SourceWIMBLEDON, ENGLAND, August 12, 2004: Hundreds of Hindu devotees in traditional dress took to the Wimbledon streets to celebrate the colorful summer festival of Thiruvilzha. The event, on July 25, was organized by the Shree Ghanapathy Temple in Effra Road, South Park Estate Residents’ Association, the Metropolitan Police and Merton Council. A beautifully decorated chariot carrying the icons of sacred…
SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, July 27, 2004: The ongoing demolition work in Tirumala, as part of the works to construct a mahapraharam (large enclosed courtyard) has come in for criticism from Vaishnavites throughout the country and efforts are on by Vaishnavite acharyas to consolidate the support in a bid to halt the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) move. Addressing a press conference here…
SourceWASHINGTON, D.C., August 13, 2004: Republican Congressman and Co-chairman of the India Caucus Joe Wilson has reiterated his support for a Diwali stamp proposal, saying it would “send a positive message to the Indian American community.” “I believe the issuance of a Diwali stamp would send a positive message to the Indian American community about their assimilation and acceptance into…
SourceJAMMU, INDIA, August 11, 2004: Suspending the Amarnath Yatra for three hours, troops on Wednesday foiled a terror plan to strike the pilgrims by recovering a 12 kg Improvised Explosive Device on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, officials sources said. Terrorists had planted a 12 kg RDX-filled IED on Jammu-Srinagar Highway at Ramso in Doda district to target the Amarnath Yatra convoy…
SourceCHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA, August 10, 2004: Launched in 1996 in response to a child’s question, The Five Faiths Project teaches about religions as a way of fostering an understanding of religious diversity in the community. The project continues at the Ackland Art Museum this weekend with the Five Faiths Colloquy as well as an upcoming exhibition of contemporary art…
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, August 12, 2004: How old is the Indian civilization? If a student in Rajasthan says 6000 bce and another in Delhi says 2500 bce – both are correct, thanks to vastly different textbooks resulting out of rival regimes. (HPI adds: The 6000 bce date is the result of recent scholarship; that of 2500 bce a date set…
SourceUK, August 11, 2004: Suraj Sehgal, of the Hindu Council UK (“source” above) writes, “I congratulate Asian Age to have published in front page news on 10 August stating ‘Kuwait disallows Hindu’s cremation.’ In this case a Hindu person’s body was compelled to be sent to India for cremation. There is no comment whether government or any human rights organization…
SourceSAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, August 6, 2004: A Bay Area publisher is expanding its coverage to encompass yoga’s increasingly mainstream practitioners. Yoga Journal, of Berkeley, launches a redesign of its 310,000-circulation national magazine with its September issue. The magazine, which is published seven times a year, has brought more mainstream advertisers onboard, including Target stores, the Ford Motor Co. and General…
SourceHONOLULU, HAWAII, August 11, 2004: Some Buddhists are so concerned about the name of a new Waikiki bar that they have started a writing and telephone campaign to proprietors, politicians and community groups. The Buddha Bar, in the former House of Hong restaurant in Waikiki, opened Thursday. Some Buddhists find the name offensive. “This is an inappropriate name and is…
Agence Press FranceSRINIGAR, INDIA, August 6, 2004: The annual trek in Kashmir to one of Hinduism’s holiest shrines has seen a record 217,000 pilgrims despite violence elsewhere in the disputed Muslim-majority territory, official figures showed Friday. Officials are expecting 300,000 pilgrims to make the arduous journey to the Amarnath cave shrine by the ritual’s close in late August. The trek…