New York City Suspends Parking Regulations for Diwali — It’s a Sign of Acceptance

www.nydailynews.com NEW YORK, NEW YORK, November 4, 2007: There are many ways for members of a religious group to demonstrate that they’ve “made it” in America: a burgeoning population, a big house of worship, a parade down Main St. But in New York there’s one indicator that stands above all others: when alternate-side-of-the-street parking is suspended to mark the group’s…

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Washington Hindus Celebrate Diwali

www.washingtonpost.com WASHINGTON, D.C., November 10, 2007: Diwali, a major Hindu festival that is as important in India as Christmas is in the United States, conjures many images: fireworks, rituals honoring the goddess of wealth and dressing up in traditional garb for New Year’s Day, which some Hindus celebrate today. For adherents of a fast-growing segment of Hinduism known as BAPS,…

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Houston Kids Explain Their Delight in Diwali

www.chron.com HOUSTON, TEXAS, November 9, 2007: Ask the young students at the DAV School what they like best about Diwali and their answers come fast. “Fireworks!” several shout, giddy with anticipation of the Hindu holiday they will celebrate today. “Dancing! Sweets. Lights. Decorations.” But they also know the story behind the festival of lights, which is one of the most…

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US Immigration Reopens “Comment Period” for Religious Worker Visa

www.uscis.gov WASHINGTON, D.C., November 1, 2007: (HPI note: All Hindu temples and organizations who did not yet submit comments on this very important issue should do so — there are just five days left. For further information, contact HPI at ar@hindu.org.) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it is reopening the public comment period until November 16,…

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Prince Charles Commends Hindu Community in UK on Diwali

www.mandir.org LONDON, UK, November 9, 2007: Their Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London, on the afternoon of November 9, 2007, to participate in the celebrations of Diwali. After being welcomed in a traditional Indian manner, the Royal couple proceeded to the sanctum sanctorum where they offered…

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UK Prime Minister Praise Diwali Festival

www.hinduonnet.com LONDON, UK, November 9, 2007: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown described Diwali as “a wonderful inclusive festival” as thousands of enthusiastic Hindus and Sikhs in Britain celebrated the Indian festival of light last night. In a message telecast on different channels on Friday night, Brown said “I am delighted to send my warmest greetings to everyone in our Hindu…

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Southern California Temple Opens

www.dailybulletin.com MONTCLAIR, CALIFORNIA, November 10, 2007: (HPI note: Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, publisher of Hinduism Today, attended these opening events.) In a ceremony steeped in symbolic ritual and centuries-old tradition, the first Hindu temple in the city’s history opened Friday. Paramahamsa Nithyananda, a noted Hindu swami, led the ceremony at the 24,000-square-foot Nithyananda Vedic Temple and Vedic Sciences University at 9720…

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Diwali Festival Catches Attention of Main-Stream American Business

www.chron.com HOUSON, TEXAS, November 7, 2007: Diwali is usually a lucrative time of year for local Indian-American retailers and caterers. Now some mainstream businesses are catching on to the popular Hindu holiday and marketing to the area’s growing Indian population. In recent years, Hallmark has launched Diwali greeting cards, porcelain figurine maker Lladro has launched a line of Hindu deities…

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Krishna Devination at Guruvayur Temple Against Entry of Non-Hindus

hindustantimes.com GURUVAYUR, KERALA, INDIA, November 3, 2007: The Left Front government’s move to open temple doors to all believers has run into a solid wall, this time in the form of the Lord of the Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple. An ongoing deva prasnam (divination ritual to know the mood of the Deity) at the temple has found that the presiding…

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US Panchangam Available

devendra1@sbcglobal.net CALIFORNIA, November 4, 2007: Devendra Trivedi has released his US Palani Panchangam for Vikram Samvat 2064. It is calculated for the west coast time, Chicago time and east coast time. E-mail Devendra at address above to receive a copy.

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