Source SINGAPORE, February 8, 2017 (Straits Times): Thai Pusam is an annual Hindu festival celebrated in honor of Lord Muruga, one of the most important Hindu deities. See “source” above for a wonderful slideshow and videos of the celebration in Singapore.
Source GEORGE TOWN MALAYSIA, February 8, 2017 (The Star): A heavy downpour, unseen in recent years during Thaipusam, delayed the departure of the silver chariot from Kovil Veedu in Penang Street on Wednesday. The rain, which came pouring down at about 5.20am, pushed the departure of the silver chariot, owned by Nattukotai Chettiar Temple, from 6.30am to 7.20am. However, nearby…
Source DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA, February 7, 2017 (IOL): A Northdale Hospital operations manager, who was ordered to remove her Hindu deities from her work locker, is undergoing psychiatric treatment to help her come to terms with the ordeal. Last week, the manager was forced to remove her religious items – which included an incense stick, a statue of Hindu Deity…
Source FREMONT, CA, February 8, 2017 (CAPEEM): California Parents for the Equalization of Educational Materials (CAPEEM), a Hindu-American advocacy organization, and three community members filed a civil rights lawsuit in federal court this morning against public school officials at the California Department of Education, State Board of Education, and several school districts throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. The case…
Source Even in rags I am a God, fallen I am divine, high I triumph when down-trod, long I live when slain! — Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950), Indian philosopher and poet
Source Many Western ideals and goals are based on the underlying attitude that there is only one life
Source UNITED STATES, February 7, 2017 (Vegetarian Resource Group): Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor, The Vegetarian Resource Group each year will award $20,000 in college scholarship money to graduating U.S. high school students who have promoted vegetarianism in their schools and/or communities. One award of $10,000 and two awards of $5,000 will be given. Entries may only…
Source PENANG,MALAYSIA, February 7, 2017 (by Predeep Nambiar, Malaysia Today): The Penang Chettiars have refused to have their silver Thaipusam chariot run together with the hilltop Murugan Temple’s new golden chariot on the eve of Thaipusam Day, which falls on Feb 9. The Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB), which manages the hilltop temple, said the inaugural golden chariot would now…
Source RAIPUR, INDIA, February 6, 2017 (Daily Pioneer): The 10th century statue of Lord Ganesha atop Dholkal hills of Dantewada district in insurgency-infested Bastar region of Chhattisgarh which was pushed down by unidentified miscreants some time back in a deep valley has grabbed global attention. Thanks to personal interest and concern displayed by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh who had…
Source Never think there is anything impossible for the soul. It is the greatest heresy to think so. If there is sin, this is the only sin–to say that you are weak, or others are weak. — Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902)