News from Hindu Press International -88

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News from Hindu Press International 

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/7/30 15:59:59 ( 363 reads ) Source It is far easier to conquer others than to conquer oneself, because the former can be attained by recourse to outside means, while the latter can be achieved only with one's own mind. -- Mahatma Gandhi(1869-1948) No comment New Book Highlights Historic Temples of Pakistan Posted on 2014/7/28 17:13:44 ( 823 reads ) Source PAKISTAN, July 26, 2014 (ndtv): The book, "Historic Temples in Pakistan: A Call to Conscience," authored by Karachi-based journalist Reema Abbasi, focuses on minority Hindus who celebrate Indian festivals on the other side of the border. A result of extensive research, the book highlights around 400 photographs that cover different aspects of overlooked historical temples and shrines in Pakistan that few know about. Madiha Aijaz who teaches photography at the Indus Valley School of Architecture, does justice to the book by beautifully capturing the multi-colored and vibrant images. "It is a subject that is just so less documented and it hasn't been talked about," she says. Reema and Madiha travelled far and wide to various pilgrimage sites like Hinglaj, the abode of goddess Durga in Balochistan; the Katas Raj temple in Punjab, one of the holiest in Hinduism and known for providing refuge to the Pandavas; the Kalka cave temple in Sindh; the Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir in Karachi, among others. No comment Yoga in India vs. Yoga in America Posted on 2014/8/12 18:47:14 ( 396 reads ) Source UNITED STATES, August 2, 2014 (Seattle Yoga News by Arundhati Baitmangalkar): A year and a half ago, I moved halfway around the world to the Pacific Northwest from my hometown in South India. It was a big, tumultuous move and the one thing that remained constant for me was yoga. Initially, I had no idea what the yoga scene would be like in Seattle and in the U.S. Every day I learned something new. There is so much yoga around here, that it was and continues to be exciting for a yoga geek like me. America is a nation that seems to have an excess of everything, and yoga is no exception. I couldn't help but be fascinated by the differences between yoga in the U.S. and in India and these are a few of my observations. First, yoga in America is more popular among the masses than yoga in India. Second, the yoga teacher-student dynamic in India is drastically different than in the US. Third, the teaching styles vary greatly between India and America. Fourth, the combination of yoga & fashion in the US is not present in India. And fifth, the popularity of hot yoga in the US contrasts with its rarity in India. Even though there are differences, yoga unites people all over the world. We may be different on the surface but we all seek the same goals of good health and liberation. The paths we take towards yoga are many, but in the end they all unite. No path is higher or inferior than another. What I have learned from moving across the globe is that yoga is universal and I've been inspired to see how people around the world have embraced yoga and evolved with it. It is a key to freedom that belongs to all humanity. More at "source." No comment Interfaith Marriage with Equality: a Video Posted on 2014/8/12 18:47:08 ( 330 reads ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlAuY85RlcE UNITED STATES, July 31, 2014 (Interfaith Shaadi): Interfaith marriage is becoming increasingly common. About 40% of Hindus, Muslims, Jews and Christians marry outside their faith in America. However, interfaith dating youths face hardships from parents and religious institutions. Information in this video offers one approach to making an informed decision for married life. No comment Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/8/12 18:47:02 ( 314 reads ) Source Life is a boomerang. It brings you back what you send out. It is a child, not an old person, who makes progress in life. If you really want to become a child, then you have to feel that there is always something to learn and that God is there to teach you. -- Sri Chinmoy, renowned spiritual leader, author, poet, artist, musician and athlete No comment Francis Ponaman Honored in Guadeloupe for His Contribution Posted on 2014/8/8 17:50:29 ( 481 reads ) Source FRENCH WEST INDIES, July 4, 2014 (Montray Kreyol): The Ganesh D'Or (Golden Ganesh) prize was awarded to Gilbert Francis Ponaman at the Guadeloupe Council for Indian Languages (CGPLI) 12th anniversary celebration on June 27, 2014. The prize, given annually, was created to honor those who have done something significant in the promotion of Indian heritage, culture, religion or language in the French Antilles. Ponaman was honored as being "the father of Indianness" and for his struggle for the recognition and acceptance of the Indian contribution to the Creole society of the islands. In 1967, encouraged by elders, he began a "back to our roots/Indian pride" movement among a small group of friends. He started the Soleil Indien (Indian Sun) journal in 1973, to define what it meant to be an Indian in a Creole society, through articles about Hindu religion and culture and the history of Indians in the Caribbean. In 1980 he made his first pilgrimage to India. He spent eight months in Tamil Nadu reconnecting with the traditions of his forefathers and researching the roots of the Hindu traditions that still survived in his island home. Returning to the Caribbean, he began a prolific career sharing his knowledge through lectures and publications. He is still at it today, deep in his research, dividing his time between India, Paris and the French West Indies. No comment Bhajan as Therapeutic for Children with Autism Posted on 2014/8/8 17:50:23 ( 483 reads ) Source CHENNAI, INDIA, August 2, 2014 (The Hindu): With the sound of music, we have no trouble locating music therapist Lakshmi Mohan's second-floor house at R.A. Puram. This is not the usual music class where the teacher sings and students repeat after her. For 45 minutes, Lakshmi only sings bhajans and the children come just to listen to her. It's a different kind of after-school activity for these children, who have autism spectrum disorder. They come twice or thrice a week to Lakshmi to listen to the bhajans. "All my children may not speak, but they love, enjoy and respond to music," says Lakshmi, bringing an udukkai drum down from the shelf. For 12 years now, Lakshmi has shown that bhajans can have therapeutic benefits for children with autism. Lakshmi, who has also authored books on autism, plans to do a thesis on the improvement her students have shown. But, for now, her parents will vouch for the therapeutic effect bhajans have on their children. "My son hardly sits quietly for a minute. But, at last week's performance, he sat for 15 minutes," said a father. Another parent Shoba Kannan said, "It de-stresses and over a period of time, it transforms the inner soul." No comment Sydney Murugan Saivaneri Conference 2014 Posted on 2014/8/8 17:50:17 ( 385 reads ) Source SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, August 8, 2014 (Sydney Murugan Temple): The Saiva Manram & World Saiva Council Australia Inc. jointly present the Sydney Murugan Saivaneri Conference 2014. The theme of the conference is Humanitarianism in Saiva Agamas, Thirumurai and Siddhantha Texts. the conference will be held on August 29, 30 & 31, 2014, and tutorials on August 23, 24 and September 6 & 7, 2014. All conference sessions, religious ceremonies, cultural event, and tutorials will be held at the Sydney Murugan Temple Complex, 217 Great Western Hwy, Mays Hill NSW 2145, Australia. The conference is billed as a wonderful opportunity to learn the intricacies and greatness of Saivam. For more information contact pathivu.saivaneri@gmail.com. No comment Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/8/8 17:50:11 ( 385 reads ) Source There are no impediments to meditation. The very thought of such obstacles is the greatest impediment. -- Ramana Maharishi (1879-1950), South Indian mystic No comment Temple Festival Parade in Schwerte, Germany Posted on 2014/8/7 16:45:48 ( 458 reads ) Source SCHWERTE, GERMANY, August 3, 2014 (Ruhr Nachrichten): The highlight of the ten day annual festival of the Sri Kanakathurga Ampal temple in Schwerte, Germany was a colorful procession on August 3rd. The Goddess, riding on a chariot, and Ganesh, riding on a palanquin, were accompanied by musicians, kavadi bearers and 600 devotees. The mayor of Schwerte, Heinrich Boeckeluehr, along with his young daughter Josefine, removed their shoes to help pull the chariot through the streets surrounding the temple on Robert-Koch Road. Plans for a building a larger temple at a new location are being made. Accompanying video can be viewed at "source." No comment Temple Vandalized in Georgia, USA Posted on 2014/8/7 16:45:42 ( 470 reads ) Source MONROE, GEORGIA, USA, August 4, 2014 (My Fox Phoenix): A Hindu temple was found vandalized over the weekend in Walton County. Members of Vishwa Bhavan Mandir in Monroe found graffiti and profanity displayed on their place of worship early Saturday morning. Spray painted messages included "ha ha" and "LOL." The vandalism included the temple's statue of the Hindu God Lord Shiva. The statue was covered with black spray paint. Investigators tell FOX 5, less than half a mile away, the same graffiti turned up at a mobile home community and at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness next door. Temple members tell FOX 5's George Franco vandals struck the same spot this time last year. They damaged air conditioners. Members are wondering if the same vandals have returned. No comment

India's New Health Policy to Place Primacy on Traditional Medicine Posted on 2014/8/7 16:45:35 ( 474 reads ) Source INDIA, August 3, 2014 (Press Information Bureau): "For the first time since 1947, the government's health policy is going to lay primary emphasis on the Ayurveda Siddhanta. This is in tune with the times as World Health Organisation (WHO) has given considerable importance to Ayurveda in its activities related to traditional medicine," Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said at Haridwar, today. Speaking to reporters after laying the foundation stone of a "Global museum of Ayurveda and Herbal Medicine" at Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Yoga Pitha, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said the government would work towards strengthening Ayurveda's global acceptance as evidence-based medicine. "Now every AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Science) centre will have an indigenous medicine department of which Ayurveda will be a major component. AIIMS Rishikesh will take the lead in this as steps are underway to have a 100-bed AYUSH Hospital and land for medicinal herb cultivation facility for standardised production of medicines," the Health Minister said. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/8/7 16:45:28 ( 352 reads ) Source The bonds of dharma do not bind but promise sweet liberation. -- His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, spiritual head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha No comment

Vietnam's New Tourism Attraction Posted on 2014/8/6 18:30:00 ( 532 reads ) Source VIETNAM, December 27, 2014 (Vietnam Tourism): After 10 years of implementation with the help of UNESCO, University of Polytechnic of Milan (Italy) and the Vietnam Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports, the Safeguarding My Son World Heritage Site Project was completed successfully in December 2013. This US$1.6 million project, funded by the Italian Government, concentrated in restoration, conservation and protection of Hindu Cham monuments of 4th to 13th century My Son Sanctuary Site, including the G tower group, by using bricks produced in Quang Nam province which met the requirements of structure, color and baking method of the ancient Cham people for building and protecting their towers throughout Viet Nam in past centuries. Workshops were also conducted for the staff responsible for the site in conservation skill, maintenance and operation. UNESCO representative Katherine Muller Marin said the My Son site promotes sustainable tourism development, museum space, capacity building and documentation of lessons learned for production of guidelines for archaeological studies and conservation of Cham monument complexes. No comment

Balaji Temple Deposits Two Tons of Gold with Government Bank Posted on 2014/8/6 18:24:38 ( 467 reads ) Source TIRUPATI, INDIA, August 2, 2014 (The Economic Times): A whopping 4,000 lbs. of gold offerings made by devotees of Lord Venkateswara at the famous hill shrine at Tirumala was today deposited with the State Bank of India, taking the total deposits made by it so far with various banks to more than 11,000 lbs. Executive officer of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which manages the cash-rich temple, M. G. Gopal handed over the gold to State Bank of India (SBI) Chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya at the TTD Headquarters here, in the first deposit of the precious metal by the temple in the last two years. The gold offered by devotees in the hill temple hundi was deposited under SBI Gold Scheme for a period of five years at the rate of interest of one per cent, which effectively would mean addition of 26.5 lbs. of gold per year, Gopal told reporters. No comment

India's PM Gifts Nepal's 2,500 Kilos of Sandalwood Posted on 2014/8/6 18:24:18 ( 414 reads ) Source KATMANDU, NEPAL, August 4, 2014 (Hindustan Times): On Monday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to the Himalayan nation, reached Pashupatinath Temple, the most sacred Lord Shiva shrine in Nepal, and conducted special prayers. "He took part in a special puja which was conducted by Ganesh Bhatta, the Indian head priest of the temple, and lasted for 35 minutes," said Govinda Tandon, member secretary of Pashupati Area Development Trust. The prime minister made an offering of 2,500 kilos of sandalwood. Nearly 1/2 kilo of sandalwood paste is used daily on the Shiva jLinga at the temple. Considering the steep price of the commodity, temple authorities had requested India to provide the sandalwood. Worth about US$250,000, the quantity should last 12-15 years. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/8/6 18:24:11 ( 401 reads ) Source About many things in Hinduism I had once been inclined to believe that there was much of dream in it, much that was delusion and maya. But now day after day I realized in the mind, I realized in the heart, I realized in the body the truths of the Hindu religion. They became living experiences to me, and things were opened to me which no material science could explain. -- Sri Aurobindo (1879-1950) No comment

Looted Shiva Was Left Outside for Repair Posted on 2014/8/18 18:09:01 ( 178 reads ) Source SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, August 16, 2014 (The Australian): Indian police have revealed that an 1,100-year-old Hindu sculpture of Shiva with His hands broken off was stolen from beneath a peepol tree in a Tamil Nadu temple complex, after it was taken outside for unauthorized repairs. The solid, 44 inch-high stone carving was then smuggled from India to New York, where in 2004 it was sold to the Art Gallery of NSW for $300,000. According to the theft report by local police in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the Ardhanarishvara was removed in 2002 along with seven other damaged sculptures from Vridhdhagiriswarar Temple to the place outside from which the Siva alone was stolen. A temple donor had agreed to pay for the pieces to be repaired and a sculptor had been assigned the task, even though temple authorities had not received permission for the undertaking. Within two years of the theft, the Shiva with Nandi had been furnished with a bogus collecting history and sold by New York antiquities dealer Subhash Kapoor to the Sydney gallery. Kapoor was arrested three years ago and is awaiting trial in Tamil Nadu, his case having been delayed while prosecutors await the return from Australia of the Ardhanarishvara and a dancing Shiva bought by the National Gallery of Australia in 2008 for $5.6 million. No comment

Yoga Was an Essential Part of Stanislavsky's Studios a Century Ago Posted on 2014/8/18 18:08:51 ( 168 reads ) Source INDIA, August 7, 2014 (Russia & India Report): After seeing the effects of yoga on his students, Konstantin Stanislavsky (Russian actor and theater director) quickly started using it even more: in actors' trainings in the Second Studio (which was established in 1916) and the Opera Studio (founded in 1918), and for the work of the actors in the MAT (Moscow Art Theatre). Stanislavsky's notebooks from 1919-1920 contain many notes on the application of Hatha Yoga, together with Swedish gymnastics, exercises on rhythm and voice training in his classes. The most detailed connection between Stanislavsky's system and yoga is found in notes to the classes with the MAT artists (1919). Rose Whyman, a British scholar of Stanislavsky's work, has pointed out that the notes contain a hidden synopsis of the part of the book "Hatha Yoga" on prana. Although Stanislavsky does not refer directly to pranayama, an aspect of yoga that teaches the skills of managing prana, his notes testify to serious study of concepts of yoga practice. He widely used pranayama exercises to develop actors' creative well-being. Stanislavsky communicated breathing principles to the actors and explained the connection between correct breathing and attention: "Calm breathing--healthy thoughts, healthy body, healthy feelings, easy to focus; wrong rhythm of breathing--disturbed psyche, feelings of pain and total attention deficit." These thoughts, of course, are closely connected to yoga's tenets of pranayama: consciousness, the body and emotions are linked by the thread of breath, and the ability to breathe correctly is paramount for a person's spiritual ascent. More at 'source' on Stanislavsky's methods and their impact on modern acting technique. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/8/18 18:08:37 ( 123 reads ) Source I felt great need of a holy pilgrimage, so I sat still for three days and God came to me. -- Saint Kabir (1440-1518) No comment

Bangladesh Sant Mahamandal Proposes Rebuilding Ramna Kali Mandir Posted on 2014/8/15 18:21:31 ( 314 reads ) BANGLADESH, August 15, 2014 (Sant Mahamandal): A federation of saints organization, Bangladesh Sant Mahamandal (BSM) and the Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) in its joint meeting on June 15, 2014 resolved to rebuild the Ramna Kali Mandir. A joint statement will be issued to appeal to the Hindu community of Bangladesh and abroad for their cooperation and donations in this regard. It is also resolved that dharmagurus, sadhus, sannyasins, priests, savaite, organizers of temples and human rights advocacy groups in Bangladesh would appeal to the government of India for reconstruction of the historic Ramna Kali temple complex with proper use of Hindu architectural know-how and for funding. Shri Shri Ramna Kali Mandir was built on 2.22 acre land in Dhaka in the later part of the 14th century. The Ramna Kali Temple was built by the Dasanagthi group of people who were followers of Sankaracharya. Swami Gopal Giri of Badri Narayan Joshi Math came to Dhaka about 600 years ago and first founded a monastery at Ramna village, says the historian Prof. Muntashir Mamun of Dhaka University. At that time the monastery was known as Kaatghar. Subsequently, the main Temple was built here by Swami Haricharan Giri in the 16th century. The temple was bulldozed by the Pakistani Army on March 27, 1971, during the Bangladesh War of Liberation. For more information, email "source" above. No comment

Hindu Festival Celebrates Renovation of Pyin Oo Lwin Temple Posted on 2014/8/15 18:21:24 ( 312 reads ) Source PYIN OO LWIN, MYANMAR (BURMA), June 5, 2014 (The Irrawaddy): In Pyin Oo Lwin, a former British hill station located on the western edge of the Shan Plateau, several thousand devotees gathered in June for a festival to mark the completion of a four-year-long renovation of the town's Hindu Ganesh temple. The festival called Shree Ma Harr Kubar Auisha Jum also celebrated the temple's 105-year history in the Mandalay Division town, which in the late 19th to early 20th century served a resort for British colonial administrators looking for respite from the blistering heat in Burma. The festival is only celebrated when a Ganesh temple is constructed, or in this case, expanded upon, and drew a huge crowd. Ganesh is the Hindu elephant head god of wisdom and learning, and the remover of obstacles. Many of the town's Hindu residents settled in the town (then called Maymo) after they were brought from India and other parts of Burma to work in colonial administrative positions, or as farmers growing vegetables favored by the English. As many as seven Hindu temples are said to be located in Pyin Oo Lwin alone, and still more can be found in the surrounding villages. Although the temple's Burmese followers' ancestries are in Tamil Nadu in southern India, the festival was also attended by Burmese Hindus who trace their heritage to other parts of India. Devotees donated contributions for the lengthy and expensive renovations that included 369 stone deities from India. Participant Myint Thein Gi Htun described the five-day event, which was presided over by several Hindu priests, some from as far away as Malaysia, as a "once in a lifetime opportunity." The chemistry teacher, who could be seen every day greeting visitors near the entrance of the temple, said this is only second time that a Hindu event of this scale has happened in Burma. On the final day, holy water collected from 108 sacred areas of India was sprinkled on followers gathered in the temple grounds. This was followed by a parade led by a decorated elephant trucked in from Mandalay who greeted devotees that lined the streets offering prayers, food and donations. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/8/15 18:21:18 ( 255 reads ) Source The Eternal Religion, the religion of the rishis, has been in existence from time immemorial and will exist eternally. There exists in this Sanatana Dharma all forms of worship--worship of God with form and worship of the impersonal Deity as well. It contains all paths--the path of knowledge, the path of devotion and so on. Other forms of religion, the modern cults, will remain for a few days and then disappear. -- Sri Ramakrishna in a conversation with a devotee on March 9, 1884 No comment

California Declares October Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month for Second Year Posted on 2014/8/14 17:46:47 ( 615 reads ) Source SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, August 13, 2014 (California Legislative Information): For the second straight year, the California State Senate unanimously designated October as California Hindu American Awareness and Appreciation Month. Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 93, authored by State Senate Majority Leader, Ellen Corbett (10th Senate District), "recognizes and acknowledges the significant contributions made by Californians of Hindu heritage to our state" and "seeks to increase awareness and understanding of the Hindu American community." "I am so honored to represent constituents from many diverse backgrounds, including a significant number of Hindu Americans, in the 10th State Senate District," said Senator Corbett. "Over two million Hindu Americans call the United States home and this thriving community enriches our state and nation's diversity and professional strengths in fields as diverse as technology, literature, arts, business and education. I thank my colleagues for supporting SCR 93 that recognizes Hindu American contributions in California, as well as designates October 2014 in their honor." A delegation from the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), which worked closely with Senator Corbett on the resolution, was honored last Thursday on the Senate floor and presented with a framed commemorative version of the resolution. No comment

17th Century Ramayana Manuscript Under Lock and Key After Theft Posted on 2014/8/14 17:46:40 ( 371 reads ) Source INDIA, August 10, 2014 (by Sandeep Joshi, The Hindu): On December 22, 2011, when the only original pandulipi (manuscript) of Sri Ramcharitmanas (also referred to as the Ramayana) dated 1648 ce and a few precious articles of its writer, Goswami Tulsidas, were stolen from the Hanuman temple in the Akhara Goswami Tulsidas on Tulsi Ghat, the Mishra family was shocked. Its then head priest, a noted environmentalist and professor at IIT-BHU, Veer Bhadra Mishra, had to face charges of theft conspiracy. It led to massive search operations by the Varanasi police, which was informally aided by the CBI and the intelligence agencies as it was feared that these rare articles could be smuggled abroad. It took seven months before the police recovered all the articles. "But this theft changed everything...The articles that were so far available for public viewing were safely locked only to be taken out once every year to celebrate the Tulsi Jayanti," says Professor V.N. Mishra, son of Professor Veer Bhadra Mishra, who is now the head priest. Perturbed by all kinds of insinuations that his family had to face and the national and international media coverage, the Mishra family decided to make foolproof arrangements for safety and security even as they faced pressure from top government officials to hand over these items for greater safety. "My father thought how could he hand over the articles to the government when his family has been the custodian for centuries. So we brought a special fire and bullet resistant safe that weighed three hundred kilos and placed it inside the temple. All the precious articles were then placed safely." No comment

Yogacharya B. K. S. Iyengar Admitted to Hospital Posted on 2014/8/14 17:46:35 ( 351 reads ) Source PUNE, INDIA, August 13, 2014 (Indian Express): Yogacharya B K S Iyengar, 96, was admitted to the critical care unit of a private hospital on Tuesday afternoon after he complained of breathlessness. Doctors said he was stable and conscious and was being treated. Bellur Krishnamachari Sundararaja Iyengar, the founder of Iyengar Yoga, is considered one of the foremost yoga teachers in the world and was selected for the Padma Vibhushan, the highest civilian award. According to sources, he had gone to Delhi in April for the award ceremony after which he spent a month at his native place in Bellur. He returned to Pune in June and was unwell. He was treated at home by the family physician. Iyengar continued to attend classes but had grown weak in the last ten days, and was taking less food. On Tuesday, the family decided to take Iyengar to a private hospital. No comment

Daily Inspiration Posted on 2014/8/14 17:46:28 ( 292 reads ) Source Do not say that you do not have time for God. The busiest of men will have the most leisure, and the laziest will always be short of time, for the former utilizes time and the latter only wastes it. If you really want God, you will find time for Him. -- Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati (1912-1954), 34th pontiff of the Sarada Peetham No comment

Inauguration of BAPS Temple in New Jersey Posted on 2014/8/13 17:38:45 ( 381 reads ) Source NEW YORK, NEW YORK, August 12, 2014 (American Bazaar): The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was inaugurated in Robbinsville, New Jersey, by Pramukh Swami Maharaj and senior Sadguru Swamis of BAPS, on Sunday. The inauguration of this traditional stone mandir marks the completion of the second phase of the Swaminarayan Akshardham complex that is currently planned for the site. The mandir is 133 feet long and 87 feet wide, comprising of 98 pillars and two domes 30 feet wide and 34 feet high, according to a press release. The Mandir is made entirely of Italian marble and was completed in three years at a cost of $18 million. The inauguration festivities, spanning over two weekends, included a yagna or Vedic ritual for world peace and the murti pratishta rituals or ceremonies to invoke the spirit of the Deity's into the murtis or sacred images. Prior to the consecration ritual that took place on Sunday, after which the murtis were to reside permanently in their shrines, they were taken on a festive procession around the complex. As the culminating event of these celebrations, the Mandir was officially inaugurated in a Vedic ceremony performed by BAPS Swamis in the presence of Pramukh Swami Maharaj. It is the sixth traditional BAPS Mandir of its kind in North America. Two members of Hinduism Today's team, editor Paramacharya Sadasivanathaswami and Sannyasin Senthilnathaswami, were guests at the event. According to one news report out of India, so many people flew to this event in New Jersey from India that airlines had raised ticket prices! No comment

The Hindu Festival: Sweets, Incense, Colors and Spirituality Posted on 2014/8/13 17:38:39 ( 355 reads ) Source FRESCAROLO, ITALY, August 4, 2014 (Gazzetta Di Parma): The Hindu community of the Parma region celebrated the seventh anniversary of their Shree Nav Durga temple on Saturday evening August 2nd. In a marvelous show of color and warmth, hundreds of people, coming mostly from Punjab, came together in friendship and religious community. They were celebrating the rites of sacred Hindu tradition. Everything was done in a setting that visually unites the two cultures: the bales of hay from our Italian farms and the smoke of the incense of a Indian brazier. [HPI: The temple has been constructed inside a large barn in the middle of farm country.] In the olden days it was not easy to reach holy places, so it was customary to offer food to those who came. This they are also did on this lovely evening in Frescarolo. Among the many interesting different dishes of food, they served the Jalebi, a sweet made of chickpea flour and baking powder. And to drink, a glass of milk with rose syrup. Ashu, a young man working in Polesine, explained politely how the foods are prepared. "I do not eat meat because we think it is not necessary to kill to feed ourselves," he added. We also met some Hindu monks, ministers of the religion, including Swami Priyanandagiri, a Ligurian, who lives in the monastery of Altare, near Savona. Embracing the Hindu religion they've forgotten their Italian names. They spoke of "respect and spiritual energies taken from the feet," which are bare inside places of worship. The chief organizer of this event was Lalit Sharma, active in the local Indian community. No comment

No Go for Cable Car at Batu Caves Posted on 2014/8/13 17:38:33 ( 361 reads ) Source MALAYSIA, July 10, 2014 (The Star): The US$3.1 million Batu Caves Cable Car project will most likely be scrapped as soil studies carried out by experts failed to confirm its feasibility. According to the detailed soil stability report, the upper parts of the limestone karsts of the hilltop caves have been zoned as "high risk", putting a stop to any possibility of development on the 400 million-year-old limestone caves. A reliable source from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Dhevasthanam committee has accepted the fact that the cable car project may not be feasible and will no longer push for it. This was further confirmed when StarMetro visited the project site recently and found it to be cleared of construction equipment. The area had been resurfaced with tar and is now a car park. Proponents of the cable car line argued that the system would benefit the disabled, senior citizens, and people with health problems. The temple management have, for decades, been trying to build a cable car service at the iconic landmark. Batu Caves, touted as a national treasure, draws millions of people from all over the world each year especially during the annual Thaipusam festival. No comment

Om Tat Sat
                                                        
(Continued...) 

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