CARIBBEAN, July 24, 2024 (Religion News Service): A standard feature in any biography of Kamala Harris is the fact her parents — one a Hindu from India, the other a Baptist from Jamaica — met at the University of California, Berkeley, where they were both students in the 1960s. For many who claim Indo-Caribbean heritage, Vice President Kamala Harris’ spotlight…
INDIA, July 20, 2024 (Astroyogi): The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage primarily undertaken by devotees of Lord Shiva, also known as the “Kavarias” or “Kanwariyas.” This Yatra is believed to symbolize the unbreakable bond between Lord Shiva and His devotees, so it is often seen as an act of faith and devotion. This pilgrimage witnesses devotees undertaking an arduous…
NEPAL, July 20, 2024 (Ask Me About Nepal): The annual festival of Gahana Khojne Jatra following the tradition of Goddess Tundal Devi and Her lost jewels kicks off with a grand procession of devotees carrying temple-like khat, a palanquin, with Tundal Devi’s statue in it. Through Handigaun’s winding streets, they weave their way, making stops at marked spots where town…
INDIA, January 31, 2024 (Hindustan Times): The Madras high court on Tuesday directed the Tamil Nadu government and the state Hindu religious and charitable endowments (HR&CE) department to not allow non-Hindus inside the Palani temple and its sub-temples in the state, saying that they are “not a picnic or tourist spot.” A bench led by Justice S. Srimathy asked the…
NEPAL , July 21, 2024 (Ask Me About Nepal): The members of the Barahi community come together to build gigantic wheels of Rato Macchendranath chariot from scratch every 12 years. The Barahis are a community of Newar carpenters, as a part of their tradition and responsibilities search for, scour, carve, and assemble the wooden elements/parts of the Rato Macchendranath chariot.…
KAUAI, HAWAII, July 22, 2024 (Hinduism Today April/May/June 2024 issue, Letters page): Kudos to Hinduism Today!A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of watching the World Hindu Congress 2023 event online, which took place in Bangkok. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to hear Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswamiji’s speech. He provided valuable insights into the remarkable history and…
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA, July 18, 2024 (SBS Hindi): When Rajendra Pandey started volunteering for the Indian community through the non-profit community organization Vishva Hindu Parishad Australia (South Australia), his goal was to establish culturally sensitive services for Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs. He noticed that South Asian communities in Australia lacked a culturally sensitive and safe way to scatter ashes, and…
KAUAI, HAWAII, July 18, 2024 (Hinduism Today, July 2024 issue, Global Dharma section): Texas Youth Get New Campsite:After nearly four decades of renting spaces, a summer camp for Hindu children has a permanent home. Religion News reports that in November, 2023, the long-running Hindu Heritage Youth Camp (HHYC), based in Houston, officially began construction of the Texas Hindu Campsite on…
July 18, 2024 (new18.com): Guru Purnima is a festival that is dedicated to spiritual and academic gurus, who are offered respect all across the world. It is celebrated in India, Nepal and Bhutan by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists. Traditionally, the day honors the chosen spiritual teachers or leaders. It is celebrated on the full moon day of Ashadh month. This…
PURI, INDIA, July 15, 2024 (The Hindu): Thousands of devotees pulled the chariots of sibling Deities — Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra — on the Bahuda Yatra or return car festival on July 15. Though the pulling of chariots was slated to start at 4 p.m., it began ahead of schedule amid chants of Jai Jagannath and the…
