In this article, Dr. Koenraad Elst reflects on how India's national symbols—its flag, anthem, and the very name Bharat—are deeply rooted in Hindu tradition. Elst argues that despite the secularist intentions of Nehruvian India, the Dharma Cakra in the flag, the reference to Ma Durga in the anthem, and the nation taking its name from King Bharata, reveal a cultural continuity that cannot be denied: that India, by heritage and spirit, remains a Hindu Rāṣṭra.
As we pass the 2025 Oscars, Charu Uppal recalls the grand success of the movie Oppenheimer in the 2024 Oscars. In this open letter to the director Christopher Nolan, she points out how the movie conspicuously avoids showing the suffering of the Japanese people, barely mentioning the names Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Even more troubling is the decision to juxtapose the sacred Bhagavad Gita with an intimate scene — a choice that was neither accidental nor faithful to historical context. In an industry that does not shy away from showing violence, the film omits the human cost of the bomb while including a scene that offended millions. Creative freedom is vital, but so is cultural responsibility.
The last few days have seen a wave of videos celebrating Chhath Puja emerge, showcasing a devotion that transcends the ordinary. As an exiled Kashmiri Pandit longing for an authentic experience of her traditions, this prompted Shradha Dhar to reconnect with her roots. As she explores the diverse traditions of Bharat from Thaipusam of Tamilnadu to the Tulmulla festival of Kashmir, she emphasizes the importance of preserving these rituals and traditions that form the core of our identity and connect us to the divine.
The alleged defilement of prasad at the Tirupati temple has sent shockwaves through the Hindu community, striking at the heart of religious sentiments and sacred traditions. The use of impure substances in the prasad violates the spiritual and cultural sanctity of one of Hinduism’s most revered pilgrimage sites. Such an act challenges the very principles of purity and Dharma that define Hindu worship. Restoring the sanctity of the temple and ensuring accountability is now of paramount importance.
This true story from Tamil Nadu's Tirukadaiyur temple recounts the the story of Shri Subramania Bhattar, a priest who, despite facing severe trials, remained steadfast in his devotion towards Devi Abhirami. His Bhakti was rewarded when the goddess herself transformed a new moon night into a full moon, silencing his doubters. This tale serves as a powerful reminder that, even in our darkest times, unwavering faith and surrender to the divine can help us find light.
Dr. Pingali Gopal recaps Sri Aurobindo's life, views and works; and argues that his teachings be an integral part of Indian education.
"It is a modern tendency within religious factions to seek a synthesis and synchronization between the domains of Religion and Science. This inclination manifests in the attempts of forceful amalgamation of both domains, with the rejection of traditional interpretations of Religion and deliberate efforts to reformulate it to seamlessly align with the framework of Science."
In this paper, D Shrinivas uses the Maasir-i-Alamgiri of Saqi Mustad Khan to determine the dates on which the order for the destruction was given and the time it took for the destruction to actually be carried out. Based upon the above he hypothesizes about the resistance that Aurangzeb’s military likely faced from the local Hindu populace while carrying out the orders to destroy this Hindu temple.
Ayurveda, despite being a system as ancient as, and deeper and more effective than, the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), does not yet enjoy the same reverential status accorded to TCM. Does the cause lie in its inability to fit into the modern lifestyle, or with us for failing to find and project pride in our own cultural heritage and treasures?
Chapter 15 of Śaṅkara Charitam, titled Guru Parampara, takes us through the experience of Śaṅkara taking his leave from his Guru Govinda Bhagavatpāda and embarking on his journey to Kasi. The Guru Parampara, the lineage of the Gurus who preceeded Śaṅkara, is explored.