Source PENANG, MALAYSIA, January 25, 2013 (The Hindu, by S. Muthiah): Thai Poosam is celebrated by Tamils everywhere, but in Penang, the Chinese join in too. A few months ago, I was in Penang to attend the Sashtiapdaboorthi (60th birthday celebrations) of a friend. It was conducted in a grand manner in the largest temple in Penang, the Dhandayuthapani Temple,…
Source MIRI, BORNEO, January 26, 2013 (The Borneo Post): The Miri Hindu Society is all set to celebrate Thaipusam tomorrow (Jan 27). Its chairman Selvaraj Grapragasem said that some 60 devotees would join the celebration to be held at the Raghavan Building, Brooke Road here starting 8am. “Only this number of devotees is expected as some have gone home to…
FAIRFIELD,IOWA, January 20,2013 (Washington Times): The followers of a meditation practice that has roots in ancient India say it’s simple: Close your eyes, silently repeat a mantra and relax. But a dispute among rivals for control over its teaching is anything but peaceful, featuring personal attacks, aggressive lawyering and accusations of improper business practices. The feud pits the Iowa nonprofit…
Source For seven lives in seven bodies the grateful will remember friends who relieved their anguish and affliction.— Saint Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural, verse 107
Source USA, Jan 2013, by Tyker Mathisen, CNBC: I have spent the past few months working on a documentary on the business of death, I’ve been to casket-manufacturing companies, funeral homes, mortuary science schools and the annual convention of the National Funeral Directors Association, some 6,000 funeral professionals. They were a sliver of the more than 130,000 people who work…
Source INDIA, January 15, 2013 (World Time by Ishaan Tharoor): What’s billed as the largest single gathering of humanity is taking place right now in the northern Indian city of Allahabad. At the confluence of the Yamuna, Ganges and (mythical) Saraswati Rivers, as many as 100 million people will participate over the next month in an ancient Hindu festival known…
Source Disciple: Is it possible to cleanse India of degenerate practices?— Swami Vivekananda: What nonsense you say, you coward! You have well-nigh thrown India into ruin by always crying “It is impossible, it is impossible!” What cannot human effort achieve?
Source KARNATAKA, INDIA, January 21, 2013: Siddis of Haliyal taluk in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district on Sunday celebrated the re-election and swearing-in of Barack Obama as U.S. President for the second term. The function was held at Golehalli village in Haliyal taluk. Siddis are an African tribe living in the forests of Uttara Kannada. They are jubilant that an African-American…
Source CHENNAI, INDIA, January 2013 (The Hindu): The Sri Kalikambal-Kamadeswarar temple, George Town, Chennai, wears a festive look. In fact the entire length of Thambu Chetty Street where the famous temple nestles has been decorated. The spirit reflects in the way the members of Sivacharya Trust and others have involved themselves in the consecration of the temple. As the first…
Source ALLAHABAD, INDIA, January 17, 2013 (India Real Time): The Kumbh Mela, the largest religious gathering on Earth, began Monday in Allahabad, a city in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh state. Between 80 and 100 million Hindus are expected to take part in the 55-day festival, bathing at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna, sacred rivers believed to cleanse sin…