Source NEW DELHI, June 26, 2013 (TNN): The most revered symbol of Lord Shiva at Kedarnath–the “bhog murthi” or the icon of the deity that must be offered daily in what is called its akhand puja (unbroken worship)–has also fallen victim to the devastating flood. But its custodian, the priest Vageshling from Davanagre, Karnataka, waded through mud and corpses to…
Source A Swiss devotee visited Ramana Maharishi (1879-1950), the sage of Arunachala. She was disturbed from having a vision of Siva. “Is He not the Destroyer?” she asked. The mystic replied, “Yes, He is the destroyer of sorrows. Siva is the embodiment of auspiciousness. Have you got a form? That is why you think of Siva’s form. The Self is…
Source WASHINGTON D.C., U.S., June 18, 2013 (Care 2): Washington D.C. will soon be the home of a piece of yoga history. The Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian’s Museums of Asian Art will host the first large exhibition of yoga-related art. The show, titled “Yoga: The Art of Transformation,” takes a look back at yoga’s history as far back as…
Source Sacramento, CA (June 25, 2013) — “California and our nation have greatly benefited by Hindu Americans, especially through yoga, meditation, Vedanta philosophy, ayurvedic medicine, classical Indian music, art, and dance…” In a historic moment for Hindu Americans yesterday, the California State Senate unanimously passed Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 32): California Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month. Introduced by State…
HPI KAUAI, HAWAII, USA, June 25, 2013: The following is a list of relief organizations recommended by the Hindu American Foundation: Indian Development and Relief Fund, http://www.idrf.orgIndia Heritage Research Fund, http://www.ihrf.com/projecthope-flood.pdfSEWA International, http://www.sewausa.org/UttarkhandFloodReliefAppeal
Source KEDARNATH, INDIA, June 21, 2013 (NDTV): The evacuation is completed in Kedarnath, the epicenter of the Himalayan tsunami that struck Uttarakhand. “Source” above is a video ground report on the scale of devastation in the temple town. The Uttarakhand government says 550 people have died in the flash floods and at least 14000 people are still missing; 50,000 people…
Source ARNSBERG, GERMANY, June 14, 2013 (Spiegel): The Hindu Temple in Hamm is one of the largest in Europe. Now, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) has to recognize the temple club as a religious community and thus equate it with the Christian churches. This was decided in a recently published judgment of the Administrative Court of Arnsberg. The association had sued after…
Source WASHINGTON, DC, June 21, 2013: The Hindu American Foundation, founded by second generation professionals as an advocacy organization for Hindus in the United States and elsewhere in the world, June 4 celebrated 10 years of activism on Capitol Hill. Before the gala celebration — attended by over 300 people in the ornate House Canon Caucus Room in Capitol Hill…
Source DELHI, June 21, 2013 (The Guardian UK): Helicopters have ferried rescue workers and doctors along with equipment, food and medicine to Kedarnath in the state of Uttarakhand, the nearest town. Most of those stranded are Hindu pilgrims who were visiting four shrines. Amit Chandola, a state spokesman, said authorities had so far been unable to reach eight villages feared…
Source At a national and international level, we will enjoy more peace as we become more tolerant. Religious leaders can help by teaching their congregations how to live in a world of differences without feeling threatened, without forcing their ways or will on others. World bodies can make laws which deplore and work to prevent crimes of violence. It is…