SourceNAGAPATTINAM, INDIA, January 24, 2005: When I entered one of the rows of temporary shelters built for tsunami victims in Pattancherry village in Nagapattinam (writes Rediff reporter Shobha Warrier) I witnessed a minor scuffle in a corner. Some inmates had surrounded a Christian priest and two nuns, and a war of words was going on. “We are Hindus and we…
SourceTULSA, OKLAHOMA, January 27, 2005: The Hindu Temple of Greater Tulsa is celebrating the Pranpratishtha (consecration) of the Deities in the temple in June, 2005. On this occasion they will publish an authoritative book on Hinduism. Potential authors for this edited book are invited. Please send your MSS or any related question to Dr. Pramode Verma at pverma@ou.edu. Additional details…
SourceBHUBANESWAR, INDIA, January 19, 2005: A sacred metal wheel at the 12th century Jagannath temple in Orissa is safe, experts have said after examining it with the help of sophisticated equipment. Experts from the National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) spent three hours examining the wheel on the top of the temple in the coastal…
SourceKUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, January 22, 2005: Thai Pusam is a joyous occasion for Hindus. Thousands will visit the various temples dedicated to Lord Muruga on Tuesday to celebrate the festival. The numerous festivals are an attempt to goad devotees to look upon life as a celebration. The sages advise a transformation in the thinking process to see the hand of…
SourceJAIPUR, INDIA, January 22, 2005: Rajasthan is busy preparing prayers “for the state’s welfare” about to be held for the third time since the highly religious Vasundhara Raje became chief minister in December 2003. The prayers will be held March 21-29, just before Rajasthan Day March 30. The special prayers, or maha arati, will be conducted by 11 priests at…
Source KOCHI, SRI LANKA, January 22, 2005: The Sri Lankan government has invited Mata Amritanandamayi to visit the island nation and provide “spiritual healing” to those affected by the tsunami and bring peace and prosperity to their lives. “The victims need spiritual healing, solace, succor and blessing,” Sri Lankan Minister of Agriculture Marketing Development and Hindu Affairs K N Douglas…
SourceMORAKETIYA, SRI LANKA, January 19, 2005: A dozen Americans walked into a relief camp here, showering bereft parents and traumatized children with gifts, attention and affection. They also quietly offered camp residents something else: Jesus, begins this article. The Americans, who all come from one church in Texas, have staged plays detailing the life of Jesus and had children draw…
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, January 20, 2005: The Supreme court Thursday permitted the central government to withdraw an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) notification declaring Tamil Nadu’s Arunachaleswarar temple a national heritage monument. While granting permission, judges Y. K. Sabharwal and P. P. Naolekar told Additional Solicitor General B. Dutta to submit in four weeks whether the government had any other…
SourceTAMIL NADU, INDIA, January 21, 2005: Bullfighting is usually thought of as a Spanish entertainment, but in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu a local variation is growing in popularity. It also appears to be becoming more dangerous. Bullfighting, or jallikattu as it is known here, is centred on two villages near the town of Madurai. Its exponents say…
SourceBANGALORE, INDIA, January 21, 2005: There was a total chaos in the press meet organized by the committee of “Pray for India and Festival of Blessing” (Benny Hinn’s Program) in Bangalore. This colorful report from the Hindu activist RSS news service (“source”) reads, in part: The program organizers Gul Kriplani, Paul Thangaiah, former DGP Kolaso, Ruban, Satyavrat and Samuel spoke…