Source INDIA, August 20, 2017 (National Herald by Swati Gautam): Why spend a minor fortune to undergo severe hardship, friends would wonder on my return from the Kailash-darshan-Mansarovar-dip pilgrimage this year. But I assure you that the mini fortune spent is worth every last cent. The yatra takes anywhere between 10 days with private tour operators to around 22 days…
Source MUMBAI, INDIA, August 19, 2017 (Deccan Herald): What started in 1894 by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak to unite and bring people under one roof for the common cause of freedom struggle has now turned out to be one of the biggest festivals of Maharashtra and India. This year Ganeshutsav falls from 25 August-5 September, the 125th year of the…
Source Can you weep for Him with intense longing of heart? Men shed a jugful of tears for the sake of their children, for their wives, or for money. But who weeps for God?— Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886)
Source INDIA, August 18, 2017 (NDTV by Gunjan Bajaj): A symbol of prosperity, a magical ingredient of Ayurveda and an important part of religious customs and traditions, the refreshing and evergreen creeper, commonly known as Paan Patta, holds a special place in Hindu tradition. Native to South-East Asia, betel leaves are as important as the sacred Tulsi plant which is…
Source INDIA, August 18, 2017 (Press Release): With Ganesh Chaturthi just around the corner, Ford is all set to celebrate it in style with a unique installation of Lord Ganesha, made of auto spare parts for the upcoming festive season. Aimed to highlight the importance of using genuine parts, the installation – consisting of disk brakes, fender, spark plugs, and…
Source BANGKOK, THAILAND, August 17, 2017 (The Independent): Mythical creatures, angels and Gods are coming to life near Thailand’s Grand Palace, thanks to the tireless, devout and often volunteer work of artists and craftsmen. They are building a monument for a single moment: the cremation of a beloved king. More than 100 sculptures and statues will be placed inside a…
Source KAUAI, HAWAII, July 24, 2017 (HPI): Hinduism Today is preparing a story on the religious views of today’s youth in India raised by Hindu parents, including those who no longer consider themselves religious. We’re prepared a questionnaire in google forms (“source” above) to get a general idea of what each believes, and this is intended to explore a range…
Source Many people are afraid of silence. They have to be doing something all the time. Many people also are afraid of being alone. But actually no one ever is alone. He’s always with his great divine Self. Every person has a great, divine Self within him, an absolutely perfect, shining, sublime being of light. The voice of this being…
Source SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, August 17, 2017 (by Vamsee Juluri, The Sacramento Bee):Would any sensible teacher or school official in America today use a textbook that mockingly asked African American students, “How’s your voodoo doing?” Of course not; it is intellectually and morally unacceptable. Moreover, California law clearly forbids any “descriptions, depictions, labels or rejoinders that tend to demean, stereotype, or…
Source ILE DE FRANCE, FRANCE, August 17, 2017 (by Elsa Marnette): For the first time since the temple of La Courneuve (in the northern Paris suburbs) has been in existence, the God Ganesh was paraded down the street. Several thousand faithful from all over the Paris region rushed to attend this celebration of the elephant-headed God and thank him for…