INDIA, December 14, 2023 (Swarajya): India’s break-neck infrastructure development spree and increasing levels of prosperity have allowed more and more yatris to go on their favorite pilgrimages. Nobody expects better facilities or improved temple going experiences at any of the ancient, large temple complexes in India. Maladministration of heritage spaces is almost always a given, but we may be entering…
AUSTRALIA, December 13, 2023 (Hindu Council of Australia): The Hindu Chaplaincy course, “The Graduate Diploma in Counselors of Hindu Tradition” (CHT) is now recognized by the Chaplaincy body of NSW, College of Clinical Pastoral Education as equivalent to the Chaplaincy Course offered by them. This means that people from the Hindu community now do not need to do any extra…
AYODHYA, INDIA, December 15, 2023 (YouTube): The Ram Mandir is under construction in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India. The ground-breaking ceremony was performed on the 5th of August 2020, and the pran pratishtha (consecration) ceremony is scheduled for January, 2024. This 3D animation movie, at source, describes the detailed process of the construction of the temple. https://youtu.be/lyFazCoV7UI?feature=shared
FRANCE, December 11, 2023 (New India Abroad): A statue of Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar was unveiled in France, in a commune called Cergy, located approximately 17 miles from central Paris. Jawed Ashraf, Indian envoy to France and Monaco and Cergy mayor Jean-Paul Jeandon were present at the event. Thiruvalluvar is known for authoring Thirukkural (translated as “Sacred Couplets”), which is compared…
INDIA, December 4, 2023 (Times of India): A vegetarian diet is often considered the healthiest form of diet, and probably that is why the world is embracing it. From celebrities to enthusiasts, everyone is turning vegetarian to support the environment and the body. A recent report from the World Atlas has compiled a list of countries with the highest rates…
INDIA, December 8, 2023 (The Organiser, by Anil Biswal): The revered Jagannatha Mandir in Puri, a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus, has been marred by recent mismanagement, shedding light on the failures of the Odisha Government in overseeing the affairs of the sacred temple. The Jagannatha Mandir of Puri has been one of the Char Dham Pilgrims’ four pilgrimages for…
UNITED STATES, December 7, 2023 (Religion News Service): Americans have been abandoning organized religion in droves and while some have walked away from religion altogether, a distinct group of Americans now call themselves “spiritual but not religious.” A new Pew Research study puts their numbers at 22% of Americans and attempts to describe them in greater detail. The study places…
USA, December 5, 2023 (Vidya Mohan): At source below is Vidya Mohan’s (pictured above touching the base of the mountain) charming and informative multi-part blog post on her pilgrimage to Mt. Kailas. She begins: I have never been an ardent devotee of Shiva. I have never harbored strong aspirations of coming to Mt. Kailash. Yet, on a morning walk in…
PURI, INDIA, December 2, 2023 (Newstrack): The 34th edition of the renowned International Konark Dance Festival commenced against the stunning backdrop of the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha’s captivating Puri district on Friday. Marking its grand inauguration, this five-day extravaganza is esteemed as one of Odisha’s premier dance celebrations, customarily taking place from December 1st to 5th annually. Set within…
KERALA, INDIA, December 2, 2023 (Newstrack): The Vaikathashtami Festival is a cherished occasion dedicated to the reverence of Lord Shiva in the embodiment of the Shivalinga. It stands as a momentous celebration held at the revered Vaikom Mahadeva Temple in Kerala, a temple steeped in rich history and revered from both religious and social standpoints. The festival of Vaikathashtami, also…
