Source NEW DELHI and CHENNAI, INDIA, November 12, 2004: Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi’s arrest following an investigation into the murder of Shankararaman, who managed the accounts of the Kanchi Mutt a few years back, has shocked his critics and devotees alike. “Can the Pope be arrested from the Church of England?” International Secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad Praveen Togadia asked…
SourceBANGALORE, INDIA, November 13, 2004: He is known to give audiences to the most powerful in the country and even the world. He stands before no one and is perceived to be the seventh most powerful man in the country ahead of the President and Prime Minister and behind the likes of Ambanis and Tatas. His address is Kanchi Kamakoti…
SourceWASHINGTON, D.C., November 11, 2004: US President George W Bush has sent his greetings to the Indian community on the occasion of Deepavali, the festival of lights, the first celebration to be held in the White House after his re-election. “I send greetings to all those celebrating Deepavali, the Festival of Light. Observed by millions round the world, Deepavali is…
SourceTHIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA, INDIA, November 12, 2004: The centuries-old Sabarimala hill shrine in Kerala is readying to receive millions of pilgrims. All arrangements are complete for the commencement of the Sabarimala pilgrimage season that begins Nov 16 and goes on to the third week of January. “Taking into consideration the dramatic increase of pilgrims every season, several new pilgrim-friendly facilities like…
SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, November 12, 2004: (HPI note: This news of the arrest of one of India’s most prominent spiritual leaders has arrived on a day when HPI is not usually issued, hence this special edition.) Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati was on Thursday night arrested in connection with a murder case. The 60-year-old pontiff (other reports say 70) of the Kanchi…
SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, November 12, 2004: High drama was witnessed at the airport in Chennai when Senior Pontiff of the Kanchi mutt Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, who was arrested in connection with the murder case, was brought to Chennai from Hyderabad in the wee hours of Friday. As the Special Aircraft touched down at the Airport at Chennai around 0245 hrs, the…
SourceKANCHEEPURAM, INDIA, November 12, 2004: Dismissing as “baseless” the charges against Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi, arrested on Thursday in connection with a murder, his counsel on Friday alleged that the action was “politically vindictive.” “The mutt is no way connected with the incident (murder). The charges are baseless and based on the confession by third party. We will seek redressal…
SourceKANCHEEPURAM, INDIA, November 12, 2004: Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi, arrested near Hyderabad Thursday night as a prime accused in a murder case, was on Friday remanded to judicial custody till November 26 by a court in Kancheepuram. Soon after he was brought to Kancheepuram, the Shankaracharya was produced before First Class Judicial Magistrate G Uttamaraj at 6.30 am. The magistrate,…
SourceNovember 7, 2004: “The time of Deepavali is one of the most festive and beautiful times of the year. Deepavali literally means a ‘Row of Lights.’ It is a time filled with light and love; a time when Indians all over the world rejoice. Deepavali is celebrated on the thirteenth/fourteenth day in the dark half of Kartik (October-November); it is…
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, November 9, 2004: Imported icons of Lord Ganesha and the Goddess Laxmi have proved to be a hit with the masses preparing for Deepavali this year. Devotees have particularly taken a fancy for clay icons from China and Thailand which are both good looking and inexpensive. Suresh, a shopkeeper, admits that these Chinese-manufactured icons are doing brisk…