Source PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN, October 20, 2011: In a country fraught with incidents of discrimination against minorities, a 160-year-old Hindu temple in Peshawar is preparing to welcome worshippers after 60 years. The Goraknath Temple, situated in the city’s archaeological complex Gor Kattri, opens for worship on the Hindu festival of Diwali. “In accordance with the September 15 verdict of the Peshawar…
Source INDIA, October 26, 2011: Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, has written a message to Hindus for the feast of Diwali, entitled: ‘Christians and Hindus: together in Promoting Religious Freedom’. Religious freedom, the text reads, currently takes ‘centre stage in many places, calling our attention to those members of our human family exposed to…
Source WASHINGTON, DC, USA, October 26, 2011 (Press Trust of India): Recalling his fond memories of the Diwali celebrations last year in Mumbai, US President Barack Obama has wished Happy Diwali to millions of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists celebrating the festival of lights across the globe, particularly in India and the US. “Diwali is a time for gathering with…
Source SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, October 16, 2011 (by Neena Bhandari): Every October, with the ripening of mangoes, the Indian community in Australia gears up for festivities that not only provide business opportunities for the diaspora, but also make a substantial contribution to the local economy. Diwali has been added to Australia’s multicultural calendar as one of the largest festivals. Organized by…
Source Like the household fire, devotees seek the glory of the Lord even from afar and enshrine it in their inner chamber for enlightenment. The glory of our Lord is full of splendor, all-illuminative and worthy to be honored in every heart.— Rig Veda 7.1.2
Source JAFFNA, SRI LANKA, October 12, 2011 (dailynews.lk): On the final day of Navarathri, after terrorism disrupted the tradition for 22 years, the Lord Murugan murti was once again taken in a magnificent procession from the Sri Skantha temple in Mavaddipuram to the Durgai Amman Temple in Thelippalei. According to Hindus, Lord Murugan or Sri Skantha is the son of…
Source Rabindranath Tagore is not only the best-read and most revered Indian literary figure in Russia, he is among the most widely read foreign poets in this country. You will not find a single Russian family whose private library is not adorned with the works of Tagore, some of which were translated into Russian as far back as 1915.— Alexander…
Source UNITED STATES, October 19, 2011 (by MaryAnn Busso): The total cost for a yoga enthusiast living in Manhattan, according to Bloomberg, is $10,779 a year. Prices are calculated for a 37-year-old New York woman who buys all accessories upfront and spares little expense to take up yoga for one year. [HPI note: See the slideshow (at source above) to…
HPI correspondent PORT-of-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, October 24, 2011 (HPI correspondent, Paras Ramoutar): “In spite of the differences or race and religions, we shall learn to tolerate and respect one another and consider all human beings as children of One God and, therefore, brothers and sisters of one another. May the celebration of religions and other festivals help bring the…
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, October 2011 (by Dr. Kumar Mahabir): The Divali holiday in Trinidad and Tobago coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Divali Nagar, the first Hindu theme park in the world. In the week leading to Divali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, over ten million deyas [clay lamps] are lit in homes, temples, offices, streets and parks. This…