% of the population belonging to religions founded in India (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism) that promote vegetarian dietary practices and about 39% of Indians self-identify as vegetarians —…
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, January 31, 2026 (New Straits Times): Thousands of devotees and tourists converged on Batu Caves today for a Thaipusam celebration filled with color and faith. From as early as dawn, streams of worshippers clad in bright attire made their way up the 272 steps leading to the main temple cave, while curious visitors looked on, cameras in…
INDIA, January 29, 2026 (Daily Pioneer by Rahul Kaushik): The article argues that opposition to redeveloping Hindu sacred spaces follows a recurring historical pattern: projects meant to improve temples and pilgrimage sites are initially condemned as betrayals of tradition, only to be revered generations later as timeless heritage. Using the example of Ahilyabai Holkar’s 18th-century works at Kashi—now universally celebrated…
SHILLONG, INDIA, January 28, 2026 (Deccan Herald): India has submitted to UNESCO in Paris the nomination dossier of Meghalaya’s living root bridges for consideration to be included in the World Heritage list 2026-27. A statement said. “We are hopeful that the living root bridges will be inscribed this year, ensuring that the indigenous communities, the true guardians of this living…
GEORGE TOWN, MALAYSIA, JANUARY 31, 2026 (Malay Mail): Chetti Pusam, celebrated by the Chettiar community on the eve of Thaipusam in Penang, was captivating with the elaborately decorated chariots and colorful procession accompanied by 90 peacock kavadi, around the Chettiar community in conjunction with Thaipusam tomorrow (February 1). The Thaipusam celebration in this state continues to captivate as the Golden…
MALAYSIA, January 28, 2026 (SAYS): Every Thaipusam, while much of the country is asleep, Malaysia’s roads quietly transform. From Kuala Lumpur to Penang, from Johor to Kuantan, ordinary streets turn into pilgrimage routes. Hundreds of thousands of barefoot devotees walk through the night towards hilltop temples dedicated to Lord Murugan, including Batu Caves, Waterfall Hill and many others across the…
