Hinduism and the Olympics: Manu Bhaker and Bhagavad Gita

August 9, 2024 By Vijendra Agarwal

While it may not always be apparent, I suspect that religious practices and beliefs hold significance for many of today’s Olympians, just as they did when the Olympics were first established. This article focuses on Manu Bhaker, an athlete from India (also known as Bharat). A 22-year-old Bhaker made history at the Paris Olympics by winning two Bronze medals and narrowly missing a third. In the present context, she deserves recognition for connecting the dots between her deep spiritual connection... Read more

Ram Rath Yatra In The U. S. And Its Significance For Hindus

June 2, 2024 By Vijendra Agarwal

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Bhagwan (God) Ram in Hinduism is one of the most revered and beloved deities. Ram is believed to be the seventh avatar of the God Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity. We write about the Ram Rath Yatra (RRY) across the United States and the heightened historical significance of the Pran Pratishtha ( consecration) of Ram Lalla Mandir (temple) in Ayodhya, India. The photo shows Prime Minister Modi during the globally watched Pran Pratishtha on January 22, an earlier... Read more

“Ram Lalla” in Ayodhya, Hinduism, and Minnesota Celebration

January 26, 2024 By Vijendra Agarwal

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“Ram is not fire; Ram is energy. Ram is not a dispute; Ram is a solution. Ram is not just ours; Ram belongs to everyone. Ram is not just present; Ram is eternal.” Narendra Modi January 22, 2024, will forever be a historic, monumental, and magnificent day of Sanatan Dharma revival for the consecration of Ram Mandir. Prime Minister Modi performed “Pran Pratishtha” which was witnessed by millions around the world. It was the grand spectacle of our lifetime.... Read more

U.S. Targeting Hindu Bharat’s Religious Freedom-Part 1

January 17, 2024 By Vijendra Agarwal

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Why is Bharat’s Religious Freedom Monitored by Only Individuals of Abrahamic Faith? Background: The world’s topmost religions include Christianity (~2.4 B), Islam (~1.9B), Hinduism (~1.2B), and Buddhism (~0.5 B). The last two religions originated in ancient Bharat with about 5,000 old history and civilization. Today’s Bharat (known as India) has a population of about 1.4 B and is a Hindu-majority nation. Hindus are inherently secular. The religious demography in Christian-dominated America, according to a PRRI report in 2021 (www.prri.org), includes... Read more

Hindu Festivals: Govardhan Puja, Annakut, and Chhappan Bhog

November 26, 2023 By Vijendra Agarwal

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The Govardhan Puja, Annakut, and Chhapan Bhog are intimately connected and observed on the day after Deepavali. These are associated with an ancient and legendary story from the times of Lord Krishna dating back to around 3,228 BCE. It is typical that most Hindu festivals connect us to our Divine roots. This article includes the brief history and significance of these festivals followed by how the local Hindu community celebrated them. Most Hindu festivals offer food to God and once... Read more

Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in New Jersey

November 22, 2023 By Vijendra Agarwal

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It was blissful and a blessing to visit the majestic, magnificent, and mesmerizing architectural marvel, the Akshardham Temple in New Jersey. The second-largest in the world and the largest of the three Akshardham temples is the New Jersey temple (mandir). The other two are in New Delhi and Gandhinagar, India. The Akshardham under discussion stands about 191 feet at its highest point, on more than 180 acres of land with nearly 10,000 statues. Interesting to note that the largest Hindu... Read more

November 8, 2023 By Vijendra Agarwal

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RAM RATH YATRA IN THE UNITED STATES AND ITS SIGNIFICANCEBhagwan Ram in Hinduism is one of the most revered and beloved deities. Ram is believed to be the seventh avatar of the God Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity. We write about the Ram Rath Yatra (RRY) across the United States and the heightened historical significance of the Pran Pratishtha ( consecration) of Ram Lalla Mandir (temple) in Ayodhya, India.We include a brief description of RRY, its spiritual, religious,... Read more

Bharat (India)’s Values, Culture, and Heritage During the G20

September 27, 2023 By Vijendra Agarwal

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This year’s G20 summit was proudly hosted by Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi. It was an unprecedented geopolitical event in which the New Delhi declaration was unanimously agreed by all G20 members. Another political dimension was the unanimity for admitting the African Union as a permanent member of G20. This added 55 African countries with an economy worth about $3 trillion and 1.4 billion in population. The third accomplishment was the revival of the new “Spice Route,” clinched among... Read more

Forgiveness in Hinduism and the Hindu Temple of Minnesota

September 7, 2023 By Vijendra Agarwal

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In the Bhagwad Gita, one of the most sacred Hindu scriptures, Lord Krishna states that “forgiveness” is one of the great qualities everyone should practice and aspire for. He, however, cautioned not to use forgiveness indiscriminately. This article is about an act of forgiveness, a higher purpose of Divine faith and Hinduism, by the community in Minnesota. The incidence goes as far back as 2006, a part of the history of the Hindu Temple of Minnesota (HTM) when it was... Read more

HANUMAN: Part II Diplomacy With Defiance

May 5, 2023 By Vijendra Agarwal

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In earlier articles, we offered Hanuman Ji’s profile followed by his diplomacy skills in brokering friendship between Lord Ram and Sugriva. The following includes more examples of his diplomacy when Hanuman arrives in Lanka, finds Sita, and meets Ravana. Hanuman Heading to Lanka: Tasked to find Sita, Hanuman asked Ram to give him something to establish his credibility as his representative. Ram offered the wedding ring to Hanuman. With the ability to disguise himself and stay under the radar, Hanuman... Read more