Author: Kiran
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Laos’s postage stamp celebrates Ayodhya Shri Ramlala
In July 2024, Laos and India jointly released a postage stamp featuring the image of Shri Ramlala from Ayodhya. This deity was installed at the Ramajanmabhoomi’s temple on 22nd January 2024. The unveiling took place during India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar’s visit to Laos for a meeting with ASEAN (political and economic union of…
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NYC: Ram Mandir takes centre stage at India Day Parade
Sunday 18th August 2024: A large model of the new Mandir coming up at the birthplace of Shri Rama in Ayodhya featured on a float during the 42nd annual India Day Parade held in the streets of Manhattan, New York. India Day brings various Indian cultural organisations together to mark India’s Independence Day. The inclusion…
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Shiva’s new Estonian Abode
June 2024: One of Europe’s largest Shiva temples was consecrated with Mahakumbhishekam rituals between the 4th and 13th of June 2024 near the Estonian capital Talin. The temple is located in Lillerou (translated as Valley of the Flower), a rural site that was developed as a sacred space in the early 1990s by Ingvar Villido,…
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Hindus across UK, observe first annual Day of Remembrance
On Saturday 28th September 2024, Hindu Memorial Day was observed at Hindu Temples and Community Centres across the UK in Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Derby, Dundee, Edinburgh, Leicester, London, Nottingham, Reading, Slough, Kent and Wellingborough. Further events took place today in Aylesbury and London. Held during Pitru Paksha; the traditional annual period for remembering ancestors,…
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Australian MP highlights attack on Bangladeshi Hindus.
September 2024: During a recent debate in the Australian Parliament, Chris Bowen Minister for Climate Change and Energy, raised his concerns on the political turmoil in Bangladesh, specifically calling out violence faced by ethnic and religious minorities such as Hindus and Christians. The minister listed out reports of looting, attacks and damage which included 725…
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15th October 2024: 4th International Bindi and Tilak Day
On October 15th 2024, Hindus across the world mark the 4th International Bindi and Tilak Day, raising awareness of remembrance of the ancient symbols of Hindu identity. The Bindi is a dot traditionally worn on the forehead, representing good fortune and prosperity. For Hindu women, it is a symbol of marriage. The Bindi is marked…
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Hindus observe the festival of victory
Today is the festival of Vijayadashami; Dussehra, Dasara, Dashain and Bijoya.This sacred day marks the end of the Navaratri/Durga rituals and marks Durga’s victory over Mahishasura. Rama also observed Durga puja and secured the Devi’s blessings which led to his victory over Ravana, which is also observed today. The day also recalls the Mahabharata, where…
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Durga’s Autumnal Festivals
This month, Hindus across the globe kick off the Hindu Autumn festival season with observances dedicated to Adishakti (feminine cosmic power) in the form of Durga. The embodiment of unconquerable force, the fierce Durga manifests from the combined powers of the Devas as a mighty warrior who vanquishes the Asuras Mahishasura, Shumba-Nishumba, Chand-Munda etc. Hinduism…
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Vishvakarma Puja: festival of the divine architect
Vishvakarma is the Hindu deity of crafts and architecture and is largely worshipped by Hindu artisan and craft communities. In the Puranas and Itihasas, Vishvakarma is credited for designing Krishna’s Dwarka, the Pandava’s Indraprastha and Ravana’s Lanka as well as creating the weapons of the great Devas such as Vishnu’s Chakra and Shiva’s Trishula. Vishvakarma…
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Onam: Honouring King Bali
Onam is observed during the Hindu solar month of Simha (Chingam) on the day of the Shravana Nakshatra and marks the end of 10 days of festivities. Onam is celebrated in parts of Tamil-speaking regions, but most significantly in Kerala where it is one of the most important festivals. In addition to marking the harvest,…
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Heralding the arrival of Ganesh
Ganesh is the deity who creates and removes obstacles that guide an individual towards a spiritually evolved life. This Deva grants success, prosperity, abundance, inner joy and intelligence. Ganesh is the Deva of beginnings and doorways; hence his blessings are sought ahead of all undertakings and milestones. In addition to his centrality in worldly life,…
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Oxford University to return stolen Murthi
On 11th March 2021, the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford (part of the University of Oxford) announced that it would return the 16th-century bronze Murthi of Thirumangai Alvar that it had on display. The Murthi was purchased by the Museum from Sotheby’s auction house in 1967 for £850. In 2019 Vijay Kumar from India Pride Project,…