SourceTHIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA September 1, 2003: Wherever they are, Keralites look forward to Onam as a great occasion to reminisce their long traditional past. But at home, part of the beauty and grace of the festival appears to have been lost to the demands of consumerism. With Onam just a week away, the state wears the look of an extended market…
SourceNEW DELHI: There is no such thing as a fundamental right to convert any person to one’s own religion, and the government can impose certain restrictions keeping in view public order, the Supreme Court has ruled. The court’s ruling came while dismissing a petition challenging an Orissa law requiring police verification of all religious conversions. Citing the SC’s landmark 1977…
SourceMUMBAI, INDIA, August 31, 2003: This Ganesha Chaturthi, Mumbaikars can look forward to getting up-to-date information on the current happenings in the city at the touch of a dial. Radio Mirchi, 98.3 FM, is gearing up to keep Mumbaikars abreast with the latest happenings and information on the 10 days of Ganesha Chaturthi. From traffic updates and information on the…
SourceADILABAD, INDIA, August 31, 2003: Eighteen Christians belonging to one family in Adilabad town reconverted to Hinduism on Sunday. The reconversion and purification ceremonies were performed at 9:00 am at Gopala Krishna Mutt by its Mathadhipati (head monk), Sri Sri Sri Yogananda Swami, in a tranquil atmosphere. Members of the local Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and other Sangh…
News ReportsNASIK, INDIA, September 1, 2003: Thousands of sadhus began the third Shahi Snan (royal bath) in Ramkund (a sacred lake) exactly at 8.00 am on the auspicious day of Vrishi Panchami, amidst tight police monitoring following the death of 35 persons during the second royal bath on August 27. Sadhus of various akaras (monastic orders) of the Tvaishnava sect…
SourceSIEM REAP, CAMBODIA, August 30, 2003: In addition to an appreciation of art, Uong Von’s job as chief conservationist of the Khmer Art Museum requires a familiarity with semiautomatic weapons. “To work at Conservation d’Angkor you must love art and know how to defend it with an AK-47,” said Uong Von. “I am a lover of art, but I am…
SourceBANGALORE, KARNATAKA, August 30, 2003: Ganesha Chaturthi has been celebrated in grand style in the southern states for many years. It is only in the last few years that the festivities have taken on a new eco-friendly consciousness. Idol makers and devotees are being encouraged to make loving murthis from clay and other natural substances and to paint the icons…
SourcePETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA, August 21, 2003: A Malaysian Youth organization called the Serdang MIC Youth has been working vigorously to delay the demolition of seven temples in Serdang. The chief of MIC Youth, T. Mohan says, “We are strongly against the decision to demolish the temples as some of them have been in existence for several decades.” Leading a delegation…
AnnouncementMISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, August 29, 2003: The Canadian Hindu Arts and Cultural Society has announced that a new Hindu pre-school accommodating children 2-5 years of age will open on September 2. Called the Hindu Immersion School, the school’s mission is to fully immerse and educate the young minds about Hinduism as well as teach Hindi and music. The community is proud…
SourceSeptember 1, 2003: Prakash Mody of Canada (“source” above) sent us this description of an admirable Jain custom. “It is at this time, Kshmapana (which falls on August 31, September 1 or September 10, depending on the specific tradition), that Jains embark on their respective annual pratikramana, a reflection on their spiritual journey for the past year. On this day…