Since bias knows no boundaries, Manusmriti not only expounds the social distance between the upper and lower castes, but it also delineates the status of women by curbing their rights. It lists guidelines for men in selecting marriage partners and puts a stamp of their superiority by creating gender inequality. In chapter 3 with numbered…

Courtesy: The Coversation David Milledge, Newcastle University and Josh Bunce, Newcastle University The Ganges is a lifeline for millions of people who live within its catchment as a source of water, transport and food. During the Hindu pilgrimage known as Kumbh Mela the Ganges plays host to the largest human gathering on Earth as 120m…

By Promod Puri Ritualistically inspired and politically promoted by the Hindutva regime of India’s Uttar Pradesh province, the world’s largest religious congregation, the Kumbh Mela, began January 15 until March 4, 2019, in the city of Praygraj, formerly Allahabad. Devotees come to the historic city where Hindu sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati confluence. It…

Lohri is a traditional Punjabi festival of pure secular nature. It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, and Christians. January 13th every year is the marked date for the festival in both India and Pakistan’s Punjab regions, and all over the world where Punjabis are settled. They say it is a celebration to mark the…

by Amy Bhatt, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Hindu texts from thousands of years ago demonstrate acceptance of a ‘third gender.’ Today, transgender Indians, or hijras, remain visible members of society. AP Photo/Bikas Das Amy Bhatt, University of Maryland, Baltimore County The Indian Supreme Court has legalized homosexuality, overturning a 157-year ban on consensual gay…

By Promod Puri The expression Hindutva emerged from Hinduism, meaning a state or quality of being a Hindu. However, going through its etymology, Hindutva sought a wider demarcation to move free from Hinduism while keeping a bonded identity with it as well. The Hindutva ideology was first introduced in 1923 by Maharashtra-based Hindu social and…

A sister tying the protective thread. Vikram Verma, CC BY-ND Mathew Schmalz, College of the Holy Cross This year, Sunday, August 26 marks one of the most important celebrations for Hindus throughout the world: Rakshabandhan, a ceremony honoring the bond between sisters and brothers. The date of Rakshabandan varies from year to year since Hindus…

By Promod Puri When atheists reject the concept or existence of God, their conclusion is based on limited perception because we human beings are like a speck of creature in this colossal universe incapable of fathoming its enormity. Their case does not win credibility either by just ridiculing those who believe in God. And those…