Hindu India Challenged By Aids Crisis

www.religionwatch.com NEW YORK, USA, August 3, 2005: The Religion Watch Newsletter’s August edition includes the following article: Religious beliefs can help in the HIV crisis in India, but most Hindu groups and leaders have not yet taken up this work, according to a Yale University medical researcher. In an interview with Science & Theology News (July/August), Nalini Tarakeshwar says that…

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Replica of Angkor Wat Unveiled in Rhode Island

www.turnto10.com CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND, USA, August 1, 2005: Monks, politicians and others attended the unveiling of a miniature version of Cambodia’s famed Angkor Wat temple complex. The replica, based at the site of the Wat Dhamagosnaram Buddhist Temple on Plainfield Pike, stands about 3 1/2 feet tall and features miniature statues, buildings and monuments — as well as aquatic plants…

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The Message for Equality and Peace of Sree Narayana Guru

www.kaumudiusa.com NEW YORK, USA, August 1, 2005: Since July 7, 2005 Malayalee Hindus of New York are on renewed spiritual path. For the last one week Swami Satchitananda had been delivering discourses every evening for two to three hours at different locations around New York City and suburbs. There is a new awakening in the minds of Malayalee Hindus who…

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Kanwaria Festival Showcases Religious Harmony

www.keralanext.com HARIDWAR, UTTARANCHAL, INDIA, August 1, 2005: The ongoing Kanwaria festival in Gangotri and Haridwar in Uttranchal state showcases communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims at its best. This atmosphere of brotherhood and communal bonhomie is most visible in wooden “Kanwars” (frame or batons used to carry pots containing water), most of which are manufactured by Muslims. The holy water…

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Balinese Temple Monkeys Pose Threat of Virus Transmission

www.ens-newswire.com SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, USA, July 25, 2005: An international team of scientists concerned about transmission of viruses from monkeys to humans are warning travellers to Asia not to pet or feed the numerous monkeys they may see at temples and other tourist sites. Feeding the animals, or even carrying food into a temple, can greatly increase the risk of a…

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Gangotri Glacier Threatened By High Numbers of Pilgrims

www.newkerala.com GANGOTRI, UTTARANCHAL, INDIA, July 30, 2005: The heavy footfall of a large number of pilgrims visiting the hills around the Gangotri Glacier, where the River Ganga emerges, is increasingly becoming a threat to the environment. Gangotri village once housed a temple and a few simple places to stay but it is turning out to be an environmental nightmare. Its…

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Traditional Indian Dance Taught to Children in a New Light

www.hindu.com MONTREAL, CANADA, June 24, 2005: Traditional Hindu families encourage their children to learn classical dance or music as the art forms are a natural expression of their religion and culture. However, it has been found by many teachers that the techniques and repertoire are arduous for the contemporary urban child. In an effort to keep children interested in classical…

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Crash Course in Manners for Temple Staff

www.eians.com BHUBANESWAR, INDIA, July 29, 2005: Refresher courses on etiquette are on the anvil for 400 servitors of Orissa’s famous Jagannath temple after stories of their rudeness to devotees even united concerned politicos of different parties. Called Yatri Pandas, these people receive devotees in front of the gate of the temple in Puri, 56 km. from here, and escort them…

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North Carolina State Courts May Be Required To Permit Oath On Books Other Than Bible

www.thebostonchannel.com RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, US, July 27, 2005: The American Civil Liberties Union said witnesses in North Carolina courtrooms should be allowed to swear to tell the truth on scriptures other than the Bible. The ACLU has filed a lawsuit to permit oaths to be taken on the holy books of Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and other non-Christian faiths. Judges in…

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