Preparing for a Smooth Journey of Kanwariyas

Source [HPI note: Kanwariyas are those who undertake the Kanwar Yatra. The Kanvar Yatra or Kavad Yatra is annual pilgrimage of devotees of Siva to Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand, to fetch holy waters of Ganges River which is later offered at their local Shiva temples. The Yatra takes place during the sacred month of Shravan (July/August), according to…

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Illustrated Ramayana In French

Source VARANASI, INDIA, April 29, 2011 (Hindustan Times): The first-ever illustrated French version of the Ramayana will be launched in France and India by a Paris-based publishing house. It is a seven-volume book which uniquely combines textual narratives and miniature paintings of the Ramayana arranged from museums across the globe, Ramayana project manager Colombe Verges disclosed. The French version of…

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Who Wants To Friend Ganesha?

Source INDIA, July 15, 2011 (Penn-Olson.com): Facebook is huge in India and will probably overtake Indonesia as the second largest user nation in the near future. With a massive number of users — 28 million — many brands are also employing the social network to use it as a customer engagement platform. For the month of June, thanks to the…

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Padmanabhaswami Temple Treasure Petitioner Sundara Rajan Dies

Source INDIA, July 17, 2011: The man who led a legal battle which led to the recent discovery of treasure worth billions of dollars in an Indian temple has died at the age of 70. T.P. Sundara Rajan, a retired police officer, petitioned for the vaults of the 16th Century Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple in Kerala to be opened. Inside, investigators…

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Young Hindus Work to Establish Ancient Faith in America

Source HOUSTON, TEXAS, July 10, 2011: 29-year-old Texas-born Rishi Bhutada had an arranged marriage in India three years ago and then brought his wife back to his hometown, where they recently welcomed a son. He is a strict vegetarian and avoids alcohol, as do many observant Hindus. And the dashboard of his Toyota Prius is adorned with a small metal…

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Devotees Throng Shiva Temples, Celebrate ‘Shravan’

Source LUCKNOW, INDIA, JULY 16, 2011 (Daiji World): Devotees thronged to Lord Shiva temples in Uttar Pradesh Saturday to offer prayers on the onset of the Hindu month of `Shravan’ that heralds the coming of the monsoon. Shiva temples witnessed a huge turnout including Mankameshwar, Buddeshwar, Kalyangiri, Siddhnath and Koneshwar. Amidst chants of `Bam Bam Bhole’ and `Har Har Mahadev’,…

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Coventry Hindu Temple To Open After 10-Year Wait

Source COVENTRY, U.K., July 19, 2011 (Coventry Telegraph): Members of Coventry’s Hindu community finally own the keys to their new temple after a decade’s fundraising. There were no tears as they left their old home of more than 30 years and moved further up the same road to 380 Stoney Stanton Road. The group raised US$1.6 million, $342,500 of which…

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