Source image: SOUTH AFRICA, November 26, 2020 (News 24): The first group of Indian indentured labourers arrived in South Africa in 1860. The majority settled in Natal because they were originally requested by local farmers. Like India, Natal was a British colony. Most of them were Hindus, although not exclusively so. South Africa’s Indian population currently stands at 1,286,930 (2.5%…
Source INDIA, November 18, 2020 (One News Page): The four-day long festival, Chhath Puja started November 18 amid COVID-19 scare. (photo above is of the normal river-side observances.) The Patna administration has taken many steps to prevent the spread of the dreadful virus. The administration is distributing Ganga water among the devotees for performing rituals and preparing prasad. Each household…
Source Out of purity and silence come words of power.— Swami Chinmayananda (1916-1993), founder of Chinmaya Mission
Source BALLARI, INDIA, November 14, 2020 (The News Minute): A video clip in which a thirsty elephant is seen stopping a water tanker en route its procession during Hampi Utsav in Karnataka’s Bellary has gone viral. This incident took place during a Shobha yatra (procession) to mark the beginning of the day-long Hampi Utsav on Friday. In the clip, the…
Source KATHMANDU, NEPAL, November 14, 2020 (NBC News): Residents in Nepal’s capital Saturday worshipped dogs by offering garlands and food as the country celebrated the Festival of Dogs. The dog festival falls on the second day of the five-day-long Hindu festival of Diwali, which is Nepal’s second-largest festival. The day is dedicated to cherish the relationship between humans and dogs.…
Source INDIA, November 15, 2020 (SBS News): Fear of the coronavirus and chronic pollution spoiled the party Saturday as hundreds of millions of Indians celebrated the biggest Hindu holiday of the year. Diwali is meant to be the festival of light, but the pandemic has clouded the future for many in the country of 1.3 billion. Some people defiantly set…
Source There is something beyond our mind which abides in silence within our mind. It is the supreme mystery beyond thought. Let one’s mind and one’s subtle body rest upon that and not rest on anything else.— Maitri Upanishad
Source INDIA, November 12, 2020 (Times Now News): In a matter of a few days, Diwali will be celebrated. The festival of lights is the perfect time to rejoice and celebrate good over evil and going towards light from any kind of darkness engulfing us at the moment. Known for firecrackers and beautiful decorations with Rangoli and lamps, it is…
Source Silence is the first door to spiritual eminence.— Adi Sankara (788-820), in his Vivekachudamani, 368
Source NEW YORK, NEW YORK, November 10, 2020 (NY Post): A major New York Jewish organization co-hosted an event in New York this week to debate a subject that most in the city assume has long been settled — whether the swastika is good or bad. While the notorious hooked-cross symbol has long been associated with the evil of Nazism…