SourceVARANASI, INDIA, April 9, 2005: A new Hindi feature film called “Dharma” has traditional Hindu priests who perform religious ceremonies on the banks of the river Ganga in Varanasi “up in arms.” The priest are insulted and outraged by two particular scenes in the movie. The news release said, “What has particularly angered the Pandas is a scene in which…
SourceBANGLADESH, April 12, 2005: A mosaic of religious sites permeate Bangladesh otherwise known as Bengal and the region boasts the birth of many religious personages on its soil. Dr. Sachi G. Dastidar explains, “Over the millenniums several places have become famous tirthas or places of pilgrimages in Bengal. A large concentration of those places are in today’s Bangladesh. Many notable…
SourceJAMMU, INDIA, April 18, 2005: In order to discuss the present position of religious places of Hindus in the Kashmir Valley, Soan Kashmir Front held a meeting under the leadership of S.L. Pandita, its president. Members said that most of the religious places of Hindus were in deplorable condition in the Valley. They said that property of most of the…
By Paras RamoutarPORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD, April 18, 2005: An episode from the famous epic, Mahabharata, will premier in the form of the “Shakuntala” play on April 26 at Queen’s Hall, Port-of-Spain. The play is being presented by Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Co-operation, Nrityanjali Theatre and the Ministry of Culture, according to a spokesman for the Indian High Commission. The play…
SourceMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, USA, April 13, 2005: A magnificent temple is under construction in Minneapolis in the American Mid-West. Coming up on 40 pristine acres in Maple Grove area, the Vishnu temple when completed (most likely in 2006) would become one of the most imposing Hindu structures in the U. S., says this article. Being constructed by the Hindu Society of…
SourceKAUAI, HAWAII, April 18, 2005: Hinduism Today is requesting quotes for its popular “Quotes and Quips” page. Single short quotes or collections of quotations on Hindu philosophy, culture or way of life are all welcome. Quotations can be from recognized spiritual leaders, ordinary Hindus or non-Hindus. In addition to Hinduism we occasionally run quotes on vegetarianism, general quotes on religion…
SourceTAMIL NADU, INDIA, April 14, 2005: Varusha Pirappu, or the birth of New Year, marks the beginning of the first month in Tamil calendar Chithirai. (HPI note: There are also other calendars in use in India with different New Years.) In contrast to the Roman calendar, where the New Year begins on January 1 always, the Tamil calendar year does…
SourceHARIDWAR, INDIA, April 13, 2005: Thousands of Hindu devotees today heralded the traditional new year and a harvest festival by bathing in the holy Ganges river. Hindus consider a bath at Haridwar in northern India, one of the holiest spots along the Ganges’ 2,000-km (1,250- mile) journey from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, as most auspicious and millions…
SourceWAPPINGERS FALLS,NEW YORK, April 11, 2005: Singers and musicians converged on the Hindu Samaj temple Sunday to celebrate the songs of one of India’s greatest composers. The performance was the second annual Tyagaraja Aradhana Festival, held in honor of Sri Tyagaraja, a composer born in the late 1700s who wrote thousands of devotional songs. For many members of the Hindu…
SourceKATHMANDU, NEPAL, April 14, 2005: Nepal’s elite private schools said yesterday Maoist rebels have told them to shut down in 24 hours unless they cut fees and meet other demands, but the schools have vowed to defy the order. A group representing Nepal’s private schools said the rebels demanded the institutions close on Thursday unless they lower admission and tuition…