Source MALACCA, MALAYSIA, November 6, 2016 (The Straits Times): Relics possibly dating back to the 13th-century Majapahit empire are believed to have been found along a 1.25 mile stretch beneath the Malacca river. Two weeks ago, a group of professional divers apparently discovered parts of a Hindu temple and a fort-like structure. They believed that these ancient finds could point…
Source DHAKA, BANGLADESH, November 5, 2016 (DNA): In fresh attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, unidentified miscreants set ablaze some of their houses and damaged two temples in central Brahmanbarhia district where several places of worship of the minority community were vandalized earlier this week, police said. Miscreants set fire to at least six Hindu houses in a predawn attack yesterday…
Source Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark. — Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), Indian poet
Source LONDON, UK, October 31, 2016 (India Today): Hundreds of people celebrated Diwali at the famous BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir here in the UK, with Europe’s largest Hindu temple serving over 1200 vegetarian dishes to the devotees on the holy occasion of festival of lights. The temple, also known as Neasden Temple, in north London was decorated with dazzling displays…
Paras Ramoutar PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD/TOBAGO, October 31, 2016 (Paras Ramoutar): Trinidad was ablaze on Saturday night as the Hindu community celebrated, Diwali, the annual Festival of Lights as homes, public places, corporate, government and individuals lit hundreds of thousands of diyas. There were the bursting of bamboo and fireworks, banners, plays and, Lakshmi Puja, literally in every home and the like,…
Source DHAKA, BANGLADESH, October 31, 2016 (Daily Pakistan): An angry mob ransacked at least 15 temples and hundreds of houses belonging to Hindus in Bangladesh’s Chittagong on Sunday against an alleged Facebook post demeaning the most sacred mosque in the world, local media reports said on Monday. “Thousands of people, including activists of Hefajat-e-Islam and Ahle Sunnat, brought out separate…
Source Offer oblations in love, light golden lamps. Spread incense of fragrant wood and lighted camphor in all directions. Forget your worldly worries and meditate. Worshiping thus, there is nothing that you cannot attain. Worshiping thus, you shall inherit the wealth of Indra, heaven’s king. Worshiping thus, you shall gain miraculous powers. Worshiping thus, you shall attain moksha. — Tirumantiram,…
Source KAUAI, HAWAII, October 28, 2016 (Himalayan Academy): Today we are officially announcing the version 1 release of our free Spiritual Workout App. The app was inspired by Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami’s publisher’s desk article the Ten Minute Spiritual Workout. While today nearly everyone appreciates the need for daily exercise to stay fit and healthy, many don’t realize the need to…
Source UNITED STATES, October 26, 2016 (BuzzFeed, by Mat Mcdermott): The swastika is a symbol as old as humanity itself, one which to this day, despite its appropriation and use by the Nazis, has a powerful positive message, with an amazing history. In Sanskrit, the word swastika is a combination of su (meaning good) and asti (meaning to exist). Popularly,…
Source UNITED STATES, October 30, 2016 (Scroll.in, by Lavina Melwani): In the old days, the Indian immigrant in America was likely to experience excruciating loneliness on Diwali — cut off from the large, extended family, and making do with a patched-together group of strangers, new acquaintances and distant relatives. Diwali celebrations were limited to a few people contributing sabzis, Indian…