Source ITALY, September 9, 2013 (La Stampa by Luca Maragliano): A corner of India is very close to Altare. That’s the impression that you had yesterday, along the stretch of road that leads from the village in the locality Pellegrino, where stands the Gitananda Ashram; the most famous Hindu monastery of Italy and Europe. Yesterday the Ashram hosted the annual…
Source INDIA, September 12, 2013 (ddinews): The deathly silence brooding over Kedarnath since the June calamity hit Uttarakhand broke early Wednesday morning by the chanting of Vedic hymns as prayers resumed at the Himalayan shrine, 86 days after ravaging floods left over 400 people dead in the Kedar valley. Shortly after the dawn, as the clock stuck seven, the chief…
Source CHICAGO, USA, September 13, 2013 (TCN): (HPI Note: This startling turn of events was announced on twocircles.net, a website reporting on issues of concern to Muslims in India. The withdrawal was done without consulting the Hindu members of the Parliament’s board of directors.) American branch of right-wing Hindutva group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) suffered a major setback today when…
Source There the eye goes not, nor words, nor mind. We know not. We cannot understand how He can be explained. He is above the known, and He is above the unknown. Thus have we heard from the ancient sages who explained this truth to us.— Sama Veda, Kena Upanishad 1.3
HPI KAUAI, HAWAII, September 14, 2013 (HPI): We need to verify the Telugu translation used by the Word Peace Organization for their Peace Prayer, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” On their web site, http://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~infinite/AdditionalPeaceMessages.html, they have the prayer in 16 Indian languages, including Sanskrit The Telegu reads: “Samasta Lokam Lo Shanti Nilua Gaaka.” But we are told that a better…
Source CHENNAI, INDIA, September 10, 2013 (Samachar.com): HPI Note: We’ve added an explanation below the news report of this unusual event and ruling. News report:Refusing to show any indulgence to caste organizations holding annual guru puja to celebrate their idols [HPI note: in this case, they mean “idol” as “revered hero,” not as a murthi for worship, which has led…
Source CHENNAI, INDIA, September 12, 2013 (by B. Sivakumar, TNN): A circular was sent to all temple executives advising them not to rent out properties to non-believers. The circular also banned renting out of temple property for functions in which liquor and non-vegetarian food are served. This move by the State Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department has atheists…
Source KARACHI, PAKISTAN, September 11, 2013 (by Amar Guriro, Daily Times): Hundreds of Marathi speaking Hindus from across Sindh, majority of them women and children attired in new clothes, covering their heads and carrying the Hindu God Ganesha, entered into the centuries-old Shiva temple located near Clifton beach to perform Ganesha Chaturthi.The pundit started reciting holy mantras in Sanskrit. After…
Source BANGKOK, THAILAND, September 8, 2013 (Times of India): With 600 pandals, Ganesh Utsav is likely to be grand affair. “Ganpati Bappa Moriya!” announces Bangkok’s most popular radio station. Ganesha, the most versatile of all Gods, possesses a tremendous following in Thailand. “His presence above cash counters is what keeps them jingling,” say shopkeepers. “Known as Phra Phikanet /Phra Phikanesuan,…
Source On the pathway of spiritual excellence, words that discourage and those that publicize faults of others are lethal poisons.— His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, spiritual head of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha