SourceGADAIPUR, INDIA, February 19, 2005: Thousands of devotees are flocking to the northern Indian farmlands of Gadaipur on the outskirts of New Delhi for spiritual fulfillment at the feet of a rustic Punjabi-speaking Indian saint. Baba Virsa Singh, 70, known to his followers as Maharaj (king) or Babaji, is hosting a conference on “The Spiritual Approach to Peace and Resolving…
Press Trust of IndiaNEW DELHI, INDIA, February 20, 2005: Taking serious note of a bank’s lack of respect to Sanskrit language, Delhi state consumer forum has ordered a compensation of around US$ 275 to a man whose checks were not honored as he had filled them up in the revered ancient language, says this article on a 1991 case which…
SourceGEORGIA, USA, February 20, 2005: An important breakthrough in educating the Columbus community about the culture of India took place when a three-month-long festival opened on February 5, 2005, at the Columbus Museum, one of the largest museums in the Southeast. The Indo-US Cultural Association joined with the Columbus Museum in an unprecedented partnership to host a series of events…
SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, February 22, 2005: The Tamil Nadu police have filed another case against the senior pontiff Jayendra Saraswati. The allegation this time is that, through his lawyers, he has tried to threaten approver Ravi Subramaniam. (An “approver” is a person charged in a case who pleads guilty and offers to testify against the other persons charged in exchange for…
SourceNEPAL, February 20, 2005: Nepal’s vivid cultures are an invaluable resource, one which Nepalese are striving to preserve. Among many festivals Shree Swasthani Vrata Katha is one of them. The solemn worshipping of Goddess Shree Swasthani (the Hindu deity known for miraculously granting wishes made in a solemn state by pure souls) in every Hindu household begins on the third…
SourceUNITED KINGDOM, February 10, 2005: It all began when the Swaminarayan Hindu Community started worshipping at a small temple in North London. As the number of Hindus in Britain grew, plans formulated to build the largest Hindu temple outside of India. In 1992, the community purchased an old school site across the road from the Mandir and the first Hindu…
Press Release/PPTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, CARIBBEAN, February 18, 2005: In recent years, people of East Indian and South Asian descent have started contributing to the Carnival in multi-ethnic Trinidad Tobago. As a result, a publication exclusively featuring this festival can be ordered through the Indo-Caribbean Cultural Council. Features of this edition include the following, “Greetings from the Prime Minister: The Honourable…
SourceLAHORE, PAKISTAN, February 19, 2005: (HPI note: Any news report from the Pakistan media should be considered a government-sanctioned announcement and read accordingly) In a significant move, the Pakistan government has allotted US$20,220 for the repair of Krishna Mandir on Ravi Road. The Daily Times quoted Syed Saeedul Hassan, the Punjab minister for Auqaf and religious affairs, on Friday as…
SourceLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, February 14, 2005: Yoga and Pilates may be the fitness world’s most popular couple. Men and women are flocking to both exercise disciplines as classes, studios, books and DVDs appear; there’s even a hybrid called Yogalates that blends the best of both worlds, says this Los Angeles Times article. Pilates is a strength and conditioning system done…
SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, February 20, 2005: A team of officials from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), aided by Navy divers, have begun a joint off shore exploration at the historic town of Mahabalipuram, near Chennai, to look for “submerged temples” following the surfacing of some rock cut reliefs near the Shore Temple in the aftermath of the tsunami. Experts, including…