What Is Dirt Really Worth?

KAUAI, HAWAII, January 31, 2024 (Hinduism Today, by Dr. Appachanda Thimmaiah): In the magnificent tapestry of our world’s history, there lies an ancient wisdom, deeply woven into the cultural fabric of ancient India—a wisdom that not only nourished the body but also nurtured the soul. It’s a wisdom rooted in the sacred understanding of soil, a wisdom that transcends mere…

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Tamil Nadu’s Remarkable Copper Plate Discovery

INDIA, January 23, 2024 (Swarajya, by S. Krishnan): The discovery of a number of statues and copper plates in Seerkazhi Sattai­nathar Temple is a landmark event—the first discovery of copper plates inscribed with ancient Saiva hymns. The temple is under the administration of Dharmapuram Aadheenam, a centuries-old Saiva mutt. The aadheenam is currently performing kum­bhabhishekam (consecration ceremony) at a number…

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Can’t Ask for Anything More – Says Prakash Ilaiyaraja Who Played the Nadaswaram at Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha

INDIA, January 28, 2024 (Swarajaya): Nadaswaram virtuoso Tiruvarur V. Prakash Ilaiyaraja’s mission is to revive fading temple traditions tied to rituals and nadaswaram play. Alongside his son Kavin, they recently played the sacred nadaswaram, the South Indian temple horn, at the Ayodhya temple during the consecration of Ram Lalla on January 22. Although nadaswaram isn’t easy to play as it…

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A Visit to the Jain Center of Southern California

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, January 30, 2024 (Hinduism Today YouTube Video): “A Visit to the Jain Center of Southern California” is intended to assist in the presentation of the Jain religion in California 6th grade school social studies classes. The Jain Center of Southern California (JCSC) located in Buena Park, California is a non-profit religious organization to pursue a goal of…

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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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