SourceDELHI, INDIA, January 12, 2005: The Supreme Court today termed as “lawful” the construction of US$44 million Akshardham temple complex on the banks of river Yamuna in Delhi. The court has dismissed a suit challenging the allotment of land to the society constructing it. The court said all the Land Use Plans have been adhered to and clearance of expert…
SourcePOOMPUHAR, INDIA, January 14, 2005: For generations, the people of Poompuhar have spoken of the days when their sleepy fishing town was the capital of a powerful kingdom, and traders came from Rome, Greece and Egypt to deal in pearls and silk. Then, more than 1,500 years ago, it was gone. The thriving town, according to ancient Tamil-language texts, was…
SourceKUNIGAL, INDIA, January 6, 2005: The head of Adichunchanagiri Mutt, Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji, had a miraculous escape when his helicopter made an emergency landing on an agricultural field following a technical snag near Narasandra village in the taluk yesterday. The Seer was proceeding from Bangalore towards Sringeri to attend some programs, in his helicopter yesterday morning. When the chopper was…
Press ReportBANGALORE, INDIA, January 4, 2005: As the relief for the tsunami victims is pouring in the form of cash, clothes, medicines and others, some noble souls have taken a step ahead and decided to adopt the children who have been left orphaned by the killer waves which devoured thousands and rendered many more, homeless. Apart from helping the victims…
SourceWASHINGTON, D.C., January 14, 2005: An evangelical Christian charity has dropped plans to settle 50 Muslim children orphaned by the Asian tsunami in a Christian-run home after the Indonesian government blocked the move, the group said on Thursday. Virginia-based World Help has raised $70,000 to place Muslim children in a Christian orphanage near Jakarta. But the group’s president, the Rev…
Sunday TimesJOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, January 9, 2005: A stage presentation based on one of the greatest Gods of Hindu mythology, Ganesha, opens at the intimate Tesson Theatre at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre on February 22. The tale of Lord Ganesha, the Deity worshipped by millions of Hindus around the world, will be brought to life and audiences can expect to…
SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, January 14, 2005: As speculation mounts that chief minister Jayalalithaa could be mulling an ordinance to take control of the Kanchi mutt (monastery), a debate has started on whether such a takeover is legally possible. Experts say the Tamil Nadu law governing administration of temples and religious institutions, including mutts, has not given such bodies unlimited freedom to…
Hindu Press InternationalBANGALORE, INDIA, January 14, 2005: Kailasa Ashrama has announced that the renowned Hindu leader, Sri Sri Sri Tiruchi Mahaswamigal, attained Mahasamadhi at 1:30 pm Indian time, January 14, 2005. His Holiness passed away while undergoing dialysis at the hospital, for complications related to diabetes. Swamiji’s mortal remains were returned to the ashram in the evening. The schedule of…
Religion News ServiceKHAO LAK, THAILAND, January 11, 2005: A Buddhist monk garbed in bright orange came to Yan Yao temple to look for his missing father days after tsunamis battered the coastline here. He gave a DNA sample and was told his father was dead — engulfed by a giant wave. The monk calmly turned around, left the temple, and…
SourceLONDON, ENGLAND, Janaury 10, 2005: Sarah Teather, Member of Parliament, made the following “Early Day Motion” in the House of Commons, according to the Hindu Council UK (“source”). Twenty MPs cosigned the motion. “That this House notes with concern the implications for Hindu temples of the new Home Office immigration rules affecting ministers of religion, effective from 31st August 2004,…