Source: Democrat and Chronicle

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/news/0319story2_news.shtml

On March 19, 2003 Democrat and Chronicle reported that "the near certainty of war with Iraq raised hard questions and deep worries here Tuesday, perhaps especially with those who have cultural and ethnic links to the Middle East... At the University of Rochester [NY], sophomore Akshina Samtani questioned the need for war... 'I do understand we’re dealing with...

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

On March 14, 2003 The Columbus Dispatch reported that "the Jewish holiday of Purim and the Hindu festival of Holi will be celebrated next week. Christianity's Holy Hilarity Sunday will follow on April 27, a week after most believers observe Easter... In Purim, which begins at sundown Monday and runs through sundown Tuesday, comedy masks pain. The holiday commemorates how the Jews in ancient Persia survived a genocidal plot by Haman, royal adviser to King Ahasuerus... playfulness is exhibited in the festival Holi (pronounced...

Source: India Abroad

On March 14, 2003 India Abroad reported that "Three attacks on temples-- two on the Hindu Temple of St. Louis Missouri, and one on the Hindu Temple of Kansas City in Shawnee, Kansas-- have worried the Indian community in the United States. While the damage was negligible, the fear is not. The police and FBI are looking into the attacks. The police in St. Louis feel the attacks could be hate crimes. After a second firebomb attack February 28, six days after the first one, the St. Louis temple appointed a former police officer for...

Source: Appeal-Democrat

On March 7, 2003 the Appeal-Democrat reported that "Raj Narayan Pathak and his wife, Rama Pathak, are visiting from Germany and are proud to make preparations for the seventh annual anniversary of the Sri Narayan Hindu Temple on Franklin Road in Yuba City [CA]... Saturday, the community is invited to join the anniversary celebration and pray for peace around the world, Pathak said. The Pooja/Havan will begin at 9 a.m. Pathak plans to lead his audience in prayer and giving offerings to the gods. Songs and chants are also planned... A...

Source: Beliefnet

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/119/story_11957_1.html

On March 7, 2003 Beliefnet reported that "a car puja is a Hindu ceremony blessing an automobile to keep it from bad influences and to bless it in God's name. Hindus often perform pujas for items used in daily life: houses, motor vehicles, and sometimes home appliances. People try to do the puja before using the item, or as soon as possible after purchase. Puja details may vary from pujari (Hindu...

Source: The Beacon News

On March 7, 2003 The Beacon News reported that "the dream of thousands of worshippers at Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple of Greater Chicago will become reality this weekend, with the opening of a $2 million, 13,500-square-foot temple expansion... V. Nityanandam, a member of the building committee, said the addition is needed because of the growing number of worshipers at the temple... Skilled, specially trained artisans, called Silpies, had been scheduled to come to Aurora from India this month to complete the exterior of the...

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/world/5313577.htm

On March 4, 2003 The Associated Press reported that "security is being stepped up for a Hindu temple that was firebombed twice in a week and federal agents are trying to determine if the attacks were youthful mischief or hate-fueled religious bigotry... No one was injured by the attacks that slightly damaged the Hindu Temple of St. Louis on Feb. 23 and last Saturday. The...

Source: The Omaha World-Herald

On March 4, 2003 The Omaha World-Herald reported that "West Omaha is undergoing a wave of religious building as churches expand to match the suburban population growth and a demand for better facilities... More than $ 25 million has been committed to projects either finished in recent years or under way. The cost of further expansions and new houses of worship in high-profile suburban locations could easily surpass $ 50million... The rate of construction is a strong sign of progress in Omaha, considering the current economic...

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

On March 1, 2003 the St. Louis Post-Dispatch printed a letter from Dr. Warren E. Crews, President of the Board Interfaith Partnership of Metropolitan St. Louis. In it he stated, "I would like to extend the sympathy of the Interfaith Partnership, a coalition of 28 faith groups in the St. Louis area, to members of the Hindu Temple of St. Louis. The vandalizing of the front doors of their temple is an outrage. Such acts of religious hatred must not be tolerated. They are a threat to all of us. We have stood up to threats against...