Source: The Pioneer Press

On August 4, 2001, The Pioneer Press reported on the speaking tour of a swami from Andra Pradesh, India. "Swamiji Bhagavan Sri Viswayogi Viswamji Maharaj will make public and private appearances" in the Twin Cities for five days. "What he says -- that all religions are the same -- is important," said one of the local Hindus who organized the tour. "More and more (swamiss) are coming to the United States because of the affluence of the Indian-Hindu community," said the production manager of Hinduism Today. "Many swamis...

Source: Daily News

On August 4, 2001, New York's Daily News reported that "members of a Hindu sect in Secaucus, N.J., think their idols are worth their weight in gold - and...in an elaborate, unprecedented ceremony, they will prove it. Under the supervision of the chief priest of the Swaminarayanism sect, His Holiness Acharya Swamishree Purushottampriyadasji Maharaj, members will - one at a time - place three marble idols weighing about 550 pounds each on scales loaded with about $2.7 million worth of gold bullion borrowed from a New York bank. If things...

Source: Newsday

On August 3, 2001, Newsday reported on Rakhi Day. "Rakhi Day, formerly known as Raksha Bandhan, is a Hindu ritual created especially for sisters to honor their brothers. But through the years, the tradition expanded to include men and women who share a bond, even if they're not related...Though customs and rituals associated with Raksha Bandhan differ from region to region, the celebration of the brother-sister bond catches the same fervor in almost every Indian home."

Source: The Kansas City Star

On August 1, 2001, The Kansas City Star reported on a Hindu celebration during which "a group of Kansas City area Hindus continuously chanted 'Hare Krishna' from morning to evening...The purpose of the joyous exercise 'is to love God with all our heart and soul.' It is based on the belief that the unconditional, selfless love of God is manifested in dancing and chanting the name of the Lord...This was the second time Nam-Yajna has been observed here."

Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune

On July 30, 2001, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on an "installation ceremony at the Shiva Vishnu Temple of San Diego in Mira Mesa. The temple is spiritual home to more than 300 Hindu families."

Source: The Arizona Republic

On July 28, 2001, The Arizona Republic reported on Torkom Saraydarian. "Through his philosophy, which he called Ageless Wisdom, he drew from the teachings of the world's religions to help others fulfill their destinies. He died at age 80 in 1997...Today in Cave Creek, his daughter, Gita Saraydarian, carries on her father's legacy by publishing his books and teaching classes...'It's a blend of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Sufi,'" she said.

Source: Messenger-Inquirer

http://www.messenger-inquirer.com/columnists/owen/3382699.htm

On July 28, 2001, the Messenger-Inquirer reported on the growing religious diversity in the Bible Belt. "About 200 Jains and about as many Sikhs live in west-central Kentucky and Tennessee now... Bowling Green has 2,000 actively practicing Muslims, mostly Bosnian immigrants... Nashville has about 24,000 Hispanics, compared to 2,700 a decade ago." Thomas Russell and...

Source: India in New York

http://www.indiainnewyork.com/city-views/july2001/flushing.shtml

On July 27, 2001, India in New York reported that "the Hindu Temple Society of North America (HTSNA), which oversees the operations of the Ganesha temple in...Flushing, New York, has been issued a restraining order and a show-cause notice by the New York State Supreme Court, Queens County. ..The driving force behind the case are two men... who alleged that the...

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On July 26, 2001, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported that "during the second half of the 20th century, metro Atlanta...became a richly diverse religious community." The article listed ten facts that exemplified the growing diversity. For example, "Hindus have several worship centers in Atlanta" and "Pagans and witches worship in their own ceremonies throughout the metro area."

Source: Sightings

On July 25, 2001, Sightings reported that "the front page of the Chicago Tribune Metro section for July fifth shows two pictures of religion in America that capture well its ambivalence as a public force. The first story concerns [a] Hindu leader...A woman of humble Indian birth, Amritandandamayi now touches the lives of a worldwide community...[She] hugs follower after follower, at times for eighteen straight hours...Directly below this story of religious diversity and the power of shared affection is a picture of Richard Loy,...

Source: The Denver Post

On July 24, 2001, The Denver Post reported that "as aging baby boomers turn to yoga to ease their aching bodies, doctors, employers and celebrities have begun to promote this ancient healing exercise. An estimated 15 million Americans practice yoga...The roots of its healing properties [are] buried deep  within the chakra system. 'It's astonishing to see,' says a Hindu priest...'I've seen a shift from questions about 'why do you  worship cows' to asking about the chakras.' ... 'Chakra'... refers to the seven energy centers in the...

Source: Hindu Press International

On July 24, 2001, Hindu Press International reported that "in the aftermath of a controversial radio broadcast on Hinduism...TV and radio talk show host Tony Brown apologized to Hindus, and said he plans to broaden sympathies between Indian Americans and others in the US." Brown said that "the errors I made were made out a misunderstanding of Hinduism, not out of malice."

Source: Newsday

On July 21, 2001, Newsday reported on Dr. Uma Mysorekar, President of the Hindu Temple Society of North America, who contributed $1 million to help finance its community center. Born in India, she has a private gynecology practice and is heavily involved in social work. Her philosophy is, "Every human being must have a religion, no matter which religion."

Source: The Dallas Morning News

http://www.dallasnews.com/religion/423505_connect_21rel..html

On July 21, 2001, The Dallas Morning News reported that "a decade after moving into the D/FW Hindu Temple in Irving [Texas], members have decided it's time the brick-and-concrete building looked like a traditional temple in India. They began a plan to 'Indianize' the facility and hired India-based architect Muthiah Sthapathi, a specialist in temple design."

Source: News India Times

http://www.parlato.org/articles/archive/newsindiatimes20010706.html

News India Times reported that "a campaign launched by Chicago radio and TV talk-show host Tony Brown purports to 'inform' the American public about Hinduism...Among other things, Brown said:...Nazism emanated from Hinduism...Untouchability [is] 'widely practiced' in India...[and] female children and women of lower castes are forced into prostitution...Brown...