SourceUJJAIN, INDIA, April 22, 2004: Over a million people Thursday took a holy dip in the river Shipra on the occasion of the second Shahi Snan (royal bath) in the ongoing Kumbh Mela in this temple town of western Madhya Pradesh. Thousands of Hindu ascetics, led by those of the Juna Akhara, marched to the banks of the river wielding…
SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, April 25, 2004: The Centre for Policy Studies here has issued a book, Religious Demography of India, and a part of it has been put on the Web at “source.” It contains data on the trends in religious affiliation in India. If you would like to order the book (cost Rs 800/) e-mail policy@vsnl.com or write to Centre…
SourceCOIMBATORE, INDIA, April 25, 2004: We received the following announcement from Pramod Kumar, Coordinator, Programme for Cultural Education and Self-Growth: I am writing from Ammachi’s Deemed University in Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India. As you are aware Amma is very concerned about true education – that all students should imbibe spiritual culture along with their secular education. It is to fulfill Amma’s…
SourceUSA, April 26, 2004: Recently Time Magazine, issue dated April 26, 2004, came out with Top 1OO people in the following fields: Leaders & Revolutionaries; Artists & Entertainers; Builders & Titans; Scientists & Thinkers; Heroes & Icons. Yoga teacher B.K.S. Iyengar was included in the Heroes and Icons. His entry, written by an actor who is a student of Iyengar’s…
SourceUTTARANCHAL, INDIA, April 25, 2004: The portals of the Gangotri and Yamnotri temples, nestling in the Gharwal Himalayas, were reopened at noon on Thursday. The state government had expected a huge rush of pilgrims, but the ceremony was observed by local people only, as a curfew had been imposed in the area following an outbreak of violence, and many pilgrims…
SourceUJJAIN, INDIA, April 9, 2004: A lot of foreigners who have become naga sadhus are in Ujjain for the Ardh Kumbh, according to this report from ndtv.com. Most of them are members of the Juna Akhada. “I always wanted to be a sadhu and be in India,” said Dutt Bharti, who came to India on a cycle from Germany several…
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, April 22, 2004: Tens of thousands of couples, including cricketing star Virendra Sehwag, were tying the knot across India after astrologers declared it the most auspicious day in 70 years. An estimated 17,000 weddings were due to take place in New Delhi alone and priests, beauty parlors and hotels were booked out, news reports said. In the…
SourceGUYANA, April 17, 2004: Presenter Roger Williams yesterday told the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) that he believes that the caste system is essential to the Hindu religion and that this has an effect on how African Guyanese are viewed. Williams, whose arguments were made under the theme “How Should The Church of Jesus Christ Respond To Dr. Gibson’s book” said…
Religion News ServiceSURFSIDE, FLORIDA, April 21, 2004: An appeals court has ruled that the town of Surfside, Fla., violated a religious land-use law when it excluded churches and synagogues from zoning areas where it permitted private clubs. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled April 21 that Surfside violated the equal-terms provision of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized…
SourceSANUR, BALI, April 22, 2004: Keeping the “make money” motto in front of every thing is destroying the world’s beautiful cultural heritages. International chain hotels in Bali are one of many examples of such wave. Gongers (traditional Gamelan musicians) are treated in their own country as worthless, underpaid and not much respected. They are being discriminated in their own country…