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…
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.…
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…
SourceKOZHIKODE, KERALA, May 11, 2004: One of the senior-most saints of the Sri Ramakrishna Mission and noted philosopher, Swami Sidhinathananda, passed away here today. He was 87. The funeral rites were held at the Sri Ramakrishna Seva Ashram at Meenchanda here this evening. The Mayor, Thottathil Raveendran, Swami Chidanandapuri and poet, Vishnunarayanan Nampoodiri, paid their last respects. Swami Sidhinathananda was…
SourceASSAM, INDIA, March 5, 2004: The plight of captive elephants in the north-eastern state of Assam is a sad one. Before 1996, elephants could work in the timber industry and earn US$900 to $1,000 a month. A 1996 court ruling limiting the felling of trees for the logging industry has left most captive elephants out of work. Of the estimated…
SourceONTARIO, CANADA, May 12, 2004: This report was issued by Gospel for Asia, a Christian missionary organization which reports instances of “persecution” of Christians worldwide. Those that deal with India are, to HPI’s experience, often difficult or impossible to verify. This one, complaining about enforcing visa regulations, is titled “Long-Time Missionary Ordered to Leave.” The report states: “Jim Borst, has…
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…