GO TO SOURCE CALICUT, INDIA, September 7, 2001: Kalarippayat is said to be the world’s original martial art. More than 2,000 years old, it was developed by warriors of the Cheras kingdom in Kerala. Training followed strict rituals and guidelines. From unarmed kicks and punches, kalarippayat warriors would graduate to sticks, swords, spears and daggers and study the marmas —…
Source: The Hindu HYDERABAD, INDIA, September 4, 2001: A proposed aireal cable car system to transport pilgrims from Tirupati town to the Tirumala temple will be the world’s longest such facility, stretching for a length of 6.1 km. Ropeways are synonymous with hilly countries like Switzerland and Austria, but their length is not more than 2 to 3 km. on…
GO TO SOURCE PURI, INDIA, September 5, 2001: Puri’s temple priests have opposed the Orissa Tourism Department’s proposal to build a watch-tower outside the Jagannath temple to help non-Hindus get a glimpse of the 13th century structure. Ipsit Pratihari, president, Sri Jagannath Sevayat Kalyan Parishad, said: ”This move will endanger the security of the temple and so should not be…
Source: The Hindu CHENNAI, INDIA, August 31, 2001: A youth was drowned and two others were reported missing at sea while attempting to immerse a Ganesa icon, giving Friday’s Vinayaka Chathurthi procession a tragic dimension. Eyewitnesses said a group of youth ventured into the sea about 4:30 p.m. to immerse a medium-sized idol at the Seerani Arangam, when a strong…
Source: The Hindu THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA, September 3, 2001: The Adivasi-Dalit Action Council has resolved to intensify its stir launched on the eve of Thiruvonam day to highlight its long-standing demands. Adivasis, the tribal people of India, planned to block the Onam pageantry to be held at the culmination of the week-long celebrations. Even as hundreds of Adivasis were facing death…
Source: Religion News Service LEEDS, ENGLAND, September 7, 2001: That the UK’s Roman Catholic schools may play a roll in discouraging young Catholics from practicing their faith came under scrutiny at the annual meeting of the National Conference of Priests of England and Wales. Priests from northwest England said that in their experience teenagers who went to Catholic schools were…
GO TO SOURCE NEW DELHI, INDIA, August 27, 2001: Two Indian research organizations possess colonies of embryonic stem cells, known as cell lines, which can develop into many other types of tissues and which scientists believe could create new treatments for diabetes and Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. The release today of a list of existing stem cell lines by the…
Source: Mahir Meghani ORLANDO, FLORIDA, September 2, 2001: The Hindu University of America has acquired a 12-acre site in Orlando. The University is incorporated in the state of Florida and is authorized by the Education Department, Florida, to conduct Master and Doctoral Programs in Hindu Studies. The Hindu University has been conducting “distant teaching programs” and intensive courses for some…
Source: Religion News Service KOLKATA, INDIA, September 6, 2001: Amid fears she had become the victim of the devil, Mother Teresa “happily agreed” to undergo an exorcism, according to the Archbishop of Calcutta. Several months before her death, the 87-year-old Catholic nun turned to the procedure after suffering from sleeplessness during a stay at the Calcutta hospital where she was…
GO TO SOURCE BHUBANESHWAR, INDIA, August 27, 2001: Entering a temple to partake of the darshan exuding from the deity in the inner sanctum, is what makes Hindu temple worship so uplifting and special. The famous Jagannath temple in the state of Orissa has denied this privilege to non-Hindus. Priests (pandas) have been adamant about upholding this rule. According to…