Sewa International Released $10,000 for Immediate Relief for Nepal Earthquake

Source HOUSTON, TEXAS, April 26, 2015 (Sewa USA): Sewa has released $10,000 towards immediate relief in Nepal. Sewa International’s sister organization in Nepal and several hundreds of its volunteers have already started helping the unfortunate victims within hours of this massive earthquake. Help is being rendered in rescue operations, providing first aid and distributing safe drinking water bottles, food packets,…

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Appeal: Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund

Source UNITED STATES, April 27, 2015 (VHP America Press Release): A massive earthquake, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale hit Nepal. The earthquake centered outside Kathmandu, the capital, was the worst to hit the South Asian nation in over 80 years. VHP of America requests your kind contribution to help the victims and their family who are affected by this…

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Pashupatinath Temple Unharmed in Nepal’s Devastating Quake

Source KATHMANDU, NEPAL, April 28, 2015 (Press Trust of India): The famous 5th-century Pashupatinath Temple here has survived the massive 7.9 magnitude earthquake that flattened several World Heritages like iconic Dharhara tower and Darbar Square in Nepal. “The Pashupatinath Temple is safe, we have checked the shrine many times and it has developed no cracks,” a devotee at the temple…

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Dozens of Hindu Temples Destroyed in Nepal Earthquake

Source KATHMANDU, NEPAL, April 28, 2015 (by Free Press Journal): Many Hindu temples including, the iconic Kasthamandap have been destroyed or badly damaged in Nepal’s worst temblor in over 80 years in the Kathmandu Valley and many adjoining areas. Several temples, including Panchtale temple, the nine-storey Basantapur Durbar, the Dasa Avtar temple, Krishna Mandir, were demolished by the quake. Kasthamandap,…

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Daily Inspiration

Source He cannot be seen by the eye, and words cannot reveal Him. He cannot be reached by the senses, or by austerity or sacred actions. By the grace of wisdom and purity of mind, He can be seen, indivisible, in the silence of contemplation. This invisible Atman can be seen by the mind wherein the five senses are resting.—…

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Glass Fiber Gaining Popularity in Making Temple Sculptures

Source INDIA, April 24, 2015 (The Hindu): Glass fiber (“fiberglass” in the West) has become the new cost effective and light weight medium for sculptures of new temples being constructed. Earlier temples were constructed with stones on which sculptures and carvings were made. With time, temples became concrete structures where stone sculptures or statues of concrete were used for outer…

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Sashimani Devi’s Death Brings End to Devadasi Tradition

Source BHUBANESWAR, INDIA, March 26, 2015 (First Post): The death of Sashimani Devi, the last in a long line of devadasis at the Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri, marks the end of an era. Since Sashimani chose not to groom anybody as a future devadasi in her lifetime, as required under the temple rules, an 800-year-old tradition has now well…

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India Wants Its Rich Temples to Part with Their Gold to Help the Economy

Source MUMBAI, INDIA, April 21, 2015 (Washington Post): Workers for the centuries-old Shree Siddhivinayak Temple here spent hours unpacking gold coins, heavy wedding necklaces and lustrous pendants from a closely guarded “strong room.” By the time gold buyers began mingling with worshipers at the sweltering sanctuary on Tuesday, the jewelry auctioneers were ready. “This is not a regular gold coin…

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Daily Inspiration

Source In India I found a race of mortals living upon the Earth, but not adhering to it. Inhabiting cities, but not being fixed to them, possessing everything but possessed by nothing.— Appolonius of Tiana (2-97 ce), Greek philosopher and occultist. His work deeply influenced Western mysticism.

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Trial Run of Big Temple Car a Success at Thanjavur

Source THANJAVUR, INDIA, April 22, 2015 (The Hindu): The new chariot of Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple here rolled out on its trial run gleaming under the early morning sun. The Big Temple finally got its chariot, the first in over a century as hundreds of eager townsmen, hailing the Lord, came together to draw the chariot. For all the people of…

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