Source HYDERABAD, INDIA, August 27, 2014 (Deccan Chronicle): The Andhra Pradesh government is planning to bring in major changes in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams for the convenience of devotees. One is the cancellation of direct darshan by those who climb up the hill (that’s an 11 km trek starting from Alipiri and climbing 3,500 steps). This system was introduced 12 years…
Source MACEDON, NEW YORK, August 28, 2014 (NY Times): Just before July a decade ago when Neha Dhawan turned 11, her mother informed her, “You’re going to Hindu camp this summer.” Growing up Indian-American in Shreveport, La., was already a conflicted proposition for Neha. As the daughter of two immigrant doctors, she dutifully went with her parents to a Hindu…
Source VIJAYAWADA, ANDDHRA PRADESH, August 28, 2014 (The Hindu): As the city is gearing up for the colorful Vinayaka Chavithi festival from Friday, celebrations have begun well in advance on the premises of KCP Sugars and Industries Limited at Laxmipuram on the suburbs of Vijayawada with the discovery of an ancient Ganesh statue during digging works for construction of a…
Source He is the Supreme Brahman, the Self of all, the chief foundation of this world, subtler than the subtle, eternal. That thou art; thou art That.— Atharva Veda, Kaivalya Upanishad
Source INDIA, August 23, 2014 (The Hindu): Every year, weeks before Ganesh Chaturthi, the word ‘eco-friendly’ garners more attention than the festival itself. Social organisations, NGOs and government bodies embark on campaigns vociferously advocating the use of eco-friendly Ganeshas. But, this trend of ‘going green’ seems to have reversed in Bommala Colony, as statues makers there pay a hefty price…
Source HYDERABAD, INDIA, August 21, 2014 (The Hindu): Infusing life into clay statues is the artisans’ skill and with awareness about use of clay statues increasing, these traditional potters are working overtime to meet the demand from devotees celebrating in their houses and mass pujas in public places in Hyderabad. Decorating Lord Ganesha statues with carcinogenic colours is a thing…
Source FLUSHING, NEW YORK, August 26, 2014 (NY Times): At the Hindu Temple Society of North America, in Flushing, Queens, this week is time to worship Ganesh, the elephant-headed, many-armed Deity who is believed to remove obstacles. Here, as at temples in over a dozen countries, Hindus are celebrating Ganesha Chaturthi, which marks the God’s birth (and rebirth). In Queens,…
Source WASHINGTON, D.C., August 13, 2014 (Georgetown Voice): This fall, Georgetown will add to its extensive on-campus chaplain community, the largest in the entire country, with its first-ever Hindu chaplain. Pratima Dharm, a Hindu chaplain currently serving in the U.S. Army, will arrive on campus on October 1. Vice President for Mission and Ministry Kevin O’Brien, S.J., announced Dharm’s decision…
Source INDIA, August 25, 2014 (The Hindu): The Malayalam New Year day was all ceremonies and rituals at Sabarimala. The gifted playback singer P. Jayachandran rendered his popular devotional song Sree Sabareesaa Deenadayalo! Memalavaazhum Sree Manikanta, after receiving the Harivarasanam Award instituted by the State government from Devaswom Minister V.S. Sivakumar at a function held at the holy hillock in…
Source VISAKHAPATNAM, INDIA, August 24, 2014 (Deccan Chronicle): Ganesh Chaturthi is round the corner and sculptors across Vizag are busy getting their act together for finishing the statues before time. While Ganesh statues taller than 60 feet is not new in Vizag, this time Vizagites will get to pay their obeisance to more than half a dozen such humongous Ganesh…