BY DEVIKA C.MEHTA
LOS ANGELES, CA - The International Society for Krishna  Consciousness organized the 41st annual Festival of Chariots here on August 6 to celebrate Lord Jagannath’s immense love. The event included a free feast for thousands, great entertainment, exhibits and booths all bringing together the finest in Indian culture.

​WASHINGTON,D.C- Camp Gurmat, a week-long annual Sikh youth camp, organized by the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation based here,explored the theme of Sikh women and looked in detail at women in Sikh history. Over 120 Sikh children from ages 7-17 traveled from all over the US and Canada to be part of this camp, which is held in a green, wooded facility in Rockville, in the suburbs of DC. Sikh youth and camp organizers raised the question of...

BY DEVIKA C. MEHTA
NORWALK, CA - Ringing temple bells, chants, colorful tableaus and  discourses by a noted Guru from India welcomed devotees at the Sanatan Dharma Temple here from July 16 to 22. The week-long event was part of the 20th anniversary celebrations of Shri Banke Bihari Seva Mandal that organized its annual...

BY DEVIKA C. MEHTA
LOS ANGELES, CA - Indian philosophy and spirituality came alive on July 16 in Riverside and La Palma when Param Pujya Sadhvi Ritambhara Devi  also known as Didi Maa, joined hands with Param Shakti Peeth of America to set up homes for orphans and the destitute in India. On July 16, the day began at Laxmi Narayan Mandir...

By SONAL P LADVA
TUSTIN, CA - The week of July 2 – July 6, witnessed discourses titled The Mystery Series, by Mukhya Swami Swaroopananda, the global head of Chinmaya Mission.  Making his first visit to the U.S. as the new worldwide head of the organization, he methodically beaded the necklace of life with philosophical pearls on the Enigma...

BY DEVIKA C. MEHTA
RIVERSIDE, CA - The world-famous annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath made its debut here  on June 24 and 25, when devotees thronged to pay their respects with religious fervor and enthusiasm. Importantly, Rath Yatra (chariot festival) marks the annual journey of Lord Jagannath and is celebrated on the second day of Shukla Paksha...

​ATLANTA, GA - Devotees, community members, and dignitaries gathered on June 21 to welcome Mahant Swami Maharaj, the current spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.  The scene at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, here was one of deep joy and excitement, asthis is Mahant Swami Maharaj’s firsttrip to North America as Guru of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, continuing the lifework and mission of his guru...

FRESNO, CA-The Fresno Chapter of the National Sikh Campaign,along with local community leaders held a press conference to announce We Are Sikhs Fresno, an initiative to improve awareness of the Sikh religion and Sikh Americans in the Fresno community. ‘We Are Sikhs Fresno’ will feature local, multi-platform advertising, community events and outreach to the local community. The two television advertisements, ‘Neighbors’ and...

WASHINGTON,D.C.-US Vice President Mike Pence has lauded the Sikhs’ contribution, saying the community should continue to give serve in the military and public offices at local, state and federal levels in the country.Pence, 58, said the community’s “issues” were close to his heart and he was aware of them. “Sikhs Community and its issues are always close to my heart and I always admire the contribution of...

BY DEVIKA C. MEHTA
DOWNEY, CA - Shree Swaminarayan Satsang Mandal of California (SSSM) temple in Downey celebrated its Mini-Patotsav from June 9-11 in honor of Acharya 1008 Shree Rakeshprasad Maharaj’s arrival from India. The temple marked the occasion by arranging a special program ‘Shree Krishna Katha Parayan’