News Stories

2014

"Thames Water Blessing Ceremony", video by Zee News at the House of Commons

 

"India Awakenings", by CNN journalist Jessica Ravitz, with photographs by Chiara Goia for CNN

A beautiful piece by CNN journalist Jessica Ravitz, who spent several weeks in Rishikesh this winter. It is a really thorough and authentic in-depth look at so much of Indian spiritual culture, especially that which is found in Rishikesh. The flavor is more of a novel than a just a news article, and she really takes the reader along on her journey. Read the article >>

2013

Release of International Edition of Encyclopedia of Hinduism, 25th-26th August, 2013

Click here to read the University of South Carolina, Columbia's press release on this event.

Sunday evening the 25th August and Monday morning the 26th August marked a historic moment in the spiritual and cultural history of India: the official launch of the international edition of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism. The launch ceremony was organized and hosted by the University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA. A project of India Heritage Research Foundation, founded, guided, inspired and led by one of India’s most revered spiritual leaders, Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji,  the Encyclopedia of Hinduism is a colossal product of more than 1000 esteemed scholars from around the world, totaling 11-volumes and approximately 7000 entries.

The Encyclopedia has been nearly twenty-five years in the making and it is the first time in history that the depth and breadth of India's great spiritual culture is made available in authentic, academic and scholastic form.   It is truly a compendium of thousands of  years of history, science, art, architecture, polity, religion, philosophy and culture. Further, the Encyclopedia is not limited to Hinduism as a religion,but rather provides all inclusive treatment of India’s spiritualculture (including coverage of Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism traditions in India).

The official launch of the international edition, published by Mandala Earth Publications of California, USA, was held on the 25th/26th August at the University of South Carolina, Columbia. It was organized, hosted and sponsored by the University and presided over by Dr. Harris Pastides, the President of the University.  The Encyclopedia project was headquartered at the University of South Carolina for many years during its compilation and editorial stages, and it is a beautiful and fitting full-circle for the University to be the ones to host the official launch. 

The launch was graced by the presence of:

• H.H. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati, Founder/Chairman of India Heritage Research Foundation
• Hon. Nikki Haley, Governor of South Carolina
• Dr. Harris Pastides, President of the University of South Carolina
• Shri Anna Hazare, renowned social leader from India
• Hon. Nirupama Rao, Indian Ambassador to USA
• Dr. K.L. SeshagiriRao, Chief Editor of the Encyclopedia
• Dr. Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, Managing Editor of the Encyclopedia
• Many other esteemed scholars and dignitaries

Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji said about the Encyclopedia of Hinduism:  “The wisdom, truths, teachings and insights of Indian and Hindu culture are not limited to or applicable to only Hindus or Indians. Rather they belong to the world and can deeply benefit the world. It is, therefore, our aim that the richness of this ancient yet timeless culture and heritage should be made available to the entire world, in a way that is authentic, academic, comprehensive and illuminating.”

 

"Soft" Launch in Chicago, 27th July 2013 at Manav Seva Mandir

A “soft-launch” of the Encyclopedia was performed in Chicago, IL on the 27th July at the Manav Seva Mandir.  A special event was held on the theme of: "Spirituality in Daily Life: The Eternal Message of Sanatan Dharma.”  Spiritual discourses were given by Pujya Swamiji and Sadhvi Bhagawatiji, PhD, the managing editor of the Encyclopedia, prior to the unveiling of the Encyclopedia.

News Coverage

 

"Soft" Launch in Louisville, KY, 21st July, 2013

A “soft-launch” was also performed in Louisville, Kentucky where the volumes were unveiled by Mr. Greg Fischer, the Mayor of Louisville. Mayor Fischer officially declared the 21st July as the “Day of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism” and issued an official Proclamation which proclaims that July 21st will always be celebrated as the “Day of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism.”

2012

Pujya Swamiji's biography, By God's Grace is now #1 on Amazon.com in the Hinduism section! For more information, click here. To order the book, visit here. All profits from this book go towards the projects to clean and restore Ma Ganga.

2010

Encyclopedia of Hinduism 2010 Launch

By the grace of God, under the guidance and inspiration of Pujya Swami Chidanandji, we are having a special Preview and Blessings Ceremony for the Encyclopedia of Hinduism on the 3rd and 4th April, 2010 by the hands of H.H. the Dalai Lama with Pujya Swami Chidanandji and many other revered saints and dignitaries.