INDIA, July 29, 2022 (The Guardian): On a hot summer afternoon along the Mandavi River, Shweta Hule wraps her sari around her ankles and bends to her foraging, picking wild weeds from the creek and dropping them into a bowl. The plants will be made into fritters, to be served at the little restaurant attached to the B&B Hule manages…
INDIA, July 26, 2022 (Hindu Wire): The Kanwar Yatra of Shravan month, which started a day after Guru Purnima, ended with Jalabhishek on Shivratri on Tuesday. On Tuesday also three million Shiva devotees picked up the Ganges water and left for their states. The Guru Purnima festival was on 13th July. Kanwar Yatra started from 14th July. A large number…
INDIA, July 26, 2022 (Zee News): As the Kanwar Yatra reaches its peak, police in parts of western Uttar Pradesh have donned the guise of Kanwariyas (pilgrims) to join the processions to rein in law and order, according to officials. Wearing saffron t-shirts with shorts or track pants, hundreds of police personnel in Muzaffarnagar have joined the Kanwariyas, the officials…
INDIA, July 26, 2022 (BBC): Religious practices have preserved an estimated 100,000-150,000 sacred groves across India, ensuring they remain biodiverse habitats home to an array of endangered species. Scientists say cultural traditions and community leadership are playing a critical role in boosting conservation efforts and increasing green cover in India, which is losing forests at an alarming rate. “It’s something…
INDIA, July 24, 2022 (Hindu Post): Nalanda was the world’s leading education center for centuries, long before Cambridge and Oxford were even architectural designs on a map. Providing rich and valuable information and knowledge to thousands of Bhartiya students and students from all over Asia- Tibet, China, Korea, Vietnam, etc.- to study at this prestigious institution. Nalanda is described in…
INDIA, July 25, 2022 (Outlook India): The Kanwar Yatra is an annual Hindu pilgrimage when devotees of Shiva travel to Haridwar in Uttarakhand and other sites to carry holy water of River Ganga. A large number of pilgrims, called Kanwariya, cover the distance on foot. They carry the water in containers and dispense it at major Shiva temples, such as…
INDIA, July 20, 2022 (City Spidey): Every year, during the monsoon, Kawadiya pilgrims storm into Delhi area, a prominent presence on the roads. This time even though the rains are delayed the Kawadiyas have made their presence felt right on time. In the last few years Kawad pilgrimage has been in news for the strong tradition it has, its ever-growing…
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, July 22, 2022 (Digital Journal): Chinmaya Mission Pittsburgh (CMP) is proud to announce the opening ceremony of their newest center and temple – Chinmaya Amarnath, from August 17 to 20. The new location is conveniently located in Adams Township near Rt. 228 (358 Mars Valencia Rd. Mars, PA 16046). This new center will serve as a Hindu temple…
PATAN, NEPAL, July 16, 2022 (New York Times): When the 6-year-old Goddess wept for four days, it was viewed as a terrible omen for Nepal, and her tears appeared to have foreshadowed a national tragedy. On the last day of her crying, June 1, 2001, the crown prince of Nepal killed nine members of the royal family, including his parents,…
THAILAND, July 22, 2022 (YHP Thailand): In Thailand, Ganesha is called Phra Phikanet and is worshiped as the Deity of fortune and success, and the remover of obstacles. He is associated with arts, education, and trade. Shrines and statues for this elephant-headed Hindu God can be seen all around Thailand. Some of the largest statues of Ganesha can be found…