KAUAI, HAWAII, May 30, 2024 (Hinduism Today, by Anne Petry): Monolithic rock religious constructions are found in only a few places in the world: the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia, the Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt and the Kailasanatha Temple of Ellora in India. When a building is carved or excavated from solid rock, to which it remains…
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA , MAY 21, 2024 (Press Release, Motwani Jadeja Foundation): The Motwani-Jadeja Foundation proudly supports the Hindu Spiritual Care Institute (HSCI) and the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, CA. This collaboration marks a significant milestone by introducing the first seven interreligious Hindu Chaplains, who will be ambassadors of spiritual wellness and community service. These chaplains bring the richness…
NEW DELHI, INDIA, May 26, 2024 (Indian Express): With a large number of pilgrims visiting the Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand, a video of chaos near the Sitapur area is doing rounds on the Internet. In view of the crowd, offline registration for the Char Dham Yatra has been paused till May 31. The now-viral video shows over a thousand pilgrims…
KAUAI, HAWAII, May 22, 2024 (Hinduism Today, translation from original Tamil scripture by Dr. S.P. Sabharathnam Sivacharyar): Sivashakti, who performs deeds for the betterment of souls, is ever present at a transcendental plane which extends from the nadanta—the soundless pinnacle of all sound. The most fruitful yoga known as Sivayoga is mainly concerned with elevating the soul to that pure…
AUSTRALIA, May 15, 2024 (Hindu Council of Australia): Australia’s rich cultural diversity owes much to the sacrifices and contributions of the Girmitiyas – indentured laborers who left their homes in search of better opportunities during the colonial era. Despite enduring immense hardship and exploitation, the Girmitiyas played a significant role in shaping the social, economic and cultural landscape of Australia.…
NEW DELHI, INDIA May 19, 2024 (New Indian Express): The situation in Myanmar continues to be grim with increased fighting between the military-led Junta army and the ethnic rebel groups across many parts, especially in Rakhine state. The tensions have taken a communal turn with reports of nearly 5,000 houses belonging to Buddhists and Hindus being gutted in Buthidaung, which…
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, May 13, 2024 (RNS): Kaya Hudgins was a 16-year-old sophomore at a southwest-side Chicago public high school when her teachers announced a new mandatory program called “Quiet Time,” a twice-daily Transcendental Meditation practice designed to “decrease stress and the effects of trauma” for students living in high-crime neighborhoods. “I didn’t think much of it,” said Hudgins, now 21…
NEW DELHI, INDIA, May 10, 2024 (News 18): Amid an ongoing debate over the status of the Muslim population in India, the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister has published a study this year – with an analysis of global datasets and scenarios – that states that minorities are not “just protected but thriving in India.” On the other…
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY, May 17, 2024 (PBS, press release): PBS World Channel, the PBS App and PBS.org is premiering the documentary “America’s First Guru,” directed by award-winning filmmaker Raja Choudhury and produced by A Thousand Suns Academy, a spiritual media production and talent management company. The film explores the story of Swami Vivekananda, the Indian monk who introduced Yoga, Vedanta,…
KAUAI, HAWAII, May 13, 2024 (Hinduism Today, by Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami): In Western television shows, references to God are rare. However, when the Divine is mentioned, the prevailing sentiment often revolves around the assertion that “God loves you.” This mirrors contemporary perspectives on the Divine. Indeed, amid life’s challenges, it is reassuring to be reminded of the comforting principle that…
