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www.hinduismtoday.com You may develop a thousand virtues and be reckoned as the greatest in the land. But the lotus of your heart will not blossom until you receive the grace of the Guru, the grace of God!    Dada Sadhu Vaswani

HPI DELHI, INDIA, October 27, 2008: According to Pandit Ananda Shankar Vyas of Ujjain, a Vedic scholar, astrologer, priest and advisor to the famed Mahakal Temple, the coming dates for the Kumbha Mela are: Haridwar: March/April, 2010 with the main bathing day on April 14. Prayag: January 27 to February 25, 2013. Nashik: August 15 to September 13, 2015. Ujjain:…

www.rediff.com COIMBATORE, INDIA, October 29, 2008: Democratic presidental candidate Barack Obama has found an unexpected ally in Coimbatore. An Ayurvedic hospital chief has been conducting special homas since September 26, seeking the blessings of the Gods to ensure a smooth win for Obama in the US presidential election. Krishnakumar, managing director of the Arya Vaidya Pharmacy, visited America recently. Studying…

www.ekklesia.co.uk UK, October 1, 2008: The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has sent an annual message to Hindu communities in Britain for Diwali, the festival of lights. In his message Dr Williams expresses his hope for “reconciliation where there has been division and hurt” and the appreciation and enjoyment of each other’s festivals “as a common sign to the…

www.hinduismtoday.com Just as, when we touch a live wire, the electric force infuses itself into our body, when we deeply meditate on God the power of the whole universe seeks entry into our personality.    Swami Krishnananda, General Secretary, Divine Life Society

www.hindu.com TIRUVANNAMALAI, INDIA, October 31, 2008: A huge and rare Ekamuga Rudraksha that weighs about 200 grams was found among the valuables stored in the temple treasury at Sri Arunachaleshwarar temple in Tiruvannamalai. Authorities were amazed by its size, which was slightly bigger than a cricket ball. The rudraksha, decorated with silver, was donated in 2006 by a devotee. Temple…

www.hinduismtoday.com HPI note: HPI has received reports of Diwali celebrations from the four corners of the world. Click on the links below to read some of them: KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA: http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/004200810282180.htm THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON, DC, USA:http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/29us.htm LEICESTERSHIRE, UK:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/leicestershire/7694682.stm NEW DELHI, INDIA:http://www.ddinews.gov.in/Homepage/Homepage+-+Headlines/eeq2.htm HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA:http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/6081140.html NEW YORK CITY, NY, USA (Caribbean Hindus):http://www.caribbeanworldnews.com/entertainment_one.php?sid=1373&a=2&cut=301&ad=entertainment STATEN ISLAND, NY, USA:http://www.silive.com/living/advance/religion/index.ssf?/base/living/122431232723200.xml&coll=1 LE MOULE, GUADALOUPE…

timesofindia.indiatimes.com NEW DELHI, INDIA, October 29, 2008: This year’s festival of lights this year is a quieter affair than usual. The police issued fewer licenses to firecracker vendors and came down heavily on their illegal sale, and as a result crackers are not that readily available in the city. Environmentalists foresee a significant dip in the noise and pollution levels…

www.dailytexanonline.com AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA, October 29, 2008: Fireworks illuminated the night sky for Diwali, a traditional Indian celebration that represents the victory of good over evil. The Hindu Students Council hosted a Diwali celebration Tuesday night on the Main Mall. Candlelit steps, with piles of shoes strewn at the bottom, welcomed Hindu and non-Hindu students to a ritual of mock…

www.hinduonnet.com MADURAI, INDIA, October 29, 2008: The Skandha Sashti festival began at Tiruparankunram Sri Subramaniaswamy temple here on Wednesday. The devotees would take bath in the Saravanapoikai, go around the Tiruparankunram hills and take food only once during the festival. Soorasamharam would be held on November three, temple sources said. The festival is celebrated by Hindus worldwide, but especially the…