CHENNAI, INDIA, May 20, 2017 ( Deccan Chronicle): A major murthi theft racket involving idol trafficker Subhash Chandra Kapoor, who has been arrested and detained in Tiruchy prison for his involvement in various smuggling cases, has come to light more than 40 years after a large number of Deity statues that had been robbed from an ancient Saivite temple at Veerasolapuram near Kallakurichi in Villupuram district, have been located. The temple was built by during the period of Emperor Rajendra Chozan. Several murthis stolen from the nearly 1,000 year old Sri Arthanareeswara temple, Veerasolapuram have been found in museums in USA. Many others could not be traced, an art enthusiast Vijayakumar said.
According to an estimate, 78 ancient murthis were robbed from the shrine. A local resident, Varadan, said more than 40 years ago several murthis were stolen from the temple. The cops nabbed 4 persons and seized four murthis from a river bed near the temple. However, no case has been registered in connection with murthi theft so far. As the local residents were unable to maintain the temple, the murthis were handed over to Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. After the Madras High court formed the special Idol Wing headed by A.G. Pon Manickavel, Inspector General, the case was handed over to the wing, which commenced the investigation recently. Preliminary investigation reveals that the ancient murthis were allegedly stolen by a gang led by Subhash Kapoor in 1977-1978.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, May 18, 2018 (India Life and Times): The Charlotte North and South chapters of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) celebrated the Teacher’s Appreciation Day (Guru Vandana) to honor the teacher community of Cabarrus, Charlotte-Mecklenburg counties in recognition of their service in educating and shaping the lives of kids. Around 30 teachers, professors, principals from several schools around Charlotte were honored in a grand ceremony that was attended by over 150 people. Several enthusiastic HSS volunteers, especially the kids of various age groups, entertained and honored their teachers in the traditional Hindu way.
The program started with a ceremonial lamp lighting and Ganesh Vandana (prayer to Lord Ganesha). HSS volunteers Mrs. Sudeeba Bhaskaran and Mrs. Sreelatha Das who were the emcees for the program welcomed the teachers and the audience and explained the relevance of lamp lighting and Ganesh Vandana. This was followed by an enthralling Kathak dance performance by Mrs. Toshi and Ms. Prachi to welcome the guests. Mrs. Ashwini Santosh (HSS Volunteer) in her welcome speech went over the importance of guru (teacher) in Hindu culture and how they are instrumental in shaping the lives of the students and the future of the nation. The word guru itself stands for Remover of darkness.
Photos at ”source” above.
On the pathway of spiritual excellence, words that discourage and those that publicize faults of others are lethal poisons.
— His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, spiritual head of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha
