USA, October 5, 2023 (Associated Press) In many countries around the world, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people who are nonbelievers or unaffiliated with any organized religion. These so-called “nones” — atheists, agnostics, or nothing in particular — comprise 30% or more of the adult population in the United States and Canada, as well as…
AYUTTHAYA, THAILAND, September 15, 2023 (Lavan Guardia, Google translated from Spanish): In Asia there is no romance of love and war more famous than the Ramayana. The Sanskrit epic is not only the backbone of Indian culture, but permeates the folklore of all of Southeast Asia, from Laos to Bali. It doesn’t matter whether the audience is Buddhist, Hindu or…
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, September 27, 2023 (India Currents): Pragati Grover came to the U.S., newly married with just two suitcases and a Ganesh statue from her mother. She not only learned how to cook, drive and fall in love with Oprah Winfrey and soap operas in the U.S. but also developed a deeper love for Ganesh, the Hindu God and…
CHENNAI, INDIA, October 1, 2023 (Indian Express by Arun Janardhanan): The Tamil Nadu state Supreme Court this week ordered status quo on the appointment of archakas (priests) in Agamic temples in Tamil Nadu. The Srirangam Koil Miras Kainkaryaparagal Matrum Athanai Sarntha Koilgalin Miraskain-karyaparargalin Nalasangam, an association of archakas, had challenged reforms introduced by the DMK government, which are seen as…
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 30, 2023 (India TV News): The Art of Living foundation conducted its World Culture Festival 2023 at the National Mall in Washington DC, United States. Hundreds of thousands of people from across the world came together for the event. Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who is in the United States abd former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon…
UNITED STATES, September 30, 2023 (Tasting Table, by Emily Alexander): Fake meat products like Impossible and Beyond, which were designed to look and taste like meat, are on the rise. In fact, you’ve most likely seen these innovative imitation meat products on restaurant menus in your town, including at fast food chains, casual sit-down spots, and even upscale dining destinations.…
ROBBINSVILLE, NEW JERSEY, September 25, 2023 (Religion News): After 12 years of planning and construction, the largest Hindu temple outside of India will open to the public this October. The BAPS Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey, will be the third Akshardham, or abode of the Divine, after the temples in Gujarat and New Delhi — the latter of which is…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, September 19, 2023 (Religion News): On Broome Street, in the heart of Manhattan’s fashionable Soho neighborhood, a Hindu temple dedicated to the elephant-headed Deity Ganesha is striving to develop its own sense of cool. Its location allows it to draw guest teachers and devotees — or at least influential fans — such as the actor Willem…
CHENNAI, September 18, 2023 (Times of India): As Ganesh Chaturthi is around the corner, a mesmerizing pandal inspired by ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 Moon mission has been erected in Chennai’s Kilkattalai. The pandal showcases Lord Vinayaka operating the replica of Chandrayaan-3 with a laptop. The Chandrayaan-3 satellite is of 25 feet height and it gets 25 feet up from ground level, complete…
TAMIL NADU, INDIA, September 16, 2023 (Verdictum): The Madras High Court has come to the rescue of Ganesha statue makers and sellers in Tamil Nadu who have been facing the wrath of the state for the last few days for alleged violation of environment norms. A day before the Vishwakarma Jayanthi, who is particularly worshiped by artisans and workers as…
