Source TIRUVANNAMALAI, INDIA, November 28, 2012 (The Hindu): Hundreds of thousands of devotees witnessed the lighting of the Karthigai Maha Deepam on the Tiruvannamalai hill on Tuesday. The ten-day Karthigai Deepam festival, which began with hoisting of the flag at the Sri Arunachaleswarar temple on November 18, culminated with this ritual. Crowds had begun pour into the town from daybreak…
Source You shine, all living things emerge. You disappear, they go to rest. Recognizing our innocence, O golden-haired Sun, arise; let each day be better than the last. Rig Veda (X, 37, 9)
Source THANJAVUR, INDIA, November 26, 2012 (The Hindu): The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is planning to prepare site management plans for world heritage monuments in Tamil Nadu on the lines of the one adopted in Hampi, Karnataka, according to G. Maheshwari, ASI Superintending Archaeologist. She told The Hindu on Sunday that a site management plan was essential for the…
Source KOCHI, INDIA, November 25, 2012 (The Hindu): A century ago, around 25,000 sacred groves were believed to exist in Kerala, but now the numbers have dwindled to about 2,000. With 90 per cent of such groves disappearing from the face of land, it is a bad omen for the State ecologically. With the vanishing groves, the pond ecosystem that…
Source As the bee takes the essence of a flower and flies away without destroying its beauty and perfume, so let the sage wander in this life.— Dhammapada 50
Source INDIA, November 25, 2012 (indiatemple.blogspot.com): It was a silent evening at home while I watched my mother prepare for Varalakshmi Nombu (download a description of the festival, https://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/wfchannel/index.php?wfc_cid=42). The prized wooden temple came out of its bag and I proceeded with the yearly ritual of assembling the parts together. My fascination for temples made me look at this small…
Source MEEUPPALAYAM, TAMIL NADU, INDIA, November 26, 2012 (The Hindu): The State-sponsored 48-day long rejuvenation camp for 32 temple and math elephants at the five acre land of the PWD alongside river Bhavani in Mettuppalayam at the foot hill of Nilgiris began on Monday. Hardly hours ahead of the commencement of the camp, more than 55-year old elephant Bhavani of…
Source I know you are busy. At least, your mind has made you think so. Even so, can you not find some time to invite God, your Supreme Guest, to bless you–you and your life–with His all-illumining and all-fulfilling presence?— Sri Chinmoy, renowned spiritual leader, author, poet, artist, musician and athlete
www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2235480/Pilgrimage-row-Andhra-Pradesh-police-told-wear-black-clothes-grow-hair.html ANDRA PRADESH, INDIA, November 19, 2012 (Daily Mail): A circular issued by the Andhra Pradesh Police asking their personnel not to dress in black or grow their hair as part of the 40-day deeksha (preparation for a religious ceremony) before going for the Sabarimala pilgrimage has kicked up a row in the state. Some personnel have requested permission to…
Source “To listen to some devout people, one would imagine God never laughs.”— Sri Aurobindo