Uttarakhand Introduces Temple Entry Measures
A major religious decision has been taken in Uttarakhand ahead of the Char Dham Yatra 2026. The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee has passed a resolution prohibiting the entry of non-Hindus into 47 temples under its jurisdiction, including the sacred shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath, according to News Nine. The resolution was passed during the BKTC’s budget meeting held on March 10 at its camp office in Dehradun. Chaired by BKTC President Hemant Dwivedi, the meeting approved a budget of us$13 million for the financial year 2026-27. The most closely watched proposal was the ban on non-Hindus, which was unanimously passed.
Holi Turns Green with Natural Dye Replacing Synthetic Ones
As india prepared for holi festival, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change turned the spotlight on nature-based colors, urging communities to celebrate without compromising health or the environment. The ministry conducted hands-on workshops across Eco Clubs nationwide, teaching students how to prepare natural Holi colors from everyday ingredients, according to an India West report.
In classrooms transformed into vibrant laboratories, students learned to extract green from fresh leafy vegetables, red from beetroot, yellow from turmeric and orange from palash (also called “flame of the forest”) flowers. By replacing synthetic powders with biodegradable alternatives, they learned to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals that often find their way into water bodies and soil after the festivities.
The workshops were designed not only to demonstrate how colors could be made, but also to embed environmental awareness into daily habits. The campaign gathered momentum across schools, with students emerging as advocates of eco-friendly celebrations within their communities.
Beyond classrooms, local markets also saw a shift toward eco-friendly colors, with Nagpur witnessing rising demand for organic gulal and safer alternatives.
Ancient Siva Deity Reborn after Restoration
A massive 1,000-year-old “Dancing Siva” Deity, which was broken into more than 10,000 fragments centuries ago, has been successfully restored in Cambodia, the culture ministry said, according to FTN News.
The five-meter, seven-ton sculpture was originally carved from a single block of sandstone, with 10 arms and five faces. It dates back to the 10th century, and was found at the site of an ancient capital of the Khmer Empire, Koh Ker. The temple ruins of Koh Ker in northern Cambodia were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023.
The Deity was officially unveiled recently at its temporary home at the Angkor Conservation Centre in Siem Reap, near the renowned Angkor Wat heritage site. The ministry said the statue represents an extraordinary artistic and technical achievement. It will eventually be returned to its original location at Koh Ker Temple, where it can help to attract more visitors to the historic site. The statue was discovered in a severely damaged state, having been broken into more than 10,000 fragments in the 14th century, largely due to looting during the civil war, the ministry stated.
Siva, the Supreme Deity in the Saivite denomination of Hinduism, is revered as the Lord of Dance. Hinduism reached Cambodia as early as the 1st century through Indian traders and maritime explorers who journeyed across Southeast Asia. During the Khmer Empire (9th-15th centuries), Hinduism was the state religion.
Cambodian experts, in cooperation with the French School of the Far East (EFEO), spent five years restoring the elaborate artwork. Its meticulous restoration spanned from 2020 to 2026, building on archaeological research initiated in 2012.
The project brought together highly experienced sculpture restorers and specialist art mounters to reassemble a monumental three-dimensional puzzle, considered one of the most complex undertaken in partnership with Cambodian heritage institutions.
The project required 600 person-days for conservation and restoration, with 215 person-days devoted to structural design and fabrication. Specialized training in stone conservation was also provided to 20 professionals so they could gain essential skills for future work, thus strengthening local conservation capacity.
Hindu Voices Seek Changes in US Public Education
An education scholar and mother of two college students, Indu Viswanathan is no stranger to the challenges of misrepresentation in the US public school system. She was first exposed to stereotypes and tropes surrounding the Hindu faith—which she and other practitioners say have persisted—as a grade school student in the 1980s, according to Religion News Service.
Now, Viswanathan’s recent book, Hindu at Heart: Education, Faith, and What It Means to Belong in America, published by Briarcliff Press, offers a new perspective on Hinduism. It questions long-standing historical interpretations shaped by Western viewpoints. Refuting claims that the religion is a pagan, irrational or un-American tradition, she draws on decades of research and firsthand engagement with families, schools and public institutions.
At a time of increasing animosity toward Indian immigrants, the book aims to open a larger, timely discussion, said Viswanathan, who lives in New York City.
“The Hindu American and Hinduism experience is the site of study, but it’s speaking to larger themes right now in America—vis-à-vis education, the purpose of education, immigration and religion,” she said in an interview with RNS.
BAPS Temple to Welcome Devotees Again
The baps hindu mandir in Abu Dhabi reopened its doors to devotees from April 14, according to NDTV. The temple was temporarily closed for nearly 40 days due to regional tensions. The move comes after authorities in the UAE confirmed improved conditions, paving the way for the resumption of public access to places of worship and marking a return to normalcy in the region.
The temple announced on Instagram that devotees can offer prayers, but they need to register in advance either through mandir.ae/visit or by using the BAPS Mandir app. The temple’s visiting hours will be from Tuesday to Sunday, between 9 am and 8 pm. It will remain closed on Mondays to allow for maintenance and spiritual reflection.
Swami Brahmaviharidas, head of BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, shared a heartfelt message. He wrote, “With God’s grace and prayers from millions, the BAPS Hindu Mandir, through its saints and volunteers, has served society selflessly and spiritually with courage, compassion and prayer. The Mandir is our home in a nation where everyone feels at home—safe and peaceful.”
He added, “Please come with all your faith, all your hopes and all your prayers for your families, your friends, our future and the able, stable and commendable leadership of the UAE, and all the wise leaders of the world who believe in love, peace and harmony. Let us be one, for one nation, one world, one humanity.”
The Ganga Aarti at the BAPS Hindu Mandir is a much-awaited evening ritual. It is held daily at 7:30 pm, with an additional session at 6:45 pm on weekends and public holidays.
The BAPS Hindu Mandir enforces a strict dress code to maintain the temple’s sanctity. Visitors are required to dress modestly, covering their shoulders and knees. The dress code prohibits sleeveless tops, shorts, mini-skirts and tight-fitting or transparent clothing. Garments with political or offensive designs are also banned.
Briefly
Peterborough City Council has decided to sell the site of the Bharat Hindu Samaj Temple. The temple was established in 1986 at the citys New England Complex, Peterborough, England. Devotees have been fundraising for years to purchase the site and have been in negotiations with the council since 2011. But the council chose a preferred buyer in an effort to reduce debt, noting that both financial and social considerations were taken into account. The council has offered its services to work with the Hindu community to find another building.
Singapore is all set to build a new Sree Guruvayoorappan Ayyappan Temple, marking a significant milestone for the countrys Indian community and its multicultural landscape, according to International Business Times. The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth announced in April, 2026 that the Sree Guruvayoorappan Ayyappan Temple will be constructed along Yishun Avenue 3. Construction is expected to begin by September and could take up to three years to complete. Once ready, the temple will stand as the first new temple in Singapore since the Arulmigu Velmurugan Gnanamuneeswarar Temple was built in Sengkang in 2006.
On April 18, 2026, Yoganandas historic event of April 18, 1926, was replicated at Carnegie Hall at an evening titled The Divine Art of Music. The night celebrated the art and science of kirtan and recognized Yoganandas success in bringing such musical mantra meditations to the West, according to Religion News Service. A century ago, Paramahansa Yogananda spoke to nearly 3,000 people at Carnegie Hall, where he also led an hour-and-25-minute kirtan, creating what he described as a divine atmosphere of joyous praise.
A number of prominent places of worship across Dubai, including Hindu temples, churches and a Sikh gurdwara, have reopened in phases between April 10–12, 2026, restoring access for devotees following temporary closures implemented for safety and security reasons, according to TravelsDubai. The reopening marks a gradual return of religious activities across the city, with each institution operating under specific guidelines and controlled arrangements.
Kedarnath Temple reopened on April 22, 2026 after six months. Preparations included decoration with nearly six tons of flowers. Devotees started arriving early, as authorities enforced strict rules inside the temple, according to India News TV.