A female Dalai Lama will be more attractive: Dalai Lama

TORONTO – The Dalai Lama, who wound up his three-day visit here by leading prayers at the newly opened Tibetan cultural centre, doesn’t rule out a female successor.

The purpose of the Dalal Lama’s reincarnation is to serve the Buddha, the 14th Dalai Lama told a week-end audience of more than 15,000 at the city’ … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : A female Dalai Lama will be more attractive: Dalai Lama.

Urgent need for peace in Middle East: Pope

ROME – Roman Catholic Pope Benedict XVI Sunday called for the prompt resolution of the Middle East conflict and urged Muslim countries to guarantee total religious freedom.

Peace is needed urgently in the volatile region, and an essential prerequisite for dignified life, the pontiff said at a mass at St Peter’s Basilica to mark formal …. Original source  : Urgent need for peace in Middle East: Pope.

China can learn preserving languages from India: Dalai Lama

DHARAMSALA – China can take a leaf out of the Indian book on preserving and promoting linguistic diversity, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has said.

“China may want to learn from the Indian experience where preservation and promotion of the linguistic diversity is being done without it being seen as a danger of separation,” …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : China can learn preserving languages from India: Dalai Lama.

It’s beauty parlours, henna designs for Karva Chauth

NEW DELHI – It’s that time of the year when women in many parts of north India, including the capital, make a beeline for beauty parlours and henna designers to look their best as they pray for the long lives of their husbands on Karva Chauth that falls Tuesday.

Women observe a day-long fast on …. Original article  : It’s beauty parlours, henna designs for Karva Chauth.

All decked up, women celebrate Karva Chauth

NEW DELHI – Wearing colourful clothes, beautiful jewellery and sporting exquisite henna designs on their hands, women in many parts of north India Tuesday celebrated the festival of Karva Chauth with fervour, observing a day-long fast for the long life of their husbands.

Married women dedicate the evening to rituals, offering prayers to deity Gauri. …. Read the original article  : here.

Etihad to increase flights for Haj pilgrims

Abu Dhabi, Oct 26 (IANS/WAM) Etihad Airways will increase its services from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia in November for Haj pilgrims.

In addition to its regular daily Jeddah service, Etihad will offer 11 extra flights to the city between Nov 2 and Nov 20, offering a capacity increase of 1,600 seats during … Original source on Gaea Times at : Etihad to increase flights for Haj pilgrims.

Karva Chauth with a green cause

LUCKNOW – Praying for longevity of your husband on Karva Chauth? Then why not plant a long-living tree after your husband? That’s what an NGO dedicated to the cause of environment is making married women do here.

NGO Sankalp Parivar is making married women plant saplings on Karva Chauth, and asking them to pray …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Karva Chauth with a green cause.

Women all decked up, keep fast on Karwa Chauth

NEW DELHI – All decked up in colourful clothes and beautiful jewellery with exquisite henna designs on their hands, women in many parts of north India Tuesday celebrated the festival of karwa chauth, observing a day-long fast for long life of their husbands.
Married women dedicate the evening to rituals by …. Source article  : Women all decked up, keep fast on Karwa Chauth.

Obama may visit Golden Temple during next visit: Aide

WASHINGTON – Time was the main factor behind US President Barack Obama’s decision not to visit the Golden Temple during his upcoming India trip, and paying homage at the Sikh shrine at a later date cannot be ruled out, an aide has said.

“We can never do as many events as we’d like to,” Ben … Read more : Obama may visit Golden Temple during next visit: Aide.

Sikh Americans not buying Obama excuse for skipping Amritsar

WASHINGTON – Sikh Americans are not buying the White House explanation that President Barack Obama is skipping a visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar during his upcoming visit to India because he doesn’t have time.

“The community obviously feels stood up by the president,” said Sapreet Kaur, executive director, Sikh Coalition as the White … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Sikh Americans not buying Obama excuse for skipping Amritsar.

Holy See condemns Tariq Aziz death sentence

Vatican City, Oct 28 (IANS/AKI) The Vatican has condemned the death penalty given to Tariq Aziz, a top former aide to late Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein.

Aziz, now a frail 74-year-old who has been in detention since 2003, was for years the “international face” of Saddam’s government.
Iraq’s Supreme Court Tuesday sentenced Aziz to … Read more >>>.

Vatican: Cardinal urges Hindus and Christians to get closer

Vatican City, Oct 29 (IANS/AKI) The Vatican’s top body for promoting religious dialogue used the occasion of the Hindu festival of Diwali next month to call for greater harmony and trust between Hindus and Christians.

Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, has written a message to Hindus for Diwali … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Vatican: Cardinal urges Hindus and Christians to get closer.

Himachal to link shrine with ropeway

SHIMLA – The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to link a Hindu shrine in Hamirpur district with a ropeway after which it would take just 10 minutes to traverse a distance of two km, an official said here Thursday.

“A two-km ropeway between Shahtalai and Deotsidh (Baba Balak Nath Temple) would be soon commissioned under …. Source  : Himachal to link shrine with ropeway.

Visit a Delhi gurdwara, Sikh leader to Obama

NEW DELHI – With Barack Obama cancelling a trip to the Golden Temple, a Sikh leader here has urged the US president to visit at least a prominent gurdwara in the national capital.

Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee president Paramjit Singh Sarna said in a letter to Obama: “We cordially invite you to visit Gurdwara … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Visit a Delhi gurdwara, Sikh leader to Obama.

108-ft Hanuman idol to attract tourists in Shimla

SHIMLA – A 108-foot idol of Hindu god Hanuman will be another attraction for tourists visiting this Himachal Pradesh capital. But the locals — keen to maintain the greenery of the place — feel that such constructions should not be allowed.

Standing tall amid the plush green pine trees surrounding Mount Jakhu – the …. Original source  : 108-ft Hanuman idol to attract tourists in Shimla.