Symbolism of Ganga As the Purifier and Liberator

by Jayaram VNote: This is next in series to the Symbolism of the Descent of Ganga (Gangavataran) in which I have explained the deeper symbolism hidden in the descent of the River Ganga from the highest heaven and its manifestation upon earth. Here I have explained the importance of the river as a purifier and liberator. I may keep improving this essay as the knowledge of the Ganga flows into my mind. Jayaram VThose who are familiar with the beliefs and practices of Hinduism know that the River Ganga Read more [...]

Hinduism- From the Beginning of the World

    Hinduism offers a bountiful choice of pilgrimage sites to its followers. The fortunate ones come back with their faith renewed; while the others live by their tales as they continue to pray. Bright marigolds decorate the entrance of temples. Inside, a priest offers prayers to the idol at the sanctum sanctorum. He lights a diya (lamp) and places it next to the various sweets, and red hibiscus on a puja thali (a plate used for prayers). The whites of the jasmine flower Read more [...]

Hindu Temple opens in Abilene Texas

  A Hindu Temple has opened in Abilene (Texas).   Recently launched Abilene Hindu Temple (AHT), also known as Vishveshwara Swamy Temple, was reportedly built according to ancient Hindu scriptures and architecture. Main objective of AHT is “to propagate Hindu religion and to perform Hindu rituals”. “Devotees must be on strict vegetarian on visit”, its website states.   AHT opens daily at eight am, holds arthi twice everyday, and organizes weekly pujas to Hindu deities Vishnu, Rudra, Rama, Read more [...]

Hinglaj: An ancient Hindu pilgrimage in Pakistan.

Hingol: a Hindu pilgrimage in Balochistan province of Pakistan. Hingol Located along the banks of Hingol river, in Hinglaj town in Balochistan province of Pakistan, is Hinglaj Mata Mandir. Also, called Nani mandir or Hinglaj Devi or Hingula Devi. The Express Tribune (Pak) | Karachi | April 20, 2016:: In the searing heat of Balochistan, Sunil Kumar climbs up the Chandergup volcano barefoot. Sweating profusely and out of breath, he treads slowly, his ascent interjected by chants of ‘Jai Read more [...]

An Indigenous View Of The Hindu Identity

Hindu is the geographical, cultural and metaphysical identity of the people of the land. It’s neither a religion nor a nation-state.The people of America are called as Americans, Japan as Japanese, and Brazil as Brazilian and so the people of India or Hindustan are called as Indians or Hindus. But whereas American-ism, Japan-ism or Brazilian-ism are not called as a religion, by what yardstick is Hinduism called and officially proclaimed by the Indian nation-state as a religion?The word religion Read more [...]

Illinois’ Rockford City Council to open with Hindu prayer for the first time in 164 years

Reciting from Brahadaranyakopanishad, Rajan Zed plans to say "Asato ma sad gamaya, Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya, Mrtyor mamrtam gamaya", which he will then translate as "Lead me from the unreal to the real, lead me from darkness to light, and lead me from death to immortality." Reciting from Bhagavad-Gita, he proposes to urge Aldermen to keep the welfare of others always in mind. Zed is a global Hindu and interfaith leader, who besides taking up the cause Read more [...]

Washington DC’s Smithsonian museum showcasing Hindu deity Shiva

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged major art museums of the world, including Musee du Louvre and Musee d'Orsay of Paris, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Los Angeles Getty Center, Uffizi Gallery of Florence (Italy), Art Institute of Chicago, Tate Modern of London, Prado Museum of Madrid, National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, etc., to frequently organize Hindu art focused exhibitions, thus sharing the rich Hindu Read more [...]

The Hindu Story of Creation: Which One?

Host Morgan Freeman searches for the stories of creation as part of his understanding of God and spiritual practices from various religions around the world, in the upcoming episode of “The Story of God,” airing Sunday, April 24 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, on the National Geographic Channel. His guide in India, scholar Binda Paranjpe, explains something that most people don’t realize: Hindus don’t have a single story of creation… There is no single scripture that starts with “In the Beginning,” Read more [...]

Are We A Hindu Rashtra?

Are We A Hindu Rashtra? By Samuel Dhar 16 April, 2016Countercurrents.org Hinduism is not a religion. For that matter neither are Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikkhism and so on. These are all COMMUNITIES. Literal meaning of the Word, 'Hindu', coined by the Persians of the 7th century, is ‘universal’. By this definition, most of us who firmly believe in one Universal Read more [...]

Does unique geology make Hindu sacred sites marvellous?

By Pallava Bagla NEW DELHI: What makes the Kailash Parbat, the Ram Setu and the Kedarnath temple such hallowed places? Scientists, believe it is the unique geological locations where they are situated that makes them stunning and worthy of veneration. Kailash Parbat made of shale rocks resembles a Shiva Lingam; Ram Setu connects India to Sri Lanka and visible from space is a unique set of coral islands; while Kedarnath temple that withstood the 2013 flash floods sits on an unstable glacial moraine, Read more [...]

Hindu, Hinduism, Dharma, Hindu Culture