Source BANGALORE:, INDIA, January 14, 2013 (India Times): Soon, astrologers in Karnataka may have to register with the government. In an effort to check black magic, voodoo and witchcraft, the muzrai department is mulling over a policy in this regard. There is no law now to govern astrology, which is a huge business in the state. “A committee comprising well-known…
Source ALLAHABAD, INDIA, January 16, 2013 (Daily Mail): The lost-and-found family drama is an everyday experience for those at the Maha Kumbh mela. A Bhoole Bhatke Shivir (“lost and found camp”) is ready to help pilgrims locate each other within hours of getting lost in the crowds at the fair. The Shivir, meant for those separated from their families at…
Source KARNATAKA, INDIA, January 15, 2013 (The Hindu): Nirmalanandanatha Swami took over as the 72nd Mathadhipathi of the Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math on Monday, as willed by his predecessor Balagangadharanatha Swami. Balagangadharanatha Swami passed away at a private hospital on Sunday after a long illness and was laid to rest on Monday. The new Mathadhipathi is a native of Chirnahalli in…
Source According as one acts, so does he become. One becomes virtuous by virtuous action, bad by bad action.— Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.5
Source LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, January 9, 2013 (India West): Parents of school children in Encinitas, Calif., have expressed opposition to yoga classes taught at local elementary schools on the grounds that they promote the Hindu religion. According to media reports, about 60 parents expressed their concerns about the yoga classes at a recent school board meeting. The two-year-old grant-funded program,…
Source GUADELOUPE, FRANCE-ANTILLES, January 12, 2013 (France Antilles): According to Fred Negrit, the festival of Pongal, a harvest festival, is celebrated in other places where there is an Indian diaspora (Reunion, Mauritius, etc.). The second day, the most important, is dedicated to the sun, which is offered rice cooked in milk. The third day is devoted to cows which are…
Source UNITED STATES, January 2, 2013 (Huffington Post, by Anju Bhargava): Having worked closely with President Obama’s administration from its early days, as a community builder, now I pause and reflect on the Obama impact to the Dharmic community. When I first got appointed, my community wondered about what government supported faith-based activities meant. We learn in America that faith…
Source WASHINGTON, D.C., January 16, 2013: The Hindu American Foundation’s Jay Kansari is looking for Hindu Americans going to the Kumbha Mela in early February. He’s been asked by CBS News Asia for some names of Hindus from the US for their reporters to meet and possibly interview at the Mela. If you are going and would like to help,…
Source ALLAHABAD, INDIA, January 12, 2013 (India Times): For the beleaguered Kumbh Mela authorities drawing flak from virtually every quarter for mismanagement and insensitivity towards stakeholders, here’s some more bad news. Samajwadi Party national general secretary and member of Parliament from Allahabad Rewati Raman Singh has come down heavily on mela authorities for failing to keep participants in good humour…
Source PRAYAG, INDIA, January 10, 2013 (BBC, by Mark Tully): The Kumbha Mela is expected to be the biggest religious gathering of humanity in the world. In my long years in India I have seen many spectacles but none so remarkable as the two Maha or Great Kumbha Melas which I attended. I have seen vast crowds assemble but none…