This was pretty saddening to see this morning. It's a Kali Mandir in Carli Bay, Trinidad & Tobago that was vandalized earlier in the week. The Murti has been damaged and smeared with olive oil, and as you can see, there's a rather prominent Biblical citation somebody's painted over the top of the entryway. You … Continue reading On The Recent Attacks Upon Hindu Temples In Trinidad And Tobago
Mahmud of Ghazni
‘Hinduism in the Hinterlands’ – On Putting The ‘Vishvam’ Back Into ‘Krinvanto Vishvam Aryam’
Every so often we run into people insisting that Hinduism can only ever be for current Indians. This is Khmer king Jayavarman II, accompanied by his Purohit, Sivakaivalya, performing oblation to Rudra upon a Shivling. Jayavarman II forged an empire; was a patron of Brahmanas; and had temples built to the Gods. Indeed, religious contribution … Continue reading ‘Hinduism in the Hinterlands’ – On Putting The ‘Vishvam’ Back Into ‘Krinvanto Vishvam Aryam’
Glory, Even Amidst Ruins – The Lessons Of Some Previous Historic Resistances To Foreign Dominions
[Author's Note: This piece was originally intended for India's 2022 Independence Day observances. However, ill-health and fatigue on my part meant that it could not be completed in time. I therefore present the finished half today - and shall follow up with the subsequent portion and conclusion as and when it is ready.] And so … Continue reading Glory, Even Amidst Ruins – The Lessons Of Some Previous Historic Resistances To Foreign Dominions
On The Taliban’s Enthusiasm For Mahmud Of Ghazni As Smasher Of Somnath
This would appear to be a case of, as the kids might say - "New School Nikes, Old School Kicks". But one point absolutely must be made here - Mahmud of Ghazni was a warlord who fought and died of disease a millennium ago. He is, in a word - "history", a footnote. Cleaved to … Continue reading On The Taliban’s Enthusiasm For Mahmud Of Ghazni As Smasher Of Somnath
The Ganesha Of Kabul – And His Custodian Guard [ Arte-Facts #14 ]
In our field, we are so often delving into impressive legends of long ago - myths about men who once lived and wrought deeds so mighty that they seem frankly 'incredible' (in the old sense of the term) today. And that can leave one quite jaded about the modern era for reasons that ought be … Continue reading The Ganesha Of Kabul – And His Custodian Guard [ Arte-Facts #14 ]
Interview With A Nuristani – The Mediation Via Memory Of Some Detail Of Their Once-Living Faith
Earlier this week, we ran an article looking at some of the issues with Kalasha / Nuristani religion - specifically, why claims of its being a somehow 'more pure' and 'pre-Vedic' Indo-Aryan faith don't really stack up. I said in the course of that piece that I'd be adding more substantive material in subsequent efforts, … Continue reading Interview With A Nuristani – The Mediation Via Memory Of Some Detail Of Their Once-Living Faith
ON THE GATES OF SOMNATH TEMPLE – AN ESSAY OF RAKSHA(PALA) FOR BOTH SWARAJ AND BANDHAN
The 15th of August marks India's Independence Day; and, as has become my custom, I have penned an article in honour of both the occasion, and the state and struggle for which it stands. Whereas 2017's piece looked at the geopolitical saliency of India, especially from the perspective of a small South Pacific state such … Continue reading ON THE GATES OF SOMNATH TEMPLE – AN ESSAY OF RAKSHA(PALA) FOR BOTH SWARAJ AND BANDHAN
arya-akasha 