14th Century Temple in Tamil Nadu Set For Renovation

www.hindu.com TIRUCHARIPALLI, INDIA, January 23, 2009: An ancient Vaishnavite temple in nearby Gopurappatti village is finally getting a facelift, thanks to the dedication of residents and other devotees. After a century of neglect, the temple had fallen into ruins; the gopurams (towers) and outer walls had caved in, and even the idol of the presiding Deity, similar to that in…

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Daily Inspiration

www.hinduismtoday.com Where can we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being? Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), modern Hindu renaissance inspiration and disciple of Sri Ramakrishna   

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More Agama Patashalas Planned

www.thehindu.com NALGONDA, ANDRA PRADESH, INDIA, January 21, 2009: A total of eleven Agama Patashalas, including one at Gopulaipalli in Nalgonda district, have been set up under the aegis of the Endowments Department to promote temple traditions and rituals in tune with the Agama Shastra, said Endowments Commissioner P. Sundara Kumar. Seven more Agama Patashalas will be established at various places…

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New Book on Temple Sculptures http://www.hindu.com/br/2009/01/20/stories/2009012050071500.htm

The book explores the historical development of image worship, the importance of the temple itself, festivals, the manifestation of God as the various Deities of the Saiva, Vaishnava and Shakta sects, devotion as expressed in temple worship, dance, and more. The interrelations between different forms of worship and beliefs are brought out with great clarity. The book does contain some…

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Court Ruling On Shops In and Around Temple

HPI MADURAI, INDIA: The Madras High Court Bench has directed the Executive Officer of the Ramanathaswamy temple at Rameswaram not to permit establishment of shops that might create security problems in and around the temple. The officer is to ensure that the shops do not endanger the safety of devotees, including VIPs, who visit the temple.

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Daily Inspiration

www.hinduismtoday.com It is the unique and all-encompassing nature of Hinduism that one devotee may be worshiping Ganesha while his friend worships Subramaniam or Vishnu, and yet both honor the other’s choice and feel no sense of conflict. The profound understanding and universal acceptance that are unique in Hinduism are reflected in this faculty for accommodating different approaches to the Divine,…

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In The Twilight of Life, A Newborn Love for India

www.thestatesman.net DEHRA DUN, UTTARAKHAND, INDIA, January 22, 2009: Robert Brayon, 61, an American citizen, today was cremated on the banks of the Saryu river in Bageshwar according to Hindu rituals, as he wished. He left money for his last rites and for a shanti moksha paath, a Hindu ritual for the deceased. Brayon, who was suffering from blood cancer, had…

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Multifaith Clergy Gathers At Obama’s First Worship Service

www.washingtonpost.com WASHINGTON, DC, USA, January 22, 2009: President Obama began his first full day in office yesterday with a broad collection of American faith leaders praying with him and for him at Washington National Cathedral in a worship service crafted specially to reflect his interest in religious diversity. Rabbis in yarmulkes, Catholic bishops in magenta vestments, Protestant pastors in suits,…

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Tirupati Balaji Temple to Remain Closed For January 26 Eclipse

www.hindu-blog.com TIRUPATI, INDIA, January 20, 2009: The hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala Tirupati will be closed on January 26 due to Suryagrahanam, a partial solar eclipse on that day. The temple will be closed from 6 am to 6 pm. All Sevas in the Srivari Temple including Suprabhatam, Thomala, Archana, Archana Anantara Darshan will not be performed. January…

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