Source UNITED STATES, June 8, 2018 (New York Times, by Bettany Hughes): Vandalizing the Parthenon temple in Athens has been a tenacious tradition. Most famously, Lord Elgin appropriated the “Elgin marbles” in 1801-5. But that was hardly the first example. In the Byzantine era, when the temple had been turned into a church, two bishops — Marinos and Theodosios —…
Source MUMBAI, INDIA, June 10, 2018 (Mumbai Mirror): The state government has announced its plan to take over the Shani Shingnapur shrine and create a special legislation for the temple on the lines of the Mahalaxmi temple in Kolhapur. The proposal will soon be tabled before the state cabinet for approval. Speaking to Mirror, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “In…
Source Like treasure hidden in the ground, like flavor in the fruit, like gold in the rock, and oil in the seed, the Absolute is hidden in the heart.— Akka Mahadevi, twelfth-century Vira Saiva saint
Source NEW DELHI, INDIA, June 9, 2018 (Daily Pioneer): Paying a visit to the Lord Jagannath Temple at Puri may now become easier for devotees who have to face extreme hardship in offering prayers there. The Supreme Court on Friday directed both the Odisha Government and the Centre to set up separate committees to study the best management practices followed…
Source KURNOOL, INDIA, June 9, 2018 (Deccan Chronicle): The fight for control over Ahobilam temple in Kurnool district continues as tourism minister Bhuma Akhila Priya is determined to leave her stamp on this ancient shrine. The Union government has sanctioned US$2.5 million to renovate the dilapidated structures and improve amenities for pilgrims. But politicians allegedly are trying to grab the…
Source PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA, May 28, 2018 (Malaysia Hindu Sangam): Hindu organizations and Hindu temples are dissatisfied with the proposal of the present Pakatan Harapan government to establish the Hindu Endowment Board. The view that Hindu temples and Hindu temple managements could be controlled through the Hindu Endowment Board (HEB) is not the solution to the issue faced by the…
Source You shine, all living things emerge. You disappear, they go to rest. Recognizing our innocence, O golden-haired Sun, arise; let each day be better than the last. Rig Veda (X, 37, 9)
Source LUCKNOW, INDIA, June 6, 2018 (Times of India): The UP government on Tuesday extended the status of sacred pilgrimage sites to five towns of Mathura district, thereby restricting the sale and consumption of alcohol in these places. The decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet which also okayed a modern Ram Katha Centre and art gallery…
Source UNITED STATES, June 9, 2018 (MSN): U.S. television studio ABC has apologized to Indian fans of its crime drama “Quantico” after an episode featuring Indian “nationalists” trying to frame Pakistan in a terrorist plot sparked online outrage against Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra, who plays a lead role in the show. “The episode has stirred a lot of emotion, much…
Source INDIA, June 1, 2018 (Swarajyamag, by Madhu Purnima Kishwar): As someone who studied in a convent school and whose mother also studied in a school run by Irish nuns in Peshawar, one could not help but have a benign view of the Christian community. Most middle-class people of our generation grew up believing that the Christian missions were sincerely…