Connecting Global Threads of Faith Newsletter # 2 March
- GHTN Admin
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Editor’s Note
From Holi gatherings to Vedic-inspired initiatives in the United States, and Ram Navami celebrations in Ayodhya and southern India, Hindu life continues to thrive through community and revival.At the same time, repeated disruptions and violence during Ram Navami in parts of India have led to loss of life and damage to property, raising concerns about the ability to celebrate such occasions freely.This edition captures these realities together, as Dharma sustains, adapts, and continues across geographies.
March Newsletter – 2
(March 15 – March 31)
"In a connected world, Hindu struggles and resilience amid violence often remain unseen. This fortnightly report sheds light on these overlooked realities, offering a global overview of incidents affecting Hindus and celebrating our heritage, advocating for Hindu rights and religious freedom worldwide."
North America
United States of America
India responded to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom report by highlighting incidents of Hindu temple vandalism and concerns of intimidation faced by sections of the Hindu diaspora in the United States.
An Indian-origin US legislator recited verses from the Isha Upanishad in the Pennsylvania House while marking the 50th anniversary of the Sri Venkateswara Temple, one of the earliest Hindu temples built by immigrants in North America.
A new resolution “Recognizing the Bangladesh Genocide of 1971 and protection of religious minorities in Bangladesh” was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on March 20 by Rep. Greg Landsman, an Ohio Democrat, and has been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Naperville’s annual Holi celebration at Rotary Hill Park, organised by Simply Vedic (Vedic Cultural Society), brings together the community to mark the Hindu spring festival associated with deities Krishna, Radha, and Narasimha through cultural activities and colour play.
A Hindu-inspired residential project, Vedic Village, is being developed by Prakash Buchireddy through Sustaino LLC, integrating principles from the Vedas to promote community living, organic farming, and a nature-centric lifestyle in North Carolina.
Asia
Cambodia
The Preah Vihear Temple, an 11th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, has sustained significant structural damage due to recurring border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand.
Bangladesh
The Sri Basudeb Temple, built by Haridas Datta, continues to stand despite challenges including loss of its original idol, decline of its founding lineage, and lack of formal preservation.
Bangladesh Jamaat MP alleged of ordering ban Hindu's Bhagavad Gita recital on Independence day event
A Mujibur Rahman of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami have instructed officials to stop the recitation of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita during a state Independence Day event in Bangladesh.
The directive was not implemented, and the recitation proceeded as per established practice. The directive has drawn protest from Hindu organisations including the Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance.
Nepal
Balendra Shah sworn in as Prime Minister of Nepal through a ceremony incorporating Vedic hymns, shankhnaad, and traditional Hindu rituals alongside Buddhist chants.
India
Two groups clashed during a Ram Navami procession in Jharkhand’s Garhwa district over issues like a religious flag and firecrackers, which escalated into stone-pelting and injuries. Police used force to control the situation and arrested around 20 people, with security tightened in the area.
Clashes erupted during a Ram Navami procession in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, leading to stone-pelting, arson, and vandalism; 31 people were arrested, 21 injured, and prohibitory orders imposed to restore order.
The Raghunath Mandir, built in 1857 by Gulab Singh, remained closed for 36 years after the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits during the insurgency, leading to its disuse and deterioration. It has now reopened with Hindu rituals on Ram Navami following restoration under a government initiative, with participation from members of the Kashmiri Pandit community.
A GPR survey around the Jagannath Temple has identified subsurface structures, including indications of a possible ancient passage linking the temple complex to the sea.
Ram Navami 2026 celebrated in Ayodhya with grand surya tilak at Ram Temple On Ram Navami, the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple witnessed large-scale celebrations, including the Surya Tilak ritual where sunlight was directed onto the idol of Lord Ram using a mirror–lens system.
Inventory of Puri Jagannath temple's Ratna Bhandar begins after 48 years An inventory of the Jagannath Temple Ratna Bhandar has commenced after 48 years using digital documentation and expert evaluation under restricted access.
Ram Navami 2026: Why This Temple In South India Celebrates The Wedding Of Lord Ram And Goddess Sita On This Day At the Sree Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple in Telangana, Ram Navami is marked by the Kalyanamahotsavam, a ritual celebration of the wedding of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita attended by large numbers of devotees.
SC Status Only for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Conversion to Other Religions Ends SC Status: Supreme Court The Supreme Court of India ruled that Scheduled Caste status applies only to Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists, and is lost upon conversion to other religions under the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950.
In Guhala village in Rajasthan, four Hindu individuals donated land for an Eidgah to the local Muslim community, addressing the absence of a designated space for congregational prayers.
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