THAILAND, November 4, 2022 (The Thaiger): If you live in Thailand, you’ve most likely heard of the Loy Krathong festival. Some Thais believe that Loy Krathong began in the 14th century, with a high-ranking concubine of the King of Sukhothai named Nang Noppamas. It is believed that during an annual celebration where royals offered votive floats to worship the Buddha,…
KADAPA, INDIA, November 2, 2022 (Al Jazeera): Three years ago, Venkat Shobha Rani quit her job as a primary school teacher to help her husband tend their three-acre farm, part of a growing number of rural folk in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh who are moving to organic farming. Shobha is now one of several hundred Andhra Pradesh…
THAILAND, November 2, 2022 (Thai PBS World): The Thai cabinet decided on Tuesday to designate the Naga, a traditional serpent in Hindu and Buddhist folklore, as a national emblem in the category of mythological creatures and part of Thailand’s “soft power,” to promote the creative economy, according to Deputy Spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek. She said that the cabinet hopes that this…
TAMIL NADU, INDIA, October 30, 2022 (Hindu Post): A 1,000 year old Shivalingam has been unearthed in Tamil Nadu. Hindus of the locality were elated as the murti revealed itself on Deepavali day. Shiva bhaktas thronged the place as the news spread like wildfire and pujas were performed to the ancient Lingam. A Shiva Lingam was dug out from agricultural…
INDIA, October 29, 2022 (The Hindu): The 369-foot-tall Shiva statue Viswas Swaroopam installed in Nathdwara town of Rajasthan’s Rajsamand district will be inaugurated on October 29. The tallest Shiva statue in the world, it will be opened to the public by preacher Morari Bapu in the presence of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, assembly speaker CP Joshi, and others. The statue,…
INDIA, July 19, 2018 (The Youth): [HPI note: this is an old story, but remains relevant.] As someone who’s not an avid movie goer, Dheeraj Sharma – a professor at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad, says he watched the Salman Khan-starrer Bajrangi Bhaijaan after much persuasion. “I was surprised at the director’s treatment of the subject. The majority…
FLUSHING, NEW YORK,October 31, 2022 (NY Ganesh Temple): Is it a restaurant or is it God’s Abode? Down in the basement of the Hindu Temple Society is a hidden gem where you can get the most amazing South Indian food and sumptuous dosas and vadas you will see in your dreams. Popularly known as Ganesh Canteen, its formal name is…
UNITED STATES, October 31, 2022 (Lassi With Lavina): Diwali has finally arrived! It is being hosted and honored by President Joe Biden at the White House, by VP Kamala Harris in the Vice president’s mansion, by New York Mayor Eric Adams at Gracie Mansion and by movers and shakers across America. Diwali is the cool festival with Vogue throwing Indian…
INDIA, October 27, 2022 (The Hindu): The work of gold plating the Kedarnath shrine was completed on Wednesday, a day before the portals of the temple are set to close for the winter. According to the temple committee, 560 gold sheets were used to cover the walls and ceiling of the temple’s sanctum which was funded by the Lakhi family…
UNITED KINGDOM, October 26, 2022 (RNS, by Murali Balaji): As Rishi Sunak, the new prime minister of the United Kingdom, prepared to lead his country amid economic, political and social turmoil, he used the term “proud Hindu” to describe himself. That identity matters to millions, British and not, around the world. For some years now, “proud Hindu” would be understood…