INDIA, October 24, 2023 (Bharat Times): The portals of the sacred Badrinath shrine in Uttarakhand, one of the Himalaya’s renowned pilgrimage sites, are set to close soon due to the onset of the winter season. With the closing of the portals, the Char Dham Yatra (pilgrimage to the four famed temples in this region) will conclude. On the occasion of…
NEW DELHI, INDIA, October 22, 2023 (Business Standard): Ayudha Puja, also known as Astra Puja, is celebrated in homes and workplaces in India. On the ninth day of the Navratri, Ayudha Puja is conducted. This ceremony is held to respect the tools and weapons that one utilizes in their daily life. As per Hindu tradition, devotees customarily purify their tools…
KARNATAKA, INDIA, October 23, 2023 (Deccan Herald): Ayudha puja was celebrated as per tradition by the scion of the erstwhile royal family, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, at Mysuru Palace, on the ninth day of Sharannavaratri celebrations, on Monday. The puja rituals began at 5.30 am, with Chandika homa and other rituals conducted. Later, Yaduveer performed puja to arms and weapons.…
ELMIRA, NEW YORK, October 23, 2023 (press release): In the small town of Elmira, New York, USA, Paramahamsa Vishwananda completed the inauguration of the Paranitya Narasimha Temple and ashram on September 3, 2023. It was the culmination of a massive undertaking by a mere handful of His American devotees and monks. Hundreds of people from around the world made the…
NEPAL, October 19, 2023 (Online Khabar): When it comes to the Pashupatinath, many only remember the main temple. While they are not wrong, there is a group of young students who want to make sure that people get to know and learn more about the temple and its intricate details. They are accomplishing this by introducing an e-book on Pashupatinath…
UNITED STATES, October 12, 2023 (New India Abroad): According to a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, approximately half of Asian American adults who self-identify as Indian say they currently practice Hinduism as their religion, accounting for 48 per cent of respondents. This figure is relatively consistent with the percentage reported in 2012, which was 51 per cent.…
INDIA, October 13, 2023 (Organiser): Senior servitor Binayak Dasmohapatra said Puri Jagannath temple is an important religious site among the four dhams. Binayak Dasmohapatra said, “Hundreds of thousands of devotees visit Puri for the darshan of Lord Jagannath. Therefore, implementing a dress code for all devotees is essential to upholding the temple’s spirituality and sanctity.” The Daitapati Nijog, a servitor’s…
ROBBINSVILLE, NEW JERSEY, October 9, 2023 (Access Wire): On October 8, 2023, the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey was inaugurated by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS. This monumental occasion for Hindu Americans was marked by the presence of volunteers, dignitaries, and well-wishers, all coming together under a shared spirit of reverence and community…
ROBBINSVILLE, NEW JERSEY, October 7, 2023 (Lassi with Lavina, by Lavina Melwani–pictured above): As a journalist dedicated to covering the Indian Diaspora and documenting the struggles and successes of our community for several decades, I was content to keep writing in anonymity, with people only knowing me by my faceless byline. Now in this age of social media things have…
VIETNAM, October 7, 2023 (Outlook Traveller): Vietnam, known for its stunning natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant traditions, harbors a hidden gem of ancient history: a collection of Hindu temples that date back over a thousand years. These remarkable temples stand as a testament to the enduring influence of Indian culture in Southeast Asia. The presence of Hinduism in…
