Using Mind to Transcend Mind

KAUAI, HAWAII, January 17, 2024 (Hinduism Today, by Swami Advayananda): God is the very self, the very core of one’s personality. However, veiled by the mind, He remains unknown. Thus, beyond the mind is Ishvara-darshanam, the vision of the Lord. But, to meet Him, the journey beyond the mind can be accomplished with the help of mind alone. This precisely…

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Chambers, Carvings, Decorations: ASI Report on Gyanvapi Mosque Describes Temple That Was

INDIA, January 27, 2024 (Indian Express): A central chamber “tastefully decorated with carvings of animals and birds,” pillars with “lotus medallion” and “flower bud chains,” a “large decorated entrance gateway” on the wall of one of the chambers — these, according to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), formed part of “a large Hindu temple” that existed at the site…

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The Temple That Aurangzeb Razed: Evidence From History

NEW DELHI, INDIA, January 27, 2024 (Indian Express): The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has concluded that “there existed a large Hindu temple prior to the construction of the existing structure” at the Gyanvapi mosque site in Varanasi. The ASI has said it has relied on “scientific studies and observations” and that there is also ample textual evidence that supports…

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Jnana Diksha: Scriptural Instructions for One of the Supreme Spiritual Initiations

KAUAI, HAWAII, January 14, 2024 (Hinduism Today, by Dr. S.P. Sabharathnam): The following is excerpted from Dr. S. P. Sabharathnam’s translation of the Kamika Agama’s Uttara Pada, chapter 24.  The eminent acharya should perform the jnana diksha for competent disciples through the perfect instruction on the essence-of-knowledge section of the Agamas. He should do this in the auspicious bright side of…

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Monkey Enters Ram Temple Sanctum, Devotees See Hanuman Symbolism

AYODHYA, INDIA, January 24, 2024 (NDTV): Ayodhya: A day after the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla at Ayodhya, a nimble monkey found its way into the sanctum sanctorum on Tuesday evening. At around 5:50 pm, the primate, seemingly unfazed by the sacred grandeur of the inner sanctum, entered through the southern gate and approached the revered Utsav statue of Lord…

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The Heritage Hunters Bringing Home Nepal’s Stolen Gods

KATHMANDU, NEPAL, January 24, 2024 (The Guardian): Flicking through a newspaper in 2020, Sanjay Adhikari read a story that changed the direction of his life – a Nepalese statue of Gods Lakshmi and Narayana, was on display at the Dallas Museum of Art. He recognized it as originating in Nepal. “I could not sleep. Our God was locked inside a…

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Nearly Two Million Devotees Throng Batu Caves for Thaipusam

KUALA LUMPUR. MALAYSIA, January 25, 2024 (The Star) : Over a million flooded Batu Caves for Thaipusam on Wednesday and Thursday. Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple trustee and information team coordinator Datuk N. Suresh Kumar said that around 1.75 million people have visited Batu Caves from Wednesday till noon and more are expected to come. At early hours in the morning,…

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Malaysia’s Batu Caves Temple to Get Escalator in 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, January 19, 2024 (Channel News Asia): The Batu Caves Hindu Temple management intends to build an escalator at the famed temple this year, as an alternative to the 272 steps for devotees and visitors to reach the Sri Subramaniar cave temple in Gombak, Selangor. The temple committee chairman, R Nadarajah, said the escalator is one of two…

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