Friday, July 11, 2014
Vivek Jyoti Magazine
Saturday, July 5, 2014
First Encyclopedia on Hinduism
President of India Shree Pranab Mukherjee has released the first copy of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism on June 23, 2014 at a function in Rashtrapati Bhawan. He also praised Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji of the Parmarth Niketan Rishikesh, the founder-chairman of India Heritage Research Foundation (IHRF) for the efforts in bringing out the encyclopaedia.
Speaking at the function, the President said that "the basic tenet of Hinduism is happiness, health and enlightenment for everyone, and suffering, pain and agony for none." He also said, "Hindu philosophy identifies 'Dharma', 'Artha', 'Kama' and 'Moksh' as the foremost objectives of a human being, and striking a balance in human behaviour in working towards these objectives has been prescribed as a key aim of human existence".
You can go through the detailed news at these reports:
Friday, July 4, 2014
Hindu Temple in North Kashmir Reopens
In a very positive news, today's Indian Express tells about a Hindu Temple reopening in Kashmir after remaining shut ever since Kashmiri Pandits (Hindus) were driven out of the valley by armed militants in 1990:
After 24 years, Hindu temple reopens in militant hub
Ruwa Shah | Srinagar | July 4, 2014
After remaining shut for 24 years, the Nandkishor Asthapan, a Hindu temple in north Kashmir, was thrown open to devotees Tuesday. This is the first Hindu temple to be reopened in Sopore, a militant stronghold in north Kashmir.
“It was a mesmerising moment to visit this temple after so long,” said Maharaj Krishnan, a Kashmiri pandit who had decided to stay back in the Valley. “My relatives from Jammu wanted to visit the temple, this is the first time after 1990 that we came here.”
The temple in Seer Jagir village in Sopore town was shut after Kashmiri pandits left the Valley in 1990.
“About 37 temples have been renovated and opened for Kashmiri pandits in the Valley since the turmoil,” said Sanjay Tickoo, head of the Kashmiri Pandits Sangarsh Samiti (KPSS).Please visit for complete news: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/after-24-years-hindu-temple-reopens-in-militant-hub/
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Monday, June 30, 2014
Jagannath Temple's Research Institute
Hindu temples and religious institutions have always tried to contribute to the welfare of the society. For a substantial period in India's history Hindus were so poor due to foreign invasions restricting their faith that this spirit of charity somehow came in the shadow, still we have fine examples of people renouncing all they have for the welfare of society. In this light, a recent news appears to be very positive.
Gujarat Chief Minister has inaugurated Shree Jagannath Cultural Academy and Research Centre (JCARC). As Indian Express reports in its news article titled "CM inaugurates Jagannath temple research institute", June 30, 2014, Shree Jagannath Cultural Academy and Research Centre (JCARC) near Adalaj houses a replica of Puri Jagannath temple of Orissa and a centre that will also impart training to students on various subjects of public wellness, skill and entrepreneurial development, art and culture, education and philosophy. “I will be going with this new concept (of a place which has a temple and which also imparts training) from here today,” Patel said. “The IAS officers should go and bring trustees of various temples and show them (JCARC),” Patel said.
Source and detailed news: http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/cm-inaugurates-jagannath-temple-research-institute/
Monday, June 23, 2014
The 2014 Pandharpur Wari Under Progress
The Pandharpur
Wari or Yatra which is a pilgrimage on foot is currently in progress. Local and
national newspapers are covering this evening in their own ways. This
pilgrimage is a hundreds of years old tradition and it is wonderful to
see it still going strong. This morning I witnessed the yatra and what a spectacular
scene it was. Last night our neighborhood housing society had invited a group
of Warkari pilgrims to stay in their premises and the pilgrims were given food
and shelter. For the whole night the pilgrims sang religious songs and prayed
to God. They had a truck with them carrying essentials like drinking water. This
morning they joined the other Warkaris to form an ocean of devotees – it was a
scene of all individual egos getting lost and spirit of oneness rising above
everything else…
Posting some of the
newspaper articles on this subject to know more:
Why every Gen X must check out the Palkhi in Pune
All the wari's a stage for these NSS students
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Non-Brahmin and Women Priests at Maharashtra Temple
In very old times, varna system (castes have roots in this social system) was based on work and not on birth. Due to compulsions and convenience of society, gradually it degenerated into a birth-based system where caste of a person started getting determined by the caste of one's parents (or father). Many social reformers tried to break the rigidity of this system which was a major reason why Hindus appeared "divided" at the face of any challenge. Even till date many good works are being done by many temples and individuals.
The news item below published in Indian Express tells about Pandharpur Temple where non-Brahmins and women were allowed to compete and get selected to work as priests:
Maharashtra temple breaks barriers, invites non-Brahmin and women priests
Written by Parthasarathi Biswas | New Delhi | May 25, 2014 12:57 am
Dressed in a simple sari, with a mangalsutra, a haldi-kumkum tika and bangles as accessories, Hema Ashtekar looks a bit out of place in the mostly male group. Like them, she is here to appear for an interview for the posts of eight priests for the ancient Shri Vitthal Rukmani temple in the pilgrim town of Pandharpur, Solapur district, Maharashtra.
Ashtekar is one of 23 women candidates who have applied for the position of priest for Goddess Rukmani. On May 18, 161 applicants appeared for the interview, in response to an advertisement placed by the temple committee, which mentioned that non-Brahmins and women were eligible to apply. Out of the 199 responses to the advertisement, 93 were from Brahmins.
Complete article at: http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/maharashtra-temple-breaks-barriers-invites-non-brahmin-and-women-priests/
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