News

BANGKOK, THAILAND, November 16, 2023 (Religion News): The human rights group Amnesty International has strongly criticized UNESCO and its World Heritage program for failing to challenge the Cambodian government’s ongoing mass evictions at the famous centuries-old Angkor Wat temple complex. The London-based organization in a report released Tuesday charged that the evictions of an estimated 10,000 families by Cambodian authorities…

MUMBAI, INDIA, November 14, 2023 (RNS): In a leafy neighborhood of central Mumbai, classic Parsi-style bungalows with their deep porches and balconies adorn the streets, a historic Parsi school has been recently renovated and at the Dadar Athornan Institute, 14 students dressed in T-shirts and skullcaps are immersed in learning the sacred scriptures and rituals of the Zoroastrian faith. But…

HOUSTON, TEXAS, November 10, 2023 (Indo American News): The 12th International Diwali-Dussehra Festival, organized by the Shri Sita Ram Foundation, USA, unfolded in a grand spectacle, leaving a lasting impression on attendees, including local dignitaries and consul generals from nearly a dozen nations. This vibrant celebration of culture and tradition took place at the new state-of-the-art Fort Bend Epicenter in…

NEW YORK, NEW YORK, November 10, 2023 (RNS, by Richa Karmarkar): As this year’s Diwali Motorcade passed through the heart of Ozone Park, Queens, last weekend, Lakshmee Singh explained how the parade, which her mother helped launch more than 30 years ago, is at once her inheritance and the future of her largely Hindu immigrant community. “We were around when…

SINGAPORE, NOVEMBER 10, 2023 (News Mobile): As Singapore joins the global celebration of Diwali, the city-state is aglow with festive spirit and stunning illuminations. Singapore’s connection to Diwali can be traced back to its rich history. The island nation has a substantial Indian diaspora of approximately 650,000 as per the Ministry of External Affairs India, with deep cultural and historical…

SRINAGAR, INDIA, November 11, 2023 (Kashmirlife.net): The state Border Roads Organization (BRO) has responded to environmental concerns raised in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the widened tracks leading to the Amarnath cave are not intended for motor vehicular movement, though motorized vehicles and excavation equipment has been used for the work. The widening of tracks leading to the cave aligns…

VANCOUVER, BC, November 9, 2023 (News Wire): Canada Post issued a new stamp today celebrating the arrival of Diwali, one of the largest, most popular and widely celebrated festivals in India. Diwali, which is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and other communities in Canada and around the world, celebrates the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.…

BALI, INDONESIA, November 8, 2023 (The Bali Sun): The traditional Balinese New Year, known as Nyepi Day, will fall on 11th March 2024. The festival is honored by Balinese Hindus across the island as a day of silence which will start at 5:59 a.m. on Monday 11th March 2024 until 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 12th March 2024. The night before…

UNITED STATES, November 7, 2023 (BBC): For many businesses, holiday spending is a major part of Q4 revenue – think Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Kwanzaa. Now, as it gains national recognition, US merchants are increasingly embracing Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, for its commercial potential. While every region in India has traditions for commemorating this holiday, most celebrants broadly…

TIBET, November 3, 2023 (Lad Bible by Joe Harker): Mount Kailash is a couple of thousand feet shorter than Everest, but nobody’s ever made it up the mountain. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, Kailash is a pretty difficult to reach part of the world, and the physical challenge of getting there and actually climbing the mountain is seen…