With October being celebrated as Hindu Heritage Month, community leaders, as well as policymakers, including US President Joe Biden, lighting lamps and immersing themselves in the festival of lights, Diwali celebrations at BAPS Swaminarayan temples across North America glittered with varied hues, lights, and delicious food that heightened the joy of traditional festivities.
In honor of the historic inauguration of the Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, a special program was held at over 100 Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Mandirs across North America last weekend. A statement from BAPS Swaminarayan Mandirs said, “This auspicious event marked the culmination of an extraordinary journey spanning over five centuries, a testament to the sacrifices and unwavering faith of numerous swamis, mahants, acharyas, and devoted individuals.”
A Hindu temple was defaced with graffiti describing India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a terrorist. The incident that occurred on Dec 21 night has shocked the community.
Disciples thronged BAPS centers across North America and immersed themselves in joyous celebrations, and cultural programs commemorating the life and teachings of Pramukh Swami Maharaj on his 100th birth year.
“We strongly condemn the defacing of BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Toronto with anti-India graffiti. Have requested Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action on the perpetrators,” tweeted India in Canada.
Indian-based international spiritual and humanitarian organization BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), has gathered several volunteers from the US to organize relief efforts to help thousands of refugees in war-torn Ukraine.
The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a religious organization, has been accused of human trafficking and wage law violations, including bringing hundreds of workers from India and forcing them to work at several temple sites for wages as low as $1.
Thousands of miles away from India, in Robbinsville, New Jersey, stands the US’s largest Hindu temple, the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham. This majestic Mahamandir (grand temple) is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, a Hindu spiritual leader of the 19th century, and was inspired by his 5th spiritual successor and renowned saint Pramukh Swami Maharaj.The construction of this Mahamandir began in 2015 and is set to be inaugurated by Mahant Swami Maharaj, and dignitaries on October 8, 2023.
The BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute the first such center for learning and research on Indian languages, Hindu scriptures, and Hindu philosophy has been set up in the United States at Robbinsville, New Jersey.
Four hundred and twenty buses packed with members of the Indian diaspora drove to Washington DC from Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Delaware, Ohio and New York. Two Chartered planes carried people to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s welcome event at the White House on June 22 and the Indian diaspora event at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on June 23.
A Hindu temple has been vandalised with ‘anti-India’ graffiti in Canada’s Brampton province, leaving the Indian community in shock. The Indian Consulate General in Toronto issued a statement on Tuesday condemning the attack on the Gauri Shankar Mandir in Brampton.
Piyush Goyal, the commerce and industry minister who was on a whirlwind tour of the United States recently, captured the hearts and attention of the Indian Diaspora. Goyal’s transparency, tact, and forthcoming approach to audiences across different forums were well appreciated.
indica News Bureau- Concerned over the health of their devotees and to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the US, many temples of the Hindi community have been shut for devotees till such time the situation comes under control. In a press release the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha said that following the orders of public health […]
indica News Bureau Indian festivals lit up the US on Wednesday with top US lawmakers and leading Indian-Americans celebrating Diwali at the US Capitol and a hundred others – mainly those tracing roots from Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh – observing Chhath Puja. A day after US President Donald Trump commemorated Diwali, a […]
The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) and several other human rights organizations have raised concerns against the inclusion of an anti-Muslim float at the India Day Parade scheduled to be held in New York City on August 18, 2024.
The proposed float for the parade that has angered the human rights outfits highlights the illegal demolition of the Babri Mosque. The allegations have been refuted by the event’s host, the Federation of Indian Associations. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America also has condemned the assertion of IAMC and blamed it for mischaracterizing the float as anti-Muslim.
The largest Hindu temple in the US opened its doors on Sunday in New Jersey. The temple in Robbinsville city is said to be the largest Hindu temple outside India in the modern era. Thousands of miles away from India stands this majestic Mahamandir (grand temple) that is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, a Hindu spiritual leader of the 19th century and was inspired by his 5th spiritual successor Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
In a first, an US Air Force member has been granted a religious waiver to wear a tilak while in uniform.
indica News Bureau- The same-sex marriage of two Indian Americans in New Jersey has been making a splash in international media. Amit Shah and Aditya Madiraju, wearing matching outfits, were married in a traditional Hindu ceremony that had the blessings of a family member at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, New Jersey. The […]
