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…
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…
SourceLONDON, ENGLAND, February 21, 2005: The Hindu Council UK issued the following press release: “On February 25, Hindu Council UK begins the process of launching our own resources on Hinduism. This comes with a series of textbooks covering GCSE and Advanced level course material. Most of the resources on Hinduism, so far, have been distorted Abrahamic versions of Hinduism. These…
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…
SourceMUMBAI, INDIA, February 18, 2005: Kshitij Garg, age 9, is a lanky boy, quiet and soft-spoken. His favorite hero is a complete contrast to this. “I like Hanuman because of his extraordinary strength. One day, I would also like to be as huge and powerful as him,” he says. Typically, his favorite part of the classic Hindu epic Ramayana is…
SourceLONDON, UK, February 19, 2005: Charles Kennedy, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, visited the Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden, north London, and made a pitch for ethnic minority votes in the forthcoming British general elections. Kennedy slightly offended orthodox Hindus by making an overtly political speech (mostly about Iraq) at a semi-religious function whose main purpose was to hand over…
SourceHYDERABAD, INDIA, February 16, 2005: A reversal of medical tourism now has Americans making a beeline for India, seeking the latest and cheaper treatments, begins this article. Until recently, it was the other way round, with Indians rushing to the US for better cure facilities. However, with the state-of-the-art medical procedures, equipment and facilities now available in India, patients from…