News

Source Great dancers are not great because of their technique but because of their passion.— Martha Graham

Source USA, September 8, 2011 (MSN.com): The practice of fasting is common to many religions. It is an integral part of Hindu culture, where individuals observe different fasts depending on their beliefs and practices. Several holy days are occasions for fasting; for many, it is a more regular ritual. Many devotees of Lord Shiva fast one day each week, while…

Source USA, September 1, 2011 (penn-olson.com): Gods and temples have gone 3D. Girish Dhakephalkar, founder of India-based start-up, Shoonya, has used 3D technology to create an awesome online experience for anyone who doesn’t have convenient access to temples. Girish has created interactive 3D apps to simulate temple worship of Ganesha and Krishna. You can do simple puja rituals, applying vermilion…

Source There are things of deadly earnest that can only be mentioned under the cover of a joke.— J. J. Procter

Source FLUSHING, NEW YORK, September 2011 (by Lavina Melwani): This isn’t Kashi or Prayag but thousands of devotees clog the streets, dancing and chanting as Ganesha’s Ratha Yatra takes place – in Queens, New York. Yes, this pilgrimage spot happens to be in Flushing, Queens, and Hindu-Americans came to celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi from as far as California, Florida, Texas, Atlanta…

Source MUMBAI, INDIA, September 2, 2011 (Dalij World): The entire city was decked in rich colors with chants of ‘Ganapati Bappa Maurya’ resounding in every nook and corner of Mumbai on Thursday September 1, as people gathered in the thousands to welcome the first day of the 11-day Ganesh festival. The financial capital wore a festive look, with people from…

Source BALI, August 26, 2011 (Bali Discovery): A survey conducted by the provincial government of Bali shows 93% of Bali’s residents support the implementation and enforcement of non-smoking areas. Of great concern are results from the same survey showing wider use of tobacco by 10-year-old children in Bali. A 2007 survey determined 24.9% of ten-year-old children smoked, a number that…

Source TIRUMALA, INDIA, August 28, 2011 (TNN): In an effort to enhance the spirit of Hindu Sanatana Dharma in a big way among the masses across the state, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and the endowments department are implementing dharmic and spiritual programs at the grassroots level. The spiritual programs will be taken to the doorsteps of all the hamlets and…

Source Bliss is the dance-stage, bliss is the lyric;Bliss are the diverse instruments,Bliss is the meaning;The supreme felicity of the universe is bliss,For he who yearns for His dance of bliss— Tirumantiram, a sacred mystical treatise by Rishi Tirumular, verse v. 2725

www.hinduismtoday.com KAUAI, HI, USA, September 6, 2011: The October-November-December, 2011, edition of Hinduism’s award-winning spiritual magazine, Hinduism Today, has been released in digital form and is now available for free on your desktop. This issue introduces you to our Hindu of the Year. Get ready for a lesson on Hindu history and for a journey to the Goa your mother…