Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) in Sydney, “Australia’s leading museum”, withdrew Lord Ganesha Finger Puppet from sale in its Store after Hindus protested, calling it “highly inappropriate”. MCA, in an email to distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who spearheaded the protest, wrote: As soon as this issue was brought to the Museum’s attention, the finger puppet was removed from the store. The Museum apologises to the Hindu community. Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, thanked MCA for understanding the concerns of Hindu community, which felt that such a product…
Author: hinduscriptures
Hindus are urging The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory (NBC) in Torrington (Connecticut) to withdraw “La Bayadère” from its upcoming Graduation Performance Series (May 18-21), which they feel seriously trivializes Eastern religious and other traditions. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, said that a renowned ballet conservatory like NBC, whose sponsors reportedly include State of Connecticut, should not be in the business of callously promoting appropriation of traditions, elements and concepts of “others”; and ridiculing entire communities. Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, indicated that this deeply problematic ballet was just a blatant belittling of…
Hindus have commended Emory University in Atlanta (founded by Methodists and which maintains a formal affiliation with the United Methodist Church) for student-curated “The Avatars of Vishnu” exhibition in its Michael C. Carlos Museum, which will continue till June 20. Various exhibits displayed in it reportedly include Churning of the Ocean, Eighteen-armed Vishnu (11th century sandstone), scene from Ramayana, dancing Krishna, Vishnu Reclining on the Cosmic Ocean (11th century sandstone), etc. Welcoming Emory University for exhibiting avatars (incarnations) of highly revered Hindu deity Lord Vishnu, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, said that art had a…
Dallas headquartered luxury fashion retailer “Neiman Marcus” removed Hindu deity Ganesha shaped cufflinks, after Hindus protested calling these “highly inappropriate”. These $940 Made in USA “Ganesha Cufflinks” were absent from “Neiman Marcus” and “Bergdorf Goodman” websites when searched today. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who spearheaded the protest, in a statement in Nevada today, thanked Neiman Marcus Group for understanding the concerns of Hindu community, which felt that such a product was insensitive. We were, however, still waiting for the formal apology from the Group; he added. Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, suggested that companies like Neiman Marcus Group…
Reportedly in a historic first, Hindu mantras opened Lindon City Council (Utah) meeting on April 19, containing verses from world’s oldest extant scripture. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed delivered the invocation from ancient Sanskrit scriptures remotely before Lindon City Council. After Sanskrit delivery, he then read the English interpretation of the prayers. Sanskrit is considered a sacred language in Hinduism and root language of Indo-European languages. Zed, who is the President of Universal Society of Hinduism, recited from Rig-Veda, the oldest scripture of the worlds till in common use; besides lines from Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord), both ancient Hindu scriptures. He…
Hindus are critical of Korean National Ballet (KNB) in Seoul for hosting “La Bayadère” (April 27 to May two), which they feel seriously trivializes Eastern religious and other traditions, and seek apology. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that a renowned ballet company like KNB should not be in the business of callously promoting appropriation of traditions, elements and concepts of “others”; and ridiculing entire communities. Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, indicated that this deeply problematic ballet was just a blatant belittling of a rich civilization and exhibited 19th-century orientalist attitudes. Ballet companies…
University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) in Winston-Salem has announced the removal of ballet “La Bayadère” from its upcoming Spring Dance concert (April 30 to May 08), after Hindus protested saying it “seriously trivializes Eastern religious and other traditions”. Jared Redick, UNCSA School of Dance Interim Dean, in an email today to distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who spearheaded the protest, wrote:…UNCSA recognizes that the traditional interpretation of the full-length classical ballet, “La Bayadere,” is culturally insensitive and chose not to include the complete ballet in its repertoire for that reason. We realize that performing any portion of…
Hindus are urging Opéra national de Paris (France) to not include ballet “La Bayadère” in its repertoire, which they feel seriously trivializes Eastern religious and other traditions. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that taxpayer-funded Opéra national de Paris should not be in the business of callously promoting appropriation of traditions, elements and concepts of “others”; and ridiculing entire communities. Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, indicated that this deeply problematic ballet was just a blatant belittling of a rich civilization and exhibited 19th-century orientalist attitudes. Ballet companies should show some maturity before selecting a ballet…
SHYAMALA SUNDARI – AN ARDENT DEVOTEE OF LORD KRISHNA INTRODUCTION Shyamala, also known as Shyamala Sundari (15th Century AD) was a great spiritual poet and a staunch devotee of Lord Krishna. She was born in the present day Porbandar at Gujarat, and she was a celebrated female Bhakti saint, who is still remembered by the Gujarati people, for her great love, affection and dedication on Lord Krishna. Shyamala was the author of Krishna Stuti, Krishna Charitra, Bhakti Mala, and she also wrote lot of honey filled songs on Lord Krishna. She was considered similar to Bhakta Meera for her selfless devotion on Lord Krishna, and…
TANDAVA VINAYAKA TEMPLE, AYANAVARAM INTRODUCTION There is a small temple for Lord Vinayaka which is located in Ayanavaram, Chennai, near Joint Office Bus Stop. Though this is a small temple, but the deity present here is very powerful. Long back, at the present place of this temple, Lord Vinayaka had given his darshan to Lord Brahma, and also gave various boons to him. Since Lord Brahma who is also known as Ayan, visited this place, this place came to be known as Ayanpuram or Ayanavaram. In ancient times, this place was called as Brahmapuri, and I have been born and…
YAMA KINGARAS INTRODUCTION Yama Kingaras are also known as the divine attendants of Lord Yama, who reside in the Yama Loka, and serves sincerely and obediently to their boss Lord Yama. They contain the features of their master Lord Yama Dharma Maharaja, and they are discharging their duties in an excellent manner. They would never commit any mistakes in taking the souls, and at the appropriate time, they would take away the right souls of the persons, and would make them as dead bodies. They contain great powers, and all of them are the worshippers of their Lord Yama and…
Lord Rama was the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu who descended on earth during the Treta yuga. He was born on the ninth day of the waxing phase of the Hindu month of Chaitra. The day is famously celebrated as Ram Naomi. Lord Rama was born in the Sun Dynasty of King Dashrath who descended on earth to defeat the unrighteous King Ravana of Lanka. On the ninth day of the Durga Puja of Chaitra (April) month, the festival is celebrated all over India with great pomp and show.6 Lord Rama- the ideal Purusha Lord Rama is revered as…
Ugadi is an important festival for people from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is the New Year according to the Hindu calendar. The first month of the year is called Chaitra and Ugadi is the first day of Chaitra. The festival is called Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra. The festival usually falls in March or April. This year, the festival is on April 8 which is Friday. The pratipada tithi begins on April 7 at 4:53 PM and ends on April 8 at 1:05 PM. The festival is celebrated with much fervour and people usually clean their houses, buy new…
Bristol (England) headquartered clothing brand Wild Thing has apologized and removed Kali Halloween Costume, after Hindus protested calling it “highly inappropriate”. Katie, Director of Wild Thing, in an email to distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed who spearheaded the protest, wrote: …we would like to profusely apologise to you and the Hindu community for any upset this item caused. We were deeply saddened to hear that this item was ever added to our online platform, and we are actively putting in place measures to ensure that items such as this, will not be added again… we removed this item as soon…
SRI RAGHAVENDRA VIJAYAM – LIFE HISTORY OF GURU RAGHAVENDRA INTRODUCTION The holy epic “Sri Raghavendra Vijayam” is based on the life history of the great Madhwa Saint, Guru Raghavendra, which was written by Sri Narayanacharya, the poorvashrama relative of Sri Raghavendra, and in this holy text, the author has mentioned the holiness of the Guru, his kindness, sacred places visited by him, and the miracles performed by Guru Raghavendra in the life of his devotees. After writing this book in palm leaf manuscripts, Sri Narayanancharya had obediently submitted this book to his Guru, and after getting his approval, he has…
SUBRAMANYA BHUJANGAM – DIVINE SONGS IN PRAISE OF LORD MURUGA INTRODUCTION Sri Subrahmanya Bhujangam is a famous poem written and sung by Sri Adi Sankara at Tiruchendur. While he was undergoing pilgrimage, he visited the holy place Tiruchendur, and due to the grace of Lord Muruga, divine song in praise of Lord Muruga began to pour from his mouth, and this holy poem is considered to be one of the best poems of Lord Muruga. Some of the contents present in the Subramanya Bhujangam are as follows: Lord Muruga though appears in the form of a child, contains great powers to…
Reportedly for the first time since it was incorporated as a town in 1938, South Weber City Council (Utah) will start its meeting on April 13 with Hindu prayers, containing hymns from world’s oldest extant scripture. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed will deliver the invocation from ancient Sanskrit scriptures remotely before South Weber City Council. After Sanskrit delivery, he then will read the English interpretation of the prayers. Sanskrit is considered a sacred language in Hinduism and root language of Indo-European languages. Zed, who is the President of Universal Society of Hinduism, will recite from Rig-Veda, the oldest scripture of the…