Punjab Kesari (Hindi)NEW DELHI, INDIA, May 15, 2004: Junapeethadhishwar Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avadheshananda Giri Ji said that the television channels have to come forward to check the poisonous atmosphere of today in the society. He was launching the channel Sadhana Super belonging to the Sadhana Parivar [family]. Electronic media today is influencing not only the country but the whole world,…
SourceOMAHA, NEBRASKA, May 15, 2004: Gopala Krishnan stood barefoot and quietly prayed before an elephant-headed statue in Nebraska’s first Hindu temple Friday. As he lowered his head to the statue of Ganesha, he noticed that it was still dripping wet from milk that was poured on its belly during a prayer service. Krishnan said he takes pride in the massive…
SourceBROOKLYN, NEW YORK, May 14, 2004: Last week, HPI received two queries regarding the practice of having one’s head shaved at Tirupati temple, specifically asking if the hair was used in religious ritual. This was an unusual question, and we wondered at the time what was behind it. We replied that to our knowledge the hair itself was not used…
SourceCASCADE, WEST MICHIGAN USA, May 10, 2004: Two Indian religious groups have announced plans to build in Cascade Township. West Michigan Hindu Temple closed a deal on a 5.7 acre site on Whitneyville Road. Approximately US$700,000 is needed for its 8,000 square foot temple and cultural centre. The Sikh Society of Western Michigan has applied for a permit to build…
SourceINDIA,May 11, 2004: The commercial began innocently enough: A pretty young Indian woman, dressed in a fine sari and jewels, meets a prospective suitor and his family. Then came the punch: He turns her down, and her mother offers her a tube of cream called Fair and Lovely. Flash forward to our new, improved heroin. Thanks to Fair and Lovely…
SourceHOUSTON, TEXAS, May 13, 2004: The Balagokulam Prayer Group at Katy celebrated Shlokathon 2004 on two Sundays on April 17 and May 1. Over the last 2-3 months the prayer group participants from the age group of 3-5 years to 17 years were learning chanting of several Sanskrit shlokas (verses from the Vedas, Upanishads and other scripture) and also understanding…
SourceAMRITSAR, INDIA, May 10, 2004: Their faces are devoid of any expression of pain as they pull a car tethered to hooks which have been pierced into their backs, begins this article. Impassioned devotees with tridents and rods pierced through their cheeks participate in the annual “agni puja” to thank Mahamai Mariaman for granting their wishes. Not a single drop…
The Age (Melbourne)MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, MAY 8, 2004: Victoria’s growing Indian population is making its mark on local culture. It’s an imposing landmark the locals dub “the temple.” With its flowing contours and tall towers adorned with images of Hindu Gods, the Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple – to give its official title – could hold its own on the Indian subcontinent.…
SourcePHILADELPHIA, USA, May 12, 2004: On Saturday, Savita Patel got the usual Mother’s Day treatment from her three children: flowers, dinner and a gift certificate to a spa. Yesterday, Patel, a Langhorne resident who was born in India, was honored in a very different way. She, with 50 other mothers, was the focus of a Mathru puja – a prayer…
New Straits TimesKUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, May 5, 2004: The famous 272 steps leading to the 100-year-old Hindu temple in Batu Caves has apparently been turned into a “jogging track” by fitness freaks, much to the dismay of devotees. Many can be seen running up and down the steps in the early mornings or late evenings. A New Straits Times reader…