Millions throng Mathura, Vrindavan for special prayers

MATHURA/VRINDAVAN – Lakhs of pilgrims have gathered at the temple towns of Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh for special rituals this month, also called ‘Purushottam Mas’, which is an extra month added to the Hindu calender and is considered auspicious.

On the occasion of Purushottam Ekadashi Sunday, a million people performed “parikrama” of the holy …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Millions throng Mathura, Vrindavan for special prayers.

Obama and evangelist Billy Graham pray together and talk about God, shared roots and golf

Obama and evangelist Billy Graham share a prayer
MONTREAT, N.C. – President Barack Obama made a pilgrimage Sunday to Billy Graham’s mountainside home, concluding his North Carolina vacation with his first meeting with the ailing evangelist who has counseled commanders in chief since Dwight Eisenhower.
The 48-year-old president made the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Obama and evangelist Billy Graham pray together and talk about God, shared roots and golf.

Obama make pilgrimage to evangelist Billy Graham’s mountainside home in North Carolina

Obama stops at Billy Graham’s at NC mountain home
MONTREAT, N.C. – President Barack Obama made a pilgrimage Sunday to Billy Graham’s mountainside home, concluding his North Carolina vacation with his first meeting with the ailing evangelist who has counseled commanders in chief since Dwight Eisenhower.
The 48-year-old president made the short …. Source  : Obama make pilgrimage to evangelist Billy Graham’s mountainside home in North Carolina.

Chilean cardinal pledges full investigation into alleged abuses by priests; offers apology

Chilean cardinal pledges full abuse investigation

SANTIAGO, Chile – A top Roman Catholic official in Chile has acknowledged that he suspended an investigation into alleged abuses by a priest because he was looking for more evidence.
But Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz says the investigation is again under way into alleged abuses by the retired Rev. Fernando Karadima, …. Read the original article  : Chilean cardinal pledges full investigation into alleged abuses by priests; offers apology.

Candlelight processions mark Panchen Lama’s birthday

DHARAMSALA – Tibetan exiles here Sunday celebrated the 21st birthday of the Panchen Lama, a spokesman for the Tibetan government-in-exile said.

“Special prayer sessions were organised in the morning in which hundreds of monks participated. In the evening, a candlelight procession was taken out at McLeodganj,” the official said.
Similar functions were organised in other Buddhist-dominated [..] Read the original article: here.

On North Carolina vacation, President Obama fitting in visit with evangelist Billy Graham

Obama plans meeting with evangelist Billy Graham
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – President Barack Obama is fitting in his first visit with ailing evangelist Billy Graham during his vacation weekend in North Carolina.
Obama planned to see the 91-year-old Graham and his son Franklin at the elder Graham’s mountainside home in Montreat, about 20 …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Illegal construction by shrine angers south Delhi residents

NEW DELHI – Residents of south Delhi’s Alaknanda area Sunday approached the police alleging illegal construction in violation of court orders by a mosque situated within an apartments complex.

The residents protested Sunday morning near Madni Mosque located in the Aravali Apartments complex alleging the mosque authorities had begun illegally constructing a room Saturday that … Original source on Gaea Times at : Illegal construction by shrine angers south Delhi residents.

Sri Sri’s take on IPL: Needs more cleaning than Yamuna

NEW DELHI – The raging IPL scandal, with its unlikely cocktail of cricket, money, glamour and politics, has saddened spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. As more skeletons tumble out of the IPL closet, he says sports need more cleaning up than the filth-clogged Yamuna.

Anguished by the headline-hogging row over the Indian Premier League … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sri Sri’s take on IPL: Needs more cleaning than Yamuna.

UK document: Pope Benedict XVI could open abortion clinic, sing with Queen during visit

UK apologizes to Vatican over Pope visit jokes

LONDON – Britain’s Foreign Office issued a hasty apology Sunday to Pope Benedict XVI after publication of an internal memo in which officials joked he could open an abortion clinic, launch a range of condoms or sing a duet with Queen Elizabeth II during a four-day visit in … Read this article on Gaea Times at : UK document: Pope Benedict XVI could open abortion clinic, sing with Queen during visit.

Madurai Meenakshi Temple Celebrates Thirukalyanam

TAMIL NADU, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- Madurai Meenakshi Temple (Meenakshi Amman Temple) shall witness the angelic marriage of Lord Sundareshwara and Goddess Madurai Meenakshi in the grand Thirukalyanam event to be held on April 25. Madurai Meenakshi Temple happens to be one of the largest temples of Tamil Nadu which hosts the divine marriage of Lord Sundareshwara …. Source  : Madurai Meenakshi Temple Celebrates Thirukalyanam.