News from Hindu Press International
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Posted on 2013/10/23 18:09:21 ( 235 reads )
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LEICESTER, ENGLAND, October 21, 2013 (Leicester Mercury): One of the most
spectacular and colorful celebrations in Leicester kicked off tonight, as
thousands of light bulbs illuminated the Golden Mile to mark the start of
Diwali.
Tens of thousands of people cheered and celebrated the switch-on, which
marks the beginning of the religious festival of lights but has become an
annual party for all Leicester's communities.
The party started in Belgrave Road at 5.30pm and was due to carry on until
gone 11pm with dancing, Indian drumming groups, a lantern procession and an
elaborate shadow play with fireworks.
The entire length of the Golden Mile was closed to traffic and shops stayed
open late while revelers of all ages and cultures strolled up and down the
street, many waving glow sticks or playing with "fun snaps" --
tiny fireworks that pop when thrown on the ground.
This year the big finale was a performance of the touring stage show
Spellbound on Cossington Street Recreation Ground, which featured dancers from
Leicester taking part in a show that has toured Mela events and Diwali
celebrations in Edinburgh, Belfast, Manchester and London. There will be
more celebrations along the Golden Mile on Sunday, November 3, to mark
Diwali Day.
(Slideshow is included in article)
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Posted on 2013/10/23 18:09:14 ( 223 reads )
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BELGIUM, October 13, 2013 (Huffington Post): Over the coming months Belgium
will be the focal point for Europalia India, a major festival celebrating
aspects of Indian culture, art and history.
Europalia runs until January 26, 2014, focusing on seven key themes; the
diaspora, living traditions, India tomorrow, Indomania, the body, Bollywood
and beyond, and water. These topics will be explored in exhibitions,
workshops, meetings and performances by dancers and musicians.
Around 150 venues will stage events across the main host nation and in
neighboring countries. The current celebration of India is the 23rd
Europalia festival. The first took place back in 1969. Recent editions have
celebrated the heritage and cultures of Russia, China and Brazil, each
drawing around a million visitors and in excess of 1,000 artists from those
countries to Belgium.
A broad range of disciplines -- including architecture, gastronomy, fashion
and cinema -- are represented at the current Europalia, which is the
culmination of nearly three years of collaboration and preparation between
global experts and leading institutions, including museums, galleries and
universities.
The National Museum of Delhi is lending more than 100 miniature paintings,
depicting scenes from the Ramayana. They will be on display at the
Cinquantenaire Museum, in Brussels, from November 22 until 18 May 2014.
Brussels' Centre for Fine Arts - known locally simply as the Bozar, from
the term 'Beaux-arts' - is hosting two major exhibitions (The Body in
Indian Art and Indomania: From Rembrandt to the Beatles), 20 subsidiary
shows plus a range of literary, cinematic, performing arts and musical
events. The Europalia website provides a full list the festival's events,
performances and exhibitions.
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Posted on 2013/10/23 18:09:07 ( 219 reads )
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Joys and sorrows are time-born and cannot last. Therefore, do not be
perturbed by these. The greater the difficulties and obstructions, the more
intense will be your endeavor to cling to His feet and the more will your
prayer increase from within. And when the time is ripe, you will gain
mastery over this power.
-- Anandamayi Ma (1896-1982), God-intoxicated Bengali saint
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Posted on 2013/10/22 18:20:00 ( 461 reads )
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Press Release
SRINGERI, INDIA, October 13, 2013: The following proclamation was issued
today by Sri Jagadguru Sri Bharati Teertha Mahaswami, Sri Sri Jagadguru
Sankaracarya Organization, Southern Vedic Seat, Sringeri, to honor Sri
Yegnasubramanian of New Jersey, long a key leader of the Hindu community in
America. He was awarded the rare title of Dharmatma.
"Leading with our thoughts on Lord Narayana, may these blessings shine
forth in the matter of our dearest student, Sri Yegnasubramanian. You, from
a young age, having placed faith and devotion in matters of Dharma, Guru
and the Devi, have been engaged in the path of honored believers. Living in
America for a very long time, you have undertaken there the special task of
propagating the Sanatana Dharma. You have distinctly pleased us by your
multifaceted help in establishing branches of Sri Sringeri Mutts in both
America and Canada. By organizing Vedic Conferences, by the honoring the
Vedic scholars, by constructing many temples and by rejuvenating old ones,
etc., by propagating the message of the Bhagavadgita all over, by
protecting thousands of cows, by performing great sacrifices like the
Ati-Rudra MahAyajna, etc., the not-so-ordinary tasks undertaken by you are
worthy of ongoing praise. Having placed great devotion in the lineage of
Sri Sringeri Sharada Pitha, you have given unparalleled service. Having
seen your exemplary qualities, being always inwardly pleased, we
congratulate and honor you with the title: Dharmatma. Being so celebrated
by the title, we wish that you along with your family and friends be the
recipients of great merit and recurring good fortune by the grace of Sri
Sharada and Sri Chandramouleeshwara. Given this 9th day of the bright half
of Ashvina in the year Vijaya."
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Posted on 2013/10/22 18:11:57 ( 343 reads )
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, October 21, 2013(Los Angeles Times): Two thousand
Hindu Indians converged at the Anaheim Convention Center for Southern
California's largest celebration of Navratri, an ancient tradition
stretching nine days. Indians of all ages arrived in their finest clothing:
silk saris, mirrored beads and embroidered scarfs. Prakash Vyas, a
27-year-old graduate student joined in as they gathered on the arena floor
barefoot and danced in coordinated circles around portraits of the Goddess
looking down from the center of the room. It was a festive, hypnotic-like
ritual that went on for hours.
The event is organized by the International Swaminarayan Satsang
Organization's temple in Norwalk. It started 35 years ago with a few
hundred people in a church auditorium. Today, it goes on for three
consecutive weekends at the convention center and draws more than 7,000
people. It is a grand social gala, a place to connect with old friends, to
laugh and dance endlessly--potentially, even, to find a suitor. Most of the
Indians who celebrate Navratri at the convention center are from Gujarat, a
state in the northwest coast of India. They are families who have known
each other for decades. In recent years, the event has evolved and become
more influenced by Western culture. The band will play a bit of salsa or
the Macarena.
More non-Indians have also begun to show up at the dance, often invited by
Indian friends. They arrive decked in borrowed saris, mesmerized by the
pageantry. Andrew Fuller, a 46-year-old production manager from Newport
Beach, attended his first garba four years ago. He hasn't missed one since."I
was amazed," he said, his plaid blue and white button-up shirt and
jeans standing out in a sea of silk and vibrant colors. "The energy,
the kindness, the openness. They welcomed me from the start and showed me
how to dance."
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Posted on 2013/10/22 18:11:51 ( 319 reads )
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SCOTLAND, October 19, 2013 (Edinburgh News): Around 5,000 people are
expected to watch 30-foot effigies of the demons Ravana, his brother
Kumbhakarna and son Meghnad burn on Calton Hill during the Hindu festival
of Dusherra.
Now in its 19th year, the event tomorrow is one of the largest free
independent festivals in Scotland. It has been expanded from a parade
through the city streets to include a day of family-friendly activities
designed to integrate Edinburgh's Scottish and Indian communities.
Festivities will kick off at 3:00 pm at the top of Calton Hill, with a host
of dance acts, including the Edinburgh Bhangra Crew and the Scottish
Stepdance Company. Children's activities will run alongside the
performances, with storytelling sessions, mask-making and facepainting on
offer to keep the little ones amused, while also teaching them about the
traditions of Dusherra.
Karthik Subramanya, president of the Scottish Indian Arts Forum, which
organizes the festival, says: "When all we had was a parade going
through the center of Edinburgh, people just stood and waved at us, which
was great, but they didn't get involved with the Indian culture. Now they
can spend some time doing that, with the range of activities we have on
offer, and kids can get involved with some culture and arts. This works
better for everyone."
The event costs around US$24,000 to stage, and currently receives sponsorship
from Scottish Hydro and Edinburgh City Council in order to keep it free.
"We have people from all over Scotland and even the north of England
coming to the festival," says Karthik. "It's the only event of
its kind in Scotland and we are fighting desperately to keep it free
because essentially this festival was started to integrate the Scottish and
Indian communities.
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Posted on 2013/10/22 18:11:38 ( 349 reads )
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Water is sufficient to cleanse the body, but truthfulness alone can purify
the mind.
-- Tirukkural 298
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Posted on 2013/10/21 18:15:36 ( 372 reads )
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WASHINGTON D.C., October 19, 2013 (Huffington Post): The "Yoga: The
Art of Transformation" exhibition at the Smithsonian Sackler Gallery
in Washington D.C. will run from October 19th to January 26th. Its opening
was delayed due to the government shutdown, but now things are back on
track at the Freer and Sackler Galleries.
"This exhibition looks at yoga's ancient roots, and how people have
been trying to master body and spirit for millennia," said Julian
Raby, The Dame Jillian Sackler Director of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
and Freer Gallery of Art in the press release. "By applying new
scholarship to both rarely seen artworks and recognized masterpieces, we're
able to shed light on practices that evolved over time--from yoga's ancient
origins to its more modern emergence in India, which set the stage for
today's global phenomenon."
The exhibition will feature over 130 objects from 25 museums and private
collections in India, Europe, and the U.S.
Curator Deb Diamond said, "We're excited about "Yoga: The Art of
Transformation" because it brings together amazing works (created over
some two millennium) and new scholarship. Yoga is a household word the
world over, but scholars have not holistically explored its visual culture
before; visual culture provides new insights so we think exhibition will
delight and inform broad audiences."
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Posted on 2013/10/21 18:15:30 ( 310 reads )
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LAGOS, NIGERIA, October 19, 2013 (The Guardian): Indians hwew recently
celebrated the Silver Jubilee of Ganesh Chaturthi, a popular Hindu festival
in Lagos. The 10-day celebration was organised by Maharashtra Mandal, Lagos
and Hindu Mandir Foundation.
Ganesha's birthday marks the beginning of 10 days of festivities and
devotion for the annual Ganesh Chaturthi festival. As one of the most
celebrated Hindu festivals observed throughout India, as well as by
devotees in all parts of the world, the Ganesh festival holds a special
place in the hearts of Indian expatriates and devotees in Lagos.
The first day of the celebrations at the Geeta Mandir, Palm Grove, Ilupeju,
Lagos, saw hundreds of Indian in a procession of Lord Ganesh amidst much
fanfare, melodious chanting thereby adding color and festivity to the
auspicious occasion. In the evening of the same day also, devotees gathered
for the aartis (prayers) and attended this splendid festival in large
numbers.
Also, the Lagos Maharashtra Mandal brought in cultural artistes from Mumbai
who performed at the occasion besides other religious programmes.
Ganesh festival engendered family reunion among friends. Throughout the
festival days, there were hordes of devotees from different religions other
than Hindus, to worship and pay obeisance to the "most loved God of
Wisdom."
He is worshipped first in prayers and his names are repeated first before
any auspicious work begins. Lord Ganesh is also known as the "Remover
of Obstacles" and deserves the initial place of honor at almost every
festive occasion, be it a wedding, to start a business or a housewarming
ceremony.
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Posted on 2013/10/21 18:15:23 ( 334 reads )
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It is very important to give light and love to everyone, because everyone
needs affection. Let light, love and peace live today and always in our
hearts. Let these words not just be words pouring out of our lips. Let
light invade your whole being so that everyone may be able to love.
-- Mataji Indra Devi
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Posted on 2013/10/20 18:01:10 ( 356 reads )
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INDIA, October 18, 2013 (domain-b.com): India and Hungary have entered into
a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote and develop traditional
systems of medicine, especially the Indian system of Ayurveda. India has
already signed such agreements with Malaysia and Trinidad and Tobago and is
in the process of signing agreements with Russia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Serbia
and Mexico in the near future.
Union minister of state for health and family welfare Santosh Chowdhary and
Hungary's minister of national resources Zolton Banog signed the agreement
towards this in New Delhi on Thursday. The main objective of this MoU is to
strengthen, promote and develop cooperation in the field of traditional
systems of medicine between the two countries on the basis of equality and
mutual benefits, an official release said.
Under the MoU, both countries will encourage and promote cooperation to
enhance the use of traditional systems of medicine, exchange of regulatory
information on operational licensing to practice traditional medicine and
on marketing authorization of medicines in both countries, promote the
exchange of experts for training of practitioners, para-medics, scientists,
teaching professionals and students in traditional systems of medicine.
The signing of such bilateral agreements will enable India to gain global
recognition for traditional systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, Unani,
Yoga and Naturopathy, Siddha, Homeopathy and Sowa-Rigpa (Namchi).
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Posted on 2013/10/20 18:01:03 ( 303 reads )
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LOMA LINDA, CALIFORNIA, October 4, 2013 (Digital Journal): Despite similar
caloric intake, vegetarians tend to have lower Body Mass Index (BMI) than
non-vegetarians, with vegans being the most slender of all, suggests new
research on more than 70,000 Seventh-day Adventists by researchers from
Loma Linda University Health to be published in the December edition of the
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
In strict vegetarians, low dietary intakes of vitamin B-12 and D, calcium,
and n-3 fatty acids, in addition to iron and zinc, have often been of
concern. However, in the present study, mean intakes of these nutrients
were above minimum requirements in strict vegetarians.
A cross-sectional study of the subjects from the Adventist Health Study 2,
possibly the largest study involving vegetarians, compared the subjects'
five dietary patterns: non-vegetarians (meat eaters), semi-vegetarians
(occasional meat eaters), pesco-vegetarians (people who consume fish),
lacto-ovo vegetarians (people who consume dairy products and eggs), and
vegans (strict vegetarians).
The results show the average BMI was highest in non-vegetarians and lowest
in strict vegetarians, with higher BMI levels for those who consume more
animal-derived foods. Non-vegetarians had the most number of people who are
classified as obese, with 33.3 percent having BMIs of over 30;
semi-vegetarians, 24.2 percent; pesco-vegetarians, 17.9 percent; lacto-ovo
vegetarians, 16.7 percent; and strict vegetarians, 9.4 percent.
"There was a clear association between higher proportions of obesity,
higher BMI averages, and dietary patterns characterized by progressively
higher intakes of meat and dairy products," said the study's first
author, Nico Rizzo, Med. Dr., Ph.D., assistant professor at the Department
of Nutrition at Loma Linda University School of Public Health.
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Posted on 2013/10/20 18:00:57 ( 364 reads )
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Joys and sorrows are time-born and cannot last. Therefore, do not be
perturbed by these. The greater the difficulties and obstructions, the more
intense will be your endeavor to cling to His feet and the more will your
prayer increase from within. And when the time is ripe, you will gain
mastery over this power.
-- Anandamayi Ma (1896-1982), God-intoxicated Bengali saint
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Posted on 2013/10/16 17:52:42 ( 495 reads )
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DHAKA, BANGLADESH, Octoer 15, 2013 (The Daily Star): The five-day-long
Durga Puja, the greatest of all Hindu festivals, ended yesterday with
solemn immersion of the murthis of the goddess Durga across the country.
Thousands of Hindus in the capital marched with spectacular truck
processions carrying murthis of Durga towards the Buriganga for immersion.
The young and the elderly joined hands to slowly put the murthis into the
water at the climax of the festival in the evening. Devotees thronged the
puja mandaps to celebrate Bijoya Dashami, the last day of the festival,
since the morning. Yesterday was a public holiday.
Durga puja is the worship of Shakti or divine power embodied in the goddess
Durga. It symbolises the battle between good and evil where the dark forces
eventually succumbed to the divine forces.
President Abdul Hamid hosted a reception for the Hindus at Bangabhaban
while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited some temples in the capital
yesterday. During the reception, Hamid called upon all to contribute to the
development of the country by maintaining glorious stream of communal
harmony.
This year, over 28,000 makeshift puja mandaps or marquees with flowers and
multi-coloured lights were erected across the country. The Dhakeswari
National Temple, the biggest and oldest Hindu monastery in the capital,
drew the highest number of devotees. The state-run and private television
channels and radios aired special programmes while newspapers published
special supplements on the great religious festival.
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Posted on 2013/10/16 17:52:32 ( 444 reads )
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BARISAL, BANGLADESH, October 12, 2013 (The Daily Star): The fifth annual
reception for "Pauls and Kumars" (sculptors and artisans of
statues) was held in Barisal city yesterday with a call to patronize these
traditional statue makers, mainstream them into society, and give them
professional recognition.
"Mritshilpi Sammelon O Sammanona Udjapon Parishad," an
association in Barisal promoting the hard-up, unsung artists, organized the
event at Aswini Kumar Hall, conducted by convener Sushanta Ghosh and
coordinator Bappi Majumdar.
A total of 116 statue makers, including 11 females, from three of six
districts of Barisal division-Barisal, Jhalakathi, and Pirojpur-were
presented with crests, clothes and cash. The association has been honoring
them since 2009, first of its kind in Bangladesh. Artisans from the three
districts are registered with the parishad.
The speakers and participants said that for centuries, Pauls and Kumars had
been keeping this ancestral profession alive even after living in abject
poverty and without any social status and recognition as mainstream
artists. After weeks of work ahead of Puja festivals, particularly Durga
Puja which began on Tuesday night, these artists return home with an
incidental amount of pay.
A team of five or six artisans needs 17-21 days for crafting a big statue,
while the smaller ones take them 13-17 days. To ready a protima, they
collect bamboos, hay, clay, wooden sticks, jute, and rice chaffs, among
other articles. For all this, the team is paid US$322 to US$644. The mandap
committees arrange their lodging and food.
The five-day Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of Bangladesh
Hindus, started on Thursday night at 550 Puja Mandaps of the district
including 33 in the city. The festivity will come to an end through
immersion of the statues and images of the deities in different rivers,
canals, ponds with solemnities and religious rituals and exchange of
greetings of Vijaya Dashami on Sunday.
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Posted on 2013/10/16 17:52:19 ( 457 reads )
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The whole world is your school. See that all are you. You are the
commander. You are the Commander-in-Chief! All are commanders; there is no
greater or lesser. All are God. God sees God, God talks to God.
-- Satguru Yogaswami (1872-1964), Sri Lanka's most revered contemporary
mystic
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Posted on 2013/10/15 15:36:04 ( 457 reads )
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DHAKA, BANGLADESH, October 14, 2013 (Dhaka Tribune): The five-day-long
Hindu festival of Durga Puja will come to an end today through the
celebration of Vijaya Dashami, in which the main ritual is the immersion of
Durga statues in rivers. Devotees will bring out Vijaya Dashami processions
carrying statues of the deity Durga and her children Lakshmi, Saraswati,
Kartik and Ganesha, and carry them to the riverbanks in the evening.
In the capital city processions will be brought out from the Dhakeshwari
Temple and end at Waisghat in old town after parading through different
city streets. Thousands of men, women and children are likely to join the
traditional immersion rally.
Meanwhile, across the country on Sunday thousands gathered at the different
puja mandaps to celebrate the Mahanabami puja. At puja mandaps Nabami Bhog
comprising food and fruits were offered to Devi Durga and later were
distributed among the devotees.
In the city prominent puja mandaps like Dhakeshwari Temple, Jagannath Hall
of Dhaka University, Ramna Kali Mandir, Siddheswari Kali Mandir, and in the
temples of Tanti Bazar, Shankhari Bazar and Bangla Bazar were crowded with
devotees from walks of life.
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Posted on 2013/10/15 15:35:57 ( 598 reads )
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KARACHI, PAKISTAN, October 13, 2014 (Business Standard): Hindus in Pakistan
celebrated the community-based Durga Puja festival in one of the country's
oldest temples here. The 150-year-old Swami Narayan Mandir is located in
the violence-prone old quarter of Karachi, Pakistan's biggest city.
"The Durga Puja was completed on Saturday after being held for nine
days and is a big occasion for the Hindus in Pakistan," Ramesh Kumar
of the Pakistan Hindu Council said. Kumar said Sanskrit shlokas written in
Urdu script were chanted since the Hindus in Pakistan are not proficient in
Sanskrit or Hindi and the new generation Hindus were more proficient in
Urdu language which is why the Gita had also been written in the Nastaleeq
script.
Kumar pointed out that majority of the Hindu community had little
opportunities to learn the Sanskrit or Hindu language in Pakistan. He said
that efforts are now on to compile a comprehensive database on the Hindu
community in Pakistan since there are around seven million of them in the
country mostly in Karachi and Sindh province.
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Posted on 2013/10/15 15:35:51 ( 387 reads )
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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
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Posted on 2013/10/13 17:40:08 ( 499 reads )
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BHUBANESWAR, INDIA, October 13, 2013 (Times of India): Organizers clearing
debris from broken puja pandals, government officials clearing roads of
snapped branches of trees and people queuing up before water tankers summed
up the scene at Bhubaneswar and Cuttack a day after severe cyclone Phailin
made landfall near Gopalpur.
Puja pandals (temporary road-side temples set up for a festival) of
Rasulgarh, Saheednagar, Baramunda and Nayapalli, among others, were blown
away in the strong winds of Saturday night while thousands of trees were
uprooted. Several electric poles fell down while hundreds of slums were
washed away. A newly constructed road along Daya West Canal breached at
Jharpada locality of the state capital forcing suspension of traffic on the
road.
Revenue and disaster management minister Surya Narayan Patro said all major
roads across the state will be cleared by the evening. "National
Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and ODRAF forces are on the job. Road
network would be restored by the evening," he said.
Though weather continued to remain windy amid intermittent rain hundreds of
people ventured out of their homes to pay obeisance at the fallen puja
pandals on the occasion of Nabami puja. "The Goddess saved us from the
worse. I feared I may not get a glimpse of the Goddess," said Nirupama
Panda, a housewife visiting the Saheednagar mandap.
Several localities in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack faced water scarcity due to
power cuts. Tankers were deployed by the government. "There is not a
drop of water at home to drink," said Tilotama Nayak, a woman waiting
for tanker water at GGP Canal Road in Bhubaneswar.
Slum dwellers who were shifted to schools and kalyan mandaps on Saturday
started coming back to their houses. Business and commercial establishments
and fuel filling stations largely remained closed.
Power distributor CESU (Central Electricity Supply Utility) said power will
be partially restored in the city by Sunday evening and almost completely
by Monday. "We have restored power to the state secretariat, Railways,
Telecommunication Bhawan. Power will be restored to certain residential
localities such as Saheednagar, Satyanagar and Bhimatangi area by the
evening. Power was also restored in some localities of Cuttack," CESU
chief operating officer Sudarsana Nayak said.
Soaked in sorrow, puja organizers in the two cities have decided to either
scale down or cancel the immersion ceremony. "We will not take out
giant processions in wake of the cyclone. We will simply dip the murthis in
river without any fan fare. The festive spirit was already lost," said
Pabitra Behera, president of Nayapalli puja committee in Bhubaneswar.
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Posted on 2013/10/13 17:40:01 ( 392 reads )
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MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA, October 13, 2013 (BBC): Some 91 pilgrims, mostly
women and children, have been killed in a stampede at a Hindu festival in
central India, local officials have said. Many were crushed after panic
broke out on a bridge near the Ratangarh temple in Madhya Pradesh state.
Others died when they jumped from the bridge. Officials said the stampede
may have been sparked by a rumor that the bridge was about to collapse.
Hundreds of thousands had gathered near the town of Datia for the festival.
Local devotee Atul Chaudhary, who survived the crush, told BBC Hindi there
had been a couple of thousand people on the bridge. He heard screams, and
people began rushing to get off the bridge. "Several people could be
seen flattened to the ground in the midst of the melee," he said.
"Some of the youngsters panicked and jumped into the swollen river.
"I and my friends were close to the exit point and along with several
others ran for safety. Scores of others were not so lucky."
The narrow bridge is about 500m long and had only recently been rebuilt
following another stampede in 2007. Deputy Police Inspector DK Arya said
the death toll has risen to 91 and 10 others were in a critical condition.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed his condolences, saying: "On
this day of festivities, our hearts and prayers are with the victims and
their families." Madhya Pradesh Health Minister Narottam Mishra said a
judicial inquiry had been launched.
"Information from locals suggests that rumors of the bridge giving way
could have led to the stampede," he said. Other reports suggested that
police sparked panic by using batons to control the crowd. Officials said
the dead included at least 42 women and 30 children. Emergency crews and
specialist divers have been scouring the river for bodies but paused the
search at nightfall on Sunday.
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Posted on 2013/10/13 17:39:54 ( 419 reads )
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Do you realize now the sacred significance and the supreme importance of
the guru's role in the evolution of man? It was not without reason that the
India of the past carefully tended and kept alive the lamp of guru-tattva.
It is therefore not without reason that India, year after year, age after
age, commemorates anew this ancient concept of the guru, adores it and pays
homage to it again and again, and thereby reaffirms its belief and
allegiance to it. For the true Indian knows that the guru is the only
guarantee for the individual to transcend the bondage of sorrow and death,
and experience the Consciousness of the Reality.
-- Swami Sivananda (1887-1963), founder of Divine Life Society, Rishikesh
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Posted on 2013/10/10 18:46:51 ( 552 reads )
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JOHANNESBURG, October 8,2013 (Times of India): South Africans are
increasingly embracing Indian culture, opening up historical venues to
Hindus to celebrate religious events. "The way in which other
communities have embraced Hindu cultural activities is a direct result of
the Rainbow Nation ideal of former President Nelson Mandela," said the
Chairman of the Gauteng chapter of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha,
Sinthal Ramiah.
"We find that even the few whites who sometimes resist temples or
mosques being built in their areas in their areas become friendlier when
they learn what the Indian cultures are about," Ramiah added. The
Sanathan Shakti Society, a recently-formed Hindu organisation, hosted
first-ever Navratri Yatra in country's Gauteng province.
The Tshwane Chariot Festival 2013 saw a procession from Church Square to
the Union Buildings, both historic sites in the capital of Pretoria. Both
Church Square and the Unions Buildings were forbidden to people who were
not white in the apartheid era.The same lawns on which free vegetarian food
was being enjoyed by hundreds used to be splattered with signs warning that
non-whites and dogs were not allowed on them.
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Posted on 2013/10/10 18:46:44 ( 707 reads )
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INDONESIA, October 9, 2013 (India TV News): Indonesia is the world's most
populous Muslim country with the ethnic group Javanese in majority. The
group of islands has been a trade hub and the local rulers have traded with
China and India since the 7th century. Local rulers gradually absorbed
Hindu and Buddhist traditions. The influence of Hindu and Buddhist
tradition and culture is visible in their art forms. The Ramayana Ballet is
the most famous performance in the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta.
It's a graceful and fluid spectacle that juxtaposes the grandeur of the
large open air stage with the focused detail of the ballet choreography.
The whole performance, with as backdrop, the 9th century Prambanan temple,
feels exotic and, at the same time intimate. The costumes, the expressions,
and the songs draw you in. One is transported back to a time of demons,
heroic animals and epic royal quests. It's a mythical world illustrated
through dance and music that is the setting for a love story centuries old.
The tale is an old Indian epic which has become popular in Indonesia and is
the same portrayed in the Ramayana performance at Bali's Uluwatu. Photos
have trouble capturing the movements and animate beauty of the show but
hopefully this collection (link below) gives you a sense of how it feels to
be in the theatre with the hundreds of other spectators.
http://www.timetravelturtle.com/2013/ ...
let-yogyakarta-indonesia/
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Posted on 2013/10/25 16:21:07 ( 376 reads )
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ALLAHABAD, INDIA, October 25, 2013 (Indian Express): The district
administration has issued show-cause notice to the organizers of Christian
evangelist Peter Youngren's Allahabad Friendship Festival on the ground
that he appeared to be spreading superstition. While the program, which the
administration had asked to be videographed, has not been stopped, the
notice has asked the organizers to file a response within 24 hours,
following which a formal decision will be taken.
The program started on Wednesday and will run till October 27. The notice
was slapped after the administration reviewed the video footage, which
prima facie appeared to be spreading superstition.
Additional City Magistrate-I Sunil Kumar Mishra, who issued the notice
after reviewing the footage, said: "People in the footage are claiming
they were cured of various physical problems simply by the blessings of the
main speaker (Youngren). Since there seemed to be no basis for such claims,
a notice has been issued seeking explanation as to why it should not be
construed that the program was spreading superstition, and, hence, the
permission given be withdrawn."
Mishra added that besides Vishwa Hindu Parishad's openly stated opposition
to the program, he had received complaints from some other quarters as
well.
When some representatives of the organizing committee were questioned,
Mishra informed, they claimed that "what appears to be superstition to
others is, in reality, a matter of faith for the attendees."
The footage largely pertains to people with disabilities like blindness and
hearing problem, and they could be seen claiming to have been cured after
meeting Youngren on the stage, Mishra said.
During a press conference on the eve of the programme, Youngren had said he
did not have divine powers, but people get healed due to his faith in God.
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Posted on 2013/10/25 16:21:01 ( 304 reads )
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UNITED STATES, October 22, 2013 (Huffington Post): The Pew Research
Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life conducted a comprehensive
demographic study of over 230 countries and territories in 2012, and some
of their results might surprise you. Here are ten things that you should
know about the current state of religion in today's world.
1. Religious 'Nones' Are Third-Largest Group--Religiously unaffiliated
people are the third-largest "religious" group worldwide, behind
Christians and Muslims. Roughly one-in-six people around the globe, 16.3%,
are religious "nones."
2. China Has Huge Population Of Religiously Unaffiliated--The number of
religiously unaffiliated people in China alone is more than twice the
United States' total population. About 700 million Chinese residents do not
identify with a specific religious group.
3. Most People Are Part Of Religious Majorities In Their Countries--Nearly
3/4 of the world's people live in countries where their group is a
religious majority of the population.
4. Hindus Are Highly Geographically Concentrated--97% of the world's Hindus
live in only three countries -- India, Mauritius, and Nepal.
5. Most Countries Have A Majority Religion--Only nine of the world's
countries have no clear religious majority -- Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast,
Macau, Nigeria, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Togo, and Vietnam.
6. Christianity Is A Majority In Over 100 Countries--There are 157
Christian-majority countries.
7. Oldest And Youngest Religions--The religion with the oldest median age
is Judaism at 36 years old, while the youngest group are the Muslims with a
median age of 23 years.
8. The World's Only Jewish Majority Country--There is only one country in
the world where Jews are in the majority -- Israel.
9. Christianity Dominates A Majority Of The World's Regions--4 out of 6
regions of the world have Christians in the majority -- Latin America and
the Caribbean, North America, Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa. Christians
are in the minority only in the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle
East-North Africa region.
10. Religious Nones Still Believe--68% of religiously unaffiliated adults
in the United States believe in God or a higher power, though they do not
identify with a particular faith.
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Posted on 2013/10/25 16:20:55 ( 239 reads )
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I was an atheist until I found out I was God.
-- Spotted on a T-shirt in Auroville
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Posted on 2013/10/24 18:39:55 ( 274 reads )
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AUSTRALIA, October 21, 2013 (SBS): Hindus around the world are celebrating
the festival of Deepavali. The holiday is one of the most important events
in Hindu and South Asian culture, and is growing in popularity in
Australia. It's a festival of lights, food and family.
Deepavali, as it is best known in South India, or Diwali in the North, is
Sanskrit for "row of lights" and marks the victory of light over
darkness. It has many different meanings, but is most commonly believed to
celebrate the return of the Hindu God, Rama after 14 years of exile, and to
honor the Hindu Goddess of Prosperity, Lakshmi. To mark the event, families
light lamps as a symbol of welcome.
Neena Sinha, who is hosting Deepavali celebrations in the suburb of
Strathfield in Sydney, says the five day-long event is usually spent with
family. "It's like Christmas, Deepavali is a festival of joy and
happiness and togetherness. And getting the family and friends together and
sharing with each other fun, laughter and sweets and food."
Neena Sinha says she has seen the popularity of Deepavali grow during her
time in Australia. "We came to Australia about 35, 36 years back. That
time there weren't many people of Indian subcontinental background. Now
there are quite a few. So as years went by we had more Indians coming and
more other Sri Lankans or Pakistanis, or Fiji people we started celebrating
Deepavali more and more. Associations formed and they started having an
annual function of Deepavali."
This year, Deepavali officially begins on November 3. However celebrations
are already underway across India and South Asian communities elsewhere in
the world.
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Posted on 2013/10/24 18:39:49 ( 307 reads )
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KARACHI, PAKISTAN, October 23, 2013 (Saharasamay): Dozens of Hindus
celebrated the Indian festival of Karwa Chauth in Pakistan's largest city
Karachi with traditional fervour and gaiety.
Hindu couples gathered at the Laxmi Narayan Mandir near the Netty Jetty
bridge yesterday night to celebrate the occasion.
On Karwa Chauth, Hindu women, especially in North India and Gujarat,
traditionally observe a day-long fast for the longevity and well-being of
their husbands. They break their fast after sighting the moon through a
sieve. The man will then offer his wife some water and something sweet to
break the fast.
Mehendi and henna are used for body arts by women during the festive
season. Rani, who broke her fast on the footsteps of the mandir which
overlooks the Netty Jetty waters said for her and many other Hindu married
women the annual festival had become very important because of its
religious significance.
"Given the sort of situation we are facing in Karachi these days
basically everyday is Karwa Chauth for us women no matter which religion
they belong too. Things are so uncertain we just keep on praying that our
husbands return home safely after work," Rani said.
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Posted on 2013/10/24 18:39:43 ( 304 reads )
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Sattvic knowledge sees the one indestructible Being in all beings, the
unity underlying the multiplicity of creation. Rajasic knowledge sees all
things and creatures as separate and distinct. Tamasic knowledge, lacking
any sense of perspective, sees one small part and mistakes it for the
whole.
-- Bhagavad Gita 18:20-22
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Posted on 2013/10/23 18:09:21 ( 297 reads )
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LEICESTER, ENGLAND, October 21, 2013 (Leicester Mercury): One of the most
spectacular and colorful celebrations in Leicester kicked off tonight, as
thousands of light bulbs illuminated the Golden Mile to mark the start of
Diwali.
Tens of thousands of people cheered and celebrated the switch-on, which
marks the beginning of the religious festival of lights but has become an
annual party for all Leicester's communities.
The party started in Belgrave Road at 5.30pm and was due to carry on until
gone 11pm with dancing, Indian drumming groups, a lantern procession and an
elaborate shadow play with fireworks.
The entire length of the Golden Mile was closed to traffic and shops stayed
open late while revelers of all ages and cultures strolled up and down the
street, many waving glow sticks or playing with "fun snaps" --
tiny fireworks that pop when thrown on the ground.
This year the big finale was a performance of the touring stage show
Spellbound on Cossington Street Recreation Ground, which featured dancers
from Leicester taking part in a show that has toured Mela events and Diwali
celebrations in Edinburgh, Belfast, Manchester and London. There will be
more celebrations along the Golden Mile on Sunday, November 3, to mark
Diwali Day.
(Slideshow is included in article)
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Posted on 2013/10/23 18:09:14 ( 302 reads )
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BELGIUM, October 13, 2013 (Huffington Post): Over the coming months Belgium
will be the focal point for Europalia India, a major festival celebrating
aspects of Indian culture, art and history.
Europalia runs until January 26, 2014, focusing on seven key themes; the
diaspora, living traditions, India tomorrow, Indomania, the body, Bollywood
and beyond, and water. These topics will be explored in exhibitions,
workshops, meetings and performances by dancers and musicians.
Around 150 venues will stage events across the main host nation and in
neighboring countries. The current celebration of India is the 23rd
Europalia festival. The first took place back in 1969. Recent editions have
celebrated the heritage and cultures of Russia, China and Brazil, each
drawing around a million visitors and in excess of 1,000 artists from those
countries to Belgium.
A broad range of disciplines -- including architecture, gastronomy, fashion
and cinema -- are represented at the current Europalia, which is the
culmination of nearly three years of collaboration and preparation between
global experts and leading institutions, including museums, galleries and
universities.
The National Museum of Delhi is lending more than 100 miniature paintings,
depicting scenes from the Ramayana. They will be on display at the
Cinquantenaire Museum, in Brussels, from November 22 until 18 May 2014.
Brussels' Centre for Fine Arts - known locally simply as the Bozar, from
the term 'Beaux-arts' - is hosting two major exhibitions (The Body in
Indian Art and Indomania: From Rembrandt to the Beatles), 20 subsidiary
shows plus a range of literary, cinematic, performing arts and musical
events. The Europalia website provides a full list the festival's events,
performances and exhibitions.
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Posted on 2013/10/23 18:09:07 ( 319 reads )
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Joys and sorrows are time-born and cannot last. Therefore, do not be
perturbed by these. The greater the difficulties and obstructions, the more
intense will be your endeavor to cling to His feet and the more will your
prayer increase from within. And when the time is ripe, you will gain
mastery over this power.
-- Anandamayi Ma (1896-1982), God-intoxicated Bengali saint
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Posted on 2013/10/22 18:20:00 ( 559 reads )
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Press
Release
SRINGERI, INDIA, October 13, 2013: The following proclamation was issued
today by Sri Jagadguru Sri Bharati Teertha Mahaswami, Sri Sri Jagadguru
Sankaracarya Organization, Southern Vedic Seat, Sringeri, to honor Sri
Yegnasubramanian of New Jersey, long a key leader of the Hindu community in
America. He was awarded the rare title of Dharmatma.
"Leading with our thoughts on Lord Narayana, may these blessings shine
forth in the matter of our dearest student, Sri Yegnasubramanian. You, from
a young age, having placed faith and devotion in matters of Dharma, Guru
and the Devi, have been engaged in the path of honored believers. Living in
America for a very long time, you have undertaken there the special task of
propagating the Sanatana Dharma. You have distinctly pleased us by your
multifaceted help in establishing branches of Sri Sringeri Mutts in both
America and Canada. By organizing Vedic Conferences, by the honoring the
Vedic scholars, by constructing many temples and by rejuvenating old ones,
etc., by propagating the message of the Bhagavadgita all over, by
protecting thousands of cows, by performing great sacrifices like the
Ati-Rudra MahAyajna, etc., the not-so-ordinary tasks undertaken by you are
worthy of ongoing praise. Having placed great devotion in the lineage of
Sri Sringeri Sharada Pitha, you have given unparalleled service. Having
seen your exemplary qualities, being always inwardly pleased, we
congratulate and honor you with the title: Dharmatma. Being so celebrated
by the title, we wish that you along with your family and friends be the
recipients of great merit and recurring good fortune by the grace of Sri
Sharada and Sri Chandramouleeshwara. Given this 9th day of the bright half
of Ashvina in the year Vijaya."
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Posted on 2013/10/22 18:11:57 ( 407 reads )
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, October 21, 2013(Los Angeles Times): Two thousand
Hindu Indians converged at the Anaheim Convention Center for Southern
California's largest celebration of Navratri, an ancient tradition
stretching nine days. Indians of all ages arrived in their finest clothing:
silk saris, mirrored beads and embroidered scarfs. Prakash Vyas, a
27-year-old graduate student joined in as they gathered on the arena floor
barefoot and danced in coordinated circles around portraits of the Goddess
looking down from the center of the room. It was a festive, hypnotic-like
ritual that went on for hours.
The event is organized by the International Swaminarayan Satsang
Organization's temple in Norwalk. It started 35 years ago with a few
hundred people in a church auditorium. Today, it goes on for three
consecutive weekends at the convention center and draws more than 7,000
people. It is a grand social gala, a place to connect with old friends, to
laugh and dance endlessly--potentially, even, to find a suitor. Most of the
Indians who celebrate Navratri at the convention center are from Gujarat, a
state in the northwest coast of India. They are families who have known
each other for decades. In recent years, the event has evolved and become
more influenced by Western culture. The band will play a bit of salsa or
the Macarena.
More non-Indians have also begun to show up at the dance, often invited by
Indian friends. They arrive decked in borrowed saris, mesmerized by the
pageantry. Andrew Fuller, a 46-year-old production manager from Newport
Beach, attended his first garba four years ago. He hasn't missed one
since."I was amazed," he said, his plaid blue and white button-up
shirt and jeans standing out in a sea of silk and vibrant colors. "The
energy, the kindness, the openness. They welcomed me from the start and
showed me how to dance."
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Posted on 2013/10/22 18:11:51 ( 377 reads )
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SCOTLAND, October 19, 2013 (Edinburgh News): Around 5,000 people are
expected to watch 30-foot effigies of the demons Ravana, his brother
Kumbhakarna and son Meghnad burn on Calton Hill during the Hindu festival
of Dusherra.
Now in its 19th year, the event tomorrow is one of the largest free
independent festivals in Scotland. It has been expanded from a parade
through the city streets to include a day of family-friendly activities
designed to integrate Edinburgh's Scottish and Indian communities.
Festivities will kick off at 3:00 pm at the top of Calton Hill, with a host
of dance acts, including the Edinburgh Bhangra Crew and the Scottish
Stepdance Company. Children's activities will run alongside the
performances, with storytelling sessions, mask-making and facepainting on
offer to keep the little ones amused, while also teaching them about the
traditions of Dusherra.
Karthik Subramanya, president of the Scottish Indian Arts Forum, which
organizes the festival, says: "When all we had was a parade going
through the center of Edinburgh, people just stood and waved at us, which
was great, but they didn't get involved with the Indian culture. Now they
can spend some time doing that, with the range of activities we have on
offer, and kids can get involved with some culture and arts. This works
better for everyone."
The event costs around US$24,000 to stage, and currently receives sponsorship
from Scottish Hydro and Edinburgh City Council in order to keep it free.
"We have people from all over Scotland and even the north of England
coming to the festival," says Karthik. "It's the only event of
its kind in Scotland and we are fighting desperately to keep it free
because essentially this festival was started to integrate the Scottish and
Indian communities.
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Posted on 2013/10/22 18:11:38 ( 450 reads )
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Water is sufficient to cleanse the body, but truthfulness alone can purify
the mind.
-- Tirukkural 298
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Posted on 2013/10/21 18:15:36 ( 440 reads )
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WASHINGTON D.C., October 19, 2013 (Huffington Post): The "Yoga: The
Art of Transformation" exhibition at the Smithsonian Sackler Gallery
in Washington D.C. will run from October 19th to January 26th. Its opening
was delayed due to the government shutdown, but now things are back on
track at the Freer and Sackler Galleries.
"This exhibition looks at yoga's ancient roots, and how people have
been trying to master body and spirit for millennia," said Julian
Raby, The Dame Jillian Sackler Director of the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
and Freer Gallery of Art in the press release. "By applying new
scholarship to both rarely seen artworks and recognized masterpieces, we're
able to shed light on practices that evolved over time--from yoga's ancient
origins to its more modern emergence in India, which set the stage for
today's global phenomenon."
The exhibition will feature over 130 objects from 25 museums and private
collections in India, Europe, and the U.S.
Curator Deb Diamond said, "We're excited about "Yoga: The Art of
Transformation" because it brings together amazing works (created over
some two millennium) and new scholarship. Yoga is a household word the
world over, but scholars have not holistically explored its visual culture
before; visual culture provides new insights so we think exhibition will
delight and inform broad audiences."
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Posted on 2013/10/21 18:15:30 ( 364 reads )
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LAGOS, NIGERIA, October 19, 2013 (The Guardian): Indians hwew recently
celebrated the Silver Jubilee of Ganesh Chaturthi, a popular Hindu festival
in Lagos. The 10-day celebration was organised by Maharashtra Mandal, Lagos
and Hindu Mandir Foundation.
Ganesha's birthday marks the beginning of 10 days of festivities and
devotion for the annual Ganesh Chaturthi festival. As one of the most
celebrated Hindu festivals observed throughout India, as well as by
devotees in all parts of the world, the Ganesh festival holds a special
place in the hearts of Indian expatriates and devotees in Lagos.
The first day of the celebrations at the Geeta Mandir, Palm Grove, Ilupeju,
Lagos, saw hundreds of Indian in a procession of Lord Ganesh amidst much
fanfare, melodious chanting thereby adding color and festivity to the
auspicious occasion. In the evening of the same day also, devotees gathered
for the aartis (prayers) and attended this splendid festival in large
numbers.
Also, the Lagos Maharashtra Mandal brought in cultural artistes from Mumbai
who performed at the occasion besides other religious programmes.
Ganesh festival engendered family reunion among friends. Throughout the
festival days, there were hordes of devotees from different religions other
than Hindus, to worship and pay obeisance to the "most loved God of
Wisdom."
He is worshipped first in prayers and his names are repeated first before
any auspicious work begins. Lord Ganesh is also known as the "Remover
of Obstacles" and deserves the initial place of honor at almost every
festive occasion, be it a wedding, to start a business or a housewarming
ceremony.
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Posted on 2013/10/21 18:15:23 ( 435 reads )
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It is very important to give light and love to everyone, because everyone
needs affection. Let light, love and peace live today and always in our
hearts. Let these words not just be words pouring out of our lips. Let
light invade your whole being so that everyone may be able to love.
-- Mataji Indra Devi
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Posted on 2013/10/20 18:01:10 ( 474 reads )
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INDIA, October 18, 2013 (domain-b.com): India and Hungary have entered into
a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote and develop traditional
systems of medicine, especially the Indian system of Ayurveda. India has
already signed such agreements with Malaysia and Trinidad and Tobago and is
in the process of signing agreements with Russia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Serbia
and Mexico in the near future.
Union minister of state for health and family welfare Santosh Chowdhary and
Hungary's minister of national resources Zolton Banog signed the agreement
towards this in New Delhi on Thursday. The main objective of this MoU is to
strengthen, promote and develop cooperation in the field of traditional
systems of medicine between the two countries on the basis of equality and
mutual benefits, an official release said.
Under the MoU, both countries will encourage and promote cooperation to
enhance the use of traditional systems of medicine, exchange of regulatory
information on operational licensing to practice traditional medicine and
on marketing authorization of medicines in both countries, promote the
exchange of experts for training of practitioners, para-medics, scientists,
teaching professionals and students in traditional systems of medicine.
The signing of such bilateral agreements will enable India to gain global
recognition for traditional systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, Unani,
Yoga and Naturopathy, Siddha, Homeopathy and Sowa-Rigpa (Namchi).
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Posted on 2013/10/20 18:01:03 ( 417 reads )
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LOMA LINDA, CALIFORNIA, October 4, 2013 (Digital Journal): Despite similar
caloric intake, vegetarians tend to have lower Body Mass Index (BMI) than
non-vegetarians, with vegans being the most slender of all, suggests new
research on more than 70,000 Seventh-day Adventists by researchers from
Loma Linda University Health to be published in the December edition of the
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
In strict vegetarians, low dietary intakes of vitamin B-12 and D, calcium,
and n-3 fatty acids, in addition to iron and zinc, have often been of
concern. However, in the present study, mean intakes of these nutrients
were above minimum requirements in strict vegetarians.
A cross-sectional study of the subjects from the Adventist Health Study 2,
possibly the largest study involving vegetarians, compared the subjects'
five dietary patterns: non-vegetarians (meat eaters), semi-vegetarians (occasional
meat eaters), pesco-vegetarians (people who consume fish), lacto-ovo
vegetarians (people who consume dairy products and eggs), and vegans
(strict vegetarians).
The results show the average BMI was highest in non-vegetarians and lowest
in strict vegetarians, with higher BMI levels for those who consume more
animal-derived foods. Non-vegetarians had the most number of people who are
classified as obese, with 33.3 percent having BMIs of over 30;
semi-vegetarians, 24.2 percent; pesco-vegetarians, 17.9 percent; lacto-ovo
vegetarians, 16.7 percent; and strict vegetarians, 9.4 percent.
"There was a clear association between higher proportions of obesity,
higher BMI averages, and dietary patterns characterized by progressively
higher intakes of meat and dairy products," said the study's first
author, Nico Rizzo, Med. Dr., Ph.D., assistant professor at the Department
of Nutrition at Loma Linda University School of Public Health.
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Posted on 2013/10/20 18:00:57 ( 396 reads )
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Joys and sorrows are time-born and cannot last. Therefore, do not be
perturbed by these. The greater the difficulties and obstructions, the more
intense will be your endeavor to cling to His feet and the more will your
prayer increase from within. And when the time is ripe, you will gain
mastery over this power.
-- Anandamayi Ma (1896-1982), God-intoxicated Bengali saint
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Posted on 2013/10/16 17:52:42 ( 538 reads )
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DHAKA, BANGLADESH, Octoer 15, 2013 (The Daily Star): The five-day-long
Durga Puja, the greatest of all Hindu festivals, ended yesterday with
solemn immersion of the murthis of the goddess Durga across the country.
Thousands of Hindus in the capital marched with spectacular truck
processions carrying murthis of Durga towards the Buriganga for immersion.
The young and the elderly joined hands to slowly put the murthis into the
water at the climax of the festival in the evening. Devotees thronged the
puja mandaps to celebrate Bijoya Dashami, the last day of the festival,
since the morning. Yesterday was a public holiday.
Durga puja is the worship of Shakti or divine power embodied in the goddess
Durga. It symbolises the battle between good and evil where the dark forces
eventually succumbed to the divine forces.
President Abdul Hamid hosted a reception for the Hindus at Bangabhaban
while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited some temples in the capital
yesterday. During the reception, Hamid called upon all to contribute to the
development of the country by maintaining glorious stream of communal harmony.
This year, over 28,000 makeshift puja mandaps or marquees with flowers and
multi-coloured lights were erected across the country. The Dhakeswari
National Temple, the biggest and oldest Hindu monastery in the capital,
drew the highest number of devotees. The state-run and private television
channels and radios aired special programmes while newspapers published
special supplements on the great religious festival.
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Posted on 2013/10/30 15:26:38 ( 181 reads )
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NEW DELHI, INDIA, October 28, 2013 (Religion News): The Supreme Court of
India is weighing whether yoga has a religious element, as it decides if
public schools may teach the ancient discipline in the country where it
originated.
India's school policy considers yoga an integral component of physical
education. But the court has expressed caution, and is considering arguments
that yoga has a religious component.
"Can we be asking all the schools to have one period for yoga classes
every day when certain minority institutions may have reservations against
it?" the court asked Oct. 18, referring to Christian and Muslim groups.
The issue is affecting other countries too. In July, a California judge
ruled that the teaching of yoga in public schools does not establish a
government interest in religion. The decision came after parents sued the
Encinitas Union School District to stop yoga classes introduced to
elementary schoolchildren in the upscale suburb just north of San Diego.
India's two petitioners want the court to direct all schools run or funded
by the federal government to include yoga as a subject in the first through
eighth grades. They cite the 2005 National Curriculum Framework, which says
yoga is vital for health and physical education.
But some Christian and Muslim leaders oppose the move. "Yoga, as it is
currently practiced in India, is not merely a physical exercise. It has a
strong component of faith to it," said John Dayal, a Christian leader
and member of the National Monitoring Committee for Minority Education.
Of India's 1.2 billion people, 80 percent are Hindu, 13 percent are Muslim
and 2 percent are Christian.
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Posted on 2013/10/30 15:26:31 ( 171 reads )
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TRINIDAD/TOBAGO, October 26, 2013 (Newsday): Chief guest at Divali Nagar
2013, US Army Captain Pratima Dharm told the large audience at Thursday's
opening night, one must strive to always be in God's company. Everyday when
I wake up at 4 am, I say to Lord Krishna, 'I am yours and you are mine,'
" she said at the Divali Nagar site, Charlieville, Chaguanas.
Dharm, the first-ever Hindu chaplain in the US Defense Department, said
while serving in the US Army she went to war in Iraq and her plane was shot
at, but she kept Lord Krishna in her mind and knew He was in control,
keeping her safe.
She urged the public to read the Bhagwad Gita, that is in English
especially Chapter 11 verse 11, where Lord Krishna revealed his original
self as the lord of the world to the soldier Arjuna.
"The Lord reveals himself to us when it is necessary. He steals into
our moment and can change our course," she said. She emphasized Arjuna
had many questions about the path of war and the reason for fighting the
enemy and the answers were given to him by Lord Krishna. These answers she
says, are there to be read and understood. Lord Krishna is regarded as the
embodiment of love and divine joy, one who destroys all pain and sin. He is
a protector and an instigator of all forms of knowledge.
Dharm praised the people of TT for their kindness, saying this is her first
visit and she is most happy to be here. She is also a guest of Swami
Prakashananda of the Chinmaya Mission as she is associated with the US
chapter of the mission.
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Posted on 2013/10/30 15:26:20 ( 112 reads )
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Even in search of extraordinary gains, the wise will never speak trivial or
useless words.
-- Tirukkural 198
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Posted on 2013/10/29 17:14:42 ( 220 reads )
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PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD/TOBAGO, October 24, 2013 (First Post): The first
Hindu chaplain of the US army, Capt. Pratima Dharm will be the chief guest
at the 27th Divali Nagar, the annual exposition of Indo-Trinidadian culture
held on the occasion of Diwali, that will be held Oct 24-Nov 1 in the
borough of Chaguanas in Trinidad and Tobago.
President of the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) Deokienanan
Sharma said the nine-day affair would promote Indian art, music, religion,
culture and songs reflecting the Indian diaspora since its arrival from
Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in India in 1845.
"This year's presentation will offer a show never seen before, and we
expect over 100,000 people to attend not only from Trinidad and Tobago, but
the rest of the Caribbean, the US, Canada, Europe and India," Sharma
said.
"Divali Nagar, since its inception, continues to capture the national
imagination for its unique presentation and adaptation," he added.
This year's theme is dedicated to the Hindu God Lord Krishna, who espoused
the universal message of truth, peace and non-violence in the Bhagvad Gita
which is now recognized as the most cherished and precious gift of India's
heritage and its quintessential philosophy and ethics, he said.
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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
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