The big news in town is the verdict by the Supreme Court of India on the matter of the Ram Janmabhoomi site. It appears that the land has been “awarded” to those who want to have a temple dedicated to… Read More ›
Hinduism
Happy Ganesh Chaturthi — the Chicago edition
Ganesh, the Lord of Beginnings, the Remover of Obstacles is without doubt the coolest of gods. He goes places. Here’s him in the home of Molly and Prashant and their children Ria and Joydeep in Chicago. I stopped here on my way… Read More ›
Guru Purnima
Of all the Sanskrit sholkas I know, the Guru Mantra resonates most with me. It says — ॐ Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu Guru Devo Maheshwara Guru Shakshat Parabrahma Tasmai Shri Guruvey Namaha ॐ Here it is in Devanagari: And my… Read More ›
Yoga has no Religion
My immediate response to the assertion that “Yoga has no religion” is a flat denial. Because I know Yoga, Yoga is a friend of mine and I can truthfully attest to the fact that Yoga does indeed have a religion…. Read More ›
Happy Holi
Holi was on March 6th in India. Most fun festival. Fun-loving people all over the world like it. Check out this video Nitai Gauranga music video recorded at Festival of Colors, Hare Krishna Temple, Spanish Fork, Utah. The music is… Read More ›
Maha Shivratri Greetings from Mumbai
Today is Maha Shivratri — Great night of Shiva. Shiva (the auspicious one) is known by many names — Mahadeva or Mahesh (the great god), Bholenath (the simple god since he is an ascetic), Parameshwara (the supreme god), and Nataraja… Read More ›
Happy Birthday, Carl Sagan
Carl Sagan was born on this day in 1934. Thanks for Cosmos and the many books I loved passionately — The Demon-Haunted World and Pale Blue Dot. Here’s a tribute to you that I like from the ever-entertaining SciShow guy.
Saraswati Puja, Kamadeva Puja & Basant Panchami Greetings
Today is Basant Panchami. It is the day for Saraswati Puja and also Kamadeva Puja. Kamadeva is also known as “Atanu” — one without a body. The Saraswati vandana goes thus:
Debate on Huffington Post: Is Yoga a Hindu Practice?
Yoga is a friend of mine whose full name is Yoganand. He’s a Hindu and I have yet to meet a non-Hindu named Yoganand, or even Yoga or Anand. Not conclusive proof that Yoga is a Hindu practice but it… Read More ›
On the Global Influence of Hindutva & the Long Hand of the RSS
Mr Digvijaya Singh, the general secretary of the Congress Party, sees conspiracy everywhere. What’s more, as he puts it, “the RSS hand cannot be ruled out.” I too have started noticing how big RSS’s hands are. Remember that kid in… Read More ›