ORGANIZATIONS
Swaminarayan Mission Swells
London members of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha (BAPS) created a webpage matching the high standard of their organization's other accomplishments. Similarly selfless members created the Neasdon temple (now a Guinness World Record), the incredible Akshardham complex in India and the Cultural Festivals of India in the UK, USA and India. Pramukh Swami Maharaj heads BAPS, one of three present-day branches of the followers of Lord Swaminarayan (1781-1830ce). The website is wonderfully comprehensive, with the history of Swaminarayan and BAPS, full text of their principal scriptures Vachanamritm and Shikshapatri, their monthly magazine Amrut, "100 Questions and Answers" about the Swaminarayan sect, poetry, and location of all BAPS temples and e-mail contacts worldwide. Search for: wp.com/Aksharnet/
TRAVEL
Beautiful Bali
If you are en route to Bali, experience it vicariously first by visiting the island's highly acclaimed, colorful website. Guidance is all here–a travel planner, maps, lists of nature excursions, directions to hotels, temples, museums, art galleries, historical places and more. You will read how Bali Hinduism differs from India's and why no Balinese ever feels alone. Every action is intended to please the Gods and Goddesses. Therefore, one "cannot separate the religious life of Bali from its daily life"–the secret of Bali's enduring indigenous identity. See the Calendar of Events and be sure to attend a temple festival and ritual dance–they occur daily! Travel to indo.com/
ARTS
Arangham
Distinguished artiste Anita Ratnam established Arangham ["Performing Arena"] Trust in Chennai, 1992, to create synergy between Indian dancers and traditional sculptors, poets, painters and other visual artistes. This collaboration is encouraged by the trust's frequent dance and theatre productions. Other activities include dance workshops for urban Chennai school students and mask making and puppetry classes for street children. A tantalizing glimpse is given of Narthaki, a printed directory (unfortunately not available online). It contains 4,000 names and addresses of dance teachers and institutions, along with information about jewelry, costumes, dance critics and more–a valuable resource indeed! Pay a visit to Arangham.com/
SCRIPTURE
The Gita As it Is
Gita lovers will be delighted with a high-powered, interactive, multimedia CD of the Bhagavad Gita As It Is published by Krishna Software Inc. Excellent music and full-screen, vivid color video images are generously spread throughout. You can follow the "Disciplic Succession" from Krishna to Swami Prabhupada, read Swami's full Gita translation and study his illustrated biography. A beautiful production as it is, future versions of the CD could be improved in some areas. Windows only. Write: Krishna Software, 19 Ventnor Drive, Edison, New Jersey 08820, USA. Phone: 908-283-1661. Web: krishnasoft.com/
HIM WHO IS WITHOUT BEGINNING AND WITHOUT END, THE CREATOR OF ALL,OF MANIFOLD FORM, THE ONE EMBRACER OF THE UNIVERSE–BY KNOWING GOD, ONE IS RELEASED FROM ALL FETTERS.
Krishna Yajur Veda Svetasvatara Upanishad 5.13