hinduism
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'Kali-Ma' Beer to be Renamed After Hindus Protest
The American brewery that announced it is soon going to launch a beer called 'Kali-Ma' has apologized and postponed its release and has said that it would rename their product following protests by Hindu groups.
about.com | 14-May-2012 17:30
Amarnath Yatra Pilgrimage 2012
Hindu pilgrims have started registering for the ancient annual pilgrimage of Amarnath Yatra to the 13,500-feet high cave shrine of Lord Shiva in the Indian Himalayas.
The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) began the registration process on May 7 for this year's yatra or pilgrimage, which will commence on June 25, 2012 and culminate on August 02, which falls on the full moon night of the Hindu month of Shravana and coincides with the Raksha Bandhan...
about.com | 12-May-2012 05:50
Happy Birthday, Tagore!
Today is the birthday of Rabindranath Tagore - the first Hindu Nobel Laureate.
Tagore's native state in India, West Bengal is celebrating the 151st birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore with customary grandeur. In the Hindu Calendar followed by the Bengalis in both India and Bangladesh, the day is no less than any religious festival. Known as 'Pachishe Baishakh,' Tagore's birthday is a bona fide holiday in the State.
To mark the occasion, the West Bengal Government has organized a number of cultural events where major exponents of music, dance, drama, poetry and literature will converge and perform show based on Tagore's works.
about.com | 08-May-2012 02:24
The Mysticism of Rabindranath Tagore
While many Hindus regard Tagore as the 'god of poetry', what actually makes him unique is his 'poetry of god'. Here's a look at the mystical side of the myriad minded bard of Bengal.
...about.com | 08-May-2012 00:00
What is Namaste?
'Namaste' or 'namaskar' is the Hindu way of greeting each other. It is not a superficial gesture or mere word, but has deep spiritual significance. When we greet one another with namaste, it means, 'may our minds meet', indicated by the folded palms placed before the chest.
about.com | 01-May-2012 02:07
Happy Birthday, Buddha! (May 6, 2012)
In Hinduism, Buddha is often mentioned as the 9th avatar of Vishnu. We celebrate Buddha's birthday - "Vaisakhi Purnima" or "Buddha Jayanti" - which falls on May 6, 2012 - with this article on the Buddha's relation with Hinduism, his reform movements and his refining of Hindu beliefs.
...about.com | 01-May-2012 02:00
How to Percieve God - The Snake & Rope Analogy
Every human being, deep inside, is discontented. We all feel that something is missing. We want more. No matter how much we possess, it is never enough. We are afraid to die. We want to live longer, be healthier, look younger and accumulate more wealth. We want to increase our knowledge and awareness. We want to experience more joy and happiness.
...about.com | 30-Apr-2012 02:20
Hinduism Summits in US, Canada & Australia (April-May 2012)
A series of Hinduism Summit or 'Hindu Dharmajagruti Sabha' have been organized by the Forum for Hindu Awakening (FHA) this summer in the US, Canada and Australia.
The 'Hindu Dharmajagruti Sabha' conventions aim to promote an understanding of the unique science behind Hindu concepts and practices, and provide practical guidance on living the life of a Hindu. The Hinduism Summits also serve as a platform to unite everyone interested in Hinduism, preserve it in the face of denigration and misconceptions about Hinduism in today's world.
...about.com | 24-Apr-2012 02:18
Akshaya Tritiya: The Golden Day - April 24, 2012
Hindus believe in the theory of 'mahurats' or auspicious timings in every step in life - be it to begin a new venture or making an important purchase. Akshaya Tritiya is one such momentous occasion, which is considered one of the most auspicious days of the Vedic Calendar. It is believed, any meaningful activity started on this day would be fruitful.
about.com | 22-Apr-2012 18:31
Parasurama Jayanti: April 24, 2012
Lord Parasurama, also known as the "axe-wielding Rama," was the sixth avatar of Vishnu, whose main objective was to deliver the world from the oppression of the Kshatriya rulers or unrighteous kings who strayed from the path of dharma.
about.com | 17-Apr-2012 02:06
It's Happy New Year, Again!
Although India's national calendar is the official calendar for the Hindus, regional variants still prevail. As a result, we have a host of new year festivities that are unique to ...
about.com | 12-Apr-2012 02:00
The Hindu Human Rights Report
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) recently released its eighth annual Hindu human rights report amidst increased concern over the worsening plight of Hindus in Pakistan. According to the Foundation, Hindu ...
about.com | 10-Apr-2012 17:55
Hanuman Jayanti: April 6, 2012
Hanuman, the mighty ape that aided Lord Rama in his expedition against evil forces, is one of the most popular idols in the Hindu pantheon. The character of Hanuman teaches us of the unlimited power that lies unused within each one of us. Let's learn more about this simian symbol of strength on the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti which falls on Friday, April 6, 2012.
about.com | 02-Apr-2012 12:00
Marriage Guidance for Indians Abroad
Overseas Indians (OI) usually marry Resident Indians (RI) owing to cultural similarity, and expectation of a married life based on traditional Indian values. Many Resident Indians look to marry Overseas Indians who are well established and successful in their career or business. Marriage alliances with an Overseas Indian is also perceived as an opportunity to lead a better life abroad and to enhance one's own career potential with help from spouse.
about.com | 31-Mar-2012 10:38
Ramnavami - Birthday of Rama (April 1, 2012)
Ramnavami - the birthday of Lord Rama, one of the most important festivals of the Hindus, particularly the Vaishnava sect, falls on the 9th day of the bright fortnight of ...
about.com | 28-Mar-2012 05:30
Happy Vasanta Navaratri (March 23-April 1, 2012)
Navaratri literally means "nine nights." This festival is observed twice a year, once in the beginning of summer and again at the onset of winter.
Vasanta Navaratri - the Spring Festival: The spring festival or Vasanta Navaratri starts on March 23 and climaxes on Ram Navami - April 1 - the birthday of Lord Rama. During Navaratri, we invoke the energy aspect of God in the form of the universal mother, commonly referred to as "Durga," which literally means the remover of miseries of life.
about.com | 23-Mar-2012 02:36
Nyepi: Happy New Year, Bali!
Sshhh... it's Nyepi! Even as the Southeast Asian island of Bali celebrates 'Nyepi' - the first day of the new year - on March 23, life will stand still and quietude will descend on this one of its kind "Day of Silence".
...about.com | 22-Mar-2012 14:10
Happy New Year: Navreh, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand
March is New Years time for a number of Indian States based on their individual regional lunar calendars.
The Hindus of Kashmir will soon start their new year 5088 - Navreh. At the same time, the southern Indian states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh will begin their new year - Ugadi. The Marathas will celebrate their new year Gudi Padwa, and the Sindhis will observe Cheti Chand, the coming of new year at the same time.
...about.com | 21-Mar-2012 01:30
The Life of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (14861534)
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, also known as Lord Gauranga, was one the most prominent Hindu saints of the 16th century. The most renowned and celebrated proponents of the Vaishnava School of Bhakti Yoga that centers around the unwavering devotion to Lord Krishna, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, is also regarded as an avatar of Lord Krishna by his followers - a Hindus sect known as Gaudiya Vaishnavas.
about.com | 14-Mar-2012 11:38
Four Famous Female Figures of Vedic India
Women of the Vedic period (c 1500-1200 BCE), were epitomes of intellectual and spiritual attainments. The Vedas have volumes to say about these women, who both complemented and supplemented their male partners.
about.com | 11-Mar-2012 05:52
Happy Holi! Enjoy the Festival of Colors
Tomorrow is Holi - the festival of colors (March 8, 2012). Learn about its history and significance, and how to celebrate and get the most out of this boisterous occasion. Did you ...
about.com | 07-Mar-2012 01:00
Holi: Festival of Colors - March 8, 2012
Holi, one of Hinduism's biggest and brightest holidays, widely known as the 'Festival of Colors' falls on Thursday, March 8, 2012.
Here's all you wanted to know about this upcoming festival, also called 'Phagwah.' Learn about its history and significance, and how to celebrate and get the most out of this boisterous occasion.
...about.com | 03-Mar-2012 01:00
Swami Dayanand & the Arya Samaj
The main message of Swami Dayanand (1824-1883) was "Back to the Vedas," which formed the bedrock of all his thoughts and actions. He spent his entire life preaching against many Hindu customs and traditions that were meaningless and oppressive, including idol worship and polytheism, casteism and untouchability, child marriage and forced widowhood, which were prevalent in the 19th century.
about.com | 28-Feb-2012 01:23
175th birth anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886)
The 175th birth anniversary celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa were observed by Hindus around the world on February 23, 2012. Sri Ramakrishna was born in Kamarpukur near Kolkata on February 18, 1836. However, each year the date of the anniversary is decided based on the lunar calendar followed by the Hindus. A number events and initiatives were organized by Ramakrishna mission across India and abroad to mark this auspicious occasion. View a photo gallery...
about.com | 24-Feb-2012 01:00
Shiva Bhajans: Top 10 MP3 Downloads
Celebrate Maha Shivratri with some of the best Bhajans or devotional songs dedicated to Lord Shiva from the Hindi music album - Shiv Mahima. These devotional songs by famous Bollywood playback singers Hariharan, Anuradha Paudwal and other artistes. Besides traditional bhajans, these hymns are written by some of India's best lyricists including Naqsh Layalpuri, Mahendra Dehlvi, and Sachchidanand Mishra:
about.com | 19-Feb-2012 01:00
Maha Shivratri: The Night of Shiva
Maha Shivratri, the night of the worship of Shiva, occurs on the 14th night of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalguna. This year it falls on a moonless Monday night of February 20 when Hindus offer special prayer to the lord. Shivratri (Sanskrit 'ratri' = night) is the night when he is said to have performed the Tandava Nritya or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction.
about.com | 17-Feb-2012 09:00
Appeal to Declare Diwali a Holiday in New Jersey Schools
American Hindus have appealed for Diwali be declared a school holiday in eight New Jersey school districts including Jersey City, Edison, Woodbridge, Parsippany-Troy Hills, West Windsor-Plainsboro, North Brunswick, Monroe and Bernards.
...about.com | 14-Feb-2012 00:28
Love Stories from Hindu Literature
Perhaps no other faith glorifies the idea of love between the sexes as Hinduism. This is evident from the amazing variety of mythical love stories that abounds Sanskrit literature, which is undoubtedly one of the richest treasure hoards of exciting love tales.
about.com | 12-Feb-2012 13:00
Ekadasis in 2012: Dates for Fasting
Ekadasi is 'the Eleventh Day,' of the moon's phase and occurs twice in a lunar month - once each on the 11th days of the bright and dark fortnight. Just like Amavasya and Purnima (new and full moon), Ekadasi and the movement of the moon has a direct correlation with the human mind. So, it is a very auspicious time in the Hindu calendar and an important day to fast.
In the Garuda Purana, Lord Krishna calls Ekadasi as one of the "five boats for the people who are drowning in the ocean of worldly existence", and in the Padma Purana, Lord Vishnu says: "Among all plants, the Tulsi is my favorite, among all months, Kartik, among all pilgrimages, Dwaraka, and among all days, Ekadasi is most beloved."
Learn about the significance of fasting on Ekadasi and how to observe this important fast. Read more...
about.com | 07-Feb-2012 00:27
Thaipusam Festival - February 6, 2012
Thaipusam is an important festival observed by the Hindus of southern India during the Tamil month of Thai (January - February). Outside of India, it is celebrated mainly by the Tamil speaking community settled in Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka and elsewhere around the world.
about.com | 30-Jan-2012 02:00
Vasant Panchami & Saraswati Puja (January 28, 2012)
As 'Diwali' - the festival of light - is to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity, and 'Navaratri' is to Durga, goddess of power and valor, Vasant Panchami is to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and arts.
about.com | 23-Jan-2012 23:30
Celebrate India's Pride with Republic Day Downloads & Resources
As India celebrates her 63rd Republic Day on January 26, 2012, find out what famous scholars, historians and authors from around the world have to say about this country. Presenting top 30 quotations from Will Durant, Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, Max Mueller, Romain Rolland, et al, about India and its uniqueness. Read more...
about.com | 22-Jan-2012 23:00
Purnima & Amavasya: Hindu Fast Dates 2012
The Hindu calendar follows the lunar month, and Purnima and Amavasya or Full Moon and New Moon are auspicious days. Every fortnight, millions of Hindus observe a 'vrat' or fast on either or both these occasions.
...about.com | 22-Jan-2012 16:04
Swami Vivekanandas 150th Birth Anniversary Celebrations Begin
The Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission around the world observed the birthday of Swami Vivekananda with special prayers, meditation, devotional songs, and religious discourses on January 15, 2012. Three days prior to this on Swamiji's birthday according to the solar calendar, India celebrated National Youth Day (12 January) with processions, youth conventions, seminars, yoga, sports, and other cultural activities.
...about.com | 17-Jan-2012 00:15
Kite Festival of Gujarat, in Pictures!
Gujarat, in western India, celebrates 2,000 festivals every year! Among these, the festival of Uttarayan is one of the grandest and stands tall, and January 14 is arguably the best date in the festival calendar of Gujarat.
...about.com | 14-Jan-2012 11:27
Happy Makar Sankranti, Uttarayan & Pongal (Jan 14-15)
January 15, 2012, is Makar Sankranti! The festival gets its name from the annual northward movement of the sun (Sanskrit: Shankramana = to begin to move).
To many people, Makar Sankranti ushers in the New Year. Newly-harvested grains are cooked for the first time on that day. Among the Tamils in southern India, Pongal is celebrated around the same time as Makar Sankranti. In Andhra Pradesh, it is observed as Bhogi. Joyous festivities mark the celebration in every home. The poor are fed and clothed. On the next day, the cow...
about.com | 10-Jan-2012 01:00
Gajak - Indian Sesame Sweet Recipe
It's that time of the year when Hindus make 'gajak' and 'rewri' at home. A specialty of northern India, gajak and rewri are hard-boiled dry sweets, made of sesame (Sesamum indicum) seeds or 'til' as they are known in Hindi. Sesame is cooked in sugar syrup and set in thin layers or nuggets that can be stored for months. Read on to find out how to make it.
about.com | 10-Jan-2012 00:45
Lohri: The Bonfire Festival - Jan 13
The earth, farthest from the sun at this point of time, starts its journey towards the sun, thus ending the coldest month of the year, Paush, and announcing the start of the month of Magh and the auspicious period of Uttarayan. In January, the fields come up with the promise of a golden harvest, and farmers celebrate Lohri during this rest period before the cutting and gathering of crops.
about.com | 10-Jan-2012 00:30
Hindus Denounce Anti-Huntsman Political Ad
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) strongly condemned a new political advertisement criticizing Republic presidential candidate, Governor Jon Huntsman. The ad, which was posted on You Tube earlier this week, repeatedly questions Gov. Huntsman's "American values," makes frequent reference to his ability to speak fluent Mandarin and describes him as "China Jon" and the "Manchurian Candidate."
...about.com | 07-Jan-2012 03:24
2012: End of the World or the Beginning of a Golden Age?
If we can foretell the future, 2012 is going to be a revolutionary year for the world - according to many soothsayers. While some say that this is the last year of our existence on earth, others predict the beginning of a great new world - the golden age of mankind.
...about.com | 03-Jan-2012 00:30
12 New Year Resolutions for 2012
Now that the New Year's party is over, it's time to set yourself some goals for the benefit of your own self and the world around you. I have some suggestions that can help you hitch on to some healthy habits and spiritual refinements.
about.com | 01-Jan-2012 07:00
Ramana Maharishi & the Quest for Happiness
Sri Ramana Maharishi (1879 - 1950) expounded the Vedanta philosophy not through bookish knowledge but through practical experience. He said, "The world is so unhappy because it is ignorant of the true Self. Man's real nature is happiness. Happiness is inborn in the true Self. Man's search for happiness is an unconscious search for his true Self..."
about.com | 31-Dec-2011 00:25
Bhagavad-Gita Faces Final Trial in Russia
Hindus across the world expressed shock and concern at the recent attempt to ban the Bhagavad-Gita in Russia. International outrage is building about this court case in Tomsk, Siberia, where prosecutors, with support from the Russian Federal Security Service and the Russian Orthodox Church, are attempting to have the Bhagavad-Gita, Hinduism's primary sacred text, labeled as "extremist literature."
...about.com | 27-Dec-2011 00:11
Christ & Krishna: 10 Similarities
It's Christmas eve - a good time to reflect on the similarities between Christianity and Hinduism - the most prominent being the like lives of Jesus Christ and Lord Krishna. Although there is little historical evidence, it is hard to ignore a host of likenesses between Christ and Krishna. Analyze this!
about.com | 24-Dec-2011 22:05
5 Legends We Lost in 2011
As we approach the fag end of 2011, let us look at a few stalwarts that we lost this year. Even if these 'karma yogis' have lost their lives, their works have made them immortal. Many of these people who passed away were living legends of our generation.
about.com | 20-Dec-2011 05:22
Sarada Devi - Holy Saint Mother
Sarada Devi, the wife of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa of Dakshineshwar, Calcutta, is equally regarded as her mystic husband, and considered one of the most important saint mothers of all times.
Last week, Hindus around the world, especially the devotees of the Ramakrishna Mission, celebrated the 159th birth anniversary of this revered saint mother of India. Maa Sarada, as she is popularly called by her followers, was born on December 22, 1853. This year her birthday fell on December 17, according to the Bengali lunar calendar.
about.com | 19-Dec-2011 16:00