Hindu celebrations a flaming good night out

A SPECTACULAR display of fireworks and giant flaming effigies brought thousands of people onto Calton Hill last night.

Organisers estimated that more than 2500 revellers attended the show, held to mark the Hindu festival of Dusshera.

Three giant effigies - representing the evil king Ravana and his two henchmen - were set ablaze, sparking calls to the fire brigade from worried residents.

The models, which were up to 40 ft high, were built by inmates at Saughton Prison for the second year running.

The size of the effigies had organisers at one point considering calling the Territorial Army for help. In the end that did not prove necessary, although it took more than four hours to transport the gigantic figures up the hill.

Dan Gunn, governor of HM Prison Edinburgh, said: "It has been great for the prisoners to be involved again this year and while there were a few problems getting the effigies up here it has been well worth it.

"It is very pleasing to be part of the community. This is a festival about the triumph of good over evil, and hopefully some of my prisoners will realise that by helping out, they are also atoning for what they have done and helping to make a better society."

The festival began with the Ramlila Parade, led by the Lothian and Borders Pipe band and featuring youngsters from The Sunshine on Leith Pipes and Samba Band in their first performance.

They were joined by Hindu idols, horse-drawn carriages and youngsters dressed as monkeys and demons for the march along Princes Street.

The parade wound up to Calton Hill for the main festivities, which began with a display of traditional dancing.
With Lord Provost George Grubb in Kyoto on official business, Alastair Paisley attended in his place and set the effigies alight by launching a flaming rocket.

He said: "I had never been before but is wonderful to join in a multi-cultural event like this, which promotes good relations between all communities.

"I was a bit nervous setting off the rocket, and I'm just glad someone else had aimed it for me!"

One of India's most popular festivals, Dusshera is celebrated all over the sub-continent for several days every October.

It tells the story of the Ramayana - one of the great Hindu epics, in which Lord Rama and his army try to rescue his wife, Sita, from the evil King Ravana. After a fierce battle,

Ravana is beheaded and Sita is freed.

Mohindra Dhall, president of the Scottish Indian Arts Forum, which organises the event, said he was delighted it had gone well.

"I am really pleased, because it was a real struggle getting the effigies up here, and I was bit worried at one point when we had to start taking them apart and putting them back together.

"I was delighted so many people came along and I was particularly happy that the Sunshine on Leith Pipes and Samba Band agreed to take part, as every year we try to get as many youngsters as possible involved."

Police were on duty at the event, although there was no trouble reported, and Inspector Eamonn Keane said it had been a very good-natured celebration.

"This has been a very traditional spiritual celebration which has been well organised," he said.

(http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=1646732007)

BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha Centenary Celebrations

The grand centenary celebrations of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha for UK and Europe were held at one of London’s most prestigious venues, Wembley Arena, on Sunday 7 October 2007 in the presence of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

The programme was witnessed by almost 12,000 invited guests and dignitaries. Thousands also gathered at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, who watched via a live telecast.

And many more from around the world enjoyed the live webcast.

The opening abstract video set the tone of the event, introducing the concept of serving others. This was elaborated upon with testimonies from young and old volunteers of BAPS and how they had been inspired to work for the joy of others.

A spectacular welcome dance enthralled the capacity audience, who also contributed to the joyous mood by clapping and waving their flags.

Thereafter, the origin of the concept of ‘In the joy of others, lies our own’ was traced to ancient Hindu scriptures. This was followed by senior sadhus who spoke of the rich history of service in BAPS, narrating it from the life and work of Bhagwan Swaminarayan through to Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj. These short addresses were complemented by inspiring video presentations and then another energetic dance.

A recounting of the history of service in the organisation was followed by a presentation about current BAPS activities and live testimonies. This further enhanced the message of finding our own joy in the joy of others. In continuation of this theme and as a part of its ongoing multifarious community outreach programmes, BAPS took this opportunity to raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer Care, UK. Proceeds from voluntary donations were pledged to the worthy cause, with BAPS presenting a first cheque of £12,000 on the day.

Another special feature of the evening’s programme was the message from the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown MP. He congratulated and thanked BAPS on its hundred years of service to the community, and added: “The contribution you make to the education of our young people and the cultural community life of London and the United Kingdom is something you all should be very proud of. You espouse ideals of community and voluntary service, which are an example to us all.” Several MPs, local councillors and local leaders were also honoured.

Then after collective prayers by children, youths and the elderly, Swamishri offered his blessings for the auspicious occasion by emphasising the progress of spirituality through the scriptures. Finally, Swamishri encouraged family harmony and spoke of the messages of Bhagwan Swaminarayan to serve for the good of others, and prayed that we endeavour to serve for the joy of others.

The grand finale of the occasion came with a glorious centenary dance, which climaxed with streams of confetti erupting inside the auditorium and providing a memorable conclusion to this breathtaking celebration.
(http://www.swaminarayan.org)

China hankers after Akshardham

It is one of the grandest Hindu temples in the capital and has been built with a lot of thought and precision. An architectural marvel, the Akshardham temple is the cynosure of all eyes.

Soon a replica of it will be constructed, thousands of miles away in China. The first Hindu temple in communist China.

The Chinese government has invited the Swaminarayan Trust that runs the Akshardham temples in Noida and in Gandhinagar, to build a similar temple.

A huge piece of land has been earmarked in Fohsan state, which will not only house the temple but also an Indian cultural centre.

''Initial thoughts are to have a cultural centre also along with the temple, a traditional Indian music learning centre and also various Indian language teaching centres including Hindi, on this temple premises,'' said Jagat Shah, Joint Secretary-General, Indo-China Trade Council.

The Swaminarayan Trust has welcomed the decision, saying there's much more to it than the religious angle.

''This decision taken by Chinese government, letting the Hindus build a temple in China is to be appreciated highly. Its not only question of spirituality but also in many other ways both the countries will benefit.

''There will also be cultural exchange between people living in these two countries and that outcome will help in spiritual and physical growth of citizens of India and China,'' said Jasraj Maharaj, religious guru, Swaminarayan Sect.

A core team of the trust is busy preparing the final design plan. Members of the team and the Indo-China Trade Council are expected to visit the proposed temple site soon.

A team of officials from one of China's prestigious construction companies that will execute the project is now in India to study the architecture of Swaminarayan temple.

''China is also very good at construction and specially our company actually focuses on various types of construction designs. I think this being a joint venture with Indian partner, design from India and construction from China, this temple will be the

masterpiece,'' said Xiaojun Lee, Secretary of Board, Panzhihua Guanghua Group, PR China.

The first Hindu temple in the land of dragons will not just be a temple but the hub of cultural exchange between India and China.

And given the way China is keen on the project, it means both countries are coming closer to speaking the same language.
(http://www.ndtv.com)

Burmese monks will be sent to prisons

Thousands of monks detained in Burma's main city of Rangoon will be sent to prisons in the far north of the country, sources have told the BBC.
About 4,000 monks have been rounded up in the past week as the military government has tried to stamp out pro-democracy protests.

They are being held at a disused race course and a technical college.
Sources from a government-sponsored militia said they would soon be moved away from Rangoon.

The monks have been disrobed and shackled, the sources told BBC radio's Burmese service.

There are reports that the monks are refusing to eat.
The country has seen almost two weeks of sustained popular unrest, in the most serious challenge to the military leadership for more than two decades.

The authorities said 10 people were killed as the protests were dispersed, though diplomats and activists say the number of dead was many times higher.

The banned opposition broadcaster Democratic Voice of Burma has issued a picture which they say shows the body of a monk floating near the mouth of the Rangoon river.

Last week several monasteries were raided, and there were reports of monks being beaten and killed.

With many monks behind bars, the demonstrations have now died down.
On Monday, the centre of Rangoon was almost back to normal, a reporter, who cannot be identified for security reasons, told the BBC.

Most shops and temples have reopened and people appear to be getting on with their lives.

But there seemed to be a group of soldiers around every corner, and very few monks about, the reporter said.

This is notable in a city where monks can usually be spotted going in and out of temples, shopping at street stalls and chatting in tea shops.

The atmosphere in Rangoon is tense, the reporter said. Local people are well aware that the monks have been locked away and are afraid that they will be next.

The crackdown, in which unarmed protesters were beaten, tear-gassed, and shot at, has attracted condemnation from abroad, and even from Burma's neighbours in the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean).

Envoy still waiting

As well as preventing the demonstrations, the military junta has tried to block news of the unrest filtering out. Troops are stopping young men on the streets and in cars, searching for cameras that may be used to smuggle out images.

Most internet links are still down and mobile phone networks disrupted.
Official media has been warning Burmese people against co-operating with or using foreign news outlets.

A TV message on Monday referred to the BBC, Voice of America and Radio Free Asia as

"assassins on air".

UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari was set to meet Burma's military leader General Than Shwe on Tuesday, officials said.

On Saturday, when Mr Gambari travelled to the new capital Naypidaw, he was allowed to meet only more junior members of the government.

On Sunday, Mr Gambari held talks with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon - the first foreigner to be permitted to do so for 10 months.
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7022437.stm)