SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, March 6, 2005: Madras High court has ruled that the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt is a “separate organization and legal entity by itself,” as distinct from the “head” who leads it. Justice K.P. Sivasubramaniam gave the far-reaching ruling while setting aside the special investigation team’s recent directive to banks to “freeze” the mutt’s bank accounts. The SIT is investigating…
Source GOA, INDIA, March 4, 2005: The temples of Shree Manguesh and Shree Shantadurga, and two of the most revered patron deities of the Hindu Goud Saraswat Brahmin community are located at Mangueshi and Kavalem, respectively, in the Ponda taluka in North Goa. Shree Kaivalya Muth Saunsthan also known as Shree Kavale Muth Saunsthan, is the oldest monastic center of…
SourceFebruary 22, 2005: After Dr. Lindsay Allen of the U.S. Agricultural Research Service said that, “A vegan diet was so lacking in necessary nutrients that it is tantamount to child abuse,” it caused an uproar in the vegan community at large. Firstly, the announcement was made at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science by…
SourceBOULDER, COLORADO, March 11, 2005: HPI received this press release from Humanity in Unity organization, “source.” The following HPI item after this is a Times of India post-event news report. On Sivaratri, March 8 in Varanasi, India, Her Holiness Chalanda Sai Ma Lakshmi Devi Sri Nithyananda Mayi Ma will be receiving the title of “108 Mahamandleshwar” from the Sadhu Somaj.…
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…