Religion News – Weekly Newsletter for December 6-13, 2010

Hit by delays, Sikh heritage project gets another deadline

CHANDIGARH – It promises to be a landmark monument of Sikhism. But six years have passed since work on the Khalsa Heritage Complex (KHC) started at Anandpur Sahib and the Punjab government has now given it yet another deadline for completion.

Announced in April 1999, it is now in its final phase and the Punjab …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Hit by delays, Sikh heritage project gets another deadline.

Shutdown in parts of Hyderabad on Babri anniversary

HYDERABAD – Parts of Hyderabad Monday remained shut in response to a call given by Muslim organisations to mark the 18th anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.

Shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed in Muslim-majority areas while few vehicles were seen plying on the roads.
Markets around the historic Charminar …. Original source  : Shutdown in parts of Hyderabad on Babri anniversary.

Deepak Chopra launches graphic novel on Buddha’s life

WASHINGTON – New age guru Deepak Chopra is all set to publish a graphic adaptation of his New York Times bestselling novel “Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment” in collaboration with Liquid Comics and Dynamite Entertainment.

The 160-page, hardcover graphic novel will be available in bookstores across the US Dec 14 with a digital Apple iPad … Read more : Deepak Chopra launches graphic novel on Buddha’s life.

Books to celebrate India’s spirituality

NEW DELHI – India’s ancient wisdom, culture and knowledge will be documented in Ananda, a new imprint of books on spirituality and heritage.

Ananda was launched this week with three books — “A Treasury of Indian Wisdom”, a selection of writings edited by Karan Singh, “Fingers Pointing to the Moon”, a series of talks on …. Source article  : Books to celebrate India’s spirituality.

World’s largest floating Christmas tree lighted

Rio de Janeiro, Dec 6 (IANS/EFE) Thousands of Brazilians and visitors gathered at Rio de Janeiro’s Rodrigo de Freitas Lake to witness the lighting of the world’s largest floating Christmas tree with 3.3 million lights.

The enormous tree, supported by a metallic structure and standing 85 metres tall has already been acknowledged by the Guinness …. Source  : World’s largest floating Christmas tree lighted.

PM attends pre-Christmas function

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday night attended a function organised by parliamentarians to celebrate the Christmas season.

“The PM was glad to attend the function to mark the Christmas season,” an official in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) told IANS.
Former Union minister Dhanuskodi Athithan, chairman of the committee to host … Read more : PM attends pre-Christmas function.

Dalai Lama is Lord Buddha of this era: Dhumal

DHARAMSALA – Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal Thursday called Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama the greatest living monk and the Lord Buddha of the present era.

“He (the Dalai Lama) is the greatest living Buddhist monk and is the Mahatma Budha of the era,” Dhumal said at a breakfast reception hosted by … Read more : Dalai Lama is Lord Buddha of this era: Dhumal.

‘Dalai Lama will remain religious, temporal head’

DHARAMSALA – Expressing full faith in his leadership, the Tibetan government-in-exile based here Friday again reiterated that the Dalai Lama would remain the Tibetans’ religious and temporal head.

“The Kashag (cabinet) would like to offer the wholehearted prayers of Tibetans, beseeching His Holiness (the Dalai Lama) to remain as ever the religious and … Original article on : ‘Dalai Lama will remain religious, temporal head’.

Growth rate of Tibetan exiles plummets

DHARAMSALA – The exiled Tibetan population’s growth rate has declined drastically in the last decade even as literacy levels have gone up, reveals a census report, which also notes that over 94,000 Tibetans now live in India.

The population growth rate of the community has declined from a healthy 2.8 percent, which was maintained for … Original article on : Growth rate of Tibetan exiles plummets.

Nepal celebrates ‘marriage made in heaven’ with India

KATHMANDU – Bands played joyously, Brahmins chanted mantras and women showered flowers as Nepal Friday celebrated a “marriage made in heaven” thousands of years ago and forming one of its earliest social links with India.

The temple town Janakpur in southern Nepal along the Indo-Nepal border, where Hindu epic Ramayana comes alive this time every …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Nepal celebrates ‘marriage made in heaven’ with India.

Early marriage my right, says 14-year-old Malaysian girl

KUALA LUMPUR – A 14-year old Malaysian girl, who married a 23-year-old man, has asserted that early marriage was her individual decision and right.

Marriage is the right of the individual and I am well-prepared to take up the duties of a wife, said Siti Maryam Mahmood, the teenager fondly called Maya by her … Original article on : Early marriage my right, says 14-year-old Malaysian girl.