Source TIRUPATI, INDIA, September 2, 2019 (The Hindu): At a time when eco-friendly celebrations have become the mantra for Vinayaka Chaturthi, Tirupati has emerged as a trailblazer by going a step ahead to present recyclable statues. There are at least two huge statues in the temple town which need no immersion as they will be dismantled and distributed among the…
Source Joys and sorrows are time-born and cannot last. Therefore, do not be perturbed by these. The greater the difficulties and obstructions, the more intense will be your endeavor to cling to His feet and the more will your prayer increase from within. And when the time is ripe, you will gain mastery over this power. — Anandamayi Ma (1896-1982),…
Source KAUAI, HAWAII, September 3, 2019 (Hinduism Today, by Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami): As an emanation of God, each soul has the eternal truths of Hinduism encoded within itself, available through meditation. Hinduism is often referred to by the Sanskrit term Sanatana Dharma. Sanatana means eternal and dharma in this context means religion. Thus, Hinduism is the “Eternal Religion.” Calling a…
Source PURI, INDIA, August 31, 2019 (Orissa Post): The ongoing eviction drive around the Jagannath Temple in Puri ran into rough weather once again Saturday, with Govardhan Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati declaring the recommendations of Justice B.P. Das commission illegal. Based on the recommendations of the commission, the Odisha government and the Puri district administration launched an eviction drive…
Source BHUBANESWAR, INDIA, September 1, 2019 (Hindustan Times): The ongoing demolition drive of mutts and other commercial structures around the 246-foot perimeter of Jagannath temple in Puri has taken a political turn with the Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth Swami Nischalananda Saraswati and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party lashing out at the BJD government over the drive. Since August 27, the…
Source That dark dweller is my only refuge. O my companion, worldly comfort is illusion; as soon you get it, it goes. I have chosen the indestructible for my refuge, Him whom the snake of death will not devour. My beloved dwells in my heart all day. I have actually seen that abode of joy. Meera’s lord is Hari, the…
Source GOA, INDIA, September 12, 2018 (inditales.com, by Anuradha Goyal): This is that time of the year when Ganesh Chaturthi fervor is in the air. Like every festival, Ganesh Chaturthi also has popular bhajans and songs associated with it. The first worshipped, the remover of obstacles is the favorite Devta across India. However, there is nothing like celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi…
Source HYDERABAD, INDIA, September 2, 2019 (Deccan Chronicle): The 61-foot Khairatabad Ganesha statue is set for the festival on Monday, together with a 1,653 lb. laddu, and a 70-foot shawl that was contributed by devotees. The bamboo scaffolding used during the construction was removed on Sunday, revealing the statue in its glory. Devotees thronged Khairatabad to have the first look…
Source The winds of grace are always blowing, but it is you who must raise your sails. — Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), celebrated Bengali writer
Source JAPAN, August 28, 2019 (CNN): It may seem like an out there move, but a 400-year-old Japanese temple has brought in a robot named Mindar to preach sermons. The adult-sized android, modeled after Kannon Bodhisattva, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, was introduced to the Kodaiji temple in Kyoto earlier this year. Although some critics have compared it to “Frankenstein’s…