Source RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL, August 12, 2016 (RNS): The International Olympic Committee had chosen only five “official” religions for the interfaith center. According to the Rio 2016 Olympic organizing committee, the choice of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism was based on IOC research that showed most athletes follow those faiths. But the IOC found itself facing heavy criticism…
Source NEW DELHI, INDIA, August 3, 2016 (Times of India): Now, be assured of vegetarian sweets. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has banned the use of any material of animal origin in silver leaf (chandi ka warq), commonly used in confectionaries and sweets like barfi for decoration and also in pan and packaged supari. According to…
Source KATHMANDU, NEPAL, Aug 10, 2016 (My Republica): Nepal Police has arrested a member of a gang of six to seven youths allegedly involved in stealing artifacts and antique murthis from quake-devastated buildings, temples and other structures. The police apprehended 19-year-old Prakash Raut, originally from Sindhupalchowk district, after he was found hauling away a heavy sack on his shoulder around…
Source AHMEDABAD, INDIA, August 13, 2016 (press release): Today, August 13 2016, at 6.00 p.m. (IST), the spiritual head of BAPS, celebrated for his worldwide socio-spiritual services, HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj passed away at the pilgrimage place of Sarangpur, Gujarat, at the age of 95. Pramukh Swami Maharaj was the fifth spiritual successor in the guru parampara tradition of Bhagwan…
Source “The downfall of a religous sect begins from the day that the worship of the rich enters into it.”— Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902)
Source FLORIDA, USA, August 10, 2016 (by Renata Sago, WGCU News): HPI Note: This article is on a technical subject which could potentially impact Hindu temples in the US. We’re not offering any advice on just how this applies to a temple, but it is something for temple trustees and administrators to be aware of and to consult with their…
Source INDIA, August 8, 2016 (ABC News): In Sripuranthan’s temple, the village’s Hindu priest recites a hymn and makes offerings to the God Nataraja — the dancing Shiva — seeking the blessing of village elder Subramaniam. But where the town’s prized, 900-year-old bronze Shiva statue should stand is a mere poster. Two years after the Australian National Gallery gave a…
Source WASHINGTON, USA, August 10, 2016 (The Hoya): Brahmachari Vrajvihari Sharan will serve as Georgetown’s first full-time director for Hindu life starting this fall, making him the first Hindu priest chaplain in the United States, according to a campus-wide email sent by Interim Vice President for Mission and Ministry Rev. Howard Gray. Sharan is also Georgetown’s second Hindu chaplain after…
Source The delicate anicham flower withers when merely smelled, but an unwelcome look is enough to wither a guest’s heart.— Tirukkural
Source LONDON, ENGLAND, August 8, 2016 (Press Release): Jay Lakhani, a popular lecturer and teacher of Hinduism in UK, has launched a free set of 10 half-hour courses on the basics of Hinduism (available at “source” above). The aim of the course is to give a structured and sensible teaching of Hinduism to thousands of Hindu youth worldwide. Other popular…