News from Hindu Press International-47

News from Hindu Press International 

Remains of Ancient Hindu temple Discovered on Bali Posted on 2012/10/26 17:47:29 ( 976 reads ) Source DENPASAR, BALI, INDONESIA, October 26, 2012 (AP): An archaeologist says a structure that is believed to be the remains of an ancient Hindu temple has been unearthed on Indonesia's resort island of Bali. Wayan Swantika of the local archaeology agency says workers digging a drainage basin last week in eastern Denpasar, Bali's capital, at first discovered a large stone about 1 meter (3 feet) underground. Excavation teams have since uncovered a 57-meter (62-yard) structure that is believed to be the temple's foundation. The find is still being analyzed, but given the shape and characteristics of the materials used, Swantika says he believes it was built sometime between the 13th and 15th centuries. He added that it is also thought to be the largest ancient temple ever discovered in Bali. No comment

Ramleela Echoes In Pakistani Town Karachi Posted on 2012/10/26 17:47:23 ( 820 reads ) Source AMRITSAR, INDIA, October 24, 2012 (Times of India): These days, the tiny Hindu community of Karachi in Pakistan is buzzing with the songs eulogizing Lord Rama and stories of his valor are being enacted in the Ramleelas being staged at the Swami Narayan temple.The Ramleela is being organized by Naryana Sewa Garaba Mandal and Pakistan Hindu Seva Welfare Trust (PHSWT). "Ramleela is being staged here for decades during Navaratri which also provides an opportunity to the community members to assemble at a single place and get to know each other, and share religious feelings," said Sanjesh S Dhanja, president of PHSWT. He said that a small group of people visits houses of Hindus, mostly in the vicinity of the temple, to sing bhajans during all nine days of Navaratri. Vijay Rattan, an employee of Greenwich University, Karachi, who has been enacting Lord Rama in the Ramleela for the past four years, said that Ramleela kept the religious and traditional values of Hindus alive and helped the younger generation to remain attached to their religion. No comment

Human Rights Commission Probes Hindu Claim Posted on 2012/10/26 17:47:17 ( 812 reads ) Source BOKSBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, October 24, 2012 (thenewage.co.za): The Human Rights Commission (HRC) is investigating alleged racial and religious discrimination at a school in Boksburg while the teacher at the centre of the row has been suspended (see HPI: here). This follows complaints against a teacher at the Parkdene Primary School who has been accused of harassing a Grade 3 pupil for wearing the sacred Hindu red string (Kavlava) around his wrist. Isaac Magena, spokesperson for the HRC, confirmed receiving two complaints about the alleged harassment of Akilan Madurai. "One (we got) from the parents and recently we got another one from the DA. We have already started with our investigation," Magena said.The HRC said it was in contact with the Department of Education. The child's parents Sundrika and Don Madurai said they had tired of dealing with their son's "harassment." "We tried every avenue to deal with the matter internally. The principal told us to find him another (school)," Don Madurai told The New Age. Akilan also spoke out about his ordeal: "She called me a coolie (a derogatory word for Indians in South Africa) after I refused to cut off my string. The Madurai family is not the only family with complaints against the teacher. Several other parents said they were glad that "this was being exposed". Attorneys acting for the school said the principal and teacher denied the allegations. "They (allegations) are strongly denied. Racism is not being tolerated at our school. Our school policy says all religions decoration may be worn and be hidden with a jersey," said Kwa attorneys. Department of Education spokesperson Charles Phahlane said, "The matter is still in process and we will communicate the outcomes." No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2012/10/26 17:47:11 ( 881 reads ) Source Things that are real are given and received in silence. God has been everlastingly working in silence, unobserved, unheard, except by those who experience His Infinite Silence. -- Meher Baba (1894-1969) No comment

Dashami Celebrated In Bangladesh And Nepal Posted on 2012/10/25 17:20:58 ( 811 reads ) Press Trust of India DHAKA/KATHMANDU, October 24, 2012 (Press Trust of India): Thousands of Hindu devotees poured on to the streets of Bangladesh on Wednesday joining processions of Goddess Durga, to mark the culmination of four days of revelry and celebration on Vijay Dashmi. Wearing colorful attires, beating drums and chanting mantras, jubilant devotees celebrated with gusto before immersing statues of the Goddess in the Buriganga rivers in the capital Dhaka. Vijya Dashami is a public holiday in Bangladesh and this year over 28,000 marquees were set up across the country for the celebrations. The Dhakeswari National Temple, the biggest and oldest Hindu temple in the capital, drew the highest number of devotees who marched through the major streets carrying statues to the Buriganga for immersion. President Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and opposition BNP leader Khaleda Zia greeted followers of the Hindu faith as they celebrated the festival marking the victory of good over evil. "Communal harmony is our glorious history, we must uphold the tradition of interfaith harmony," President Rahman said as he hosted a reception on Wednesday. In Nepal, too, the festival was celebrated with fervor and hundreds of people visited the residence of President Ram Baran Yadav to get his blessings. Hundreds of loyalists also visited the former king King Gyanendra at his residence to seek his blessings. Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, said in a message that durable peace, stability and a new constitution were the common aspirations of all Nepalis and underlined the need to muster support and cooperation from all sides to meet these aspirations. No comment

Kerala's Communists Fight Move on Temple Board Elections Posted on 2012/10/25 17:20:52 ( 1042 reads ) Source THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA, INDIA, October 24, 2012 (Press Trust of India): Congress Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) today termed as "unconstitutional" the Kerala government's move to make it mandatory for Hindu members of the legislative assembly (MLAs) to declare that they "believe in God" in order to vote for nominees to temple boards. (The move would prevent the CPI-M MLAs from voting.) As per the existing rules, the Hindu legislators could nominate one member on each of three Devaswom boards -- Travancore, Cochin and Malabar -- which manage most of the temples across the state (with enormous assets), and the state Cabinet chooses the remaining two members. The state Cabinet had on Monday forwarded to the Governor the proposed ordinance to amend the statutes of the three boards. Apparently, the Oommen Chandy-headed government has been compelled to amend the rules as the opposition Left Democratic Front, led by CPI-M, has more Hindu MLAs than the ruling coalition. The proposed amendment would mean that even the CPI(M) and CPI MLAs would have to declare that they "believe in God" in case they want to force a contest for choosing one nominee each for the boards. "This is an unconstitutional move to secure political ends of the ruling coalition. If the government declines to give up the decision to issue the ordinance, we will challenge it in court," CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said. Vijayan told a press meet that as per the Constitution an MLA could take oath either in the name of God or solemn oath. The proposed ordinance went against this Constitutional guarantee. In 1999, a five-member bench of the Kerala High Court had ruled that all Hindu MLAs were entitled to vote for election of their nominee to the temple boards regardless of the question of faith in God, he said. Applying the "faith clause" in the case of the Hindus was also historically wrong as there had been atheist sects among the Hindus since ancient times, Vijayan said. The CPI(M) leader also took serious exception to the move to delete the clause in the Devaswom Bill, brought by the previous LDF government, for reserving one post in each of the temple boards for women. No comment

Kerala's Tots Get First Taste Of Writing Posted on 2012/10/25 17:20:46 ( 682 reads ) Source THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA, October 24, 2012 (IANS): Thousands of tiny tots took the first step into the world of letters, through the ceremony called Vidyarambham (beginning of knowledge) when they wrote the first letters of the Malayalam alphabet on sand or rice with the help of academics, litterateurs, teachers and politicians Wednesday. Temples, institutions, clubs, media houses and even churches were used as venues for the ritual. While the ceremony was traditionally confined to Hindu families, over the years, it has become observed across different religious groups. Tiny tots are placed in the laps of specially invited guests, who hold their hands and help them write the first letter of the Malayalam alphabet on a plate of rice; in some places, the letter is written in sand. Hindus write 'hari sree Ganapathaye namaha' in praise of Lord Ganesha. Then using a gold ring, a Malayalam word is written on the child's tongue by the adult who initiates the tiny tot. The Saraswathy temple at Panachikkadu in Kottayam district also saw a large crowd on the occasion. This temple, also known as Dakshina (south) Mookambika Temple, is popular as a venue for this ritual as Hindus here have a special devotion to goddess Mookambika, regarded as a manifestation of Shakti, Saraswati and Mahalakshmi. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2012/10/25 17:20:40 ( 850 reads ) Source "Learn to make the whole world your own. No one is a stranger, my child, the whole world is your own." -- Sri Sarada Devi (1853-1920) wife of Sri Ramakrishna No comment

Silom's Hindu Parade in Thailand Posted on 2012/11/5 16:22:40 ( 935 reads ) Source BANGKOK, THAILAND, November 2012 (Bangkok Post): Watch this well-edited recent video as worshippers pack the Sri Maha Mariamman temple, known as Wat Khaek Silom, for the annual parade of devotion to Goddess Sri Maha Uma Devi along Silom and Sathon Roads in Bangkok. (HPI note: Parts of this video may be a little unnerving for some.) No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2012/11/5 16:22:27 ( 886 reads ) Source When culture is flooding out of the temple, our actions are productive and our minds are creative, our speech is pure, our hearts rejoice and we become good citizens. Religion makes us good citizens, because we are peaceful inside and want peace in our land. Peace comes first from the individual. It is unrealistic to expect peace from our neighbors unless we are peaceful first, unless we make ourselves peaceful through right living, right worship and right religious culture in the home. -- Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (1927-2001), founder of Hinduism Today No comment

Kerala Wood Carvers Create Fourteen-Foot-Tall Rosewood Nataraja

Posted on 2012/11/5 16:20:00 ( 844 reads )

TRIVANDRUM, KERALA, November 3, 2012: John Xavier of the BaronIndian Group has announced the creation of a huge Siva Nataraj measuring 9 feet across and 14 feet high. Made entirely of rosewood, it required sculptor Palakal and 8 carvers four years to complete.  Xavier may be contacted at "source" above for more information about the statue, which is available for sale.

No comment

Durga Puja Themes In Kolkata Go Beyond State's Borders

Posted on 2012/10/24 17:52:52 ( 782 reads )

Source KOLKATA, INDIA, October 21, 2012 (Indian Express): Making a departure, prominent Durga Puja committees this year have modeled their pandals on the famous structures found across the country, compared to past years when aesthetically-designed mandaps were the rule. Singhi Park Sarbojanin Durga Puja, one of the biggest crowd-pullers, this time designed its pandal after the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple of Madurai. "In the rat race of theme pujas, we made a difference by holding the mirror to the heritage structures of the country. We are sticking to the Shabeki (traditional) style of Devi Aradhana (paying our obeisance)," joint secretary of Singhi Park Bhaskar Nandi said. The puja committee is also sticking to the Deity-making tradition of a 23-foot Ekchalapattern of Durga image crafted by famous Kumartuli artisan Mohan Bansi Rudra Pal. Kumartuli Park in north Kolkata's dingy lanes off Chitpur recreated a marble Durga temple of Gujarat blending Gujarati and Bengali architectural styles. Another big puja in the south, Ballygunge Cultural Association, has brought alive the rural landscape of Rajasthan with typical props like bandhini sarees, paintings, wooden horses and peacocks. Bidding to outdo rival neighbour Singhi Park, senior West Bengal minister Subrata Mukherjee's puja, Ekdalia Evergreen, another must-see for pandal-hoppers, has recreated the Sripuram Lakshinarayani temple. "The Vellore edifice, which is mostly made of gold, has been replicated in full, and from a distance you can't make out the real from the replica," a puja committee spokesman said.

California Temple Faces Backlash Over Karva Chauth Fee Posted on 2012/11/3 16:55:30 ( 975 reads ) Source FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, November 3, 1012 (San Jose Mercury News): The best things in life are supposed to be free, but a Hindu temple here angered worshippers Friday with the announcement that it would ask for money to take part in an annual ceremony. "They're making the temple a place for moneymaking, and that's wrong," said Fremont resident Rita Ratra. "It's not a mall, or something like that." The Vedic Dharma Samaj Hindu Temple in Fremont asked worshippers to pay $11 to participate in Karva Chauth, a religious observance in which a married Hindu woman fasts most of the day and prays for her husband to enjoy long life and happiness. A page on the temple's website announcing Karva Chauth includes the notation: "Participation -- $11." Seema Dubey said she and her friends are upset because they have been attending the temple's poojas -- religious rituals where offerings are made to Hindu deities -- for years and have never been charged before. "Everyone has their right to attend this," Dubey said. "This is a temple, and they should not make it commercial." Leaders of other temples, stretching from the South Bay to the Midwest, said that even asking for financial donations is out of the ordinary. At Balaji Temple in San Jose, priest Anandanatha Swami said a special pooja was scheduled Friday night with free food for worshipers with no suggested donation. "Anything given from their heart will be accepted," he said. Rathinam Kumar, president of the Wisconsin-based American Hindu Association, said it is not standard for money to be given to enter a temple. "I don't know about California, but normally, anyone can get into the temple anytime," he said. But Govind Pasumarthi, the volunteer coordinator of the Vedic Dharma Samaj Hindu Temple in Fremont, said there was nothing unusual about the suggested donation. "It's not a fee; it's not mandatory," Pasumarthi said. "Nobody will be turned away." He said admission to a regular pooja always is free, but the temple suggested that observers pay Friday because Karva Chauth is a yearly celebration, involving special rituals in which as many as 2,000 women participate throughout the day. He said the temple may continue the practice for other special occasions. From 1:30 p.m. to about 9 p.m. Friday, scores of married Hindu women -- dressed in a traditional Indian sari or salwar kameez and carrying a thali, or a traditional plate -- entered the temple in Fremont's Grimmer neighborhood for the annual ritual. Several said they were told at the front door they should pay $11 to enter, but those who didn't were allowed in. "Those that paid received an admission ticket, like a movie or a show," said Sandhya Khurana, a Fremont resident. "This is part of our culture and they're trying to turn it into a business." The temple is a nonprofit, tax-exempt religious organization dedicated to serving the religious and cultural needs of the Hindu community, according to its website. The organization relies on donations to survive, especially as it pays down expenses, including $80,000 spent on renovating the temple's parking lot, as well as its flooring and carpeting, Pasumarthi said. The number of temple attendees has grown by three or four times in the past five years and as many as 3,000 people will attend special occasions, such Karva Chauth. "We've gone from one or two priests to having five or six," he said. Pasumarthi said that donating money falls in line with Hindu tradition, in which a typical pooja is considered incomplete without an offering some kind. "Giving is considered noble, whether it's shelter or food or money to those in need," he said. But some Hindu women at the temple Friday saw it differently, saying that they worried the temple was discouraging people from attending. Some said they believed that the presence of the media forced the temple to be less aggressive in its requests for money to enter. Pasumarthi said the women's complaints should be taken with a grain of salt. "The ladies have been fasting since morning," he said, "so we can't expect them to be in the best of moods." No comment

Earthen Lamps To Spread Light In Homes Posted on 2012/11/3 16:55:23 ( 805 reads ) Source ALLAHABAD, INDIA, November 1, 2012 (India Times): Kumar the potter is happy with a stock of earthen lamps he has made ahead of the festival of lights hoping "they will be spreading light in so many houses on Diwali." There is big demand and we are making best efforts possible to fulfill it. These days, several potters, who have inherited this art from ancestors, are busy making earthen lamps with the hope that this Diwali, people will turn up to buy diyas. But what has lowered their enthusiasm is the rising cost of mitti (clay) used in making the pottery. Despite all odds, potters spin the wheels to create the earthen lamps. Makers of earthen lamps are also giving earthen lamps new shapes. Efforts are also being made to create colorful lamps. Such lamps are only for decorative purposes and look splendid when used for decoration. The sale of traditional diyas will go up during Diwali, feel potters. No comment

Hindu Festival Dashain Brings Nepalese Together In Hornsby Posted on 2012/11/3 16:55:17 ( 713 reads ) Source KATHMANDU, NEPAL, November 2, 2012 (Hornsby Advocate): Kathmandu was a ghost town last Wednesday. "The streets would be all empty; everyone's gone back to their villages," said Mitra Pariyar, who marked Dashain, Nepal's holiest Hindu festival, with his family in Hornsby. More than 100 local Nepalese families did likewise. The 15-day festival celebrates the mythological victory of good over evil and the triumph of the goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. Traditionally, Dashain is marked by visiting older relatives for a meal and a blessing on the 10th and most important day, which was last Wednesday. "This is like Christmas for us," Mr. Pariyar said. "It's about reuniting and re-establishing the kinship ties." No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2012/11/3 16:55:11 ( 890 reads ) Source I adopted the theory of reincarnation when I was 26. Religion offered nothing to the point. When I discovered reincarnation ... time was no longer limited. I was no longer a slave to the hands of the clock. -- American auto industrialist Henry Ford No comment

A Thrilling Ram Leela Captivates Houstonians At The Wortham Center Posted on 2012/11/2 17:41:59 ( 847 reads ) Source HOUSTON, TEXAS, November 1, 2012 (Indo-American News): The Indian holiday season went into high gear with the Ram Leela pageant that was performed this past Sunday, October 28, at the Wortham Center downtown as months of preparation culminated in a spectacle that unfolded in the 1,300 seat Brown Theatre for a four-hour show, which had been sold-out four weeks before the performance. Each person was greeted at the Theatre doors by a girl holding a thali and placing a vermillion tilak on the forehead. Dr. Arun Verma, the head of the Shri Sita Ram Foundation, USA which produced the pageant, was overwhelmed by the support that the event had received. He opened the show with welcome remarks and then formally recognized the two major sponsors Dr. Durga and Sushila Agarwal and Dr. Virender and Nalini Mathur, and the two chief guests, Indian Consul General P. Harish and his wife Nandita and University of Houston Chancellor and President Renu Khator and her husband Suresh. The directors of the extravaganza, Ratna Kumar and Shiva Mathur were also introduced, as well as the talented dancer and actress Divya Unni who performed a special piece for the event. Ram Leela is an folk dance art form that is heavily portrayed in India during the period before Dusserah and the story of the exploits of Lord Ram, Sita and Lakhsman are well-known by heart all across India. So, in this sense, many in the audience were well-versed in the portions of the play that follow each other, and often erupted in loud applause when they recognized the characters and followed the story line, such as when the four brothers Ram, Lakhsman, Bharat and Shatrugun are born, grow into strong young men and when they go with the Sage Vishwaamir to fight the demons of the forest. No comment

2012 Diwali Mela Sets Off With A Bang! Posted on 2012/11/2 17:41:53 ( 874 reads ) Source FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, October 31, 2012 (India Post): In the biggest celebration in three decades, FIA and the Fremont Hindu temple celebrated Diwali Mela on a grand scale. Thanks to the Fremont Hindu Temple, 2012's Diwali Mela took place on October 27, and it appeared as if all of Bay Area had gathered to celebrate Diwali for a colorful and melodious evening. Thousands of devotees thronged Alameda County's sprawling fairgrounds to greet each other and participate in a day filled with fun activities. Everywhere people were smiling and laughing, enjoying themselves while celebrating the biggest Hindu festival of the year. The crowd filed through the Alameda County Fairground, stopping at booths along the way to try festive food and play games. Over four hours, fifty dance groups, composed of children, adults, and senior citizens, took the stage to wow the crowds with their beautiful dresses and dances. Dr Romesh Japra, Chairman and Convener of FIA, highlighted the grand scale of Diwali Mela in his speech. He said that one of the key reasons for organizing the Mela was to help Indian-American youth learn their ancestors' culture and heritage. He added that the holiday season begins with Diwali, which signifies the victory of good over evil, and that the Mela provides a festive opportunity to teach children about Indian culture. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2012/11/2 17:41:47 ( 878 reads ) Source There is no good and bad karma; there is self-created experience that presents opportunities for spiritual advancement. As long as we react to karma, we must repeat it. That is the law. -- Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (1927-2001), founder of Hinduism Today No comment

UK's Broadfield Classrooms Turned Into Temples For A Festival Of Lights Posted on 2012/11/1 17:23:22 ( 748 reads ) Source UNITED KINGDOM, October 31, 2012 (thisissussex.co.uk): A religious festival of lights was celebrated by all the children at a Broadfield school. School classrooms were turned into temples, with rows of lights scattered across the floor, last Wednesday and Thursday. Pupils at Seymour Primary School got to dress up in traditional Hindu clothing, try new food and learn about Diwali during two awareness days to educate them on the religious festival. Neha Nalawade, a teacher at the school, said: "Each year we focus on a different religious festival or celebration to raise awareness and teach the children about other cultures. "We have 26 different languages spoken at our school and we do our best to educate all the children on different religions. "They all thoroughly enjoyed the two days and we even had our head teacher dress up for the occasion." No comment

Hindu American Foundation Web Page on Hate Crimes And Domestic Terror Strike Preparedness Posted on 2012/11/1 17:23:16 ( 732 reads ) Source WASHINGTON, D.C., November 1, 2012 (HAF): When hate crimes and domestic terror strike, individuals, families, and communities suffer immeasurably. The unfortunate reality is that such attacks may not be preventable or predictable, but temples, community centers, and other institutions can implement protocols to better prepare and protect its members in the event an attack does occur. On this page ("source" above), the Hindu American Foundation seeks to provide a convenient, one-stop space with training videos, toolkits, and other resources to better enable you to prepare for the worst. You will find there more about the Department of Homeland Security's "If You See Something, Say Something(TM)" - a simple and effective program to raise public indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime, and to emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activity to the proper local law enforcement authorities. The campaign was originally used by New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which has licensed the use of the slogan to DHS for anti-terrorism and anti-terrorism crime related efforts. You will also find a link to download the booklet, pocket card, or poster provided by the Department of Homeland Security on what to do in the event of an active shooter. No comment

Following Jesus Yet Still Hindu Or Sikh? Mission Leaders Weigh In On New Communities Posted on 2012/11/1 17:23:10 ( 919 reads ) Source CHICAGO, U.S., October 26, 2012 (Christian Post): (HPI Note: The following report is provided so Hindus can understand the most recent conversion methods involving deception used by Christian missionaries.) It doesn't sound right: someone claiming to be both a follower of Jesus Christ while still identifying himself as a Hindu or Sikh. But some respected missiologists are defending the new communities in India called Yeshu Satsang as biblical. Formed as a direct response to broken relationships that Hindus or Sikhs in India who convert to Christianity often must endure, members of Yeshu Satsangs seek to follow the Bible while still retaining their cultural identity as Hindu or Sikh, and thus retaining harmonious relationships with their family members and community. The communities are also a pushback against Western ways of worshipping Jesus that is seen as "other" and foreign to the community. A Yeshu Satsang can loosely be defined as a gathering of Jesus followers whose members are socially still identified as Hindus or Sikhs. "Even though [they have] rejected the word and practices of church, they have retained a theological identity of church while seeking to retain their Hindu and Sikh socio-religious identity," explained Darren Duerksen, director and assistant professor of Intercultural Studies at Fresno Pacific University, at the recent North American Mission Leaders Conference in Chicago. The Yeshu Satsang leaders Duerksen had met all come from a Hindu or Sikh background, and were discipled in Christian churches or parachurch organizations, he shared. Some of these Indian leaders started Yeshu Satsangs after reaching an understanding that distinguishes between the Hindu or Sikh ideology and their commitment to Jesus. These gatherings started some seven to eight years ago, and Yeshu Satsangs are concentrated mostly in Northwest India. Although there is no official count of how many Yeshu Satsangs there are in India, Duerksen estimates that there are at least 40 but less than 100 of these groups, each with at most 15 to 20 members. Much more at 'source' above. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2012/11/1 17:23:04 ( 781 reads ) Source One who is established in a comfortable posture while concentrating on the inner Self naturally becomes immersed in the Heart's ocean of bliss. -- Siva Sutras III, 16 No comment

"Jyotirath"--Chariot of Light--An Outreach Program Of Shree Umiya Mataji Mandir. Posted on 2012/10/31 17:30:11 ( 876 reads ) https://docs.google.com/a/hindu.org/do ... gPngU6Lw2TfgJFTrTK0rqetVk GEORGIA, U.S., October 19, 2012 (docs.google by Sanjay Pandya): Jyotirath a glimpse of Mother Goddess Umiya's Divine form, in a symbolic form, has made its way to Umiya Mataji Mandir, Macon, Georgia. The Pranpratishta celebration of moving the statue of Mother Goddess Umiya, a one of its kind, took place in the month of August, 2012. Many devotees from Georgia and from far away took part in this unique celebration. According to Macon Umiya Mataji Mandir, plans are that this Divine Jyotirath will travel possibly to every devotee's home in the entire USA! It is believed that they have some 10,000 such households. Traditionally, for generations, the Patel community hailing from north Gujarat and some part of Saurashtra worship Mother Goddess Umiya. Popularly known as Patel, this sub-section of Patel called "Kadava Patidar" reserves a special place in their heart for Mother Goddess Umiya. Unjha, Gujarat, India is a pilgrimage place for almost all Kadava Patidar. The Umiya Mataji Mandir at Macon, Georgia is also know as Unja of USA and many devotees in USA come here to perform their family's traditional offerings, who have failed to go to Unjha for some reasons. Today Jyotirath is touring the State of Georgia and Umiya Mataji Mandir is receiving many requests from all over the U.S. The Executive Committee of the temple has designated a large group of volunteers to accompany Jyotirath. The Jyotirath consists of a big 15 passenger converted van, decorated from outside, carries a small traditional chariot of Umiya Mataji fixed in the center and two drivers in the front seats. Other volunteers travel along this van in their own vehicles. It is believed that wherever area this Jyotirath covers, those areas devotees becomes addition free, develops unity and receives peace and prosperity! The Jyotirath will generate substantial funds, which will be used at Umiya Mataji Mandir and in its future projects. The temple plans to acquire 15 acres of land adjacent to existing temple, to create a permanent educational complex for the second-generation exploring the rich cultural heritage of Kadva Patidar (Patel). The Jyotirath will be permanently housed there.

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2012/11/11 15:20:17 ( 825 reads ) Source It is said that children are a man's real wealth, and that this wealth is determined by his deeds. -- Tirukkural No comment

Spirituality, Culture Explode At Divali Nagar Opening Posted on 2012/11/10 17:06:51 ( 1027 reads ) Paras Ramoutar TRINIDAD/TOBAGO, November 2012 (by Paras Ramoutar for HPI): Spirituality and the finest of Indian culture exploded on the stage of Divali Nagar on Sunday night. One of the highlights of the performances was Quincy Kendal Charles, an Afro Trinidadian, originally from Mayaro, and who permanently resides in India, and is now considered as an expert in the Kathak style of dancing. There were also the enthralling presentation of dance portraying the Lord Hanuman Chalisa (prayer) by the B-Mobile Shiv Shakti Dance Group, followed by Trinidad and Tobago Sweet Tassa Group,and Sandra Sookdeo Dance Group. The sweet sounds of Nada Sangam Steel Orchestra played several of the nostalgic East Indian songs and bhajans setting the place for Divali-like environment. Several senior government ministers were in attendance which included Minister of Local Government, Dr. Surujattan Ramachan, Minister of Education, Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, Minister of Works, Emmanuel George, Minister of Energy, Senator Kevin Ramnarine, Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Rudy Indarsingh, Minister of Finance, Senator Larry Howai, Mayor of Chaguanas, Councillor Orlando Nagassar. Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley and several PNM officials were also in attendance. Divali has been celebrated as a public holiday here since 1966. The theme of this year's presentation, the 26th, was, "Shri Ram Baktha Hanuman," and Spiritual leader of the Chinmaya Mission, Swami Prakashananda was the Chief Guest of Honour. In his stirring address, Swami Prakashananda said that a nation is as strong, robust, fit and mentally healthy as its individuals. "In Rama Bhakta Hanuman, the rishis (saints) have provided us with a most deserving role model, an exemplar in every regard. Shri Hanumanji is the most multifaceted character of the great Ramayana epic. A perfect devotee and servant of Lord Rama and by extension a servant of humanity, an astute diplomat, a guide and a guru, an ocean of knowledge, humble, simple and devoted to any cause." President of the National Council of Indian Culture, Dr. Deokienanan Sharma said that Divali Nagar, the flagship project of the NCIC, has played a major role in exposing to the wider national community, the Caribbean and further afield the culture of the Indo Trinbagonian. Divali has been celebrated since 1845 with the arrival of the first set of East Indians, some 148,000 who came here between 1845 to 1917 to work on the sugar and cocoa plantations. It is projected that in excess of 100,000 patrons would have attended Divali Nagar 2012. No comment

Book Review: The Case For India - Will Durant - 1930 Posted on 2012/11/10 17:06:45 ( 1346 reads ) Source February 2012 (Reflections Blog): The "Case For India" written in 1930 by the famed American Historian, Will Durant scores: "This was not the destruction of a minor civilization produced by an inferior people. It ranks with the highest civilizations of history, and some would place it at the head and summit of all - like Keyserling.... when the British cannons attacked.... the Hindus surrendered at once lest one of the most beautiful creations of mankind be destroyed. Who, then, were the civilized people? (The Hindus or The English?) The British conquest of India was the destruction of a high civilization by a trading company utterly without scruple or principal, overrunning with fire, sword, bribery, murder a country temporarily disordered and helpless" "India was a far greater industrial and manufacturing nation than any in Europe or Asia, producing textile, metal works, jewelry, precious stones, pottery, architecture. She had great merchants, businessmen, ship building -- nearly every kind of manufacture known to the civilized world was already in India." This book brings home the fact that among all the ancient civilizations, the Indian civilization stands as the only civilization to have survived all through history virtually unchanged. We were there during Babylon, we were there during the time of the Greeks, we were there when Rome was at its height, we were there when Europe was rising... and today,we are still present... with the same culture, same ethos, worshipping the same Gods as we used to 3500 - 5000 years ago, eating virtually the same kind of food... virtually unchanged. More at "source" on this remarkable indictment by Durant of the British rule. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2012/11/10 17:06:39 ( 820 reads ) Source "Sweet are the sounds of the flute and the lute," say those who have not heard the prattle of their own children. -- Tirukkural No comment

Canadian PM On Spiritual Spree Posted on 2012/11/9 18:36:08 ( 978 reads ) Source BANGALORE, INDIA, November 9, 2012 (Indian Express): Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who is on a week-long trip to Asia, visited the ancient Someshwara temple in Bangalore along with his wife Laureen. Both of them arrived barefoot at the premises and were given a guided tour by the temple priests. They took keen interest in the architecture and history of the 16th century temple dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. The duo also participated in traditional aarti as the temple priest chanted mantras and offered prayers for their marital bliss. The Canadian Prime Minister is on a two day visit to the IT hub after which he would leave for Manila. A photo can be viewed here. No comment

Construction Activity At Old Temple Near Charminar Triggers Tension Posted on 2012/11/9 18:36:02 ( 1076 reads ) Source HYDERABAD, INDIA, November 8, 2012 (Khaleej Times): Hyderabad, which has not faced any communal trouble for quite some time now, seems to be grappling with the problem of late, particularly after a dispute over some construction activity at an old temple adjoining the historic Charminar in the Old City. Following the activity in the Bhagya Lakshmi temple adjacent to the 16th century monument, tempers ran high in the communally sensitive old city areas, prompting police to step up vigil and impose prohibitory orders to prevent any outbreak of riots. Trouble began when scaffoldings and other temporary structures appeared at the small temple last week, with local Muslims backed by Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) opposing the move following apprehensions that the temporary structure would eventually lead to construction of a huge temple that could deface the historic Charminar. They alleged that Hindu groups like Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and Hindu Vahini were trying to expand the temple in the name of erecting a temporary structure for decorating the premises for Diwali celebrations. However, the trustees of Bhagyalakshmi temple maintained that they were only replacing the worn-out bamboo structures with new ones ahead of the festive season. Hindu groups claim that the temple erected on the eastern side of the historic monument, is over 150 years old, but several experts dispute the claim and point out that the devotees started visiting the shrine only about 50 years ago. With the growing influence of Hindu organisations in the city, the temple began gaining prominence and during festivals, they put up loudspeakers and play devotional songs. Meanwhile, the High Court, acting on a couple of Public Interest Litigation petitions, last week ordered that status quo be maintained at Charminar and directed removal of temporary structure around the temple. No comment

America Elects Its First Hindu Congressional Representative Posted on 2012/11/9 18:35:56 ( 916 reads ) Source UNITED STATES, October 31, 2012 (rediff.com by Aziz Haniffa): Tulsi Gabbard is considered a shoo-in [she won in a landslide] to winning Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District November 6 on the Democratic ticket and becoming the first Hindu American in the United States Congress. Gabbard, 31, was last week again felicitated by the Indian-American community in the Washington, DC area in a manner unprecedented in terms of the community's embrace of a Congressional candidate of its own, even though she's not Indian American. Gabbard grew up in a multicultural, multi-religious household. Her father is of Samoan/Caucasian heritage and he is a deacon in the Catholic church. However, he also likes to practice mantra meditation, including kirtan. Her mother is Caucasian and a practicing Hindu. Gabbard calls herself a practicing Hindu. "I fully embraced Sanatan Dharma after serious deliberation and contemplation in my later teens -- it's not because my mother was a Hindu. I'm a Vaishnava in the Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Sampradaya. As a Vaishnava, my perspective of Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma comes from the Bhagavad Gita" she said. "If I am elected to Congress, I will be representing all people of Hawaii, as well as all the people of our country -- including Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, everyone. The fact is, people of every religion in our country want the same thing -- they want elected officials who know they are servants of the people, and not special interests. Of course, since I'm a practicing Hindu, they also know that the more unique concerns of Hindu and Indian Americans are near and dear to my heart", says Gabbard. Much more of this interview at "source." No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2012/11/9 18:35:50 ( 844 reads ) Source Empty yourself of everything. Let the mind rest at peace. The ten thousand things rise and fall while the Self watches their return. They grow and flourish and then return to the source. Returning to the source is stillness, which is the way of nature. -- Lao-Tzu (ca 600 bce), founder of Taoism No comment

India's Supreme Court Orders Kerala Temple Vaults Fortified Posted on 2012/11/8 17:27:30 ( 832 reads ) Source NEW DELHI, INDIA, November 6, 2012 (Outlook India): The Supreme Court today gave the green signal for strengthening the vaults of Kerala's famous Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple which reportedly contains wealth worth over US$27.6 billion. A bench of justices R.M. Lodha and A.K. Patnaik said the amount for strengthening the vaults, which is estimated to cost $147,000, would be paid jointly by the state government and the temple management. The apex court-appointed expert committee, meanwhile, said that the whole process of unearthing the assets and its valuation would be completed by June 1 next year. The sprawling temple, an architectural splendor in granite, was rebuilt in its present form in the 18th century by the Travancore Royal House, which ruled southern Kerala and some adjoining parts of Tamil Nadu before integration of the princely state with Indian Union in 1947. Even after independence, the temple continued to be governed by a trust controlled by the erstwhile royal family, to whom Lord Padmanabha (Vishnu in reclining posture) is their family Deity. No comment

Your Puja Room Posted on 2012/11/8 17:27:24 ( 951 reads ) Source INDIA, November 5, 2012 (Kashmir Times by M.J. Raju): The advent of Ganesh Chaturthi marks the start of the Indian festival season with the Dusserah and Diwali coming within the next 60 days. One room in Hindu homes that would get maximum use now, would be the puja room. Ancient India was deeply rooted in spirituality. Earlier, the practice of building a puja room inside a house was not there. There used to be a separate place outside the house for the family deity. It was known as Kudumbakshethram or family temple. Only in brahmin houses you would have a puja place set up inside the house. They were called Thevarapura. A great deal of sanctity was observed in these houses through which many rituals evolved. In olden days, the puja Room was an annex in itself, being planned as meticulously as the main house and elders ensured that many basic principles embedded in Hinduism were followed. You would find in almost all the Indian Hindu Homes, a separate room is kept for puja or praying. In this room the Deities are kept. Puja rooms are decorated with lots of flowers and miniature jewelry or statues are simply painted in beautiful colors and are made of clay. In addition to the statues, there are many items kept for worshipping in the puja room. The room is also used by some for meditation. Even if there a space constraint in the house in any Indian Home, a small space, anywhere in the house is reserved to perform all kind of traditional rituals and Puja. Vaastu Shastra stipulates certain conditions for the location of the puja room. The guidelines suggest the puja room should be in the East, North or North-East corner. The puja room should always be on the ground floor, never in the basement, never be in the bedroom and should not be on the upper floors. If you do not have space for a puja room, you can have a mandir in the North-East corner of the kitchen, with the Deity facing west. More at "source." No comment

Seven Reasons Why We Celebrate Diwali Posted on 2012/11/8 17:27:18 ( 1168 reads ) Source INDIA, November 5, 2012 (boldsky.com, by Anwesha): There are many reasons for which Diwali is one of the few pan-Indian festivals. Almost all of India celebrates Diwali but their myths and rituals for this festival are different. Here are few reason of why we celebrate Diwali: 1. Ram Returns To Ayodhya: In most of Northern India, Diwali celebrations mark the triumphant return of Lord Ram to his homeland Ayodhya. 2. Lakshmi Puja: The most important rite of Diwali is the Lakshmi and Ganesh puja. This puja is done on the darkest night of the year, that is the no moon day of Ashwin maas (a month of the lunar calendar). 3. The New Year: For Indian businessmen, Diwali is the starting of the new financial year. They close their books for the last year and begin new books on this day. 4. Kali Puja: In Bengal, Odisha and some parts of Bihar, Mahakali or Nishi puja is celebrated on the night of Diwali. 5. Guru Nanak: Not only Hindus but Sikhs too celebrate Diwali. This is because, on this day Guru Hargobind Ji, the sixth guru of the Sikhs was released from prison along with 62 Hindu kings. 6. Lord Mahavira: Many people believe that Lord Mahavira attained his moksha or nirvana on the 15th of October which is roughly the time around which Diwali is celebrated. 7. The Light Of Hope: A deeper spiritual meaning of Diwali comes from the fact that it is the darkest night of the year. So, to dispel the darkness of ignorance and hopelessness, people light diyas on Diwali. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2012/11/8 17:27:12 ( 719 reads ) Source Can you weep for Him with intense longing of heart? Men shed a jugful of tears for the sake of their children, for their wives, or for money. But who weeps for God? -- Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886) No comment

Goddess Durga's Rudraksha Statue Pulls Crowds At Gita Mandir Posted on 2012/11/5 16:22:57 ( 949 reads ) Source LUDHIANA, PUNJAB, INDIA, October 17, 2012 (India Times): Navaratra is here and has the whole city caught in the festive mood, with temples decorated and women set to play garba to welcome Goddess Durga. The city temples too have left no stone unturned to add extra glitz and color to celebrations for the residents who are coming in large numbers to pay their obeisance. The Gita Mandir in Vikas Nagar has made a statue of Durga with 51,000 rudraksha, especially for the nine-day long festival. General secretary of Gita Mandir, Pardeep Dhall, said, "We called in artist Ramakant from Bihar for making a statue with rudraksha." Detailing the rudraksha seed used to make the statue, he said, "The artist has used panch mukhi rudraksha (five faced) -- it is believed that the panch mukhi rudraksha has always come forth in the form of a guiding angel for the welfare of mankind as a gift from Lord Shiva." The rudraksha was especially brought in from Haridwar to make the statue here. Pardeep added that 108 jyotis (lamps) will also be lit and these would burn continuously for all the nine days of the festival. It is not only the lights and statue that have set the mood for the festival. Another big attraction for the residents will be the flying Hanuman at the temple along with a signature campaign for the girl child. "This year the theme of Navaratra is 'Save the girl child' and for this a special signature campaign is being held during the festive days," added Dhall. No comment

Women Fast For Husbands On Karva Chauth Posted on 2012/11/5 16:22:51 ( 739 reads ) Source NEW DELHI, INDIA, November 2, 2012 (Deccan Herald): Decked up in colorful traditional attire and jewelry and wearing henna designs on their hands, women across north India Friday celebrated Karva Chauth with a day-long fast for the long life of their husbands. Married women offer prayers to the goddess Gauri Mata before ending the fast in the evening. Many unmarried girls also keep the fast. "As per custom, women must observe a daylong fast. Between 5 to 7 p.m. they should offer prayers to the deity Gauri Mata and offer prayers for the long life of their husbands," Ravinder Nagar, priest at Laxmi Narayan temple -- popularly known as Birla Mandir, said. The puja preparations include a picture of Gauri Mata, a karwa (earthenware pitcher containing water), cow dung cake, vermilion, the bayana thali (a plate full of savories and sweets) and gifts. Most women wake up before sunrise to eat the traditional sargi, a sweet made of milk and semolina. They fast the whole day, with some women not even drinking water, till the moon rises. As dusk sets in, women gather on the terrace of their homes and worship the moon after it rises. They then break their fast by receiving the first morsel of food from their husbands. "This is a day to showcase unbound love not just our better-half. For me it is a day of love, bonding and togetherness, praying for the long life of my husband and sharing happiness is really exciting," Rama Sharma, working as a lab assistant, said. I could only access this video through facebook--my daughter-in-law's account. I don't know if there is any other way to access it. Chandra No comment

Golden Mile Set To Shine At Diwali Switch-On Posted on 2012/11/5 16:22:45 ( 740 reads ) Source LEICESTER, U.K., November 4, 2012 (ITV Central): The world famous Diwali light switch-on celebrations in Leicester's Golden Mile will take place tonight. This year's Hindu event takes place from 6pm in Leicester's Belgrave Road and organizers are promising a lively programme of entertainment including classical Indian and Bollywood music, ahead of the lights being switched on at 7.30pm. Once the lights have been switched on the celebrations will move to nearby Cossington Street Recreation Ground for a firework and a laser show. Leicester's Diwali celebrations are organized by Leicester City Council and the Leicester Hindu Festival Council. Guests invited to switch on the lights include the City Mayor Peter Soulsby, President of Leicester Hindu Festival Council Maganbhai P. Patel OBE, Jashvant Chauhan OBE. The illuminations along the Golden Mile are made up of 1,000 metres of garlands and include over 6,000 lamps. Last year's Diwali Lights switch-on event attracted around 35,000 people.

Sabarimala Shrine Opens For Annual Pilgrimage Posted on 2012/11/16 17:48:31 ( 726 reads ) Source INDIA, November 15, 2012 (Daily Pioneer): The Lord Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala, Kerala's famous mountainous Hindu pilgrim centre, opened on Thursday evening for the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage amidst tight security measures. The pilgrimage season starting on the morning of Friday, the first day of Vrischikam month of the Malayalam calendar, will conclude on January 20 after the sighting of the holy Makara Jyoti on the eve of the Makaram month, falling on January 14. There will be a four-day recess after the conclusion of the 41-day Mandalam phase with special pujas on December 26. The sanctum sanctorum was opened for the pilgrimage at 5.30 pm on Thursday by the outgoing chief priest in the presence of Tanthri (traditional chief priest) Kantararu Rajeevaru. No comment

300-Pound Statue Of Hindu God Is Stolen From New Jersey Temple Grounds Posted on 2012/11/16 17:48:24 ( 1089 reads ) Source WAYNE, NEW JERSEY, November 14, 2012 (northjersey.com): A 300-pound statue of the Hindu God Siva has been stolen from the Indian Cultural Society Hindu Temple and Mahatma Gandhi Center, according to temple officials who plan to offer a reward for information leading to an arrest. The statue, valued at around US$6,200, was perched on a hill on the temple grounds on Preakness Avenue and is made of a five-metal alloy that contains copper gold and silver. The statue was last seen around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, and it was discovered missing at about 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, police said. The thieves left a fresh tire track in the grass and boot prints could also be seen, authorities said. The temple's camera system was not working, police said. An equally large statue, of Nandi the bull, was left behind. The theft occurred the night after Diwali, which Sanjay Desai, a member of the temple's committee, compared to Christmas. Wednesday was the Indian new year. As they arrived for the new year's celebration, worshipers were stunned to learn that the statue had been stolen. "It's heartbreaking," said Desai. "People come from all over to worship here. As they find out, it's beyond what they can conceive." Desai said he has called friends throughout the country to tell them that the statue was stolen. He said donations are beginning to come in for a reward, which has not been set. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2012/11/16 17:48:17 ( 836 reads ) Source They have "Dial-a-Prayer" for atheists now. You call it up, it rings and rings, but nobody answers. No comment

U.S. Senators Introduce Resolution Celebrating Diwali Posted on 2012/11/15 17:08:16 ( 953 reads ) Source WASHINGTON, DC, November 15,2012 (India Times): Two top American senators have introduced a resolution in the US Senate recognising the religious and historical significance of Diwali festival. Senators Mark Warner and John Cornyn, co-chairs of the U.S. Senate's bipartisan India Caucus, have introduced the resolution in observance of the festival of lights, expressing deepest respect for Indian Americans and South Asian Americans, as well as fellow countrymen and diaspora throughout the world on this significant occasion. "As co-chair of the Senate India Caucus, I am pleased to sponsor a resolution celebrating this important holiday for the Indian people and Indian-Americans," Warner said. "India is the world's largest democracy, which makes our countries and our people natural partners. It's a relationship based on shared values, and its one I'd like to continue to grow," he said. "Diwali's message of tolerance, compassion, and the victory of good over evil resonates with the American spirit," Cornyn said. "As Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and others come together to celebrate this festival of lights, let us all be reminded, as Americans, of one of our most cherished freedoms: the freedom of religion," he said in a statement. Diwali is a festival of lights that marks the beginning of the Hindu new year, during which celebrants light small oil lamps, place the lamps around the home, and pray for health, knowledge, peace, wealth and prosperity, the resolution notes. The lights symbolise the light of knowledge within the individual that overwhelms the darkness of ignorance, empowering each celebrant to do good deeds and show compassion to others, it said. No comment

Deepavali Celebrations In Singapore Posted on 2012/11/15 17:08:10 ( 687 reads ) Source SINGAPORE, November 2012 (channelnewswsia.com): Devotees gathered in Hindu temples on Tuesday morning to recite special prayers for Deepavali, ushering in the Hindu New Year. Following Hindu customs, devotees also received sweets from the temples and Indian basil from the priests before heading off to visit family and friends. At the Tech Offshore Marine (S) Pte Ltd, where many of its 500 staff are Indian foreign workers, Deepavali celebrations kicked off with a tasty spread. Prayers were held onsite, and workers also received envelopes of money as gifts. The company wanted to bring the festive cheer to its foreign workers, despite them being miles away from their hometowns. Meanwhile the Istana grounds came alive with the energetic beats of numerous musical and dance performances, delighting many who spent the Deepavali public holiday at the Istana Open House. No comment

Without A Single Temple To Go To, Hindus In Islamabad Celebrate Diwali Anyway Posted on 2012/11/15 17:08:04 ( 754 reads ) The Express Tribune, Karachi ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN, November 14, 2012 (The Express Tribune, by Riazul Haq): While the main celebrations for Diwali are set to be held in Gracy Lines Temple near Benazir Bhutto International Airport on Wednesday, a number of people celebrated the festival at home amongst friends and family. Also known as Deepavali, literally meaning "row of lamps," the day is celebrated for victory of good over evil within an individual. The day also marks the day Lord Rama returned after 14 years of exile. "It means to light yourself from within and keep away from impurities," said Bhesham, a 35-year-old shopkeeper. Bhesham runs a handicraft shop with his brother Suresh Kumar and cousin Santosh. "It is the day of lights and sweets with celebrations at night. We light clay lamps, candles and burst crackers to keep the evil away," said Bhesham. The Hindu community in Islamabad is small: almost 20 families, most of them living in F-6, according to Bhesham. Santosh added that on this special night they note down the prices of wheat, rice, cotton and gold. "The purpose is to remember the dearness [of these goods] and do Laxmi puja to the Goddess of wealth," he said. While the Hindus in Islamabad, unlike the rest of the country, have had little problems with Muslims, there are still things that they yearn for: such as a temple for worshipping. "The Muslims have their mosques to worship, Christians have churches but we Hindus [in Islamabad] have no place to gather and celebrate and worship on our holy occasions," said Suresh, who lives in Islamabad. He said currently there are two temples in Islamabad, one at Saidpur Village and the other at Rawal Dam. The Saidpur temple has been turned into a tourist attraction and the Rawal Dam temple is in litigation, with Hindus not allowed access to it, he added. The Rawal Dam temple is also in bad condition, and while a number calls for its maintenance have been made, little has been done. No comment

Coalition of Hindu Youth Seek Judges for Essay Contest Posted on 2012/11/15 17:07:58 ( 719 reads ) Source USA, November 12, 2012 (Press Release): The Coalition of Hindu Youth and the World Hindu Council of America will be launching the Sanatan Dharma and Science Scholarship in Spring 2013 for students in middle school, high school, and college--see source above for more information. Before we do so, we would like to reach out to Hindu community leaders and academics to find individuals interested in judging scholarship essay submissions. Such individuals should have a strong grasp of Hindu philosophy as well as excellent proficiency in English. If you are interested, please contact Tejas Dave by email at tejas@chynetwork.org or by phone at (832) 620-0427. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2012/11/15 17:07:50 ( 717 reads ) Source The bonds of dharma do not bind but promise sweet liberation. -- His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, spiritual head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha No comment

$3 Million For Divali Posted on 2012/11/12 18:28:02 ( 955 reads ) Source TRINIDAD/TOBAGO, November 10, 2012 (Trinidad Express): The Hindu community has received a total of US$468,000 from the Government for Divali celebrations this year. Some $312,000 was given to the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) and $156,000 to the National Council for Indian Culture (NCIC). Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar hosted a lavish Divali function at the Diplomatic Centre, St. Ann's on Thursday evening when Maharaj publicly extended his thanks for the money. Maharaj noted that religious organisations in this country supplement the work of the State at every level of life through the provision of churches, mosques and temples and schools from early childhood to secondary. He later noted that all religious bodies have been getting funding from the Persad-Bissessar-led coalition. This year the Emancipation Support Committee received $624,000; ASJA got $156,000 and subsidies for Muslims to go to Hajj; some $312,000 was given to the Catholic church and the Spiritual Shouter Baptist community recently received a $2.345 million school. In her address at the function, Persad-Bissessar said that this country can proudly boast of the fact that the freedom of worship as enshrined in the Constitution is alive and well. "The fact that we, as citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, can appreciate and celebrate diverse cultures and religious holidays as a united people and as a nation speaks to our shared values as well as our profound respect for each other's beliefs," said the Prime Minister. No comment

Shortage Prompts Use Of Child Priests In Gaya Posted on 2012/11/12 18:27:56 ( 740 reads ) Source GAYA, INDIA, October 9, 2012 (zeenews.india.com): Children as young as six are chanting Vedic hymns at the famous Vishnupad temple here thanks to the acute shortage of traditional Hindu priests in this ancient Bihar city that is also known for its close links to Buddhism and Jainism. Kunal Gurda (6) and Satyam Kumar Gupt (8) are among dozens of children conducting pind daan, or the religious rites seeking salvation for the dead from the cycle of rebirth, at the temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Both Satyam and Kunal are sons of Hindu priests at Vishnupad, known as Gaywal Pandas, who perform the traditional pind daan ritual at the temple. The ritual is performed during the 15-day Pitrapaksh period which is currently under way. According to Manohar Singh, a retired government official, the number of qualified priests has dwindled here over the years. Ganesh Lal Hall, a priest, agreed. "With more than 300,000 devotees coming here to perform pind daan, our numbers have not grown up with time. It is a serious situation for us," he said. The pind daan ritual is performed on the banks of the sacred Falgu river. According to Hindu belief, the soul wanders after death until pind daan is performed. No comment

The Muslim Invasions of India: an Issue of Historical Accuracy Posted on 2012/11/12 18:27:49 ( 1044 reads ) Source INDIA, November 12, 2012 (Times of India, by Anil Dharker): Was V. S. Naipaul right or was Girish Karnad right? The sound and fury generated by the controversy at Literature Live!, Mumbai's literary festival, has obscured one important aspect of our national life: we are afraid of our own history. Let's recap for a moment how the controversy began. Naipaul was given the Landmark Lifetime Achievement Award at the festival. This aroused Karnad's ire: the award should not have been given, he said, because Naipaul was anti-Muslim . In his non-fiction books, Naipaul's stance, according to Karnad, is to depict Indian Muslims as "raiders and marauders" and so, in effect, Naipaul has "criminalized a whole section of the Indian population as rapists and murderers." "I have Muslim friends and I feel strongly about this," Karnad added. I have Muslim friends too, and i feel strongly as well, not about our shared history but about the state of the community in our country today. That feeling has been strong enough for me to be a trustee of Citizens for Justice and Peace, an NGO which (among other things) has taken up multiple cases on behalf of the Muslim victims of the 2002 Gujarat massacre. As a direct result, many people including Maya Kodnani , a former minister in the Modi government and Babu Bajrangi, the Bajrang Dal leader, have been sentenced to long prison terms. My strong feelings, therefore , are not just emotional but take the practical shape of righting today's wrongs. But should that blind me to our history? Right from the 12th to the 15th century, Afghan and Central Asian invaders like Mohammad Ghori and Mahmud Ghaznavi came as marauders and plunderers: they came to loot (places like the Somnath temple were immensely rich and obvious targets ), and even to destroy local religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. The sacking and burning in 1193 by the Turk, Bhaktiyar Khilji of the Nalanda library, one of the greatest places of learning, and whose collection of books was so extensive that it took three months to be gutted, is a case in point. Hampi, which is now a Unesco Heritage site, was burned down by the Bahamanis , an act of vandalism which took days. Later, the Mughals led by Babar may have come, not as raiders but as settlers, but they did proselytize. Emperor Aurangzeb's depredations were extensive and go far beyond the Shivnath temple: when you think that Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt as many as 350 temples in and near Varanasi, you realize how far-reaching the damage was. This is a rather jumbled, and hurried look at our history, but it makes the point that in spite of the enlightened rule of emperors like Akbar (notably), Jehangir and Shahjahan, a great deal of the nation's heritage was wilfully destroyed by Afghan, Turk, Central Asian and Mughal invaders and rulers. You can overstate the case, as Naipaul does, by seeing in the Taj Mahal only the 'blood and sweat of slave labour' (you can say that of the pyramids too), but that's only overstating the case, not making one up. By stating it, you do not become anti-Muslim. That's the important point. Girish Karnad , like a lot of secularists who want to see present-day India live in a harmonious blend of communities, bends over backwards to gloss over the negative aspects of Islam in our history, because of the harm this reiteration can cause to present-day Muslims. (In his attack on Naipaul, for example , Karnad said off-handedly , "Oh, I do admit some temples and monuments may have been destroyed by the Mughals...&rdquo. Ibelong to that group of secularists too, and i would not be writing this article if it weren't for the recent controversy. But we need to remind ourselves about something that should be obvious: Yes, it's true there was a Ram temple where the Babri Masjid stands; yes, it's true that the temple was demolished and a mosque built on the site-... But it's also true that over the many years after this happened, not too many people were bothered either about the now-decrepit mosque, nor the once existing temple until L. K. Advani and the BJP made it an issue to revive its electoral chances. The Babri Masjid demolition and the subsequent riots did not happen because people like Naipaul wrote their versions of history. Sadly, the laudable wish to ensure that today's Muslims are not victimized any more than they are, also prevents secularists from lashing out at the pronouncements and actions of the ultra-orthodox in the community, for example the recent edict banning women from entering the sanctum of Mumbai's Haji Ali dargah. Our silence only helps those in the minority community who stop it from moving into modernity. It's something we need to face squarely, as squarely as we need to face our history. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2012/11/12 18:27:43 ( 882 reads ) Source Other religions have all been founded by individuals, but Hinduism is not based on the teachings of any one single person. Before any prophet was born, the Sanatana Dharma was there. -- Swami Rama Thirtha (1873-1906) No comment

 

Om Tat Sat
                                                        
(Continued...) 

(My humble salutations to Sadguru Sri Sivaya Subramuniyaswami ji, Satguru Bodhianatha Velayanswami ji,   Hinduism Today  dot com  for the collection)

(The Blog  is reverently for all the seekers of truth, lovers of wisdom and   to share the Hindu Dharma with others on the spiritual path and also this is purely  a non-commercial blog)