News Report Claims Missionaries Demand Conversion Before Relief

Source SAMANTHAPETTAI, INDIA, January 16, 2005: Rage and fury has gripped this tsunami-hit tiny Hindu village in India’s southern Tamil Nadu after a group of Christian missionaries allegedly refused them aid for not agreeing to follow their religion. Samanthapettai, near the temple town of Madurai, faced near devastation on the December 26 when massive tidal waves wiped it clean of…

Continue reading

Harvest Festival Celebrated Across Hindu World

SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, January 14, 2005: Ushering in the new festival season, Lohri, which marks the new harvest, was celebrated in parts of north India. In Tamil Nadu, the festival is celebrated as Pongal, as Bhugali Bihu in Assam and Sankranti in central Indian states. While it is known by different names in various parts of the country, what is…

Continue reading

Hindu Leaders Oppose Evangelist Benny Hinn’s Bangalore Program

SourceBANGALORE, INDIA, January 18, 2005: American Evangelist Benny Hinn is planning a three day Festival of Blessings, beginning this Friday in Bangalore. Organizers expect up to three million people to attend. But the prayer meetings are running into a lot of opposition with Hindu religious leaders. Hindu religious leaders from around Karnataka met in Bangalore’s Shankara mutt to discuss their…

Continue reading

Malaysians Spearhead Relief Work in Sri Lanka

SourceKAULA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, January 14, 2005: About 20 Malaysian Volunteers from various Hindu Organizations are now actively involved in their services especially in Baticola, Ampara and Trincomalee areas in Sri Lanka. Mr. T. M.Ramachandran of the Hindu Seva Sangam (HSS), popularly known as Ramaji, as mobilized about 1,000 youths of local Hindu Seva Sangam in those areas. Rama has commented…

Continue reading

Delhi’s Akshardham Temple Ruled Lawful by Supreme Court

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…

Continue reading

Was Ancient Indian Town Swallowed By Tsunami?

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…

Continue reading

Sri Balagangadharanatha Swami Escapes Unharmed from Emergency Helicopter Landing

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…

Continue reading

Adichunchanagiri Mutt To Adopt Tsunami Orphans

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…

Continue reading

Christian Charity Drops Plan to Put 50 Muslim Orphans in Christian Home

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…

Continue reading

Lord Ganesha Goes On-Stage in South Africa

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…

Continue reading