Author: Admin
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South African Hindu National Conference held in Durban
9-10th November 2024: Vishva Hindu Parishad (‘VHP’) South Africa held the South African National Hindu Conference at Durban (KwaZulu-Natal province). Themed “United Communities, Stronger South Africa”, the event brought together 300 delegates and leaders from 42 Hindu organisations and representatives from South Africa’s Sanyasa Council. The previous gathering took place in 1995. Two resolutions were…
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Indian PM’s Guyana trip highlights Hindu-Caribbean heritage
On 20th November 2024, Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister in 50 years to visit Guyana. Located on the South American landmass, culturally Guyana is considered part of the Caribbean. Guyana is also a member of CARICOM; a trade bloc of Caribbean nations, whose summit Modi also attended. Modi’s visit was significant as…
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Labour MP’s calls for extra protections for Abrahamic religions concerns Hindus
In November 2024, Labour MP Tahir Ali asked the Prime Minister to prevent the desecration of “religious texts and prophets of the Abrahamic religions”, without mentioning Hindu and Hindu-adjacent faiths. Ali’s comments have concerned many British Hindus, particularly about his lack of inclusivity in only seeking protections for Abrahamic religions. Numerous British Hindu temples have…
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Maha shivaratri 2025: reflecting on the five faces of Shiva
Maha Shivaratri is the most powerful day in the year to connect with Shiva, one of the principal deities of Hindu Dharma. Shiva is the form of the Absolute associated with the dissolution of the Universe. In Hinduism, cosmic time and creation is cyclical and hence destruction is a necessary step for new growth, Shiva…
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Diwali: festival of inner illumination
This week, Hindus across the world celebrate Diwali which can span up to 6-7 days. There are several puranic narratives and rituals associated with the many days of Diwali celebrated by different communities. Cutting across diverse regional customs is the ritual of lighting rows of lamps signifying the cultivation of truth, knowledge and inner divinity…
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Kojagari and Sharad Purnima
18 October 2024, the full moon of Hindu month of Asvin is marked as Sharad Purnima. This is the night of the full moon when Krishna performed Rasalila (dance) with the Gopis of Vrindavan; considered to be the embodiment of devotion and selfless dedication to the divine. Across Eastern Bharat and Maharashtra, today is known…
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Indian Cricket fails to back #BoycottBangladeshCricket
On Sunday 15th September 2024, the Bangladesh Cricket team was welcomed with fanfare in Chennai ahead of the bilateral T20 series games with India. With ongoing attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh from Islamist extremists, the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) has received criticism from several Hindu organisations and leaders for not cancelling the…
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India & Bangladesh: Islamists attack Ganesh Utsav
16th/17th September 2024 marked the end of the 10-day-long Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Over the first 2 weeks of September, 16 separate reports have emerged across India of Islamists attacking Hindus marking Ganesh Utsav with stone pelting and other forms of violence. In Gujarat, there were 7 incidents: Mundra (6th Sept), Lal Gate-Surat (7th-8th), Syedpura-Surat (6th-7th)…
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The fortnight of the ancestors
From 18th September 2024* Hindus observe the fortnight (Paksha) of the ancestors (Pitrus) when Hindus offer gratitude to three generations of Pitrus. The ancestors are honoured through rituals of tarpan (offerings of water), offerings of food, recitation of sacred texts and making charitable donations. Cows, crows, and dogs are fed; they are creatures connected to…
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Oregon recognises swastika as distinct from Hakenkreuz
Thursday 18 July, The Hindu American Foundation announced in a post on X (formerly Twitter): A Historic Win for Our Community! Thanks to the tireless advocacy of our supporters in Oregon, the Oregon Department of Education has officially recognized the distinction between the Nazi hakenkreuz and our sacred swastika. This monumental decision marks a significant…
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Content creators banned at Himalayan Temples
May 2024: Authorities in Uttarakhand (India) have urged police to take stringent action against filming and photography within 50 metres of the Himalayan Char Dham Temples (Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamnotri & Gangotri). Located in isolated spots, these mountain temples remain inaccessible during winter and close around Diwali and re-open in May. The harsh terrain meant only…
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British Hindu recreates 2,000 year old Roman Helmet
In 2001, pieces of a Roman military helmet were discovered in Market Harborough (Leicestershire). Conservation experts from the British Museum and Leicestershire Museums subsequently created designs of what the entire helmet would have looked like and enlisted Rajesh Gogna to recreate the helmet. Using 3D printed plastic mould, Rajesh created two silver-plated and gilded helmets…