SourceLUCKNOW, INDIA, March 11, 2005: Perhaps for the first time, an American woman has been ordained a high priest in the Hindu holy city of Varanasi. Sai Ma, renamed Laxmi Devi Chalanda Sarvanandmayi Ma, was declared “Mahant Mahamandleshwar” or chief priest, according to a report appearing in a Varanasi Hindi daily. The announcement followed a special ceremony performed by leading…
SourceDENPASAR, BALI, INDONESIA, March 10, 2005: Raucous tourism and Islamic extremists have clashed with deadly results in Indonesia’s Bali, but a Hindu festival that will silence the island’s nightclubs and mosques this week in a display of religious tolerance may help lay many painful memories to rest. Bali, a Hindu bastion in the world’s largest Muslim-populated nation, will mark the…
SourceLONDON, ENGLAND, March 11, 2005: Anil Bhanot of the Hindu Council UK (abhanot@hinducounciluk.org) is protesting an article which appeared the day before Maha Sivaratri in the Times of India. It is titled “He’s hot, he is Indian Idol No 1,” and is by Bachi Karkaria. It begins: “Indra can keep his corner office. The penthouse of the pantheon belongs to…
Sunday Times (South Africa)LAUDIUM, SOUTH AFRICA, February 27, 2005: When Priest Jagadeshan Sharma of the Laudium Sivan Alayam in 13th Avenue charged an undercover reporter US$17 to bless a car, the Sunday Times proceeded to write this article. The news release said, “This week Sharma admitted charging up to $1,726 to offer prayers for new homeowners. The prayers bestow protection…
SourcePORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS, March 8, 2005: The whole Hindu community of Mauritius unites to celebrate Maha Sivaratri which is preceded by weeks of fasting and preparation. Pilgrims prepare for their devotions at Ganga Talao, the sacred lake in the highlands of Mauritius. Mauritius is dubbed as the crossroads of cultures; amidst peaceful coexistence, its fertile soil has generated the blooming…
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, March 8, 2005: Chants of “Om Namah Sivaya” rent the air and young girls prayed to Lord Siva for the perfect groom at many temples across the city on the occasion of Sivaratri Tuesday. Over 10,000 Hindu devotees congregated at Gauri Shankar Mandir in Chandni Chowk in old Delhi and at least half that number thronged the…
SourceLAHORE, PAKISTAN, March 8, 2005: More than 2,000 Hindu pilgrims have crossed over to Pakistan to participate in the three-day Maha Sivaratri festival at Katas Raj Mandir in Chakwal in an effort to teach the nuances of the rituals associated with the festival. “Pakistani Hindus, especially those in Punjab, do not know the proper way to worship and use photographs…
Religion Watch NewsletterINDIA, March 6, 2005: Religion is alive and well among Indian youth, who generally seems to hold rather conservative values on family and motherland, and show pride of being Indian, according to a recent survey. The Indian newsmagazine India Today devoted its entire January 31 issue to what young, middle-class people in Indian cities “think, do and want…
SourceKATHMANDU, NEPAL, March 7, 2005: (HPI note: Mahasivaratri is being celebrated by Hindus all over the world tomorrow, but no doubt Nepal has a special place in the tradition with its Pasupatinath Temple. The events here are similar–though more spectacular–to what is done at all Siva temples.) Among the numerous festivals of Nepal, Maha Sivaratrai is worthy to note in…
SourceLONDON, ENGLAND, March 7, 2005: Jay Lakhani announced today the release of Hinduism For Schools, written by Seeta Lakhani and edited by Jay. The 133-page, all-color book is replacing the material used in UK public schools to teach Hinduism. The book is produced to a high standard of writing, illustration and color printing on glossy paper. It is one of…