Source WEST BENGAL, INDIA, February 21, 2013 (niticentral.com): Amidst a near-complete media blackout and distressing silence from statutory bodies like the National Human Rights Commission, a serious communal flare up has taken place in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, with more than 200 Hindu homes torched and looted in four villages — Naliakhali, Herobhanga, Gopalpur and Goladogra, in…
Source There was once a time when all human beings were Gods, but they so abused their divinity that Brahma decided to take it away from them and hide it where it could never be found. Where to hide their divinity was the question. So Brahma called a council of the Gods to help him decide. “Let’s bury it deep…
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