UNITED STATES, March 24, 2022 (NBC News by Sakshi Venkatraman): During Nikhil Mandalaparthy’s senior year of high school in 2015, the local Hindu temple in his hometown was vandalized. Spray-painted in red on the outside of the Bothell, Washington, worship and cultural center were the words “Get Out” — alongside a symbol that was almost familiar to the temple’s patrons:…
INDIA, March 22, 2022 (Indus Scrolls Bureau): When the nation honored 54 prominent personalities with Padma awards, Swami Sivanand was just one among them. However, the 125-year-old yoga practitioner won the hearts of people all over the country when videos of him receiving his honor went viral on social media. He is now the oldest man to be conferred with…
BALI, INDONESIA, March 13, 2022 (scmp.com): After close to two years of being shut to international tourists, Indonesia last Monday began quarantine-free entry to its most popular resort island of Bali for vaccinated foreigners – with some strings attached. Eligible travelers must have had at least two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, a negative PCR test result before departure and…
NEW DELHI, March 21, 2022 (Indian Express): Ahead of the virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison on Monday afternoon, Australia announced the return of 29 antiquities to India. These correspond to six broad themes – Shiva and his disciples (4), worshiping Shakti (11), Lord Vishnu and his forms (13), Jain tradition (19), portraits…
INDIA, March 16, 2022 (Aljazeera): Millions of Hindus around the world are preparing to celebrate Holi, also known as the festival of colors. The festival marks the beginning of the spring season in the Indian subcontinent. Holi is celebrated in Phagun, the 12th month of the Hindu calendar, which corresponds to February or March in the Gregorian calendar. This year,…
UNITED STATES, March 20, 2022 (Press Release by Ajay Shah): Over 110 major American Hindu organizations and temples have joined together to celebrate Holi festival as United Colors of Holi to celebrate diversity and unity in our country. For thousands of years, Holi, the festival of color, has celebrated the advent of spring and the end of winter, the victory…
JAKARTA, INDONESIA, March 7, 2022 (Antara News): Directorate General of Human Settlements of the Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry is currently revitalizing the Great Besakih Temple complex in Karangasem District, Bali Province, to facilitate the activities of worshipers and tourists. “Usually, the area will be very crowded when the temple holds a big religious celebration. Hence, we are…
JAKARTA, INDONESIA, March 4, 2022 (Antara News): The Law and Human Rights Ministry granted special remissions (time off or even release) to a total of 1,117 Hindu prisoners across Indonesia for 2022 Hindu Silence Day (Nyepi Day) that coincides with the 1944 Saka New Year. “The granting of remissions is expected to motivate inmates to improve themselves and increase their…
WASHINGTON, D.C. March 2, 2022 (Pew Forum): More than half a century ago, India was one of the first countries in the world to elect a woman as prime minister, and the country currently has several highly influential women politicians, including Sonia Gandhi, the head of one of the major national parties. Today, most Indians say that “women and men…
BALI, INDONESIA, February 27, 2022 (Balidiscovery.com): Nyepi is 24 hours of absolute silence imposed on the island of Bali from 6:00 am on Thursday, March 3, 2022, until 6:00 am the following morning. During this period, Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport is closed to all flights; the seaports closed, ferry services suspended, people confined to their homes, and tourists are not…