Daily Inspiration
Source He who befriends a man whose conduct is vicious, whose vision impure, and who is notoriously crooked, is rapidly ruined.— Chanakya (350-275 bce), Indian politician, strategist and writer
Free Panchangams Available for 284 Cities for 2016-2017 and 2017-2018
Source KAUAI, HAWAII, January 21, 2016: A comprehensive panchangam, Hindu astrological calendar, is now available for free download. For 284 cities, it includes the local year, half-year, season, month (solar and lunar), rasi (moon sign), day (solar and lunar), karana (half day), nakshatra, kalas, yogas, festival days, and auspicious days. The calendar used by the monastics at Kauai’s Hindu Monastery…
Slow Genocide of Minorities in Pakistan: Farahnaz Ispahani
Source PAKISTAN, January 19, 2016 (Live Mint by Farahnaz Ispahani): From 23% in 1947, Pakistan’s minorities today constitute a mere 3-4% of the population, says Farahnaz Ispahani, media advisor to the president of Pakistan from 2008 to 2012 in her book Purifying the Land of the Pure: Pakistan’s Religious Minorities. She blames the successive Pakistan presidents and prime ministers for…
Amarnath Yatra to Commence from July 2
Source NEW DELHI, INDIA, January 21, 2016 (India Today): The annual yatra to the Himalayan cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir will begin from July 2, the governing board said today. The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board approved the pilgrimage this year for 48 days, while the duration was 59 days last year. The board, however, did not specify the…
Daily Inspiration
Source In the end, the Great Mystery is known as one, as two, as neither one nor two. Most people try to experience God through other people. Disciples see a guru as God. Wives see their husband as God. Devotees see the Deity in the temple as God. But all the time, behind the eyes of their seeing, is God.—…
Spain’s Queen Letizia, a Yoga Enthusiast, Visits Madrid Fair
Source MADRID, SPAIN, January 20, 2016 (EFE Estilo): The queen of Spain spent 90 minutes at the inauguration of the 36th edition of the tourism fair in Madrid which expects to receive more than 223,000 visitors. The fair is hosting 9,500 companies, institutions and tourist agencies from 165 countries. The Queen’s inaugural tour included stops at five pavilions of different…
Chariots Replace Elephants in Temples
Source THRISSUR, INDIA, January 13, 2016 (Deccan Chronicle): The trend of sparing elephants from temple festivals is catching up in view of the increasing incidents of the animals running amok causing even fatal accidents. A temple owned by a tantric family Kavanattumana in Irinjalakkuda here conducted the festival without elephants and introduced chariots for carrying thidambu (replica of the murthi)…
Malaysian Temple Turns 100 in Style
Source KAJANG, MALAYSIA, January 17, 2016 (The Star): Old is indeed gold and that proverb rings true of the Sri Subramaniya Swami Temple in Kajang as more than a thousand devotees celebrated its 100th anniversary celebration. The highlight was marked with Lord Murugan adorned in gold-plated armor. During the prayers, 1,008 pots were filled with holy water and herbs, and…
Ardh Kumbh Mela Opens to Colorful Start in Haridwar
Source HARIDWAR, INDIA, January 14, 2016 (Hindustan Times): The Ardh Kumbh Mela opened to a colorful start in Haridwar, with thousands of devotees taking part in the first snan or holy dip in the Ganga on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti on Thursday. The Har Ki Pauri – the famous ghat on the banks on the Ganga in Haridwar…
Daily Inspiration
Source There is no greater mystery than that we keep seeking reality though, in fact, we are reality. We think that there is something hiding reality and that this must be destroyed before reality is gained. How ridiculous! A day will dawn when you will laugh at all your past efforts. That which will be on the day you laugh…