All articles tagged with #hinduism
Indian-origin Christian MAGA activist Dinesh D'Souza was accused of lying about his ancestors' caste and oppression in India while supporting JD Vance's comments on his wife Usha Vance's religion, sparking a debate over Christianity and Hinduism.
British Muslim journalist Mehdi Hasan comments on JD Vance's remarks about his Hindu wife Usha, criticizing the alignment of conservative Hindus with Christian nationalists and highlighting the growing realization among minorities that Christian nationalist groups may not be their allies.
The Hindu American Foundation urged Vice President J D Vance to engage with Hinduism after he expressed a desire for his wife, Usha, to be moved by Christianity, highlighting the importance of religious acknowledgment and freedom for Hindus in the US.
Solar eclipses have historically evoked awe and dread in various religions, with beliefs ranging from auspicious days for spiritual practice in Tibetan Buddhism to signs of the "end times" in Christianity. In Hinduism, eclipses are seen as bad omens, leading to fasting, ritual bathing, and prayer. In Islam, a solar eclipse is a time for prayer and turning to God, while Judaism views eclipses as ill omens and opportunities for introspection.
Millions of Indians celebrated the Hindu festival of Holi by smearing each other with colorful powder, dancing, and exchanging food and drink to mark the arrival of spring. The festival, which celebrates the divine love between the god Krishna and Radha, also involves the consumption of traditional beverages like Thandai and Bhang, made from cannabis leaves. Various traditions, including lighting bonfires and the "Lathmar Holi" ritual of women playfully hitting men with sticks, were observed across different regions of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the BAPS Mandir, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on February 14. The temple, spread over 27 acres, features intricate stone architecture and extensive facilities, including an amphitheatre, prayer rooms, thematic gardens, and more. Constructed at a cost of Rs 700 crore, the temple incorporates marble and pink sandstone from northern Rajasthan and includes innovative features such as digital modeling and seismic simulation. The temple's design draws inspiration from Vedic architecture and sculptures, with carvings depicting stories from Hindu epics. The BAPS organisation, responsible for the temple, manages 1,100 temples and 3,850 units globally.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath referenced the Mahabharat to assert that Hindus seek only three centres of faith, including Kashi and Mathura, in contrast to Krishna's request for five villages. He emphasized the significance of resolving the long-standing disputes in Kashi and Mathura, criticized the opposition's stance against the Ram Temple, and highlighted the injustices endured by Ayodhya during previous administrations. Adityanath also stressed the country's acceptance of Ram Rajya principles and rejected the principles of socialism, while emphasizing the historical significance of January 22 as a pivotal day for India and the world.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has reportedly found that a 17th century mosque in Varanasi, India, was built after destroying a pre-existing Hindu temple, according to a lawyer representing Hindu petitioners. The ASI report, shared only with the petitioners, allegedly revealed remnants of Hindu statues in the mosque's basements and suggested that a large Hindu temple existed prior to the mosque's construction. The lawyer stated that the Hindu petitioners will approach the Supreme Court to demand that an area of the mosque be opened for Hindus, while advocates representing Muslim groups said they would respond after studying the survey report. This development comes after the recent inauguration of a grand temple to Lord Ram in Ayodhya, and amid ongoing tensions surrounding religious sites in India.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the consecration of a controversial Hindu temple in Ayodhya, marking the culmination of a decades-long dispute over the site believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram. The temple's construction began in 2020 after a Supreme Court ruling in favor of Hindu litigants, and it is expected to take another year and a half to complete. Critics view the temple as a symbol of eroding secularism, while supporters see it as a long-awaited fulfillment of their religious aspirations. The consecration was seen as a political move ahead of national elections, and it has raised concerns among Ayodhya's minority Muslim community. Additionally, Hindu nationalists are pursuing legal cases to claim ownership of land on which mosques currently sit in other pilgrimage sites.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, hailing it as a symbol of harmony and a new era for India. The temple, built on the site of a mosque razed by extremists, has been described as the "Hindu Vatican" and is seen as a significant move by Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. The opening ceremony, attended by top politicians, Bollywood stars, and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, was marked by celebrations and a public holiday in many states. However, the event has also sparked criticism and boycotts, with some viewing it as a political move to bolster Modi's image ahead of upcoming elections and exacerbate sectarian divisions between Hindus and Muslims.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the inauguration of a grand new temple in Ayodhya, a site at the center of a long-standing ownership dispute between Hindus and Muslims. The temple, built on the birthplace of Lord Ram, one of Hinduism's most revered deities, has been a source of tension for centuries. The inauguration ceremony was attended by religious leaders, politicians, and Bollywood actors, and was heavily guarded by security forces. Critics accuse Modi of politicizing the event for electoral gain, as the opening of the partially completed temple comes ahead of general elections this summer.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya, a Hindu temple built on the site of a 16th century mosque demolished in 1992, marking the fulfillment of a long-awaited Hindu nationalist ambition. The ceremony, attended by high-profile politicians and celebrities, has divided the country, with many Hindus celebrating while the minority Muslim population sees it as a painful reminder of religious divisions under Modi's rule. The temple's inauguration has sparked widespread media coverage and drawn criticism from a US-based Hindu group, accusing Modi of "weaponizing" Hinduism for political gain.
Thousands of Indians are preparing for the opening of a grand temple to the Hindu god Lord Ram in Ayodhya, India, a historic event projected to unite the country and boost Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party ahead of upcoming elections. The temple's construction fulfills a 35-year-old promise by Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and follows a long-standing dispute over the site, which was contested by Hindus and Muslims. The ceremony, set to be watched by millions, will involve the removal of a blindfold on the deity and is expected to attract thousands of visitors daily after opening to the public.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a controversial Hindu temple in Ayodhya, fulfilling a long-standing demand by millions of Hindus and potentially boosting his party's chances in the upcoming elections. The temple, dedicated to Lord Ram, is built on the ruins of a historic mosque and has sparked both jubilation and controversy. The inauguration, marked by a grand ceremony and massive security measures, is seen as a significant move in Modi's Hindu nationalist agenda, drawing on the religious sentiments of the majority Hindu population.
Ayodhya's grand temple for Lord Ram is set to partially open, with influential figures like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, and Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan attending. The temple, built over a razed mosque, has sparked controversy and political opposition, with critics boycotting the opening as a move to appeal to Hindu voters ahead of the upcoming general election. The temple, costing $217 million, is adorned with intricate carvings and a 1.3-meter dark stone sculpture of Ram, and is expected to attract an estimated 100,000 daily visitors after the consecration ceremony.