Hinduism Today KAUAI, HAWAII, August 12, 2006: Hinduism Today magazine is preparing a special issue and a book on “What is Hinduism?” As part of this attempt to provide an overview of a vast religion we invite our readers to submit their answer to the question “What is Hinduism?” You may answer this question yourself, find an answer to it…
www.hindu.com SRINAGAR, INDIA, August 11, 2006: The arrival of the charri mubarak (holy scepter) marked the culmination of the Amarnath pilgrimage, which began amid tight security on June 10. A special puja was performed after Mahant Dipindra Giri took the holy mace to the cave. Governor Lt. Gen (ret.) S. K. Sinha, who is also Chairman of the Shri Amarnath…
www.nytimes.com NEW DELHI, INDIA, August 9, 2006: While four Indian states have banned the sale of Coke, Pepsi and other soft drinks made by Indian subsidiaries of Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo Inc. in schools, colleges and government offices, Kerala has been the first to impose a total ban on production and sales. Kerala’s health secretary, Viswas Mehta, told The Associated…
www.indiatoday.com HYDERABAD, INDIA, August 7, 2006: An extraordinary way to start a university: Andhra Pradesh Governor Rameshwar Thakur flagged off academic activity at the prestigious Sri Venkateswara Vedic University, devoted exclusively to Vedic studies, at Tirumala by participating in a yagna fire worship at the Sri Venkateswara Vedapatasala. “The intrinsic values, knowledge and wisdom enshrined in the Vedas have to…
Dinamalar CHENNAI, INDIA, August 7, 2006: (HPI note: This translation from the Tamil publication Dinamalar was supplied by Tiru Srinivasan.) The Tamil Nadu government issued the following rules for processions of Vinayaka Deities on the upcoming festival of Vinayaka Chathurthi (or Ganesha Chathurthi): “The procession should not stop before mosques and churches. The procession time should not be delayed so…
www.ndtv.com KERALA, INDIA, August 3, 2006: Ever since 1975, a compound attached to the Sree Krishna temple in Guruvayur has been home for captive elephants donated to the temple by patrons. The compound is now home for 65 elephants who are cared for by 200 mahouts. Recognizing an opportunity, the Kerala Tourism Department wants to convert the elephant yard into…
specials.rediff.com SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, August 7, 2006: In a major victory for Sikhs in the United States, a San Francisco court has held that the community has the right to build a gurudwara (Sikh place of worship) in their neighborhood. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has allowed a Sikh congregation to construct a gurudwara on land allotted for agriculture…
epaper.hindustantimes.com PATNA, INDIA, August 7, 2006: According the Bihar State Board of Religious Trusts, there are serious questions of irregularities regarding the loss of properties belonging to temples. Kishore Kunal, Religious Trust Administrator says, “We are yet to make a full assessment, but it is estimated that the worth of lost properties could go beyond US$454 million.” Kunal says the…
www.contracostatimes.com LIVERMORE, CALIIFORNIA, August 7, 2006: Western culture’s fascination with Hinduism has made it easier to connect second-generation Indians to their heritage and part of that connection is spiritual. To help strengthen those bonds, groups such as the California chapter of the Shri Yoga Vedanta Ashrama, a nonprofit organization based in India, have launched yoga and meditation camps across the…
epaper.timesofindia.com MUMBAI, INDIA, August 5,2006: Weekend culture for Indian youth is changing rapidly. From Mumbai to Meerut, a large number of youngsters are happily forgoing their Saturday night boogeying in favor of a spiritual sojourn. Dancing shoes firmly kept aside, they are seeking spirituality like never before. For these people, predominantly in their 20s, spirituality is a means of understanding…