Source ALLAHABAD, INDIA, February 21, 2013: Pilgrims at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela faced a tough time on Wednesday due to the nationwide strike called by central trade unions which has brought movement of Uttar Pradesh roadways buses to a standstill. Despite charging exorbitant rates, private buses were seen overcrowded with pilgrims while taxis ferried stranded passengers. There were also…
Source To have an altar at home alters our life.— Swami Tejomayananda, spiritual head of Chinmaya Mission
LUCKNOW, INDIA, February 17, 2013 (India Today): Despite a flood-like situation and nearly half submerged tents in Maha Kumbh, a large number of kalpvasis have refused to shift from there to over 26 schools vacated for them in Allahabad city. The rain on Saturday night played havoc, leaving over 100,000 resident pilgrims high and dry as at least 20,000 tents…
Source ALLAHABAD, INDIA, February 20, 2013 (Times of India): Following the third and the last Shahi Snaan on Basant Panchami, saints and seers along with thousands of Naga Sadhus camping in various akharas have started to bid adieu to the second Kumbh of the century, Maha Kumbh 2013. While the Nagas of Shaiv Akharas, which have been center of attraction…
Source Go beyond science, into the region of metaphysics. Real religion is beyond argument. It can only be lived simultaneously inwardly and outwardly.— Swami Sivananda (1887-1963), founder of Divine Life Society, Rishikesh
Source SUSSEX, UNITED KINGDOM, February 15, 2013 (pinknews.com): A Hindu temple in Sussex has been granted a marriage license, and has said that gay couples are welcome to marry there, stating a need to “respect everyone”. The Apple Tree Centre in Ifield, West Sussex, home to the Gurjar Hindu Union, is now able to host civil ceremonies, and is the…
Source PRAYAG, INDIA, February 16, 2013 (Times of India): Amid intermittent rain on Friday, about seven million devotees took the holy dip in Sangam on the occasion of Basant Panchami, which also marked the third Shahi Snan of Kumbh. This was the figure available till 2 pm but it was unlikely that the number of devotees would touch 19.3 million…
Source If there is one place on the face of earth where all the dreams of living men have found a home from the very earliest days when man began the dream of existence, it is India.— French scholar Romain Rolland
Source KATHMANDU, NEPAL, February 15, 2013 (Himalayan Times): Hindu devotees today observed the Saraswati Puja, also known as Basanta Panchami, by worshipping Saraswati, the Goddess of learning, across the county. Students, teachers, musicians, artists and others worshipped the Goddess. The kids who are about to enroll at school were made to scribble letters today with a belief that the Goddess…
Source KATRA, INDIA, February 14, 2013 (The Hindu Businessline): By mid-2013, Katra, a destination in Jammu near Vaishno Devi temple, one of the main Hindu pilgrim destinations, is set to become accessible by rail. At present, the nearest railhead to Katra is Jammu, from where people travel by road for about two hours along the hills to reach Katra. The…