BALI, INDONESIA, March 13, 2022 (scmp.com): After close to two years of being shut to international tourists, Indonesia last Monday began quarantine-free entry to its most popular resort island of Bali for vaccinated foreigners – with some strings attached. Eligible travelers must have had at least two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, a negative PCR test result before departure and…
NEW DELHI, March 21, 2022 (Indian Express): Ahead of the virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison on Monday afternoon, Australia announced the return of 29 antiquities to India. These correspond to six broad themes – Shiva and his disciples (4), worshiping Shakti (11), Lord Vishnu and his forms (13), Jain tradition (19), portraits…
INDIA, March 16, 2022 (Aljazeera): Millions of Hindus around the world are preparing to celebrate Holi, also known as the festival of colors. The festival marks the beginning of the spring season in the Indian subcontinent. Holi is celebrated in Phagun, the 12th month of the Hindu calendar, which corresponds to February or March in the Gregorian calendar. This year,…
UNITED STATES, March 20, 2022 (Press Release by Ajay Shah): Over 110 major American Hindu organizations and temples have joined together to celebrate Holi festival as United Colors of Holi to celebrate diversity and unity in our country. For thousands of years, Holi, the festival of color, has celebrated the advent of spring and the end of winter, the victory…
JAKARTA, INDONESIA, March 7, 2022 (Antara News): Directorate General of Human Settlements of the Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry is currently revitalizing the Great Besakih Temple complex in Karangasem District, Bali Province, to facilitate the activities of worshipers and tourists. “Usually, the area will be very crowded when the temple holds a big religious celebration. Hence, we are…
JAKARTA, INDONESIA, March 4, 2022 (Antara News): The Law and Human Rights Ministry granted special remissions (time off or even release) to a total of 1,117 Hindu prisoners across Indonesia for 2022 Hindu Silence Day (Nyepi Day) that coincides with the 1944 Saka New Year. “The granting of remissions is expected to motivate inmates to improve themselves and increase their…
WASHINGTON, D.C. March 2, 2022 (Pew Forum): More than half a century ago, India was one of the first countries in the world to elect a woman as prime minister, and the country currently has several highly influential women politicians, including Sonia Gandhi, the head of one of the major national parties. Today, most Indians say that “women and men…
BALI, INDONESIA, February 27, 2022 (Balidiscovery.com): Nyepi is 24 hours of absolute silence imposed on the island of Bali from 6:00 am on Thursday, March 3, 2022, until 6:00 am the following morning. During this period, Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport is closed to all flights; the seaports closed, ferry services suspended, people confined to their homes, and tourists are not…
Published: Mar 01, 2022 09:26 AM BALI, INDONESIA, March 1, 2022 (Xinhua): HPI note: This is a set of three colorful photos of the event before the “Day of Silence.” The first shows them praying on Cangu Beach in Bali, the second, another angle of the event and the third (above), shows the worship out on an ocean-side rock. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202203/1253553.shtml
UNITED KINGDOM, February 24, 2022 (Palatinate): Durham University’s Oriental Museum is reviving Holi celebrations after two years of the pandemic restricting activities. Celebrations will be taking place on Saturday 12 March, 12-5pm. Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, is the Indian Spring Festival. It is a two-day Hindu festival which originated in India, and celebrates the triumph of…