http://www.hinduism-today.com/ Join the Hindu renaissance Thu, 23 Feb 2012 05:32:55 -0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss/ XOOPS Do_Not_Reply at hindu dot org Do_Not_Reply at hindu dot org en http://www.hinduism-today.com/images/logo.gif http://www.hinduism-today.com/ 144 80 http://www.hinduism-today.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/fasting--prayers-mark-maha-shivratri/11860.html <a href="http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/fasting-prayers-mark-maha-shivratri/966022.html">Source</a><br/><br/>In Jammu, the faithful thronged temples, including the cave shrine of Shiv Khori in Reasi district, and paid obeisance to Lord Shiva. Long-winding queues were seen outside Ranbeshwar temple, Peer Kho, Har-ki-Pouri and Shiv Parvati mandir in the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir. According to the Hindu calendar, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated a day or two before the new moon in the month of Phalgun (February-March).<br /> Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:50:00 -0000 ee9e-8151-eb8a-6da3-5660-48c6-23a2-2b36 Hindu Press International http://www.hinduism-today.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/trinidad-observes-maha-shiva-raatri-amidst-carnival/11861.html <a href="http://www.hinduismtoday.com/hpi/">Source</a><br/><br/>TRINIDAD, February 21, 2012 (Paras Ramoutar): Trinidad and Tobago Hindus joined the rest of the Indian Diaspora world wide in the annual observance of Maha Shiva Ratri on Sunday, Feb. 19, from midnight. The observance juxtaposed with the annual pre-lenten celebration, Carnival, which is celebrated here on Monday February 20 and Tuesday February 21. Whilst non-Hindus opted to hit the fetes and parties and jumped to the gyrating music and songs of the steel pan, soca trucks and calypsos, Hindus assembled in the more than 400 mandirs and at special places of worship to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva, who is revered here with great enthusiasm and holiness. For the past weeks, Hindus have been abstained from all forms of merriment, alcoholic drinks and other forms of worldly pleasures in preparation for the observance. <br /><br />Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who has just returned from her Indian safari, observed Shiva Ratri in her constituency of Siparia. The youthful leader of the Congress of the People, and Minister of Legal Affairs, Prakash Ramadhar viewed Shiva Ratri is an opportunity to rejuvenate one's self in an effort to stabilised and enhanced serious national development and nation-building traits. Minister of Finance, Winston Dookeran, said that Shiva Ratri is an observance which Hindus observe with diligence overshadowed with an overwhelming aura of spirituality, a feature which the world society needs with all the urgency at its command. Shiva Ratri is one the several religious observances and customs which our forefathers brought with them when they came here between 1845 and 1917 from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, India to work on the sugar and cocoa plantations. Approximately 25 per cent of the population of 1.3 million are Hindus.<br /> Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:40:00 -0000 33fd-e67f-025e-e68d-7761-530c-a6a2-fd66 Hindu Press International http://www.hinduism-today.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/hinduism-summit-to-be-held-march-10-in-new-jersey/11862.html <a href="http://forumforhinduawakening.org/events/event.php?id=336">Source</a><br/><br/>NEW JERSEY, USA, February 22, 2012 (Forum for Hindu Awakening): Bridgewater Hindu Temple welcomes you to a Hinduism Summit to be held on Saturday, 10th March from 3:00 to 5:15 PM at the Temple community hall. This free event will include conch blowing, Vedic recitations, lamp lighting and refreshments. It will feature presentations by Hindu thinkers like Rajiv Malhotra, and videos and exhibitions on topics like the tenets of Hinduism, reversing the gaze of Western criticism on Hinduism, to Hindu spiritual healing remedies on health, relationship or financial problems. Click source above for more information.<br /> Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:40:00 -0000 6334-6b44-2ea2-4408-64e8-1e76-48de-5685 Hindu Press International http://www.hinduism-today.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/first-veda-sammelanam-of-north-america/11863.html <a href="http://www.svbf.org">Source</a><br/><br/>UNITED STATES, February 2012: Sringeri Vidya Bharati Foundation Inc., USA, is organizing the first Veda Sammelanam of North America at the Sharada Temple in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, April 14. Vedic Scholars, Priests, Agama/Sastra Pundits, Shivacharyas and Bhattacharyas from USA and Canada are invited to participate.<br /><br />This coincides with the 100th year of ascension to the spiritual throne of the 34th Pontiff of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Jagadguru Sri Sri Chandrasekara Bharati Mahaswamiji. The program will include a ceremonious procession of the Vedic scriptures, recitation of all the four Vedas, an elaborate Vedic offering to Goddess Sharadamba, a lecture-cum-demonstration of various recitation practices, talks and honoring of the Pundits. Additional details can be found at source above.<br /> Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:40:00 -0000 dfc2-045c-29d3-6f8d-4965-470f-a70c-183e Hindu Press International http://www.hinduism-today.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/edmonton-maha-ganapthy-temple-kumbabishekam/11864.html <a href="http://www.mahaganapathytemple.com">Source</a><br/><br/>EDMONTON, CANADA, February 2012: The Shri Edmonton Maha Ganapthy Temple is celebrating the 12 year anniversary of its 2000 inauguration with a Kumbabishekam to be held from July 1 to July 5, 2012. The Flagstaff (Kodimaram) will be installed in the temple prior to the Kumbabishekam. All are welcome to attend the ceremonies and receive Lord Ganesha's blessings.<br /><br />Prior to the Kumbabishekam, all the deities will be moved from the shrines and kept at a temporary site inside the temple. This ceremony is referred to as "Palasthapanam" and will take place on April 23 to April 25, 2012. The spiritual activities include Homa, Abishekam and Arathi of Palasthapamam.<br /><br />For information about the temple and the Kumbabishekam please visit the temple at "source" above.<br /> Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:40:00 -0000 be3c-4576-cfd4-26b9-6625-5383-ff2a-3b3e Hindu Press International http://www.hinduism-today.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/daily-inspiration/11865.html <a href="http://www.hinduismtoday.com/hpi/2012/2/22.shtml">Source</a><br/><br/>O Mother! Let all my speech be your prayer; let all my crafts and technology be your worship and be the mystic gestures of my hand, adorning you. May all my movements become your devotional circumambulations. May everything I eat or drink be oblations to you. Let my lying down in rest and sleep be prostrations to you. Mother! Whatever I do, may all that become a sacramental service and worship for you.<br /><b>-- Adi Sankaracharya's 'Hymn to the Divine Mother'</b> Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:40:00 -0000 96ce-1510-6b38-5536-31bf-f4a5-e47d-152f Hindu Press International http://www.hinduism-today.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/elephants-and-handlers-benefited-from-camp--says-minister/11858.html <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/article2823169.ece?css=print">Source</a><br/><br/>COIMBATORE, INDIA, January 2012 (The Hindu): The Rest and Restoration camp for temple elephants was doing a world of good not only for the pachyderms but also their handlers (mahouts), observed the Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments M.S.M. Anandan at the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve on Sunday.<br /><br />With the camp for 36 female and one male temple elephant which got underway on December 14 scheduled to end in about a week, Mr. Anandan accompanied by the Commissioner, HR and CE J. Chandrakumar visited Mudumalai to get a first hand feel of the situation on the ground.<br /><br />Stating that over the last five weeks there was a marked difference in the physical well being of the animals and the handlers, he said that a chart containing dos and don'ts for the elephants would be handed over to the handlers at the conclusion of the camp.<br /> Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:40:00 -0000 aa2c-4cef-53df-c840-8e36-20ab-afc9-6dd6 Hindu Press International http://www.hinduism-today.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/daily-inspiration/11859.html <a href="http://www.hinduismtoday.com/hpi/2012/2/19.shtml">Source</a><br/><br/>Give up everything to Him, resign yourself to Him and there will no trouble for you. Then you will come to know that every thing is done by His will.<br /><b>-- Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa (1836-1886)</b> Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:40:00 -0000 96ce-1510-6b38-5536-31bf-f4a5-e47d-152f Hindu Press International http://www.hinduism-today.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/sri-lanka-hindus-want-maha-sivaratri-a-full-holiday/11854.html <a href="http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/02/20/news32.asp">Source</a><br/><br/>"Maha Sivaratri is the most important religious day in the calendar of the Hindus and Hindu temples. The government declared this day Public and Bank Holiday but not a Mercantile Holiday in spite of our repeated requests. We, as the Federation of Hindu Religious Associations and Trustees of Hindu Temples of this country appeal, once again to the government that the Maha Sivaratri day be declared a Mercantile Holiday. However, we kindly request the Labour Ministry and all mercantile establishments to allow Hindus to enable them to observe fast and keep vigil throughout the day and night on this day.<br /><br />"The All Ceylon Hindu Congress has also made an appeal to the government to ensure free movement of the devotees in the areas surrounding Sivan Temples and also to ensure adequate transport facilities by providing extra buses for the convenience of the devotees and in particular to those who will be traveling to Thiruketheeswaram Temple in Mannar from Colombo, Jaffna, Vavuniya, Batticaloa and Upcountry and also to the other Sivan Temples in the Country.<br /><br />"The Indian government has undertaken the rehabilitation of Thiruketheeswaram Temple with US$3 million. The All Ceylon Hindu Congress on behalf of all Hindus of this country wish to thank the Indian government once again for their generous gesture.<br /><br />"Further, the All Ceylon Hindu Congress requires that all Hindus and Hindu Temples should observe Sivaratri Vigil by conducting Poojas and praying to Lord Shiva and not to participate in any unnecessary luxurious ceremony.<br /> Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:30:00 -0000 ebe5-a3be-06c3-7b3c-6b8c-9a7f-3a3b-1a34 Hindu Press International http://www.hinduism-today.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/punjabi-hindus-make-half-million-siva-lingams-for-sivaratri/11856.html <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/Ludhianvis-pour-out-devotion-in-shivlings/articleshow/11956631.cms">Source</a><br/><br/>HAIBOWAL, PUNJAB, INDIA, February 19, 2012 (Times of India): The Shiv temple in Haibowal has been witnessing a unique activity since February 7. People of all age groups are all busy making clay Siva Lingams, and it's not just one, two or even thousands, but over 400,000 that they have made till now. The number will reach 500,000 by Monday. There is a strong belief among the devotees that whoever makes a Siva Lingam gets relief from his or her problems and receives Lord Siva's blessings. If Janak Rani, a homemaker and resident of area, wishes well being of her family, student Shivani Sharma eyes good marks in exams. There is a strong belief among people that worshipping Lord Siva helps girls in getting a good life partner. "I come to this temple every morning. When I saw people making shivlings I too pitched in. This time Shivratri is falling on Monday, which is considered very auspicious. My mother had also told me to do so because it would help get me a suitable match," said Kavita Verma, a student.<br /> Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:30:00 -0000 7d9e-44cd-fd94-dc51-5f0f-8052-c5f3-65e1 Hindu Press International http://www.hinduism-today.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/us-public-prayer-for-government-functions-faces-legal-restriction/11857.html <a href="http://www.salisburypost.com/News/021912-prayer-county-commissioners-scott-qcd">Source</a><br/><br/>SALISBURY, NORTH CAROLINA, USA, February 19, 2012 (Salisbury Post): The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to let stand a ruling that Forsyth County commissioners' opening prayers are unconstitutional is rippling across the state as other governments examine their own practices. The nation's highest court declined in January to hear an appeal to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals' 2011 ruling that prayers to open Forsyth County board meetings were too overwhelmingly Christian. That decision led the American Civil Liberties Union to call on other government bodies to adhere to the ruling and end sectarian prayer.<br /><br />The Forsyth County prayer fight stretches back to at least 2006. According to reporting by the Winston-Salem Journal, the ACLU asked commissioners in October of that year to stop opening meetings with prayer "invoking the name of Jesus Christ." and adopt a policy banning sectarian prayers. Beginning in late 2009, the county lost successive court rulings and appeals in federal and district courts, then in the 4th Circuit Court, where the majority opinion said that even though the county's policy was to invite local religious leaders to pray "according to the dictates of their faith" but to avoid proselytizing or disparaging other faiths, the prayers were still unconstitutional because they "referred to Jesus, Jesus Christ, Christ, or Savior with overwhelming frequency."<br /><br />When the Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal to that ruling, it essentially let stand the court's landmark 1983 decision -- in a case involving the Nebraska state legislature and its paid chaplain -- that there's nothing wrong with opening governments meeting in prayer, as long as the prayer doesn't favor one religion over another. Parker, the ACLU legal director, puts it this way: "A reference to a general god is considered nonsectarian. What's sectarian is when someone references a deity in whom only a particular religion believes."<br /><br />To groups like the ACLU, though, diversity may be no substitute for nonsectarianism, especially at meetings where government policy is made. "If a Hindu gives a prayer and prays to Vishnu, that's a sectarian prayer," said Parker, the ACLU legal director.<br /> Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:30:00 -0000 290c-2fda-dfff-f8b1-ea45-0201-46d8-1652 Hindu Press International http://www.hinduism-today.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/maha-sivaratri-celebrations-to-begin/11849.html <a href="http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=4093">Source</a><br/><br/>KAUAI, HAWAII, February 18, 2012 (HPI): Maha Sivaratri will be celebrated throughout the Hindu world on the 19th or 20th (depending on location). On "Siva's Great Night," Maha Sivaratri, the fourteenth day of the dark half of Kumbha, or Aquarius (Phalguna February/March), devotees fast all day in preparation to worship Lord Siva from evening until early dawn bathing the sacred Siva Linga with water, milk, honey and saffron water, then offering bilva leaves while chanting Sri Rudram, the pre-eminent Vedic hymn to Siva, or reciting His 1,008 names are the high points of the all-night vigil. Only when the last puja is finished in early morning do devotees break their fast by eating the sacred prasadam offered earlier to the Lord. The following day is one of feasting and gaiety, especially at grand fairs held in many parts of India. On Siva's night we contemplate Siva as the Unmanifest Reality.<br /> Sun, 19 Feb 2012 03:40:00 -0000 3668-1b9f-d0fd-5320-eaf7-e7f7-dc10-e9b4 Hindu Press International http://www.hinduism-today.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/thousands-join-chariot-procession-to-batu-caves/11850.html <a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/2/7/nation/20120207074333&sec=nation">Source</a><br/><br/>BATU CAVES, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSSIA, February 7, 2012 (The Star): It was a fitting pre-Thaipusam tribute as thousands of devotees gathered here while others joined the chariot procession in preparation for the annual festival today . The chariot carrying the statue of Lord Murugan made its way from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Jalan Bandar, starting the journey at about 11.30pm on Sunday. It was estimated that about 150,000 devotees followed the procession.The chariot arrived in Batu Caves at about 4pm and will remain there until Wednesday, when it will return to Jalan Bandar in the afternoon.<br /><br /> Sun, 19 Feb 2012 03:40:00 -0000 feb1-d11d-f3ff-48f5-b655-e47f-3332-0950 Hindu Press International http://www.hinduism-today.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/first-hindu-chaplains-graduate-in-australia/11851.html <a href="http://knox-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/first-australian-trained-hindu-chaplains-graduate-in-melbourne/">Source</a><br/><br/>MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, February 10, 2012 (Knox Leader): A group of 12 young Indian students are the first Hindu chaplains to graduate in Australia. The Melbourne Hindi Foundation announced the first round of graduates after five months of intensive training, in-patient management at hospitals, spiritual services, family counseling and Hindu prayer. They will get refresher courses every six weeks to expand their skills and ensure they are up to date with all hospital policy. The chaplains will work mostly in hospitals and nursing homes with the sick and dying.<br /><br />Hindu Foundation executive director Pandit Abhay Awasthi said Melbourne had 35,000 Hindus, with a massive increase expected over the next four years. "These new chaplains will cover the southeastern region of Melbourne and relieve older chaplains looking to retire," Mr Awasthi said. "It is a lifelong position. "We will begin training another 20 for the northwestern region in February." Mr Awasthi said the chaplaincy role was very orthodox and provided a cultural connection for Australian Hindus.<br /> Sun, 19 Feb 2012 03:40:00 -0000 7d65-4160-c734-6f5d-87db-bf71-fdce-0d09 Hindu Press International http://www.hinduism-today.com/blogs-news/hindu-press-international/maldives-museum-attacked--hindu-artifacts-smashed/11852.html <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/maldives-museum-reopens-minus-smashed-hindu-images-15583377#.Tzqp2GD1vgQ">Source</a><br/><br/>COLOMBO, SRI LANKA, February 14, 2012 (AP): The Maldives' national museum reopened Tuesday without some of its most valuable exhibits a week after a mob of suspected religious extremists smashed images from the pre-Islamic era of this Indian Ocean archipelago. About 35 exhibits -- mostly images of Buddha and Hindu gods -- were destroyed. Some of the artifacts dated to the sixth century, museum director Ali Waheed said. Waheed says 99 percent of the Maldives' pre-Islamic artifacts from before the 12th century, when most inhabitants were Buddhists or Hindus, were destroyed. "Some of the pieces can be put together but mostly they are made of sandstone, coral and limestone, and they are reduced to powder," he said. The mob of suspected Muslim extremists attacked the museum during the Maldives' unfolding political crisis. The country has seen weeks of protests and last week President Mohamed Nasheed stepped down. He later said he was forced to resign at gunpoint.<br /><br />The attack was the latest blow to the island nation that is best known as a high-end tourist destination. "We are very sad. This is the physical and archaeological evidence of the country, we have nothing to show (of the pre-Islamic history)," Waheed said. The items had been preserved since the museum opened in 1952. Waheed said the the attackers did not understand that the museum exhibits were not promoting other religions in this Muslim country.<br /><br />Practicing or preaching any religion other than Islam is prohibited by the Maldives constitution, and there have been increasing demands for conservative Muslim policies to be implemented. Last year, a mob destroyed a monument given by Pakistan marking a South Asian summit with an engraved image of the Buddha in it. Pakistan is an Islamic republic that also has a Buddhist history.<br /> Sun, 19 Feb 2012 03:40:00 -0000 7548-d40c-6428-3690-74c2-bd93-eb18-68a7 Hindu Press International