SourceDHAKA, BANGLADESH, April 10, 2003: Thousands of Hindus on Wednesday took a dip in the Brahmaputra river at Langalbandh, near Dhaka, in an annual event. It was estimated around 30,000 devotees had converged to bathe in an offshoot of the Brahmaputra river. “We are taking a dip to wash away sin, and the atmosphere is festive as more and more…
Deccan HeraldTIRUMALA,INDIA, April7, 2003: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam chairman P. Chalapathi Rao on Monday said the TTD Board of Trustees had approved the proposed construction of Geeta Mandirams in Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (“untouchable”) colonies across the state. Rao said the decision followed a two-day meeting of the Board members. As planned earlier, a total of 7,200 new temples will…
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, April 12, 2003: In their hectic lives of long work and study packed days, and temples a fair distance from home, devotees of the younger generation are tuning into God online. A survey has shown that “…young urban Indians, in the 16 to 24 age group, showed (that) a significant number of people observed religious rituals by…
SourceKOLKATA, INDIA, April 6, 2003: Traditional fashion in the form of kurtas (Indian-style shirts) are still being worn this year by college students in India along with denim trousers. Designer Rashmi Kapur has promoted traditional designs with a new flare for the last eight years. Kapur says, “Kurtas are the ultimate in fashion and it’s time one flaunted a kurta…
Sunspot.netBALTIMORE, MARYLAND, April 7, 2003: Yoga, a popular household word across the U.S. is now popping up in early childhood education. Head Start, a federal preschool program designed to give low-income children a better chance in elementary school, has now adopted yoga at a center in Baltimore. More than 400 children have participated in the program at the Meade Village…
SourceOREGON, U.S.A., April 5, 2003: Findings from research conducted at the Oregon Health and Science University indicates that exercise and yoga can help patients with multiple sclerosis. Sixty-nine MS patients were divided into three groups. Group one participated in a weekly yoga class adapted for people with MS. Group two took a weekly exercise class using stationary bicycles combined with…
SourceUNITED STATES, April 14, 2003: SpankOut Day USA was initiated in 1998 to give widespread attention to the need to end corporal punishment of children and to promote nonviolent ways of teaching children appropriate behavior. EPOCH-USA (End Physical Punishment Of CHildren) sponsors SpankOut Day USA on April 30th of each year. All parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers are encouraged to…
The Kashmir TimesSRINAGAR, INDIA, April 3, 2003: Three major changes will distinguish the yearly Hindu Amarnath pilgrimage this season. Affluent pilgrims could fly to the Himalayan cave from Srinagar in state-owned helicopters. The shortest route, the Baltal route used by about 25% of pilgrims, has been widened from 6 ft to 12 ft, allowing for 1,500 instead of 800 pilgrims…
SourceSINGAPORE, April 6, 2003: Buddhists and Hindus recently came together for purification prayers to free the world from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The event was organized by the Singapore Buddhist Lodge and Arulmigu Velmurugan Gnanamuneeswarar Temple. Priests from Hindu and Buddhist temples recited prayers for 24 hours, seeking divine blessings and to help the world to be relieved of…
SourceKERALA, INDIA, April 13, 2003: The Global Malayalee Council and Sree Sankara School of Classical Dances are jointly organizing a national dance and music festival to be held at Kalady, Kerala, May 6-9, 2003. Some of India’s leading dancers and musicians will be performing along with the top performers from Kerala’s youth festivals. Organizers anticipate over 200,000 people to attend…