JAKARTA, INDONESIA, January 24, 2025 (VIVA): The Jakarta Murugan Temple, also known as Shri Sanathana Dharma Aalayam, has been inaugurated as the first temple in the city dedicated to Lord Murugan. This monumental establishment symbolizes Indonesia’s cultural diversity and spiritual unity. The temple’s grand inauguration ceremony, known as the Maha Kumbhabhishekam, is set to take place on Sunday, February 2,…
NEW DELHI, INDIA, January 27, 2025 (India West Journal): Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to China from January 26 to 27 marked a significant step forward in India-China relations, with several key developments underscoring the two countries’ commitment to strengthening ties. One of the major highlights was the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which is set to take place…
PRAYAGRAJ, INDIA, January 25, 2025 (The Hindu, by Ishita Mishra): On a cloudy day in January, millions of saffron-clad people stand on the banks of the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna and the mythical river Saraswati in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. They wait patiently to immerse themselves in the icy waters. The pilgrims believe that taking…
PRAYAG, INDIA, January 24, 2025 (Hindustan Times): Over 2,500 drones depicted the Samudra Manthan, churning of the ocean, in the sky over the Kumbh Mela site today. It the scene above, Lord Siva is drinking the poison unexpectedly released during the churning which ultimately released amrita, the nectar of immortality. The drones displayed many other things, such as “Happy Uttar…
INDIA, January 20, 2025 (The Hindu): Marking the conclusion of a pilgrimage season that witnessed an unprecedented influx of devotees, the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala closed its portals on Monday after a Pandalam Palace representative visited the temple and offered prayers here in the morning. The temple was opened in the morning at 5am and a Ganapati homam was performed.…
PRAYAG, INDIA, January 24, 2025 (nrsc.gov.in): See spectacular satellite photos of the Sangam area here. Pull down the blue dot at top to compare the photos from September, 2023, and December 29, 2024: https://www.nrsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Swipe_Kumbhmela2025/slider_kumbh_mela.html
SOUTH AFRICA, January 16, 2025 (South Coast Herald): During Thai Poosam Kavady, a Hindu religious festival, the Hindu Deity, Lord Muruga, is worshipped. The festival is one of the biggest on the South African Indian festival calendar. The Umbango Sri Siva Soobramoniar Temple invites all to their annual Thai Poosam Kavady festival from February 2 to 16. The flag hoisting…
INDIA, January 18, 2025 (BBC): It’s 1000 CE – the heart of the Middle Ages. Europe is in flux. The powerful nations we know today – like Norman-ruled England and the fragmented territories that will go on to become France – do not yet exist. Towering Gothic cathedrals have yet to rise. Aside from the distant and prosperous city of…
INDIA, January 17, 2025 (Economic Times): Steve Jobs’ handwritten letter, offering a rare glimpse into his spiritual and poetic side, has made history as the first personal letter by Jobs–the late co-founder of Apple–to be auctioned, fetching an impressive US$500,312, according to India Today. Written on Jobs’ 19th birthday, February 23, 1974, the letter was addressed to his childhood friend…
PRAYAGRAJ, INDIA, January 16, 2025 (Swarajya, by Ankit Saxena): Are you a devotee wanting to know your route to the Sangam in Prayagraj? Here is your pictorial guide. Considered the largest spiritual gathering on Earth, the Maha Kumbh 2025 began on 13 January in the city of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. This once-in-144-year event, steeped in centuries-old traditions, will continue until…
