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Hindu
Politics and Religion

2026-08-08T10:32:36-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Understanding USCIRF: Religious Freedom in India and Beyond

Last updated on: August 8, 2026 at 10:32 am By Vijendra Agarwal

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Civilizational Competence in Evaluating Religious Freedom | Part II Editor’s Note: The first article in this series argued that India, also known as Bharat, cannot be understood solely through modern Western political categories. India is not simply a nation-state founded in 1947 but one of the world’s oldest continuously evolving civilizations, whose institutions, religious traditions, and social practices have developed over several millennia. If that proposition is accepted, a question naturally follows: How should an institution evaluate the religious freedom... Read more

History and Religion

Hinduism as Civilization

Bharat and India

Civilizational Competence

religious freedom

USCIRF

2026-07-22T20:46:11-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Civilizational India (Bharat): Beyond the Western Optics

Last updated on: July 22, 2026 at 8:46 pm By Vijendra Agarwal

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Why India Cannot Be Understood Through a Western Lens India is the world’s largest democracy, an emerging economic power, a strategic partner of the United States, and a nation of extraordinary diversity. Each of these descriptions is accurate. Yet none fully explains what India is as an ancient civilization. We introduce India (Bharat) with its sacred geography that in itself is very telling. Sacred Geography: Faith Shaping the Landscape “Civilizations endure not because history leaves them untouched, but because generations... Read more

Hinduism as Civilization

Hinduism as Vililization

2025-03-18T10:20:03-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Maha Kumbh: An Unimaginable “Green” Confluence of Hindus

Last updated on: March 18, 2025 at 10:20 am By Vijendra Agarwal

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The recently concluded Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Bharat, is deeply rooted in Hindu tradition. It symbolizes purification and spiritual rebirth through ritualistic bathing at the confluence of three sacred rivers- the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati. The latter is considered an ancient and mythologically significant river, often mentioned in the Rigveda as a mighty and sacred water body. It is now considered a subterranean river(due to climatic changes), but Hindus still believe in the Prayagraj confluence of three rivers (Triveni Sangam).... Read more

Sanctity of Hindu Festivals

Unprecedented Hindu gathering

2024-08-09T18:48:13-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Hinduism and the Olympics: Manu Bhaker and Bhagavad Gita

Last updated on: August 9, 2024 at 6:48 pm By Vijendra Agarwal

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While it may not always be apparent, I suspect that religious practices and beliefs hold significance for many of today’s Olympians, just as they did when the Olympics were first established. This article focuses on Manu Bhaker, an athlete from India (also known as Bharat). A 22-year-old Bhaker made history at the Paris Olympics by winning two Bronze medals and narrowly missing a third. In the present context, she deserves recognition for connecting the dots between her deep spiritual connection... Read more

Sports and Religion

2024-06-03T19:36:55-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ram Rath Yatra In The U. S. And Its Significance For Hindus

Last updated on: June 3, 2024 at 7:36 pm By Vijendra Agarwal

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Bhagwan (God) Ram in Hinduism is one of the most revered and beloved deities. Ram is believed to be the seventh avatar of the God Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity. We write about the Ram Rath Yatra (RRY) across the United States and the heightened historical significance of the Pran Pratishtha ( consecration) of Ram Lalla Mandir (temple) in Ayodhya, India. The photo shows Prime Minister Modi during the globally watched Pran Pratishtha on January 22, an earlier... Read more

History and Religion

2024-01-28T13:46:12-07:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“Ram Lalla” in Ayodhya, Hinduism, and Minnesota Celebration

Last updated on: January 28, 2024 at 1:46 pm By Vijendra Agarwal

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“Ram is not fire; Ram is energy. Ram is not a dispute; Ram is a solution. Ram is not just ours; Ram belongs to everyone. Ram is not just present; Ram is eternal.” Narendra Modi January 22, 2024, will forever be a historic, monumental, and magnificent day of Sanatan Dharma revival for the consecration of Ram Mandir. Prime Minister Modi performed “Pran Pratishtha” which was witnessed by millions around the world. It was the grand spectacle of our lifetime.... Read more

History and Religion

2024-01-17T12:49:24-07:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

U.S. Targeting Hindu Bharat’s Religious Freedom-Part 1

Last updated on: January 17, 2024 at 12:49 pm By Vijendra Agarwal

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Why is Bharat’s Religious Freedom Monitored by Only Individuals of Abrahamic Faith? Background: The world’s topmost religions include Christianity (~2.4 B), Islam (~1.9B), Hinduism (~1.2B), and Buddhism (~0.5 B). The last two religions originated in ancient Bharat with about 5,000 old history and civilization. Today’s Bharat (known as India) has a population of about 1.4 B and is a Hindu-majority nation. Hindus are inherently secular. The religious demography in Christian-dominated America, according to a PRRI report in 2021 (www.prri.org), includes... Read more

U.S.-Bharat relations

USCIRF

2023-11-26T14:12:16-07:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Hindu Festivals: Govardhan Puja, Annakut, and Chhappan Bhog

Last updated on: November 26, 2023 at 2:12 pm By Vijendra Agarwal

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The Govardhan Puja, Annakut, and Chhapan Bhog are intimately connected and observed on the day after Deepavali. These are associated with an ancient and legendary story from the times of Lord Krishna dating back to around 3,228 BCE. It is typical that most Hindu festivals connect us to our Divine roots. This article includes the brief history and significance of these festivals followed by how the local Hindu community celebrated them. Most Hindu festivals offer food to God and once... Read more

Contemplative

Religious Events

2023-11-23T11:37:26-07:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in New Jersey

Last updated on: November 23, 2023 at 11:37 am By Vijendra Agarwal

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It was blissful and a blessing to visit the majestic, magnificent, and mesmerizing architectural marvel, the Akshardham Temple in New Jersey. The second-largest in the world and the largest of the three Akshardham temples is the New Jersey temple (mandir). The other two are in New Delhi and Gandhinagar, India. The Akshardham under discussion stands about 191 feet at its highest point, on more than 180 acres of land with nearly 10,000 statues. Interesting to note that the largest Hindu... Read more

History and Religion

2024-05-28T12:20:37-06:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Last updated on: May 28, 2024 at 12:20 pm By Vijendra Agarwal

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RAM RATH YATRA IN THE UNITED STATES AND ITS SIGNIFICANCEBhagwan Ram in Hinduism is one of the most revered and beloved deities. Ram is believed to be the seventh avatar of the God Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity. We write about the Ram Rath Yatra (RRY) across the United States and the heightened historical significance of the Pran Pratishtha ( consecration) of Ram Lalla Mandir (temple) in Ayodhya, India.We include a brief description of RRY, its spiritual, religious,... Read more

History and Religion

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