Archive for the ‘Articles’ Category

Cabinet Decision on Hindu Priest Applications Unchanged

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008

Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam has commented that the Cabinet decision on fresh applications for Hindu priests, musicians and artisans from India. He said that new applications will be valid for a period of three years.

from The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: There is no change in the cabinet’s decision to consider fresh applications from Hindu temples and Sikh gurdwaras for priests, musicians and artisans from India, Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said Wednesday.

“This issue has been clarified in the media many times, and I wish to state here that there is no change in the Cabinet’s decision,” he said in a statement here.

He said the decision was that the visas and permits for priests, musicians and artisans from India among fresh applicants would be valid for a maximum period of three years and based on a set of strict guidelines.

If there are any weaknesses at the state level or the Immigration Department on the implementation of the Cabinet decision, they will be rectified, he said.

“We will monitor the implementation of this decision and should there be any weaknesses, we well take steps to correct them,” he said.

He advised temple committees to contact his senior private secretary, Manikumar, at 03-8886 5003 or 012-3887 350 for any queries.

Row at ASEAN summit over Hindu Temple

Friday, July 25th, 2008

FOUR months ago, when Thailand’s prime minister, Samak Sundaravej, visited his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Sen, the two countries seemed capable of dealing peacefully with a long-running dispute over an ancient temple on their borders. Thailand backed Cambodia’s bid to have the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple listed as a “world heritage” site and both sides agreed to keep talking over their overlapping claims to a nearby patch of land.

Since then, things have deteriorated to the point where each side has sent thousands of troops to the area. This week talks between the two countries agreed no more than to try to avoid settling things by force. Cambodia asked the UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting over what it called a state of “imminent war”.

Read Full Article – ASEAN and the temple of doom
Source – The Economist

Preah Vihear Hindu Temple a World Heritage Site

Thursday, July 17th, 2008

Preah Vihear Hindu Temple

Cambodian Hindu Temple Declared World Heritage Site

The ancient Hindu temple of Preah Vihear on the Cambodia-Thailand border has been accorded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO at its meeting in Canada. Most of the Preah Vihear temple complex was built by Angkor kings Suryavarman I and Suryavarman II in the 11th and 12th centuries AD. At the center of controversy due to its proximity to Thailand, the International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the Hindu temple belonged to Cambodia.

Like other Angkor temples, Preah Vihear is a representation of the Hindu universe, with five peaks representing Mount Meru, home of the Gods. The temple also boasts an enormous depiction of the ‘Churning of the Ocean’ episode from Hindu mythology.

Also accorded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO this year are colonial trading towns of George Town and Malacca on the Straits of Malacca in Malaysia.

Hindu Temples Going Green

Tuesday, July 8th, 2008

Some of the most popular temples in India have been making conscious effort to adopt environmentally sound practices, particularly in regards to their energy use. The grand Tirupati temple has begun using solar energy in their kitchens where upwards of 30,000 meals are cooked each day, allowing a massive reduction in the amount of diesel consumed by the temple. Other Hindu temples and ashrams across India have also made progress in adopting alternative forms of energy such as solar, wind and bio gas.

This move towards more sustainable practices are in line with Hindu teachings that espouses harmony with nature and preach conservation, and have therefore found support from various Hindu religious organizations. This TIME magazine article presents the efforts of Hindu temples and organizations in promoting a greener world – India’s Temples Go Green.