Source BIELEFELD, GERMANY, July 2, 2014 (Westfalen-Blatt): There are almost 5,000 Hindus in Bielefeld. Among them the devotees of Krishna now have a new focal point: the Hindu temple at Am Stebkamp 10. In 2013 the first Hindu temple (the Kalyana Thiru Murugan Temple) opened nearby. Iyer Sarma Parameswaran, priest of the new temple, explains why the new temple is…
Source Life is meant for God-realization. If you die without attaining God-realization, your life is in vain. Even having one hundred gurus will not help, unless the disciple has a great desire for liberation and tries to get rid of all that stands in the way.— Swami Chidananda (1916-2008), President of Divine Life Society
Source UNITED STATES, July 14, 2014 (Huffington Post by Anju Bhargava): Guru Purnima is observed by the entire Dharmic community – Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs and it also has a strong message of environmental harmony. The Dharmic traditions believe Gurus are an important part of our lives as they help us understand the great Dharma-based Spiritual teachings with roots…
Source INDIA, July 10, 2014 (dna India): A study by a Pune-based cardiac surgeon and a geopathologist has claimed that chanting God’s name keeps a person’s heart healthy. While the research aims to bring science and spirituality together, doctors say any form of meditation can benefit the body. The researchers — Dr. Avinash Inamdar, former head of cardiac surgery department…
Source BALTAL, KASHMIR, July 18, 2014 (Rising Kashmir): At least 24 people were injured in clashes in Baltal area of Sonamarg, which serves as base camp for Amarnath yatra, after a scuffle between a ponywala and one of the members of a free yatra langer (community kitchen) over some issue. At least 100 tents and four yatra langars were damaged…
Source Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions: Why am I doing it? What might the results be? Can I be successful? Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, then proceed.— Chanakya (350-275 bce), Indian politician, strategist and writer
Source MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, June 24, 2014 (Bali Daily): The Balinese community living in Melbourne, Australia, is raising funds to build a Hindu temple in the city where they have established a banjar (customary hamlet) with around 300 members. At an estimated cost of US$167,000, the community is appealing to local businesses in Bali to help raise funds to build a…
Source TAMIL NADU, INDIA, July 12, 2014 (by Sudha G Tilak): In a state where not eating meat is associated with brahminism, it is remarkable that the film has not attracted charges of reinforcing casteism. A Tamil film espousing vegetarianism is not only running to packed cinemas across the state, but also winning critical acclaim in the regional press. Titled…
Source NEW DELHI, INDIA, July 16, 2014 (Indian Express): Prof. Yellapragada Sudershan Rao, who headed Kakatiya University’s history department, has been appointed by the new government as chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research. In an interview to The Indian Express, Rao says an Indian perspective to history has been missing. “In the past 200 years, generally Indian history…
Source NEW DELHI, INDIA, July 9, 2014 (Hindustan Times): When minister Sushma Swaraj and other members of Parliament were sworn in last month, they chose to take their oath in Sanskrit. The language is gradually gaining popularity but there is still a long way to go when it comes to beating the misconception that Sanskrit is just related to the…