studentorgs.utexas.edu AUSTIN, TEXAS, November 14, 2007: The students in the University of Texas chapter of the Hindu Students Council celebrated Diwali this year with a bang. On November 9, students gathered at the base of the University of Texas tower to participate in a Lakshmi Pooja, sing bhajans and watch a fireworks show. Diwali is put on by the Hindu…
www.cleveland.com BRUNSWICK, OHIO, November 12, 2007: Bowls of curry and heaps of rice. Gourds decorated like ducks and watermelon halves dressed up as boats. Mountains of cookies and stacks of flat bread and a gingerbread house with a flashing-light Deity inside. This is how the Swaminarayan Temple celebrates Diwali. “It’s the Hindu New Year, the beginning of the year for…
www.hinduonnet.com KENDRAPARA, ORISSA, INDIA, November 10, 2007: A number of shrines of Lord Jagannath in Orissa, languishing after surviving the onslaught of medieval Muslim invaders, are poised to get a facelift. The Puri Jagannath temple administration, as a part of its plan to preserve and enlarge the sphere of Jagannath spiritual lineage and its heritage, has embarked upon the project,…
Paras Ramoutar TRINIDAD, November 11, 2007: Hindus will finally complete two months of fasting and penance on Kaatik-ke-Nahaan November 18, as a signal that this auspicious and spiritually-charged period comes to an end. Thousands of Hindus, mainly women, will converge at several beaches and rivers to celebrate the annual festival of Kaatik-ke-Nahaan. Main areas of focus will be Manzanilla and…
www.nydailynews.com NEW YORK, NEW YORK, November 4, 2007: There are many ways for members of a religious group to demonstrate that they’ve “made it” in America: a burgeoning population, a big house of worship, a parade down Main St. But in New York there’s one indicator that stands above all others: when alternate-side-of-the-street parking is suspended to mark the group’s…
www.washingtonpost.com WASHINGTON, D.C., November 10, 2007: Diwali, a major Hindu festival that is as important in India as Christmas is in the United States, conjures many images: fireworks, rituals honoring the goddess of wealth and dressing up in traditional garb for New Year’s Day, which some Hindus celebrate today. For adherents of a fast-growing segment of Hinduism known as BAPS,…
www.chron.com HOUSTON, TEXAS, November 9, 2007: Ask the young students at the DAV School what they like best about Diwali and their answers come fast. “Fireworks!” several shout, giddy with anticipation of the Hindu holiday they will celebrate today. “Dancing! Sweets. Lights. Decorations.” But they also know the story behind the festival of lights, which is one of the most…
www.uscis.gov WASHINGTON, D.C., November 1, 2007: (HPI note: All Hindu temples and organizations who did not yet submit comments on this very important issue should do so — there are just five days left. For further information, contact HPI at ar@hindu.org.) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it is reopening the public comment period until November 16,…
www.mandir.org LONDON, UK, November 9, 2007: Their Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London, on the afternoon of November 9, 2007, to participate in the celebrations of Diwali. After being welcomed in a traditional Indian manner, the Royal couple proceeded to the sanctum sanctorum where they offered…
www.hinduonnet.com LONDON, UK, November 9, 2007: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown described Diwali as “a wonderful inclusive festival” as thousands of enthusiastic Hindus and Sikhs in Britain celebrated the Indian festival of light last night. In a message telecast on different channels on Friday night, Brown said “I am delighted to send my warmest greetings to everyone in our Hindu…