SourceMADURAI, INDIA, May 16, 2004: The towers of the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai will now be visible from a distance. The temple heads have made sure that no high-rise buildings block this magnificent view. Although heritage city rules ban buildings beyond nine metres high, within a radius of one kilometer around this temple, almost a thousand buildings in Madurai have…
SourceMADURAI, INDIA, May 17, 2004: Hindu devotees in Madurai are up in arms over a proposed ban on animal sacrifice. Though animal sacrifice has been banned in India, the practice is still alive in some areas, albeit in a secretive way, states this report from New Kerala.com. The devotees say the state government has no right to reinforce an existing…
SourceGUYANA, SOUTH AMERICA, May 16, 2004: In an on-going debate in Guyana over the definition of “Hindu,” Vishnu Bisram wrote this letter to the editor of the Stabroek News: “I would like to add to Roopnandan Singh ‘s letter (12.5.2004) that anyone of any ethnic background can be a Hindu. One does not have to be an Indian to be…
News ReportsKAUAI, HAWAII, May 16, 2004: More information has come in regarding the rabbinical edict (HPI May 15) banning wigs for Jewish women to be made from hair collected at Hindu temples in India following devotees shaving their heads. Orthodox Jewish women wear wigs because of a custom that they do not show their true hair anywhere outside the house.…
SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, May 16, 2004: Renowned carnatic musician M. S. Subbulakshmi was admitted to a private hospital here on Saturday evening after a complaint of hyperglycemia (abnormal rise in sugar content in blood), according to hospital sources. Sources said that the 87-year-old Carnatic music veteran was semiconscious now and was under treatment. “As of now, there is no cause for…
SourceCALIFORNIA, U.S., May 12, 2004: Immigrants in California live longer than the state’s U.S.-born residents, according to a study released today by the Public Policy Institute of California. Immigrants have a life expectancy of more than 81 years, on average, compared to 77 years for Californians born in the United States, according to the study. “When people hear that, they’re…
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…