TEMPLE HISTORY IN THE MAKING.

Temples of delight in Thailand

2010-09-23T10:13:00.000-07:00

There are no full moon parties in Isaan, perhaps Thailands' least touristy region. Instead you'll find sleepy villages, Khmer architecture, and a boutique hotel right on the Mekong

After hacking through undergrowth for a couple of hours, we emerged sweaty, muddy and bedraggled at the 25m-high Tok Haew Narok falls, which (please excuse yet another reference to The Beach in a Thailand article) are the ones Leonardo DiCaprio leapt from in the film. We scrambled down to swim in the turquoise pool below it.
My guide – called Apple – and I were following a challenging 8km trail through the Khao Yai national park, a huge tract of monsoon forest and a Unesco world heritage site two hours north of Bangkok. On the western edge of the Isaan region, it is home to tigers, bears, leopards, deer, gibbons, hornbills and elephants.
The Isaan region covers a huge swathe of north-east Thailand stretching to the Mekong river, Laos and Cambodia. It is the country's least visited area – as close to the "old Thailand" as you can get, and a welcome change from the tour group- and backpacker-choked northern destinations of Chiang Mai and the Golden Triangle.
Boutique hotels are few and far between, a steaming broth of noodle soup replaces the banana pancake breakfast, and pedicabs rather than taxis or tuk-tuks are the main mode of transport. I encountered sleepy, small rural towns that depend on farming, not tourism, despite the fact that this area is not only a stunning natural wilderness, but also full of fantastic Khmer temples.
Just like those in Cambodia (including Angkor Wat), the 182 Khmer sites in Isaan were built by the God Kings of Angkor, who at the height of their supremacy, from the ninth to the 13th century, extended their empire into Burma. Many of the finest examples of Khmer architecture are to be found on Issan's Khorat Plateau, clustered around Buriram, Surin and Khorat provinces. I explored many of them and, more often than not, I had them pretty much to myself.
The jewel in the crown was undoubtedly Phimai, 60 miles north-east of Khorat, less than three hours from Bangkok. The temple complex is right in the heart of the otherwise humdrum little town of Phimai, and entering it is like walking into a secret, mythical garden. The whole complex is dominated by an exquisite prang (tower), the iconic corn-on-the-cob-like Khmer structure – in fact, some claim that Angkor Wat was modelled on Phimai.
Apple and I sat, cocooned in a soporific tropical haze, transfixed, as the sandstone of the temple absorbed the last rays of the weakening sun, and were joined by a group of novice monks in saffron robes, who imparted spiritual wisdom about Lampard and Rooney.
The next morning we were up at dawn for a two-hour drive east across the flat, dusty landscape of the Khorat Plateau to another great Thai Khmer monument, Phanom Rung. Although Isaan is a vast region, distances between the Khmer temples are short, and all the main sites can be seen in a couple of days.
Phanom Rung is perched atop an extinct volcano, with panoramic views of the surrounding plain, and I climbed up steps worn down by centuries of visiting Buddhist pilgrims to a promenade overlooking the exquisite sandstone tower of the main temple, with its labyrinth of hidden chambers.
A few miles on was the Meuang Tam complex, based on the design of Angkor Wat, but with four L-shaped ponds covered with colourful lotus flowers.
I ventured east next, towards the Mekong valley, into rural landscapes full of paddy fields broken up by palm trees – Thailand is the world's largest rice exporter and much of the crop is grown in Isaan.
Isaan hot is a different kettle of spice from regular Thai hot as I found out when I ordered larb moo (minced pork salad) in a small roadside restaurant.
Several hours later we had made it to Khong Jiam, a somnolent river town, beautifully located on a peninsula where the blue waters of the river Mun are overwhelmed by the bubbling chocolate that is the Mekong. After staying in many basic rural lodges during our journey, I was overjoyed to find a boutique hotel here, the Tohsang Khong Jiam, right on the bank of the Mekong, with enchanting views of the mountains of Laos on the other side.
Leaving Kong Jiam to head back to Bangkok, we stumbled upon Wat Tham Khuha Sawan, which overlooks the town and the river. In complete contrast to the bewitching Khmer temples, this modern temple, built in 1978, has a surreal theme park feel to it, with a mish-mash of flamboyant architectural styles. A huge elephant protects the Buddha images below, and the main stupa's golden spires wink conspiratorially in the dazzling light. There is a dreamlike bell tower, topped with fierce nagas (mythical serpent deities) and golden spires. In Isaan, always prepare for the unexpected.
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Explore the majestic splendor of Vietnam temples

2010-09-06T06:14:00.000-07:00

Vietnam is located on the South China Sea, and is bordered with China to the north. It is a varied country in value of topography, with towering mountains, sticky jungles, and striking beaches. With a fascinating history to modern day Vietnam, planning Vietnam vacations and booking the flights to Vietnam will definitely have a series of experiences to pick from.
The most dominant religion of Vietnam is Buddhism, even though the history of Vietnam contains a heavy Hindu influence. Since Temples are the vital element of the Buddhism and Hinduism culture and religion therefore, Vietnam is occupied widely with such attractively decorated, olden times and inspiring that are the part of Vietnam tours. So, book your seats in flights to Vietnam and explore the majestic beauty of these awesome temples.
In addition, you will also discover Vietnam temples in palaces and pagodas. There is yet a combination of rock temple and lighthouse at the edge of the Duong Dong River on Phu Quoc Island close to the Mekong Delta shore. Few of the most striking temples in Vietnam are present in the antique royal capital of Hue. These temples have received equal appreciation from the locals as well as the international visitors of the Vietnam flights. One of the striking is the Meu Temple.
The number of Temples in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are limitless. Almost all vacation packages and tour operators offering the flights to Vietnam include at least a photo stop at the Hanoi’s Temple of Literature. In 1076, the first university was originated in this historic temple. It was an impressive Imperial university dedicated for the aristocrats, nobles, and family of the king. Here you will observe 82 stone bars engraved with the names of graduates dating back as far as 1484. The tourists on the leisure and exploratory voyage never miss the trip to the temple during their travel through flights to Vietnam.
Some other famous temples in Hanoi are the Ngoc Son, present on an island in the middle of one of Vietnam’s stunning lakes. Acknowledged as the Jade Mountain Temple or Temple in the Lake, it was initially constructed in the fourteenth century. It is devoted to some of the ancient scholars and national heroes of the country. Explore the charisma of Vietnam temples by taking one of the flights to Vietnam.
The temples found in Ho Chi Minh City bear the heavy influences from China and India. The Hindu Mariamman Temple was constructed by the Tamil Nadu traders on the eastern shore of India. With its complicated carving tower, it is devoted for numerous deities.

Flashbacks From Here and There: Temples of Nepal

2010-09-06T06:06:00.000-07:00

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Grown into a city, Narayanghat was a raucous dirty place. Heavy traffic belching pollution, ground over a bridge across the Narayani River that Gina used to ford with some peril from uprooted trees that rushed down with the current.
On the main street we found the house of her Nepali friend's uncle where we were invited to stay. In keeping with male tradition, he held sway over the household.
We were greeted by his daughter-in-law, a pretty, sad-eyed young woman gracefully molded into a bright sari. She led us upstairs to the living quarters and left us to summon others of her family and to bring us tea.
Her younger brother, husky, good-looking young man wearing shorts and a black T-shirt emblazoned with "BOO," immediately made us feel at home. He had just returned after six years in Russia, where he learned the language and now was a doctor.
Her husband came in with their 2-year-old son who belted me in the eye while he was being introduced to us. Gina tried to hold the kid who almost ripped off her glasses. She found it humorous. "Male dominance is instilled from childhood," she said. "Great," I thought. "He tries it again I'll return the favor."
Male children are pampered, Gina said later. It is different with female children. Male dominance is instilled from childhood.
The daughter-in-law floated around the household in the background, seemingly serene, cleaning, cooking, washing, serving, keeping her unruly son in check.
With sweet words. She seemed to be barely acknowledged, even by her husband. She had trained to be a microbiologist. "She was only the daughter-in-law, whose job was to produce children, preferably male, and to serve the family," Gina said. "If she produces more children, her status in the family will rise."
Gina reveled in speaking Nepali and chatted away with the people we met as if they were long lost friends.
Our hostess was a tiny, merry, wrinkled lady who moved about unobtrusively. Gina and she hit it off like long-lost-friends. Gina reveled in speaking Nepali again.
We went to look for her school and the house she had lived in. She said everything seemed different. We found the school, a drab, mildewed, two-story concrete survivor, empty for the day but still in use. The classrooms looked much the same despite the passage of three decades, Gina said.
Because it was surrounded by newer buildings, her former house and the school were hard to find. The school was a drab, mildewed survivor, with bare-bones classrooms but looking the same as they did three decades ago, Gina said.
Gina's apartment was in a small stuccoed building. It seemed uninhabited and forlorn. A messy, muddy puddle obstructed the front door. A curtain-less window with a gourd on the sill looked out over the dirt road to the river.
A tailor had his shop across the street. There was a moment of uncertainty. Then they recognized each other. He had opened the shop as a young man shortly before Gina arrived. His beard now was streaked with gray. He insisted we have a Coke in his shop. He had four sewing machines, and people working for him, and evidently was doing well. He told Gina her landlord had passed away.
We bought pineapples and bananas from street vendors for the tailor and his family and returned to the household. We were served snacks in the living room where a video of "The Lion King" was playing on the TV. One plate contained a pile of boiled boar bits that after our first tentative bite, were quickly made to disappear.
That night there was a festival commemorating the dearly departed. We were on the dark main street as a clang of drums and cymbals approached. Bobbing kerosene lanterns splashed wavering light on the shadowy male marchers who whirled and danced as the shouted a rhythmic chant. Our host was among them, thumping vigorously on a small drum.
Later, Gina asked our happy host what it all meant. "It has been going on for generations," he said. "We don't even know why we do it anymore. But we do it. It's just a tradition."
Later we went to bed in the room that had been prepared for us. Half asleep I was aware of someone arranging a mosquito netting over me. We woke shortly after dawn to see two cow heads floating past our window. That seemed strange since we were on the second floor. We learned later they were attached to long sticks that were draped with cloth. Each was carried by a marcher who looked out through slits in the cloth. Below each carved head was a portrait of a deceased person. It was a festive, yet solemn day, a mix of solemnity and holiday cheer.
Everyone was cordial when we left. The daughter-in-law embraced Gina who in return, gave her a little present. Touched, she said to Gina, "I like you very much."

Nick Ellena, a retired reporter with the Enterprise-Record who covered Butte County government for decades, shares his memories of his world travels in this column.

Temple and its different conception

2010-09-04T03:53:00.000-07:00

The word temple is a polysemous word that means different thing to different people. It was derived from the latin word “templum” meaning, a sacred place or a place of worship. In the history of temple, the first temple was built by Solomon in 957 BC and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II in 586 BC; while the second temple was destroy by the Romans in 70 AD. As it was said earlier that temple means different thing to different people. We can then analyses the different meaning ascribed to the word temple.

Temple could be referred to as a place of worship. The JUDAISM viewed it as synagogue which is a place of worship and communal centre of a Jewish congregation. In another way round, it could also be understood as a place of worship for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where sacred ordinances such as marriage are executed. It could also be a meeting place where fraternal order holds their meetings and perform their rites.

Temple could also be seen as an institution or building considered as a guardian of, or reservation for a particular activity and lastly, temple could be understood to be a place where something holy or divine is thought to dwell. That is, the body of a holy person. Therefore, what temple means to one person maybe different from the meaning given to it by another person.

Banteay Srei – citadel of the women

2010-08-31T03:48:00.000-07:00

Photography – George Mann
Banteay Srei is a 10th century Cambodian temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Located in the area of Angkor in Cambodia, at 13.5989 N, 103.9628 E, it lies near the hill of Phnom Dei, 25 km (15 miles) north-east of the main group of temples that once belonged to the medieval capitals of Yasodharapura and Angkor Thom.
Banteay Srei is built largely of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings which are still observable today. The buildings themselves are miniature in scale, unusually so when measured by the standards of Angkorian construction. These factors have made the temple extremely popular with tourists, and have led to its being widely praised as a “precious gem”, or the “jewel of Khmer art.

Mumbai – City of Renowned Hindu Temples

2010-08-31T03:46:00.000-07:00

Mumbai is a city with a milieu of places of worship belonging to different religions and thoughts. It is also a place where there are many Hindu temples which have a worldwide recognition and are visited by pilgrims from far and wide. Some of these temples are dedicated to the Patron Goddess of the city while others have Ganesha or Krishna as their main deity.

Mumbai – City of Renowned Hindu Temples

By David Urmann • 30/8/10 • Filed In: Travel • Print or Use this article on your website

Mumbai – City of Renowned Hindu Temples

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Mumbai is a vibrant and lively city which is always on the move. Over the centuries it has become home to many visiting communities and cultures. Mumbai is well known as the land of Opportunities. During the 60s & 70s, it was said that any person seeking a job would have at least five offer letters in a day at a time. Such was the availability of employment opportunities in Mumbai.

Migration to Mumbai was mainly from the Konkan area and the southern part of the country. There was a growing textile, manufacturing and engineering industry in the city which attracted a large work force from all parts of the country. This migrant population also brought along their customs and traditions with them.

Most of the population which came to Mumbai belonged to the Hindu faith and hence, there are numerous Hindu temples across the city. Some of them have attained world renowned stature and attract visitors from all parts of the globe.

Some of the famous Mumbai Temples could be listed thus:
Mumbadevi Temple: This temple is dedicated to the Patron Goddess of Mumbai, Mumba Devi. The English word Bombay is said to have been originated from this name only. The original temple of the goddess was built by the Kolis, who belong to the fishermen trade and are considered to be the original residents of this city. It was built in the area where the present day Victoria Terminus stands.

But in 1737, it was destroyed and rebuilt in Bhuleshwar. The Kolis are followers of the Mother Earth and the Goddess at this temple personifies this image. The original deity did not have any marked features on her face. But the present day Goddess is dressed in a beautiful robe, with a silver crown on her head, gold necklace around her neck and a shining nose stud. In front of the shrine is the carrier of the Goddess i.e. the Tiger. This is a six centuries old temple which is one of the most visited attractions in Mumbai.

Walkeshwar Temple: This temple is one of Mumbai’s ancient Hindu pilgrimage sites which is dedicated to Lord Valukeshwar (the Sand Lord). The original Walkeshwar Temple was built by the Silharas in 1050 AD. According to the Hindu mythology, this temple stands at the site where Lord Rama formed a Shivalinga (Phallus) from sand and performed his prayers. It is also said that the original temple contained the Lingams, the one ferried by Laxman from Benares and the one which was created by Lord Rama.

It is also said that the Banganga Tank which is located near the temple was also created by Lord Rama when he fired an arrow to get water. Today devotees immerse themselves in this tank to get their bodies and souls purified.

Siddhivinayak Temple: This is one of the most visited religious places in Mumbai. This 200 year old temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, who is said to be the God of Wisdom and is always invoked first before any prayers. He is said to drive away all hurdles and difficulties of his devotees. Siddhivinayak Temple is located in Prabhadevi and has a Ganesha idol made of black stone which is two and a half feet long and two feet wide. On either side of the idol, the Goddesses of Wealth and Prosperity, Riddhi-Siddhi are engraved.

Mahalaxmi Temple: There were three temples dedicated to Goddess Laxmi, Saraswati and Kali which stood to the north of Malabar Hill which were totally destroyed by invaders. Several decades later when the British decided to connect the Mahalaxmi area to Worli by building the Breach Candy, it was destroyed by several ferocious tides which swept away the structure. After many such failed attempts, the Goddess Laxmi appeared in a dream to Ramji Shivji, a contractor. She asked him to remove the three statues from the sea and establish them in a proper shrine. After Ramji did as bidden by the Goddess, the task of Breach Candy was completed successfully.

The Mahalaxmi Temple in Breach Candy has the deities of Mahalaxmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati; all of whom are adorned with nose rings, gold bangles and pearl necklaces. The temple is dedicated to the Goddess of Wealth, Mahalaxmi.

ISCKON Temple: One of the most important landmarks of Mumbai is the ISCKON or the Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple which is located at Juhu. This temple is dedicated to the Lord Raasbihari or Krishna. It is managed by the ISCKON and is situated on a sprawling 4 acres of prime land. This temple was built in 1978 and attracts a lot of crowd from all parts of the globe.

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Shooting suspect, victim have history of bad blood

2010-08-31T03:44:00.000-07:00

Radio India owner Maninder Gill has now been charged in a targeted shooting at a wedding over the weekend after turning himself in to police in Surrey, B.C.

One man suffered a non-life threatening bullet wound his upper thigh after shots were fired in the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple on Saturday afternoon. Police say the gunplay began after an argument between two men, who were known to each other.

The temple was hosting a wedding ceremony attended by hundreds at the time.

Multiple witnesses told CTV News on Saturday that the victim was local businessman Harjit Atwal, who had a long-standing dispute with Gill over a series of inflammatory broadcasts made on his radio station.

An arrest warrant was issued for Gill, 47, who turned himself in to RCMP on Monday. He is now charged with pointing a firearm, possessing a weapon for dangerous purposes, two counts of discharging a firearm with intent and unauthorized possession of a firearm.

Gill-Atwal dispute hits the courts

In a civil lawsuit filed Aug. 3 at B.C. Supreme Court, Atwal and two other men accuse Gill, Radio India, and several radio station employees of defamation.

The suit says that in a Punjabi-language broadcast on May 14, Radio India described Atwal as "an expert in uttering threats against people."

The broadcast also implied that Atwal's sons are both involved in stealing cars, and that Atwal is part of the militant Khalistan movement, which has often resorted to violence in a bid to create a Sikh homeland.

A second broadcast on May 21 asserted that Atwal, "has been charged by the police in many beating incidents."

On the same day, a third broadcast described Atwal as "a Khalistani rascal," and said that he incites fights at Sikh temples and has served a year in jail for a shooting.

It goes on to say that," one of Harjit Atwal's wives has left him because of his actions and became a homosexual while the other is half of his age."

Atwal contends in the lawsuit that none of the claims made by Radio India are true, and were intended to "cause serious harm, stress, embarrassment, insult and ridicule."

None of the allegations in the suit have been proven in court.

Police have acknowledged that Gill has come to them asking for protection, but won't say what triggered Saturday's violence.

Past troubles at the same temple

The temple, considered one of the largest in North America, made headlines in 1997 when a power struggle between traditionalist and moderate Sikhs escalated into violence.

The ideological clash was over the use of tables and chairs in the temple dining hall.

The temple was also the focus of two hotly contested temple elections, the second of which was ordered after voter irregularities were discovered.

BJP should do penance: Singhal

2010-08-31T03:42:00.000-07:00

LUCKNOW: BJP should do penance for dragging Ram Mandir issue into vote bank politics, VHP president Ashok Singhal said here. Addressing the media on Monday, Singhal said that Ayodhya temple was a matter of faith for millions of Hindus and all attempts made in the past by the saffron party at capitalising on it - including Lal Krishna Advani's Rath Yatra - were strictly avoidable.

"In fact, Atalji was not at all in favour of rath yatra," Singhal claimed on Monday even Advani must feel contrite that the temple could not be reconstructed, he added. "Politicians who oppose the temple in Ayodhya by raising bogey of communal discord have Muslim appeasement on their mind. Ram belongs to every Hindu and BJP has no copyright on it. Even Narsimha Rao shared similar sentiments. This probably accounts for delayed action post demolition and acquisition of 60 acres of land in Ayodhya by him," he said.

Hitting out at Union home minister P Chidambaram for his `saffron terrorism' remarks, Singhal said that the insinuation was highly derogatory and has tarnished, in one sweep, the image of all saints and seers in India. "Sant Samaj is known for its moderate and peaceful approach. Equating them with terrorist before top police officers was a highly injudicious act on part of the home minister," he said.

Singhal elaborated upon the Hanumat Shakti Jagran Yatra Anushthan, the four-month long awareness campaign launched by the VHP on August 16, and hoped that it would build up consensus for Ram Temple. "There are 5.45 lakh villages in India and the yatra will have Hanuman Chalisa recitation session in each of their temples. This programme finalised by the a core body of saints in Hardwar Kumbh," he said, "This was reminiscent of the shilapujan where shilas were taken to each village."

The mandir, as per their directions, shall be constructed by putting together the pieces crafted in the `karyashala' (workshop) where 60% of the work is already complete, he said. Moreover, they have ruled out a mosque within Sanskritik Seema (cultural boundary), Singhal pointed out. "However, the matter could be amicably resolved through by an act passed by parliament. The government was forced to drop the Ram setu issue in the face of massive public outrage. The same pressure could work in favour of mandir nirman," he said. Finally, the option to go to Supreme Court if need be, is always open to us, Singhal said.

The VHP president also took a potshot at chief minister Mayawati for trying to turn UP into fortress in run-up to the court's judgment. "Evoking fear is the last thing on minds of Muslims or Hindus. Only few Talibanis among Muslim and the bible-and-rifle-brigade in northeast are trying to spread terror. They need to be contained," he said.

Top 5 Buddhist tourism destinations of Asia

2010-08-31T03:40:00.000-07:00

Asia has many places of interest associated with the Buddha, and with Buddhism. Visitors to the top Buddhist tourism destinations in Asia can see temples, monasteries, retreats and pagodas with distinctive architecture, ancient statues and beautiful gardens. The top 5 Buddhist tourism destinations should give pleasure to anyone fortunate enough to visit.

1. Bodhgaya Nalanda, India
The Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya is one of the most sacred of all Buddhist destinations in Asia. This is the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment when meditating beneath a peepul tree (Ficus religiosa or Sacred Fig). In addition to seeing the sacred Bodhi tree, visitors should not miss the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodhgaya. This temple is one of the oldest surviving brick buildings in eastern India. The structure was designed to commemorate the great awakening, and to contain a large gold statue of the Buddha. It is now classified as a World Heritage Site.
2. Mount Koya, Kii Peninsula, Japan
Japan has many Buddhist temples, and one of the best Buddhist tourist destinations has to be the the holy mountain known as Koya-san. Koya-san is a place of peace associated with Kukai/Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism.
Some of the many at Koya-san have overnight accommodation for visitors, who are welcome to join morning or evening meditation sessions. Guests do not have to be Buddhists to stay at a temple. Mount Koya can be reached by train and is just two hours from Osaka.
3. Temples of Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok can be considered to be one of the best Buddhist tourism destinations to visit in Asia. There are some magnificent Buddhist temples to be seen in the city, with some of the largest Buddha statues in the world. The famous golden Buddha at Wat Trimitr is 900 years old and made from solid gold.
The biggest and oldest temple in Bangkok is Wat Po. This temple has a huge reclining figure of the Buddha.
Wat Benjamaborpitr is a beautiful building made of white marble. Early morning visitors to the temple can admire the architecture while listening to Buddhist monks chanting in the chapel.
4. Lhama Tibetan Temple, Beijing, China
The largest Buddhist temple in Beijing comes alive during the Chinese New Year celebrations when many Buddhists from all over China arrive to pray for good fortune. For the rest of the year this is a place of peace and tranquility, closely associated with Tibet. Built as a palace for Count Yin Zhen, the original buildings were converted and tuned into a temple in 1723.
The Lhama Temple is sent amongst landscaped gardens, and has wall decorations illustrating the life of the Buddha. There is also a rare sand mandala, preserved under glass, and there is a wealth of prayer wheels, statues and sculptures to see inside.
5.Birthplace of Lord Buddha, Lumbini, Nepal

Located in the South-western part of Nepal, 200 miles south-west of Kathmandu, the birthplace of Lord Buddha has become a place of pilgrimage for many Buddhists. The Maya Devi Temple is dedicated to the mother of Buddha, and contains carved depictions of the birth of Buddha. Maya Devi was passing through Lumbini when she gave birth, after bathing in a sacred pond and walking to a grove of trees. A sacred stone marks the spot where she delivered her child.
It is not necessary to be a Buddhist to benefit from visiting the best Buddhist tourism destinations of Asia. Anyone can find peace, beauty and harmony in these destinations, and have a memorable experience.

China a prize in LDS’s eyes

2010-08-31T03:38:00.000-07:00

There is no hint of a Mormon presence in the high-rise where the Beijing LDS branches meet.

Visitors must pass through a lobby featuring several boutiques, including a liquor store, find their way to the elevator, take it to the fourth floor and then stroll down a long hallway. No familiar logo above the door. No church name or meeting times on the directories.

And every Sunday as expatriatesgather for their weekly services, the branch (congregation) president reads an official statement from the pulpit, explaining to any new members or visitors that proselytizing is forbidden. So is distributing LDS literature or mingling with Mormons who are Chinese nationals and meet separately.

None of that is likely to change with Monday’s announcement that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has held “high-level” talks that are “expected to lead to ‘regularized’ [church] operations” in China.

The Utah-based faith isn’t about to overwhelm the world’s most-populous nation with young men in dark suits or erect temples in Beijing, Shanghai or anywhere else on the mainland.

“It is important to understand what the term regularizing means, and what it does not mean,” LDS Church spokesman Michael Otterson said in a news release. “It does not mean that we anticipate sending missionaries to China. That issue is not even under consideration.”

Same goes for temples. The church has a temple in Hong Kong to serve its 24,000-plus members there. But outside of Hong Kong and nearby Macau, the LDS Church is not allowed to proselytize in China.

So what does “regularizing” mean? Even longtime China scholars such as Brigham Young University political scientist Eric Hyer aren’t sure.

LDS temple in Ukraine given 'to the Lord'

2010-08-31T03:36:00.000-07:00

YEV, Ukraine — The first temple lesson learned by LDS Church members attending Sunday's cornerstone ceremony of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple was to share.

You see, the Kyiv temple — the first built by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Eastern Europe as well as in the former Soviet Union — is not Ukraine's anymore.

And it doesn't belong to the Latter-day Saints who live in the nine Eastern European nations that comprise the temple district, from Armenia to Moldova and from Russia to Belorussia.

"It is your temple now," said LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson in the opening cornerstone ceremonies of the first of Sunday's three dedication services. "But in a few minutes, we will give it to the Lord."

Ukrainian church members will be pleased to welcome their peers from neighboring nations to visit the church's 134th operating temple worldwide and the 11th on the European continent.

President Monson is the first LDS Church president to visit Ukraine since a 2002 conference at Kiev's Palats Ukraina concert hall featured President Gordon B. Hinckley.

Joining President Monson for the dedication ceremonies were President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency; Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Elder William R. Walker of the Quorums of the Seventy and executive director of the church's temple department, the wives of the latter three leaders and the East Europe Area presidency.

Sister Frances Monson did not travel with President Monson.

The Kyiv Ukraine Temple is the latest event in the LDS Church's rapid ascent in Ukraine. The first missionaries arrived in October 1990, the church was formally recognized the next year by the new nation's new government after the 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Ukraine Kiev Mission was organized in 1992, and the temple was announced in 1998.

Even though the temple was not completed and dedicated for a dozen years after its announcement, no other nation besides the United States has received a temple faster than Ukraine after the introduction of the LDS Church or its missionaries in that country.

Vladimir A. Kanchenko, president of the Kyiv Ukraine Stake since it was organized in 2004, said the new temple will drastically reduce the time and cost for the approximately 31,000 members in the East Europe Area to travel to the temple. Before, they had to spend several days crossing many borders to attend temples in Germany, Sweden, Finland and Switzerland.

"Now all of Ukraine and all of Russia and these other countries can attend the temple as often as they want, not only as often as they can," said Kanchenko, adding that the temple will bless the members with increased knowledge, strength and personal revelation.

Elder Nelson echoed the theme of the temple's accessibility for Eastern European LDS members.

"It will be a temple available to people from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan and, of course, Russia," said Elder Nelson in an interview with the Deseret News and Church News earlier this month.

"The dear people from Russia who wanted to be endowed had to go to Sweden and Finland. This will be a lot easier — politically and economically. It's still a big, long trip for them. But a temple in the former USSR — no one can underestimate the significance of that."

Elder Nelson quoted a statement from then-Elder Boyd K. Packer's apostolic blessing on Ukraine, given in 1991: "We see the day when there will be stakes of Zion set firmly and permanently on the fertile soil of the Ukraine, and in due time, the spires of temples will be seen across this great land."

Currently, the LDS Church has 11,000 members in 64 congregations in Ukraine, including one stake and three missions.

The temple features an exterior of Amarelo Maciera granite, which is light in color and contains quartzite crystals that reflect the sunlight.

The interior design and stained-glass windows suggest a wheat theme, including the plant's upright stem and the diagonal pattern of the kernels.

Labeled the former USSR's "bread basket," the agriculturally rich Ukraine is well-known for its fertile soil and its abundant wheat and grain fields.

The temple's spire stands 42 meters tall — nearly 138 feet high — and is topped with a gilded Angel Moroni statue. Just beneath the sphere upon which the statue stands is a series of flashing red lights that are turned on at night, since the temple is located near a small, local airport.

Sunday's cornerstone ceremony was the only public part of the day's three dedication services for the temple, which is different than church's more common meetinghouses used for public worship and activities.

Following the dedication, only worthy LDS members can enter a temple, where church members believe Jesus Christ's teachings are taught and ordinances for members and their deceased ancestors are performed to unite families for eternity.

"It is a day of freedom — a day you will have all the ordinances of the gospel," said President Monson during the cornerstone ceremony. "It is a time to do the ordinances for your ancestors, for the people who cannot do it for themselves.

"I promise that when you come to the temple, you will have a feeling in your hearts that you have given the greatest gift to them," he continued. "For that is what temple work is all about."

Ukraine gets temple 20 years after introduction of church

After the United States, where the LDS Church was first organized, Ukraine is the country with the least amount of time between the introduction of the church and its missionaries to the completion of an LDS temple.

Ukraine: Church introduced 1990 — Kyiv Temple, 2010 — 20 years

Dominican Republic: Church introduced 1978 — Santo Domingo Temple, 2000 — 22 years

Philippines: Church introduced 1961 — Manila Temple, 1984 — years

Ghana: Church introduced 1978 — Accra Temple, 2004 — 26 years

This dog has its day, and a temple to boot

2010-08-30T12:01:00.000-07:00

HUBLI: There are temples and temples -- some for idols, and some for matinee idols in today's hero-worshipping times. But for a pet mongrel? Chandrashekharaia Kulkarni, 58, did just that -- he built a temple for a dog who he believes had divine powers.

Today, it has turned into a religious spot in Ranebennur, in Haveri district.

In 1994, Kulkarni was running a small scale industry making paan masala sachets in a rented building. It was a loss-making unit, and Kulkarni planned to shut it down. One day, he saw a two-week old puppy straying onto the premises. He tried to shoo it away, but the whining mongrel stuck around. Out of pity, Kulkarni decided to rear it.

As fate would have it, things began to change. His business blossomed, he bought his own building on five guntas of land in the industrial area. All this he attributed to the dog, believing he had brought him luck.

The puppy grew up to be a part of the family. Kulkarni named him Raja Narayanswami, and treated him as his child. The family took good care of Raja, who surprisingly, was a vegetarian. Towards the end of 2008, Raja died of a prolonged illness.

To keep Raja's memory alive, the family decided to build a temple for him. With the support of the people and other pet lovers, Kulkarni built a temple and put up a portrait of Raja in 2009. He held a huge fair during Vijayadashmi. And ever since, people have been thronging the temple. His wife Kasturamma and children Manjaiah and Gayatri too believe the dog possessed divine powers.

Said Kulkarni, a law graduate, "Raja was like our son, not just a dog. Our fate changed after it came to our industry. It often protected our property from thieves. We believe it was a reincarnation of God."

This year too, Kulkarni plans to hold a big fair and mass feeding during Vijayadashmi. "Now, we want to build a primary school after him, and are awaiting permission. The land is finalized. We have also placed an order for a silver statue of Raja, embedded with precious stones, to be installed in the temple," he added.

Temples plan to go in for solar lights

2010-08-30T11:57:00.000-07:00

LUDHIANA: After educational institutes, now its the turn of city temples to focus on saving energy by using solar lights. While one temple has already installed these energy-saving tubes, other managements are working on the plans.

According to the temple associations there was a strong need to save energy, especially in the wake of massive power crisis in the state. Solar energy, being a clean option, could provide them help.

Already Convent School, Punjab Agricultural University and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University ( GADVASU) had installed solar lights. Even the new residential colonies were also being lighted up with solar energy but the religious organizations said that this was very costly because of high investment charges.

While giving information, Pardeep Dhall, general secretary, of Shree Geeta Mandir Shani Dham, said that it was yet another step to provide pollution-free and peaceful environment to the devotees. More importantly, cutting their power bill, the solar lights reduced their dependence on electricity.

Echoing a similar view, Sudar Das Dhamija from Govind Gau Dham said that they had consulted a Delhi-based company for installing solar lights in their temple and surrounding area for which the company had submitted a Rs 1-crore plan. He said that they wanted to replace the ordinary lights with solar ones and efforts were going on to do it as soon as possible.

Satish Gupta from Bhagwan Jagannath Temple said that construction work of the new shrine was going on and they had factored in the installation of solar lights in it.

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated with religious fervour

2010-08-30T10:25:00.000-07:00

VARANASI: The Ganesh Chaturthi (locally called Ganesh Chauth) was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety across the city on Saturday.

Hundreds of devotees thronged the prominent temples of the city for worshipping the lord Ganesha. A number of women also observed fast and prayed for the wellbeing of their family members on the occasion.

Specials prayers were held at prominent temples like Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Godaulia), Siddhi Vinayak Temple (Dashashwamedh) and Durga Temple (Durgakund).

Some of the prominent temples also witnessed a distribution of special prasad. Earlier, the devotees thronged the ghats to take a holy dip in the Ganga.

Suspect sought in Guru Nanak Temple shooting

2010-08-30T09:41:00.000-07:00

Police are seeing a suspect in a targeted weekend shooting in one of North America’s largest Sikh temples.

Police were called to Guru Nanak Temple in Surrey around 12:40 p.m. Saturday, where hundreds of people had gathered for a wedding hosted by local home appraiser Kultar Dhott.

Festivities were interrupted by gunshots coming from the temple parking lot. Responding to a flood of calls, Surrey RCMP arrived to find a man shot in the leg. He was rushed to the hospital and was stable but still hospitalized on Sunday.

Witnesses and friends say the man was 54-year-old Harjit Singh Atwal – a prominent Surrey contractor.

Minutes later, police cars surrounded the offices for Radio India and the lavish Surrey home of its general manager Maninder Singh Gill, where they blocked off the road and approached his house at the end of the 56th Street cul-de-sac with guns at the ready.

Suzanne Dennis, who has lived on the street for decades, arrived home Saturday afternoon to see the street cordoned off with yellow tape, and a pair of police vehicles blocking off the avenue for hours before leaving.

RCMP, who say the shooting was targeted, have not confirmed that Mr. Gill is a person of interest in the case and will say only that they are seeking a single male suspect and a white, newer-model four-door sedan seen leaving the scene. No arrests had been made or charges laid by Sunday evening.

But Gurpreet Singh, a newscaster at the Punjabi Radio India, says he has been in touch with Mr. Gill’s family and believes his boss is the alleged shooter police are seeking.

Mr. Singh says the shooting is the result of a continuing feud he traces to an April visit to B.C. by Punjabi government minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan. An apparent insult directed at the minister by a man close to Mr. Atwal sparked an acrimonious barrage between Mr. Atwal and the radio station, Mr. Singh says.

Mr. Singh says does not know what happened to escalate a parking-lot argument into a shootout outside the temple, but said he thinks Mr. Gill would have fired only in self-defence.

“He's a very easygoing person; he doesn’t lose his temper so easily,” he said. “I can only speculate. Whatever I have heard is that people were trying to attack him and he acted in self-defence.”

Mr. Gill, who has been called the “czar of Punjabi entertainment,” has run Radio India since 1999, after making a name for himself as a promoter of Punjabi culture and music in Surrey.

Mr. Atwal is a former member of the militant International Youth Sikh Federation, a group he has since denounced. He campaigned earlier this year to get his name taken off blacklists the Indian government reserves for separatist groups, arguing he hasn’t been involved in Khalistan (Sikh homeland) politics for years.

A spate of violence in Sikh temples in B.C. and Ontario earlier this year – at least one of which involved a kirpan, the ceremonial dagger worn by Khalsa Sikhs – renewed debate over religious extremism, and the risks that the actions of a tiny minority would tarnish perceptions of thousands of others.

But witnesses and community members emphasize this has more to do with personal arguments than religious politics. Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara was quick to distance itself from Saturday’s shooting; the mother of Saturday’s groom, who answered the phone at Mr. Dhott’s Surrey home Sunday, said she and others inside the temple at the time have no idea what sparked the conflict.

“As far as we understand, it was a personal dispute that unfortunately found its way into the Gurdwara parking lot,” said a statement released on behalf of temple president Bikramjit Singh Sandhar. “This event or the individuals involved have no connection with this Gurdwara and the Gurdwara strongly condemns this and every act of violence.”