GO TO SOURCE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, January 19, 2001: Fueled by a growing and increasingly affluent Indian population, construction at Chicago area Hindu temples is booming, with two established temples expanding and new structures in the works. The Hindu temple in Lemont is building a $4.5 million community center, in Aurora workers have renovated the towers atop the Balaji Temple, and…
GO TO SOURCE ALLAHABAD, INDIA, January 19, 2001: The Allahabad High Court has directed the Kumbha Mela authorities to strictly follow the United Province Mela Rules which specifically state that no one can take photographs of the bathing ghats of the mela. The ruling was in response to a public interest petition seeking ban on photos and telecasts of the…
GO TO SOURCE INDRAPRASTH, INDIA, January 21, 2001: Can anyone have exclusive right to use the name of a Hindu God as trade mark? The issue has been brought before the Delhi High Court in a writ by a software company challenging Maruti Udyog Ltd’s (MUL) claim over the trade mark “Maruti”, another name of God “Hanuman.” Maruti Software Pvt…
Source: Religious New Service COLOMBO, SRI LANKA, January 18, 2001: After 18 years of civil war, Norwegian diplomats have attempted to bring peace to the island nation of 19 million by initiating talks between the Sri Lankan government and the separatist Liberation Tigers of the Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Unlikely adversaries to stopping the conflict, Buddhist conservative monks are vocally promoting…
GO TO SOURCE ALLAHABAD, INDIA, January 20, 2001: Members of the press from India and other countries of the world suffered abuse at the hands of the police force present at the grand Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Protesting the press facilities available at the sacred event, the journalists sit-down according to a police inspector provoked the police. Several were injured,…
GO TO SOURCE ALLAHABAD, INDIA, January 18, 2001: Kumbh Nagari has become the focus of intense politicking over the Vishwa Hindu Parishad sponsored Dharam Sansad. The VHP is attempting to use the Maha Kumbh Mela to advance its Ram Temple agenda. By setting up a camp that towers over the camps set up by the akharas (traditional monastic orders, several…
GO TO SOURCE ALLAHABAD, INDIA, January 20, 2001: After attempting to organize an event where the next Sansad would be inaugurated, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad was left with a no-show by the established dharmacharyas. Thirteen major akharas refused to attend the Dharam Sansad, meeting of saints, aimed at discussing issues facing the Hindu world. Relenting somewhat in the final moments,…
GO TO SOURCE KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, January 19, 2001: By introducing the consequence of caning for delinquent acts of gambling, swearing or carrying cigarettes, Malaysia’s Penang state hopes to deter the bad habits in students. Under the demerit system where 10 points brings one stroke of the cane, even dyeing hair or wearing costume jewelry can earn a student 5…
GO TO SOURCE AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, January 21, 2001: The New Zealand Hindu Temple Society will conduct Thai Pusam festival on February 6. Special rituals and pujas to Lord Subramaniya are scheduled at Leichester Hall, 20 Findlay Street, Ellersile, Auckland, New Zealand beginning at 6.00pm. All contributions go towards the temple building fund. For more details email “Source” or write…
Source: Associated Press LUCKNOW, INDIA, January 18: The BBC and an independent TV station were accused by state authorities of being insensitive to Hindus when they focused their filming on scantily dressed women bathers and naked holy men at the Kumbha Mela in Allahabad, northern India. Sadakant, the festival commissioner alleged that the two networks misused their access to the…