News from Hindu Press International-60

News from Hindu Press International 

Indian celebrates Ganesha Birthday in Germany Posted on 2013/9/21 17:05:51 ( 227 reads ) Source HAMBURG,GERMANY September 16, 2013 (Abendlatt): The people in the Harburg suburb of Hamburg were treated on Friday night to an uncommon religious spectacle: 200 Indian men, women and children, along with some Germans, moving in procession through the Harburg Town Hall Square to celebrate the birthday of the Deity Ganesha. Men carried a 30-centimeter (one foot tall) statue of Ganesha on a colorfully decorated palanquin. Almost all the participants were Indians who are employed by the Airbus aircraft plant in Finkenwerder. The celebration of the birthday of Ganesha, a form of the divine in Hinduism, is as significant to Hindus as is the celebration of Christmas for Christians. After the procession in Harburg, Ganesha was taken to the temple of the Afghan Hindu community in Rothenburgsort to continue the birthday celebration. No comment

Sumner County Schools Cuts Out Field Trips To Religious Venues Posted on 2013/9/21 17:05:39 ( 178 reads ) Source TENNESSEE, U.S., September 20, 2013 (Tennessean): Sumner County Schools students will no longer be allowed to take field trips to religious venues after the stepfather of a Hendersonville High School student accused the school of promoting Islam. The issue surfaced when a couple of parents asked about a planned field trip to a mosque and a Hindu temple during the school's back-to-school night, according to parent Mike Conner. Conner said parents raised concerns about the trip because the 36-week world studies course was only going to be visiting the two religious venues. For the past 10 years, Hendersonville High School has offered an honors world studies class in which students spend three weeks learning about Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hindu and Islam. Schools spokesman Jeremy Johnson said the class has visited religious venues in the past, including a Jewish synagogue, a Hindu temple and a mosque. No parents have complained in the past, he said. Conner said he's OK with the students studying five religions, but it became a problem for him when only two venues were visited. Conner's stepdaughter did not take the trip but was allowed to do an alternative assignment. The school system said this week that all trips to religious venues are off. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/21 17:05:31 ( 197 reads ) Source Wealth's Goddess dwells in the hospitable home of those who host guests with a smiling face. -- Tirukkural No comment

Hinduism Today's New Issue Issued On-Line Posted on 2013/9/20 18:00:23 ( 359 reads ) HPI KAUAI, HAWAII, September 20, 2013 (HPI): The October/November/December, 2013, edition of Hinduism's leading spiritual magazine, Hinduism Today, has been released in digital form and is now available for free on your desktop. You can read articles online or download the PDF, ePub or Kindle version and enjoy it on your iPad or other devices. One of the major thrusts of our journalism is to find, explore and then report on groups all over the world who are serving in special ways, or represent authentic traditions. This month we take you to Andra Pradesh where you will meet the Srouta Saivites, dedicated followers of what they call "Vedic Saivism." This fellowship is exemplary in its preservation of the ancient rites and initiations, sadhanas and philosophical purity of the faith. We were allowed the rare privilege of attending their sacred dikshas, and we show you their Lingadharana initiation as well as their daily worship of the Sivalingam they carry on their body every hour of every day of their life. When the young Nepalese learned that their beloved trees on Kathmandu's King Road were about to be chainsawed down for the road to be widened, they leaped into action to stop it the destruction. How? By visiting the trees each day in small groups, worshiping them, decorating them and burning incense at the base of the trunk. Basically, they made thousands of mature trees into shrines, and who wants to cut down a holy tree? So far, it's working, but the government is also determined. Read about the struggle in this issue. Caring for aging parents is a hardship with few equals. But it is the highest dharma, and many Hindus are resisting the modern pressure to put their parents into homes where strangers care for them. For 19 years Damara Shanmugan has been looking after her mother, who just turned 94. Her experience can help us all to face this inevitable phase of life with wit, wisdom and acceptance. Our publisher, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, knows that families struggle to keep a shared religious interest, and he directs us to empower the home shrine by consciously connecting it to the local temple. He tells us, step by step, just how that is done. A great resource for families who want to walk the path together and create a strong Hindu home. In each issue we offer an educational Insight section which explains some aspect of our faith. This time we present two topics. First we discuss in detail the customs surrounding the culture of hospitality for which Hindus are rightfully renowned; then we take you on a journey--Mark Twain's 1896 journey to India. The article shares this literary genius's rare gift for humor, hyperbole and trenchant truth-telling. You will laugh aloud in reading of his stage talks to the Indian public, for which the entrance fee was one rupee! Next we examine the historical impact Mahatma Gandhi has had on nations worldwide. His example not only drove the British back to their islands, it drew four modern exemplars to his feet and to his ashram, men and women who changed their own nations using Gandhi's profound principles of ahimsa and civil disobedience. Learn more about how Gandhi inspired Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Cesar Chavez and Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma. We seldom speak about ourselves in Hinduism Today, but in this issue we proudly record the short tale of our own Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami's opening prayer given before the United States House of Representatives in Washington, DC, on June 4th of this year. Very rarely is a non-Christian given this honor. We present in full the brief message Bodhinatha gave to this noble assembly. There's more, of course: a paradigm-shifting cartoon, a story of caste and gender struggles in Kerala, a Texas mayor's insightful description of Hindus in his community, a 17-year-old boy's reflections on the importance of preserving tradition and a handful of surprises found in our quotes and letters. It's all there in the current issue of Hinduism Today, where you go to stay in touch with Sanatana Dharma. In print and online. No comment

Hindu Mandir Executive's Conference in Session in Toronto Live Streamed Posted on 2013/9/20 18:00:12 ( 213 reads ) Source TORONTO, CANADA, September 20, 2013 (Press Release): "For all that are not able to make it to our conference, we will be live streaming all activities throughout the weekend. Please visit http://ustre.am/FRhn to watch the conference from the comfort of your own home. All activities will be recorded and posted on youtube after the conference." For more on the conference, visit "source" above. The keynote presentation of Hinduism Today's editor, Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami, can be seen at 35:30 through 1:06 of "Part 2" of the videos. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/20 18:00:01 ( 195 reads ) Source The food of the soul is silence. If we don't practice silence, we are starving ourselves. -- Dada J.P. Vaswani, spiritual head of Sadhu Vaswani mission No comment

US$8 Million In Projects Approved For Nashik Ahead Of Kumbh Mela Posted on 2013/9/17 18:41:28 ( 288 reads ) Source INDIA, July 28, 2013 (The Hindu): Projects worth approx. US$8 million have been sanctioned under the tourism development program in view of the Kumbh Mela scheduled at Nashik in 2015, the Maharashtra Government has said. To prevent incidents of landslides at the famous Saptshrungi temple at Nanduri near Nashik, the work for rock fall protection at the cost of US$3.6 million will be started soon, state PWD and Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal told reporters here. Also, a skywalk would be constructed in Nanduri at a cost of US$1.3 million. A US$1.9 million project to install a ropeway from Saptshrungi temple to Markendeya hill will also be taken up before the mega event, he said, adding that a road linking Shivalaya lake, its renovation and beautification of the area will be done at the cost of US$863,000. Construction works on various ring roads, linking national as well as state highways of 289 miles, costing US$85 million, were also sanctioned by the State Government, which included four-laning of the road from Nashik to the pilgrimage town of Trimbakeshwar and Sinnar to Shirdi, he said. An additional building at Nashik rest house (Government Circuit House) will be constructed within a year at a cost of US$1.2 million, where suites for VIPs and the general public will be built. The present circuit house at Trimbakeshwar would also be developed by building suites for VVIPs, general public, and other amenities at a cost of US$1.2 million, the minister added. No comment

Hindu Trustees of Parliament of the World's Religions Issue Statement Posted on 2013/9/17 18:41:22 ( 329 reads ) HPI USA, September 17, 2013 (Press Release): The following statement was sent out jointly signed by Anant Rambachan (rambacha@stolaf.edu) and Anju Bhargava (anju@hinduamericanseva.org), both trustees of the Parliament: "We, Anju Bhargava and Anant Rambachan, found out on September 14th, through media reports, that the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions (CPWR) had withdrawn its participation in a Chicago event 'World Without Borders,' celebrating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. We were not consulted about this decision. Once we found out, we requested an explanation for the Parliament's decision. We have also formally requested the Parliament to reverse its decision to withdraw from co-hosting/co-sponsoring the Chicago event. We are working with Parliament to get this issue resolved harmoniously." No comment

Someshwara Temple To Shine Soon Posted on 2013/9/17 18:41:15 ( 295 reads ) Source ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA, September 16, 2013 (The Hindu): The historical Chaya Someshwara Swamy temple located at Panagal is all set to get a new look very soon as the Department of Archaeology and Museums is preparing to provide chemical treatment to the temple walls to remove fungus. Speaking to The Hindu over the phone, Assistant Chemist K. Rambabu, who is entrusted with preparing the proposals for the prestigious project, said the temple chairman G. Ananta Reddy approached many times asking them to provide chemical treatment to the temple. Saying that the estimated cost of the project is about US$15,800, the Assistant Chemist said he will submit the proposals to the director on September 16. Once the director approves the project and sanctions funds, they will start the work of treating 3,400 square meter long walls which is expected to take three months time, Mr. Rambabu said. He said the Archaeology and Museums Department does not allow painting of walls built of rock as it mars the natural sheen of the temple. As Chaya Someshwara Swamy temple was built by Kundur Cholas who ruled Nalgonda, Khammam and Mahabubnagar districts between 1040 AD and 1290 AD, Mr. Rambabu said the temple walls were painted many a times by various successive kings. Due to lack of regular maintenance over the years, the walls have gathered fungus.

Most And Least Hindu Cities in America Posted on 2013/9/17 18:41:03 ( 398 reads ) Source UNITED STATES, December 5, 2012 (Huffington Post): (HPI Note: This study counts only Hindus who identify as part of a local temple congregation. It is not based on the actual population of Hindus or Indian-Americans in a specific area, and may not even accurately count Hindus connected with a temple. See http://www.rcms2010.org/images/2010_U ... ion_Census_Appendix_G.pdf for an interesting description of the methodology.) A study measuring religious bodies in the United States called the, "2010 U.S. Religious Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study (RCMS)" was recently released by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies (ASARB). The most comprehensive study of its kind, it provides detailed county by county information on congregations, members, adherents and attendance for 236 different faiths groups. (The survey differentiates between specific denominations within the same tradition.) According to the study, close to 80 percent of Hindu congregations are located in metropolitan areas with population greater than a million. Of these metro areas, the researchers found San Jose to be the most Hindu city with approximately 2.5 percent identifying as a Hindu adherent. The researchers found the greater area of Baltimore, MD to be the least Hindu city with only 0.003 percent identifying as a Hindu adherent. The researchers define adherents to be those with an affiliation to a congregation including children, members and attendees who are not members, and believe that the adherent measure is the most complete and comparable across religious groups. Congregations are defined as groups of people who meet regularly at a pre-announced time and location. Approximately 641,200 Hindu adherents and 1,625 congregations were reported across the country. With more than 80,000 Hindu adherents, the greater area of New York, NY-NJ-PA reported the highest number of Hindu adherents, whereas the greater area of Baltimore, MD reported the lowest -- only 71 identified as Hindu adherents. Similarly, with 195 congregations, the greater area of New York, NY-NJ-PA reported the highest number of congregations in a million-plus metropolitan area, whereas the greater area of Providence, RI-MA reported the lowest with just three Hindu congregations. Only 416 counties across the country reported the presence of Hindu adherents, and most Hindu adherents in the United States live near the East Coast or the West Coast. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/17 18:40:56 ( 323 reads ) Source Lord Siva, the bestower of happiness, gave the art of yoga. As Nataraja, King of dancers, He gave dance. -- BKS Iyengar No comment

Abused Hindu Goddesses Recall Violence Against Women Posted on 2013/9/16 18:41:11 ( 368 reads ) Source INDIA, September 2013,By Richard S Enrlich (RNS): A new public campaign in India uses powerful images of three Hindu goddesses with bruised faces to raise awareness about violence against women. The ad campaign is titled "Abused Goddesses" and portrays the beaten faces of three Hindu female deities: Saraswati, Durga and Lakshmi [not with paintings, but with real models]. "Today more than 68 percent of women in India are victims of domestic violence," the caption reads. "Tomorrow it seems like no woman shall be spared. Not even the ones we pray to," the posters say. "Pray that we never see this day." The ads were created to raise funds for Save Our Sisters, an initiative of Save the Children India that "works to prevent the trafficking of young girls and women for purposes of commercial sexual exploitation," according to the organization's website. "SOS also works as an advocacy group that sensitizes stakeholders such as the police, magistrates, tourism boards, and other government officials." No comment

13 Priests for Britz Hindu Temple in Berlin Posted on 2013/9/16 18:41:04 ( 369 reads ) Source BERLIN, GERMANY, September 3, 2013 (Berliner Zeitung): The temple room is sumptuously decorated, but it's not all finished. Nevertheless Berlin's first Hindu temple will be opened this weekend with a two-day ceremony. High priests from India are officiating. Visitors are invited. On Saturday, Berlin's first temple is scheduled to open, and it looks as if the construction work could go on for months. The floor is not tiled, the shrines are unfinished. But Nadarajah Thiagaraja remains calm. The chairman of the Mahasabhai Association says that the temple was built with the blessing of the Gods and the opening date has been determined by a high priest according to the lunar calendar. In the basement the statues of the Gods are waiting, as well as dried herbs, spices and endless packs of incense. This weekend the 600 members of the Hindu Mahasabhai Association will open their Sri Mayurapathy Murugan temple in the Britz suburb of Berlin. It is Berlin's first free-standing temple. It is topped by with two towers, nine and eleven meters tall. It is about 200 square meters, with a richly decorated temple room containing seven shines. A two-day ceremony will be performed by two chief priests with eleven assistant priests. "God is asked to enter the temple and to give it divine energy. It's like the birth of a child," says Sivanese Kurukal, one of the chief priests. [HPI adds: Tamil language videos of the temple construction can be seen at Mayurapathy Murugan Berlin YouTube channel, for example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-Tpu4MdcuM.] No comment

Spain inaugurates Ayuryogam Newsletter Posted on 2013/9/16 18:40:57 ( 298 reads ) Source SANTO DOMINGO, SPAIN, September 14, 2013(Listin Diario): A monthly Spanish language newsletter with interesting new health and education issues begins circulation today. It's called the Ayuryogam newsletter and according to its author and editor in chief, Swami Rajarishishiva, the newsletter "aims to establish effective communication with people, guide them and give them confidence in the themes and philosophy we preach." The yoga guru directs the Indian Institute of Yoga Science which promotes the teaching of yoga, ayurveda medicine and cuisine as well as other ancient Indian knowledge. "The Ayuryogam newsletter is a promotion for the institute's activities, but also a space for topics like Vedic philosophy, ancient knowledge, ayurveda, yoga, science, medicine, tourism and more, most of them written by Swami," says Marcelle D'Alessandro, translator, designer and co-editor of the material. The inauguration ceremony will take place from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Room Pedro Mir at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD). No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/16 18:40:46 ( 255 reads ) Source Life is meant for God-realization. If you die without attaining God-realization, your life is in vain. Even having one hundred gurus will not help, unless the disciple has a great desire for liberation and tries to get rid of all that stands in the way. -- Swami Chidananda (1916-2008), President of Divine Life Society No comment

World's Religions Parliament Withdraws from VHP of America's Program Honoring Swami Vivekananda Posted on 2013/9/15 16:10:00 ( 1045 reads ) Source CHICAGO, USA, September 13, 2013 (TCN): (HPI Note: This startling turn of events was announced on twocircles.net, a website reporting on issues of concern to Muslims in India. The withdrawal was done without consulting the Hindu members of the Parliament's board of directors.) American branch of right-wing Hindutva group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) suffered a major setback today when a respectable interfaith organization the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions (CPWR) decided to withdraw from the event that VHPA was organizing in Chicago. VHPA is holding event marking 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanda which will feature Baba Ramdev as the chief guest (see here). It is "co-hosted" by many Hindu organizations based in the USA. Air India is also listed as one of the co-host. 120-year old CPWR is the organization that invited Swami Vivekanda to Chicago in1893. In a statement issued today [see here, issued by Mary Nelson, CPWR's Executive Director] CPWR said: "We honor Swami Vivekananda and that legacy he left creating interfaith cooperation to build a just, peaceful, and sustainable world. Our organization was not informed that an event we were asked to co-sponsor was also co-sponsored by organizations promoting controversial political positions. While we do honor and promote the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, we respectfully withdraw our name from any co-hosting or co-sponsorship of the 'World Without Borders' event and any connection to this event or its other co-sponsors." Coalition Against Genocide (CAG) [see here for a list of members--it is mostly comprised of Muslim, leftist and Christian groups] has welcome the move by the CPWR to disassociate itself VHPA's event. "Hindutva extremists are exploiting Swami Vivekananda's name to surreptitiously gain credibility and respectability in the US. On the one hand the VHP is fanning the flames of currently raging sectarian violence in Muzaffarnagar in India through virulent anti-minority propaganda and on the other its followers in the US are trying to project Hindu supremacist ideology of Hindutva as pluralistic," said Dr. Shaik Ubaid, a spokesperson for CAG. "This incident exemplifies attempts by Hindutva organizations to legitimize their virulent politics by appropriating the legacies of important historical personalities such as Swami Vivekananda," said Dr. Raja Swamy, also a CAG spokesperson . "These have gone largely unnoticed and unchallenged until now mostly due to the general lack of understanding on the part of US institutions of the divisive and violent agenda of Hindutva groups in India," Dr. Swamy added. No comment

After 86 Days, Prayers Resume At Kedarnath Temple Posted on 2013/9/15 16:09:15 ( 356 reads ) Source INDIA, September 12, 2013 (ddinews): The deathly silence brooding over Kedarnath since the June calamity hit Uttarakhand broke early Wednesday morning by the chanting of Vedic hymns as prayers resumed at the Himalayan shrine, 86 days after ravaging floods left over 400 people dead in the Kedar valley. Shortly after the dawn, as the clock stuck seven, the chief priest of the 6th century shrine, Rawal Bhima Shankar Ling Shivacharya, unlocked the portals of the temple and stepped into the sanctum-sanctorum to perform the puja. The prayers commenced today on Sarwartha Siddi Yog, considered to be auspicious. The Puja began with a shuddhikaran (purification) of the temple and prayashchitikaran (atonement for prolonged suspension of prayers at the shrine). The chief priest was accompanied by a large number of teeth purohits and Badrinath Kedarnath Samiti officials. The shrine reverberated with the collective recitals of Vedic hymns and blowing of conch shells. However, the resumption of prayers at the 13,500 ft-high shrine is of limited nature, as no pilgrim is being allowed right now to visit the temple [because the access trail was so heavily damaged]. A meeting is scheduled to be held on September 30 to decide the date for resumption of Yatra to the famed Himalayan temple. No comment

Altare, "Capital" of the Hindus of Italy Posted on 2013/9/15 16:09:08 ( 385 reads ) Source ITALY, September 9, 2013 (La Stampa by Luca Maragliano): A corner of India is very close to Altare. That's the impression that you had yesterday, along the stretch of road that leads from the village in the locality Pellegrino, where stands the Gitananda Ashram; the most famous Hindu monastery of Italy and Europe. Yesterday the Ashram hosted the annual festival dedicated to the God Ganesh, the anniversary most heartfelt and loved by all Hindus, not only in India but all over the world. The event this year also received the patronage of the Region, the Province and the Municipality of Altare. And the faithful pilgrims were more than a thousand, as planned by the organizers, from all over the North of Italy that began arriving at the place of worship nestled in the woods, from the early hours of the morning: thirteen coaches, from Milan, Vicenza, Modena and many other cities, and parked in the parking lot of Vispa, not to mention the dozens and dozens of cars and campers parked along the road. "We are delighted to be here together today to celebrate Ganesh," said Swami Yogananda Giri, founder and spiritual leader of the temple - "and we thank the communities that have come to share with us this day." So many nationalities, in fact, were represented yesterday (such as those in Sri Lanka and Mauritius, that in the morning they received the telephone greetings from the Minister for Integration Cecile Kyenge. "I am pleased to greet all those present at the monastery" - Minister Kyenge said in his speech, "and take this occasion also to remember the recent agreement between the State and the Italian Hindu Union, because I believe that in Europe today there is another community that has yet to receive such recognition. A victory of all institutions. " Founded in 1984 as a place of prayer and study of the Hindu tradition, the Ashram of Altare has slowly grown until arriving today to be considered one of the largest in Europe. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/15 16:09:01 ( 277 reads ) Source To say "through silence He is realized" is not correct, because Supreme Knowledge does not come "through" anything. Supreme Knowledge reveals Itself. -- Anandamayi Ma No comment

Marathis celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in Karachi,Pakistan Posted on 2013/9/14 18:14:25 ( 0 reads ) Source KARACHI, PAKISTAN, September 11, 2013 (by Amar Guriro, Daily Times): Hundreds of Marathi speaking Hindus from across Sindh, majority of them women and children attired in new clothes, covering their heads and carrying the Hindu God Ganesha, entered into the centuries-old Shiva temple located near Clifton beach to perform Ganesha Chaturthi.The pundit started reciting holy mantras in Sanskrit. After the prayers, the Raag Leela started during which the traditional singers started singing bhajan. The Raag Leela continued till early dawn. And in the morning the ceremony ended with recitation of Arti. Ganesha Chaturthi festival is celebrated every year on the 4th day of the fortnight with moon in Bhadrapada (sixth month of the lunar calendar). A large number of Maratha Hindus are still living in Sindh, since it was part of Bombay Presidency. "Talking to Daily Times, Pramesh Jadiv said that it is the most important festival, especially for the Mararthi-speaking Hindus of Karachi. Even people from other cities come and celebrate the festival in Shiva temple. During the festival the Hindus perform special prayers, sing, dance and offer gifts to the God and the entire ceremony continues till the wee hours of morning. "On next day, we take Ganesha to the Arabian Sea and immerse it in the waters and thus the festival ends," he said. No comment

Atheists Cannot Use Temple Property In Tamil Nadu Posted on 2013/9/14 18:14:18 ( 417 reads ) Source CHENNAI, INDIA, September 12, 2013 (by B. Sivakumar, TNN): A circular was sent to all temple executives advising them not to rent out properties to non-believers. The circular also banned renting out of temple property for functions in which liquor and non-vegetarian food are served. This move by the State Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department has atheists and rationalists up in arms. "The properties might be owned by the temples but ultimately the government is the custodian of all properties and should be available to all. The order should be revoked immediately," Dravida Kazhagam (DK) leader K Veeramani told TOI over the phone. Justifying the circular, a senior official said, "As the property is in the name of a temple or its presiding Deity, we cannot allow meetings or gatherings that criticize religion or speak against the belief in God. Such meetings can be held in any other government or private property but not on a temple property. This goes against religious ethos." The circular specifies that the property either on the temple premises or outside it should be rented out only for religious discourses or for any other spiritual purpose only. No comment

BBC Tamil Radio Series Tells the Story of Burma's Tamils Posted on 2013/9/23 17:27:07 ( 149 reads ) Source UNITED KINGDOM, August 15, 2013 (BBC): The lives of Burma's (Myanmar's) Tamil minority are in the centre of a 12-part weekly series launching on BBC Tamil radio on Sunday 18 August. "The Tamils Who Stayed Back In The Golden Land" (Thanga Mannil Thangiya Thamizhargal) explores the conditions in which Burma's ethnic Tamils live today and talks about their collective memory, their daily lives and their aspirations for their future in a changing Burma. Burma's ethnic Tamils, whose number is unofficially estimated at half a million, are the descendants of Tamils from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They migrated to Burma during the days of the British Empire and worked in finance and trade as well as agriculture. The end of the British rule in Burma in 1948 led to a decline of the community's fortunes. In the 1960s, in the wake of the military rule, many were forced to leave Burma - but many also stayed back. The BBC Tamil series producer, Swaminathan Natarajan, travelled across the Tamil-speaking areas of Burma, interviewing people from various cross-sections of the society including traders, community leaders, farmers and social activists. Their cultural identity is the focus of the series. Swaminathan says: "All the Hindu temples have a statue of Buddha, and the fact that a lot of ethnic Burmese visit those temples testifies to a high level of integration and tolerance. On the other hand, due to lack of opportunities and economic benefits, there is reluctance among ethnic Tamils to learn their mother tongue. Despite this, many seem to go the extra mile to make sure the new generation doesn't forget the Tamil language." Editor of BBC Tamil, Thirumalai Manivannan, comments: "Having retained their cultural roots, Burma's Tamils also seem to have achieved some success in integration with the mainstream Burmese society. The series looks at how this integration works - and also throws light on the issues affecting this section of the Burmese society and takes a historic look at the vicissitudes of their lives." No comment

Ganapati Brings Western Railway, Central Railway Million-Dollar Boon Posted on 2013/9/23 17:27:00 ( 113 reads ) Source MUMBAI, INDIA, September 21, 2013 (Manthan K. Mehta, TNN): The 10-day Ganapati festival brought a major revenue boost to Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR), with the two collectively earning US$1.6 million more than usual. The suburban railway network saw an average of 430,000 passengers more per day during the just-concluded Ganeshotsav festival. On Monday, September 16, the CR network saw a record-breaking 6.5 million passengers compared to the daily average of 4 million, an increase of 62% in passenger traffic. On the same day, WR saw 4.95 million passengers compared to the daily average of 3.5 million, an increase of 42%. A CR official said the passenger count on September 16 was the highest for a day seen so far on the suburban network. "It surpassed the till-date highest tally of 5.5 million commuters registered on August 20, the day of Rakshabandhan," the official said. "During big festivals like Ganpati, Navratri or Diwali, rail transport is the swiftest as roads are usually clogged," a senior official said. "Many vehicles get caught in traffic jams for hours as the road width gets decreased due to the erection of pandals, thus blocking the smooth flow of traffic. In such a scenario, even non-rail travelers jump on the train to avoid traffic." No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/23 17:26:54 ( 118 reads ) Source They have "Dial-a-Prayer" for atheists now. You call it up, it rings and rings, but nobody answers. No comment

Stolen Yogini Sculpture Returned From Paris Posted on 2013/9/22 18:50:00 ( 249 reads ) Source In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs said Robert Schrimpf, a private art collector in Paris, had acquired the 400-kg stolen sculpture of Vrishanana Yogini, a Goddess with a buffalo-shaped head. After his death, his wife Martine Schrimpf donated it to the Indian Embassy in Paris in 2008.Indian Ambassador Arun Kumar Singh told The Hindu in a telephone interview that the return of the sculpture was "a lengthy and complicated process because permission had to be sought for the artefact to leave France. The French were very cooperative, and the Deity has now returned to India and has safely been handed over to the National Museum." Given that many leading museums abroad still have yogini sculptures stolen from places like Kancheepuram, the return of Vrishanana Yogini is significant, said V. Venu, Director-General of the National Museum. No comment

Indian Chief Priest of Pashupatinath Temple Departs Posted on 2013/9/22 18:50:00 ( 212 reads ) Source KATHMANDU, NEPAL, September 21, 2013 (Niti Central): The Indian chief priest of Nepal's fifth-century Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu submitted his resignation after 21 years of service for personal reasons. Mahabaleshwor Bhatta, who hails from Tamil Nadu, gave his resignation to the Pashupati Area Development Trust, the body that looks after the Hindu temple's affairs. The board of the trust accepted his resignation. The decision was forwarded to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the ultimate authority to approve the resignation, temple authorities said. They said a new chief priest will be appointed from among the temple's four other Indian priests. Bhatta told the temple authorities that he decided to quit as he has to serve his old parents. "I have already served the temple for 21 years and my parents who live in India are getting older so I was required to go to India to serve them," he said. In 2008, Bhatta had resigned from the post during the Maoist-led Government, following controversy after then Prime Minister Prachanda's move to replace him and the other Indian priests with Nepali nationals. However, the decision was withdrawn and Bhatta was reinstated after Hindu groups launched a protest. It is a centuries-old practice to appoint Indian nationals as priests at the Pashupatinath Temple. Bhattas are qualified for the post. No comment

Hindus Celebrate Ganesh Utsav Posted on 2013/9/22 18:46:03 ( 190 reads ) Source TRINIDAD AND TOGAGO, September 19, 2013 (Trinidad Express): Ganesh Utsav, an Indian festival brought to Trinidad and Tobago by indentured laborers more than 150 years ago, was this week celebrated by Hindus throughout the country. The ten-day worship to Lord Ganesh, remover of obstacles, culminated with a procession where Ganesh murtis were immersed in the sea yesterday. Pundit Khemraj Vyas, secretary of the Pundit Parishad, said Lord Ganesh was one of the manifestations of Divinity. "Hinduism preaches that there is only one God and this God takes on many different forms front time to time. Ganesh is one such form. His birth is described as taking place in this particular month," he said. He said a murti of the Hindu God is made out of clay and ceremonies are performed. "Hindus perceive (Lord Ganesh) as the remover of obstacles and the Lord of beginnings. The worship of Lord Ganesh is very important," he said. On the last day of the festival known as "Ananta Chaturdasi" the murtis are paraded through the streets, accompanied by singing and dancing, and then immersed in the ocean or other bodies of water No comment

Colorful Slideshow of Ganesh Festival In India Posted on 2013/9/22 18:45:57 ( 219 reads ) Source MUMBAI, INDIA, September, 2013 (Washington Post): During Ganesh Charturthi, Hindus, whether they live in Mumbai or Hyderabad, bring homes murthis of Lord Ganesha to invoke His Blessings for wisdom and prosperity and good fortune. This year the ten-day festival began September 9 but artisans start working on these elephant-headed deities weeks before and the final touch is given just before the festival begins. These deities are of all size starting from small ones and can reach giant height and are really spectacular. Some deities are so huge that cranes are needed for immersion. This year a 56-feet Ganesha deity was installed in Hyderabad and is being claimed to be the tallest one in the city. Immersion of these deities occurs on the 10th day of the festival in great pomp, joy and dancing and singing the praise of this benevolent God. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/22 18:45:51 ( 189 reads ) Source To the growing soul, to the spirit within us, may not difficulties, obstacles, attacks be a means of growth, added strength, enlarged experience, training for spiritual victory? The arrangement of things may be that, and not a mere question of the pounds, shillings and pence of a distribution of rewards and retributory misfortunes! -- Sri Aurobindo Ghose (1872-1950), Indian philosopher speaking on karma and disasters No comment

Parliament of Religions Stirs up a Hornet's Nest: Limelight on World Without Borders Event in Chicago Posted on 2013/9/21 17:06:00 ( 284 reads ) Source TEXAS, September 18, 2013 (India Herald, by Seshadri Kumar): The 150th birth anniversary celebration of Swami Vivekananda scheduled to be held in Chicago on Sept. 27 and 28 under the banner "World without borders 2013" is in limelight for the wrong reason. Chicago-based Council for World Parliament of Religions has withdrawn its support for the celebration, apparently on the urging of some Muslim and left wing groups.Swami Ramdev is among the invited speakers at this event. The groups such as the Coalition Against Genocide have been accusing Gujarat Chief Miniter Narendra Modi and Vishwa Hindu Parishad in India of committing genocide against Muslims in the state. The executive director of the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions, in an abrupt manner, released a statement withdrawing support to the event. Dr. Mary Nelson, the vice chair of the Board of CPWR, and Executive Director, had issued the following statement: "The council, 501(c)3 organization, is a 120-year-old peace building organization whose mission, like Swami Vivekananda's, is to promote peace and interreligious harmony. We honor Swami Vivekananda and that legacy he left creating interfaith cooperation to build a just, peaceful, and sustainable world. Our organization was not informed that an event we were asked to co-sponsor was also co-sponsored by organizations promoting controversial political positions. While we do honor and promote the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, we respectfully withdraw our name from any co-hosting or co-sponsorship of the "World Without Borders" event and any connection to this event or its other co-sponsors." This announcement is believed to have first appeared in twocircles.net, a website devoted to issues concerning Muslims in India. Dr. Shamkant Sheth, president of the VHP of A, Chicago chapter, said he was shocked and surprised by the announcement as the council did not even directly communicate its decision to the event organizers first. The Chicago chapter of VHP-A has sent a letter to Ms. Nelson: "It is with great regret that I write to you about the withdrawal of CPWR sponsorship from the World Without Borders 2013 event. While this news came to us as a shock, it was even more disconcerting the way we first came to know of this withdrawal - through your website, and, in a maligning press release from another organization. We would have hoped that CPWR would have shown us the common courtesy of informing us before going public with this. "While it is puzzling to us that you decided on this action, we would like to understand the reason for your withdrawal. To quote from the statement on the your website, you said: Our organization was not informed that an event we were asked to co-sponsor was also co-sponsored by organizations promoting controversial political positions. We would like to know which of our cosponsoring organizations that are 'promoting controversial political positions,' and what those 'controversial political positions' are. "Please realize that your unilateral action has done significant and tremendous harm to our cause. Many of our co-sponsors and our own members are wondering what these organizations are, and what political positions they profess. As a US-based nonprofit, religious and cultural organization that is not interested in politics, we ourselves are curious to know the specific reasons for your actions. We hope that you take this matter seriously and reply to us as soon as possible so that we can do damage control before our upcoming event." Meanwhile, Ms. Nelson, responded to an email inquiry from India Herald. Ms. Nelson said: "We appreciate your interest in this matter, which is currently under board consideration. Our processes for sponsorships and affiliations are being revisited and are under review. We look forward to openly sharing this information in the near future. We have no further comments at this time." Ms. Anju Bhargava and Dr. Anantanand Rambachan, members of the board of trustees of the council, have issued a joint statement regarding the World without Borders 2013 and CPWR. "We, Anju Bhargava and Anant Rambachan, found out on September 14th, through media reports, that the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions (CPWR) had withdrawn its participation in a Chicago event World Without Borders, celebrating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. We were not consulted about this decision. Once we found out, we requested an explanation for the Parliament's decision. We have also formally requested the Parliament to reverse its decision to withdraw from co-hosting/co-sponsoring the Chicago event. We are working with Parliament to get this issue resolved harmoniously." Anju Bharagva is a member of President Obama's Inaugural Council on Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, founder of Hindu American Seva Charities, and President of Asian Indian Women in America. Dr. Anantanand Rambachan is Chair and Professor or Religion, Philosophy and Asian Studies at Saint Olaf College, Minnesota, USA. Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid is the Chair of the Board of Trustee of the CPWR. India Herald had raised the following questions with Ms. Nelson: Is it true that your decision was made without a formal consideration of the board of trustees of the Council for the World Parliament of Religions? As stated in your email notification, what are the "controversial political positions" and which organizations are responsible for them? Who told you or how did you come to know about this questionable association of organizations? Do you believe organizations with different political views can agree on honoring Swami Vivekananda? If not, why not? Do you believe your action has strengthened the inter-religious harmony, one of the stated goals of the council? Some Hindus feel that your action supports the anti-Hindus among Muslims. Would you agree? Hindu American Foundation has also sent a formal letter to the CPWR asking for a dialogue and reversal of the decision. Suhag A. Shukla, executive director and legal counsel for HAF, noted in her letter to Ms. Nelson that "It is imperative that CPWR reverse the decision to withdraw as a co-sponsor in order to secure a reputation of being a fair and transparent organization not only promoting inter-religious engagement towards the ends of peace, pluralism, and mutual respect, but functioning in a manner that does the same." "Your statement on behalf of the CPWR, that CPWR reneged on a commitment because organizers of World Without Borders 'promote controversial positions' will be seen as ironic at best, and institutional hypocrisy at worst since CPWR is seen to have capitulated in response to a letter from controversial actors belonging to a manifestly political and highly polarizing web portal," Shukla added. The HAF letter also raised some questions: How does CPWR define "controversial political positions? Is being vehemently opposed to gay marriage controversial? If so, does CPWR avoid attendance or sponsorship with organizations holding such views? What about positions that are anti-Israel or anti-Palestine -- are they controversial, and as such, organizations supportive of either barred from CPWR partnership or support? How about organizations that support separatists movements in other sovereign nations -- are they promoting controversial political positions? If so, will CPWR engage or work with them? "I am left with the impression that an unknown segment of CPWR took what can only be seen as a capricious, unilateral decision without respect for democratic process, and of greater concern, without any regard for the understanding of the Hindu community that Dr. Rambachan and Ms. Bhargava would have provided -- the latter omission violating every core principle of interfaith dialogue, engagement and respect," HAF's letter said. No comment

Indian celebrates Ganesha Birthday in Germany Posted on 2013/9/21 17:05:51 ( 261 reads ) Source HAMBURG,GERMANY September 16, 2013 (Abendlatt): The people in the Harburg suburb of Hamburg were treated on Friday night to an uncommon religious spectacle: 200 Indian men, women and children, along with some Germans, moving in procession through the Harburg Town Hall Square to celebrate the birthday of the Deity Ganesha. Men carried a 30-centimeter (one foot tall) statue of Ganesha on a colorfully decorated palanquin. Almost all the participants were Indians who are employed by the Airbus aircraft plant in Finkenwerder. The celebration of the birthday of Ganesha, a form of the divine in Hinduism, is as significant to Hindus as is the celebration of Christmas for Christians. After the procession in Harburg, Ganesha was taken to the temple of the Afghan Hindu community in Rothenburgsort to continue the birthday celebration. No comment

Sumner County Schools Cuts Out Field Trips To Religious Venues Posted on 2013/9/21 17:05:39 ( 215 reads ) Source TENNESSEE, U.S., September 20, 2013 (Tennessean): Sumner County Schools students will no longer be allowed to take field trips to religious venues after the stepfather of a Hendersonville High School student accused the school of promoting Islam. The issue surfaced when a couple of parents asked about a planned field trip to a mosque and a Hindu temple during the school's back-to-school night, according to parent Mike Conner. Conner said parents raised concerns about the trip because the 36-week world studies course was only going to be visiting the two religious venues. For the past 10 years, Hendersonville High School has offered an honors world studies class in which students spend three weeks learning about Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hindu and Islam. Schools spokesman Jeremy Johnson said the class has visited religious venues in the past, including a Jewish synagogue, a Hindu temple and a mosque. No parents have complained in the past, he said. Conner said he's OK with the students studying five religions, but it became a problem for him when only two venues were visited. Conner's stepdaughter did not take the trip but was allowed to do an alternative assignment. The school system said this week that all trips to religious venues are off. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/21 17:05:31 ( 229 reads ) Source Wealth's Goddess dwells in the hospitable home of those who host guests with a smiling face. -- Tirukkural No comment

Hinduism Today's New Issue Issued On-Line Posted on 2013/9/20 18:00:23 ( 410 reads ) HPI KAUAI, HAWAII, September 20, 2013 (HPI): The October/November/December, 2013, edition of Hinduism's leading spiritual magazine, Hinduism Today, has been released in digital form and is now available for free on your desktop. You can read articles online or download the PDF, ePub or Kindle version and enjoy it on your iPad or other devices. One of the major thrusts of our journalism is to find, explore and then report on groups all over the world who are serving in special ways, or represent authentic traditions. This month we take you to Andra Pradesh where you will meet the Srouta Saivites, dedicated followers of what they call "Vedic Saivism." This fellowship is exemplary in its preservation of the ancient rites and initiations, sadhanas and philosophical purity of the faith. We were allowed the rare privilege of attending their sacred dikshas, and we show you their Lingadharana initiation as well as their daily worship of the Sivalingam they carry on their body every hour of every day of their life. When the young Nepalese learned that their beloved trees on Kathmandu's King Road were about to be chainsawed down for the road to be widened, they leaped into action to stop it the destruction. How? By visiting the trees each day in small groups, worshiping them, decorating them and burning incense at the base of the trunk. Basically, they made thousands of mature trees into shrines, and who wants to cut down a holy tree? So far, it's working, but the government is also determined. Read about the struggle in this issue. Caring for aging parents is a hardship with few equals. But it is the highest dharma, and many Hindus are resisting the modern pressure to put their parents into homes where strangers care for them. For 19 years Damara Shanmugan has been looking after her mother, who just turned 94. Her experience can help us all to face this inevitable phase of life with wit, wisdom and acceptance. Our publisher, Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami, knows that families struggle to keep a shared religious interest, and he directs us to empower the home shrine by consciously connecting it to the local temple. He tells us, step by step, just how that is done. A great resource for families who want to walk the path together and create a strong Hindu home. In each issue we offer an educational Insight section which explains some aspect of our faith. This time we present two topics. First we discuss in detail the customs surrounding the culture of hospitality for which Hindus are rightfully renowned; then we take you on a journey--Mark Twain's 1896 journey to India. The article shares this literary genius's rare gift for humor, hyperbole and trenchant truth-telling. You will laugh aloud in reading of his stage talks to the Indian public, for which the entrance fee was one rupee! Next we examine the historical impact Mahatma Gandhi has had on nations worldwide. His example not only drove the British back to their islands, it drew four modern exemplars to his feet and to his ashram, men and women who changed their own nations using Gandhi's profound principles of ahimsa and civil disobedience. Learn more about how Gandhi inspired Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Cesar Chavez and Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma. We seldom speak about ourselves in Hinduism Today, but in this issue we proudly record the short tale of our own Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami's opening prayer given before the United States House of Representatives in Washington, DC, on June 4th of this year. Very rarely is a non-Christian given this honor. We present in full the brief message Bodhinatha gave to this noble assembly. There's more, of course: a paradigm-shifting cartoon, a story of caste and gender struggles in Kerala, a Texas mayor's insightful description of Hindus in his community, a 17-year-old boy's reflections on the importance of preserving tradition and a handful of surprises found in our quotes and letters. It's all there in the current issue of Hinduism Today, where you go to stay in touch with Sanatana Dharma. In print and online. No comment

Hindu Mandir Executive's Conference in Session in Toronto Live Streamed Posted on 2013/9/20 18:00:12 ( 243 reads ) Source TORONTO, CANADA, September 20, 2013 (Press Release): "For all that are not able to make it to our conference, we will be live streaming all activities throughout the weekend. Please visit http://ustre.am/FRhn to watch the conference from the comfort of your own home. All activities will be recorded and posted on youtube after the conference." For more on the conference, visit "source" above. The keynote presentation of Hinduism Today's editor, Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami, can be seen at 35:30 through 1:06 of "Part 2" of the videos. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/20 18:00:01 ( 223 reads ) Source The food of the soul is silence. If we don't practice silence, we are starving ourselves. -- Dada J.P. Vaswani, spiritual head of Sadhu Vaswani mission No comment

US$8 Million In Projects Approved For Nashik Ahead Of Kumbh Mela Posted on 2013/9/17 18:41:28 ( 316 reads ) Source INDIA, July 28, 2013 (The Hindu): Projects worth approx. US$8 million have been sanctioned under the tourism development program in view of the Kumbh Mela scheduled at Nashik in 2015, the Maharashtra Government has said. To prevent incidents of landslides at the famous Saptshrungi temple at Nanduri near Nashik, the work for rock fall protection at the cost of US$3.6 million will be started soon, state PWD and Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal told reporters here. Also, a skywalk would be constructed in Nanduri at a cost of US$1.3 million. A US$1.9 million project to install a ropeway from Saptshrungi temple to Markendeya hill will also be taken up before the mega event, he said, adding that a road linking Shivalaya lake, its renovation and beautification of the area will be done at the cost of US$863,000. Construction works on various ring roads, linking national as well as state highways of 289 miles, costing US$85 million, were also sanctioned by the State Government, which included four-laning of the road from Nashik to the pilgrimage town of Trimbakeshwar and Sinnar to Shirdi, he said. An additional building at Nashik rest house (Government Circuit House) will be constructed within a year at a cost of US$1.2 million, where suites for VIPs and the general public will be built. The present circuit house at Trimbakeshwar would also be developed by building suites for VVIPs, general public, and other amenities at a cost of US$1.2 million, the minister added. No comment

Hindu Trustees of Parliament of the World's Religions Issue Statement Posted on 2013/9/17 18:41:22 ( 353 reads ) HPI USA, September 17, 2013 (Press Release): The following statement was sent out jointly signed by Anant Rambachan (rambacha@stolaf.edu) and Anju Bhargava (anju@hinduamericanseva.org), both trustees of the Parliament: "We, Anju Bhargava and Anant Rambachan, found out on September 14th, through media reports, that the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions (CPWR) had withdrawn its participation in a Chicago event 'World Without Borders,' celebrating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. We were not consulted about this decision. Once we found out, we requested an explanation for the Parliament's decision. We have also formally requested the Parliament to reverse its decision to withdraw from co-hosting/co-sponsoring the Chicago event. We are working with Parliament to get this issue resolved harmoniously." No comment

Someshwara Temple To Shine Soon Posted on 2013/9/17 18:41:15 ( 321 reads ) Source ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA, September 16, 2013 (The Hindu): The historical Chaya Someshwara Swamy temple located at Panagal is all set to get a new look very soon as the Department of Archaeology and Museums is preparing to provide chemical treatment to the temple walls to remove fungus. Speaking to The Hindu over the phone, Assistant Chemist K. Rambabu, who is entrusted with preparing the proposals for the prestigious project, said the temple chairman G. Ananta Reddy approached many times asking them to provide chemical treatment to the temple. Saying that the estimated cost of the project is about US$15,800, the Assistant Chemist said he will submit the proposals to the director on September 16. Once the director approves the project and sanctions funds, they will start the work of treating 3,400 square meter long walls which is expected to take three months time, Mr. Rambabu said. He said the Archaeology and Museums Department does not allow painting of walls built of rock as it mars the natural sheen of the temple. As Chaya Someshwara Swamy temple was built by Kundur Cholas who ruled Nalgonda, Khammam and Mahabubnagar districts between 1040 AD and 1290 AD, Mr. Rambabu said the temple walls were painted many a times by various successive kings. Due to lack of regular maintenance over the years, the walls have gathered fungus. No comment

Most And Least Hindu Cities in America Posted on 2013/9/17 18:41:03 ( 409 reads ) Source UNITED STATES, December 5, 2012 (Huffington Post): (HPI Note: This study counts only Hindus who identify as part of a local temple congregation. It is not based on the actual population of Hindus or Indian-Americans in a specific area, and may not even accurately count Hindus connected with a temple. See http://www.rcms2010.org/images/2010_U ... ion_Census_Appendix_G.pdf for an interesting description of the methodology.) A study measuring religious bodies in the United States called the, "2010 U.S. Religious Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study (RCMS)" was recently released by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies (ASARB). The most comprehensive study of its kind, it provides detailed county by county information on congregations, members, adherents and attendance for 236 different faiths groups. (The survey differentiates between specific denominations within the same tradition.) According to the study, close to 80 percent of Hindu congregations are located in metropolitan areas with population greater than a million. Of these metro areas, the researchers found San Jose to be the most Hindu city with approximately 2.5 percent identifying as a Hindu adherent. The researchers found the greater area of Baltimore, MD to be the least Hindu city with only 0.003 percent identifying as a Hindu adherent. The researchers define adherents to be those with an affiliation to a congregation including children, members and attendees who are not members, and believe that the adherent measure is the most complete and comparable across religious groups. Congregations are defined as groups of people who meet regularly at a pre-announced time and location. Approximately 641,200 Hindu adherents and 1,625 congregations were reported across the country. With more than 80,000 Hindu adherents, the greater area of New York, NY-NJ-PA reported the highest number of Hindu adherents, whereas the greater area of Baltimore, MD reported the lowest -- only 71 identified as Hindu adherents. Similarly, with 195 congregations, the greater area of New York, NY-NJ-PA reported the highest number of congregations in a million-plus metropolitan area, whereas the greater area of Providence, RI-MA reported the lowest with just three Hindu congregations. Only 416 counties across the country reported the presence of Hindu adherents, and most Hindu adherents in the United States live near the East Coast or the West Coast. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/17 18:40:56 ( 334 reads ) Source Lord Siva, the bestower of happiness, gave the art of yoga. As Nataraja, King of dancers, He gave dance. -- BKS Iyengar No comment

Abused Hindu Goddesses Recall Violence Against Women Posted on 2013/9/16 18:41:11 ( 373 reads ) Source INDIA, September 2013,By Richard S Enrlich (RNS): A new public campaign in India uses powerful images of three Hindu goddesses with bruised faces to raise awareness about violence against women. The ad campaign is titled "Abused Goddesses" and portrays the beaten faces of three Hindu female deities: Saraswati, Durga and Lakshmi [not with paintings, but with real models]. "Today more than 68 percent of women in India are victims of domestic violence," the caption reads. "Tomorrow it seems like no woman shall be spared. Not even the ones we pray to," the posters say. "Pray that we never see this day." The ads were created to raise funds for Save Our Sisters, an initiative of Save the Children India that "works to prevent the trafficking of young girls and women for purposes of commercial sexual exploitation," according to the organization's website. "SOS also works as an advocacy group that sensitizes stakeholders such as the police, magistrates, tourism boards, and other government officials." No comment

13 Priests for Britz Hindu Temple in Berlin Posted on 2013/9/16 18:41:04 ( 375 reads ) Source BERLIN, GERMANY, September 3, 2013 (Berliner Zeitung): The temple room is sumptuously decorated, but it's not all finished. Nevertheless Berlin's first Hindu temple will be opened this weekend with a two-day ceremony. High priests from India are officiating. Visitors are invited. On Saturday, Berlin's first temple is scheduled to open, and it looks as if the construction work could go on for months. The floor is not tiled, the shrines are unfinished. But Nadarajah Thiagaraja remains calm. The chairman of the Mahasabhai Association says that the temple was built with the blessing of the Gods and the opening date has been determined by a high priest according to the lunar calendar. In the basement the statues of the Gods are waiting, as well as dried herbs, spices and endless packs of incense. This weekend the 600 members of the Hindu Mahasabhai Association will open their Sri Mayurapathy Murugan temple in the Britz suburb of Berlin. It is Berlin's first free-standing temple. It is topped by with two towers, nine and eleven meters tall. It is about 200 square meters, with a richly decorated temple room containing seven shines. A two-day ceremony will be performed by two chief priests with eleven assistant priests. "God is asked to enter the temple and to give it divine energy. It's like the birth of a child," says Sivanese Kurukal, one of the chief priests. [HPI adds: Tamil language videos of the temple construction can be seen at Mayurapathy Murugan Berlin YouTube channel, for example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-Tpu4MdcuM.] No comment

Spain inaugurates Ayuryogam Newsletter Posted on 2013/9/16 18:40:57 ( 300 reads ) Source SANTO DOMINGO, SPAIN, September 14, 2013(Listin Diario): A monthly Spanish language newsletter with interesting new health and education issues begins circulation today. It's called the Ayuryogam newsletter and according to its author and editor in chief, Swami Rajarishishiva, the newsletter "aims to establish effective communication with people, guide them and give them confidence in the themes and philosophy we preach." The yoga guru directs the Indian Institute of Yoga Science which promotes the teaching of yoga, ayurveda medicine and cuisine as well as other ancient Indian knowledge. "The Ayuryogam newsletter is a promotion for the institute's activities, but also a space for topics like Vedic philosophy, ancient knowledge, ayurveda, yoga, science, medicine, tourism and more, most of them written by Swami," says Marcelle D'Alessandro, translator, designer and co-editor of the material. The inauguration ceremony will take place from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Room Pedro Mir at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD). No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/16 18:40:46 ( 260 reads ) Source Life is meant for God-realization. If you die without attaining God-realization, your life is in vain. Even having one hundred gurus will not help, unless the disciple has a great desire for liberation and tries to get rid of all that stands in the way. -- Swami Chidananda (1916-2008), President of Divine Life Society No comment

World's Religions Parliament Withdraws from VHP of America's Program Honoring Swami Vivekananda Posted on 2013/9/15 16:10:00 ( 1061 reads ) Source CHICAGO, USA, September 13, 2013 (TCN): (HPI Note: This startling turn of events was announced on twocircles.net, a website reporting on issues of concern to Muslims in India. The withdrawal was done without consulting the Hindu members of the Parliament's board of directors.) American branch of right-wing Hindutva group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) suffered a major setback today when a respectable interfaith organization the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions (CPWR) decided to withdraw from the event that VHPA was organizing in Chicago. VHPA is holding event marking 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanda which will feature Baba Ramdev as the chief guest (see here). It is "co-hosted" by many Hindu organizations based in the USA. Air India is also listed as one of the co-host. 120-year old CPWR is the organization that invited Swami Vivekanda to Chicago in1893. In a statement issued today [see here, issued by Mary Nelson, CPWR's Executive Director] CPWR said: "We honor Swami Vivekananda and that legacy he left creating interfaith cooperation to build a just, peaceful, and sustainable world. Our organization was not informed that an event we were asked to co-sponsor was also co-sponsored by organizations promoting controversial political positions. While we do honor and promote the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, we respectfully withdraw our name from any co-hosting or co-sponsorship of the 'World Without Borders' event and any connection to this event or its other co-sponsors." Coalition Against Genocide (CAG) [see here for a list of members--it is mostly comprised of Muslim, leftist and Christian groups] has welcome the move by the CPWR to disassociate itself VHPA's event. "Hindutva extremists are exploiting Swami Vivekananda's name to surreptitiously gain credibility and respectability in the US. On the one hand the VHP is fanning the flames of currently raging sectarian violence in Muzaffarnagar in India through virulent anti-minority propaganda and on the other its followers in the US are trying to project Hindu supremacist ideology of Hindutva as pluralistic," said Dr. Shaik Ubaid, a spokesperson for CAG. "This incident exemplifies attempts by Hindutva organizations to legitimize their virulent politics by appropriating the legacies of important historical personalities such as Swami Vivekananda," said Dr. Raja Swamy, also a CAG spokesperson . "These have gone largely unnoticed and unchallenged until now mostly due to the general lack of understanding on the part of US institutions of the divisive and violent agenda of Hindutva groups in India," Dr. Swamy added. No comment

After 86 Days, Prayers Resume At Kedarnath Temple Posted on 2013/9/15 16:09:15 ( 360 reads ) Source INDIA, September 12, 2013 (ddinews): The deathly silence brooding over Kedarnath since the June calamity hit Uttarakhand broke early Wednesday morning by the chanting of Vedic hymns as prayers resumed at the Himalayan shrine, 86 days after ravaging floods left over 400 people dead in the Kedar valley. Shortly after the dawn, as the clock stuck seven, the chief priest of the 6th century shrine, Rawal Bhima Shankar Ling Shivacharya, unlocked the portals of the temple and stepped into the sanctum-sanctorum to perform the puja. The prayers commenced today on Sarwartha Siddi Yog, considered to be auspicious. The Puja began with a shuddhikaran (purification) of the temple and prayashchitikaran (atonement for prolonged suspension of prayers at the shrine). The chief priest was accompanied by a large number of teeth purohits and Badrinath Kedarnath Samiti officials. The shrine reverberated with the collective recitals of Vedic hymns and blowing of conch shells. However, the resumption of prayers at the 13,500 ft-high shrine is of limited nature, as no pilgrim is being allowed right now to visit the temple [because the access trail was so heavily damaged]. A meeting is scheduled to be held on September 30 to decide the date for resumption of Yatra to the famed Himalayan temple. No comment

Altare, "Capital" of the Hindus of Italy Posted on 2013/9/15 16:09:08 ( 393 reads ) Source ITALY, September 9, 2013 (La Stampa by Luca Maragliano): A corner of India is very close to Altare. That's the impression that you had yesterday, along the stretch of road that leads from the village in the locality Pellegrino, where stands the Gitananda Ashram; the most famous Hindu monastery of Italy and Europe. Yesterday the Ashram hosted the annual festival dedicated to the God Ganesh, the anniversary most heartfelt and loved by all Hindus, not only in India but all over the world. The event this year also received the patronage of the Region, the Province and the Municipality of Altare. And the faithful pilgrims were more than a thousand, as planned by the organizers, from all over the North of Italy that began arriving at the place of worship nestled in the woods, from the early hours of the morning: thirteen coaches, from Milan, Vicenza, Modena and many other cities, and parked in the parking lot of Vispa, not to mention the dozens and dozens of cars and campers parked along the road. "We are delighted to be here together today to celebrate Ganesh," said Swami Yogananda Giri, founder and spiritual leader of the temple - "and we thank the communities that have come to share with us this day." So many nationalities, in fact, were represented yesterday (such as those in Sri Lanka and Mauritius, that in the morning they received the telephone greetings from the Minister for Integration Cecile Kyenge. "I am pleased to greet all those present at the monastery" - Minister Kyenge said in his speech, "and take this occasion also to remember the recent agreement between the State and the Italian Hindu Union, because I believe that in Europe today there is another community that has yet to receive such recognition. A victory of all institutions. " Founded in 1984 as a place of prayer and study of the Hindu tradition, the Ashram of Altare has slowly grown until arriving today to be considered one of the largest in Europe.

Three Months After Floods, Cries For Help Echo In Uttarakhand Posted on 2013/9/24 18:24:13 ( 119 reads ) Source KEDARNATH, INDIA, September 23, 2013 (Times Of India): More than three months after flash floods, landslides and rain destroyed large parts of Uttarakhand the tortuous exercise of rebuilding shattered lives is on. The immediate task of evacuating thousands of pilgrims and tourists is over. But the residents suffer, each day a grim battle to tackle the fallout of a loss of a way of life and livelihoods. The government has just about scratched the surface of the problem. The task of reconstruction is uphill. Roads have vanished. The topography has changed. Rivers have altered course. Rain and landslides hobble operations and worse, winter is approaching. Tourism, once Uttarakhand's backbone, doesn't exist anymore. A case in point is the Kedar Valley of Rudraprayag district. Many families here no longer have homes. Their farmlands no longer exist. The pilgrimage circuit, once a money spinner that helped them to sustain the year is history. Hotels, shops and eateries are in ruins. "We are finished, at Kedarbaba's mercy," Chait Singh, who is in his eighties, says. Flood waters took away his godown and shop at Sonprayag, 15.5 miles from Kedarnath. Sonprayag, on the banks of the Mandakini, is a picture of devastation. Abandoned cars litter the roads, most of them damaged, full of sand and debris. The losses are enormous. The total number affected stands at several hundred thousand, chief secretary Subhash Kumar says. He names Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Pithoragarh as the worst-hit. Chief minister Vijay Bahugana concedes a complete recovery will take years and nearly US$2.2 billion. The government is setting up pre-fabricated houses in 19 places. These should last for over 20 years. Bahugana adds the state doesn't have the means to compensate for the damages fully. "We are doing our best, but can't compensate the entire (Kedar) Valley for their loss. Our effort is to provide relief." It's the yatra -- rather the suspension of it -- that's proving the biggest hurdle. Puja resumed at Kedarnath on September 11, but the temple town is nowhere near ready for pilgrims. The temple town's infrastructure was smashed on June 16 and June 17. Many bodies are still buried under the rubble that covers the town. No comment

Hindus Clean Up Rockaway Sanctuary After Water Rites Posted on 2013/9/24 18:24:06 ( 109 reads ) Source NEW YORK, U.S., September 23, 2013 (Times Ledger): Although Queens residents of all stripes are guilty of littering or dumping in Jamaica Bay, Hindu religious rites get some blame for some of the more visible debris. The Hindu rite of Ganga Pooja involves making an offering into a body of water as a way of cleansing one's sins. Unfortunately, not all of these materials used in the offerings are biodegradable. Fabric outfits, plastic statues (murthis), aluminum pans and Styrofoam wash up on the beaches and nature preserves along Rockaway's coastline. On Aug. 31, a group of conservation-minded Hindus, in conjunction with the Rockaway Waterfront Alliance, decided to pitch in by cleaning up the Dubos Point Wildlife Sanctuary in Rockaway. Sadhana, a Coalition of Progressive Hindus is an advocacy group based around the city that tries to advocate a socially conscious, progressive agenda, focusing on inserting tolerance, inclusiveness, non-violence (ahimsa) and faith in action (sadhana) into Hindu and interfaith discourse. As such, activities such as beach cleanups promote awareness of the moral imperative to care for the environment and promote greener practices in worship. In response to the problem of debris at local beaches, Sadhana launched an environmental initiative known as Project Prithvi. As Sadhana founding member Aminta Kilawan explained, Project Prithvi "aims to protect both tradition and the environment in a way that benefits society at large." Efforts to establish a designated site for religious rites has been met with silence from the city Parks Department, and Kilawan said that "in the past, city parks officials have been quick to close off the beach, post signs and even issue fines to put a stop to any water offerings." She pointed out that this leads Hindus to dispose of the materials secretly in Jamaica Bay, which is close to Richmond Hill and Ozone Park. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/24 18:24:00 ( 103 reads ) Source "Following the path of knowledge without love and devotion is like eating stones." -- Mata Amritanandamayi No comment

BBC Tamil Radio Series Tells the Story of Burma's Tamils Posted on 2013/9/23 17:27:07 ( 255 reads ) Source UNITED KINGDOM, August 15, 2013 (BBC): The lives of Burma's (Myanmar's) Tamil minority are in the centre of a 12-part weekly series launching on BBC Tamil radio on Sunday 18 August. "The Tamils Who Stayed Back In The Golden Land" (Thanga Mannil Thangiya Thamizhargal) explores the conditions in which Burma's ethnic Tamils live today and talks about their collective memory, their daily lives and their aspirations for their future in a changing Burma. Burma's ethnic Tamils, whose number is unofficially estimated at half a million, are the descendants of Tamils from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They migrated to Burma during the days of the British Empire and worked in finance and trade as well as agriculture. The end of the British rule in Burma in 1948 led to a decline of the community's fortunes. In the 1960s, in the wake of the military rule, many were forced to leave Burma - but many also stayed back. The BBC Tamil series producer, Swaminathan Natarajan, travelled across the Tamil-speaking areas of Burma, interviewing people from various cross-sections of the society including traders, community leaders, farmers and social activists. Their cultural identity is the focus of the series. Swaminathan says: "All the Hindu temples have a statue of Buddha, and the fact that a lot of ethnic Burmese visit those temples testifies to a high level of integration and tolerance. On the other hand, due to lack of opportunities and economic benefits, there is reluctance among ethnic Tamils to learn their mother tongue. Despite this, many seem to go the extra mile to make sure the new generation doesn't forget the Tamil language." Editor of BBC Tamil, Thirumalai Manivannan, comments: "Having retained their cultural roots, Burma's Tamils also seem to have achieved some success in integration with the mainstream Burmese society. The series looks at how this integration works - and also throws light on the issues affecting this section of the Burmese society and takes a historic look at the vicissitudes of their lives." No comment

Ganapati Brings Western Railway, Central Railway Million-Dollar Boon Posted on 2013/9/23 17:27:00 ( 184 reads ) Source MUMBAI, INDIA, September 21, 2013 (Manthan K. Mehta, TNN): The 10-day Ganapati festival brought a major revenue boost to Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR), with the two collectively earning US$1.6 million more than usual. The suburban railway network saw an average of 430,000 passengers more per day during the just-concluded Ganeshotsav festival. On Monday, September 16, the CR network saw a record-breaking 6.5 million passengers compared to the daily average of 4 million, an increase of 62% in passenger traffic. On the same day, WR saw 4.95 million passengers compared to the daily average of 3.5 million, an increase of 42%. A CR official said the passenger count on September 16 was the highest for a day seen so far on the suburban network. "It surpassed the till-date highest tally of 5.5 million commuters registered on August 20, the day of Rakshabandhan," the official said. "During big festivals like Ganpati, Navratri or Diwali, rail transport is the swiftest as roads are usually clogged," a senior official said. "Many vehicles get caught in traffic jams for hours as the road width gets decreased due to the erection of pandals, thus blocking the smooth flow of traffic. In such a scenario, even non-rail travelers jump on the train to avoid traffic." No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2013/9/23 17:26:54 ( 188 reads ) Source They have "Dial-a-Prayer" for atheists now. You call it up, it rings and rings, but nobody answers. No comment

Stolen Yogini Sculpture Returned From Paris Posted on 2013/9/22 18:50:00 ( 313 reads ) Source In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs said Robert Schrimpf, a private art collector in Paris, had acquired the 400-kg stolen sculpture of Vrishanana Yogini, a Goddess with a buffalo-shaped head. After his death, his wife Martine Schrimpf donated it to the Indian Embassy in Paris in 2008.Indian Ambassador Arun Kumar Singh told The Hindu in a telephone interview that the return of the sculpture was "a lengthy and complicated process because permission had to be sought for the artefact to leave France. The French were very cooperative, and the Deity has now returned to India and has safely been handed over to the National Museum." Given that many leading museums abroad still have yogini sculptures stolen from places like Kancheepuram, the return of Vrishanana Yogini is significant, said V. Venu, Director-General of the National Museum. No comment

 

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(Continued...) 

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