India Observers

  The Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Robbinsville Township, New Jersey, is set to become the world’s second-largest  Hindu temple  outside India, with its inauguration scheduled for October 8, 2023, and opening to visitors on October 18. This architectural marvel spans 255 feet in length, 345 feet in width, and 191 feet in height, nestled across 183 acres. Drawing inspiration from Hindu scriptures and Indian culture, it boasts an impressive 10,000 statues, carvings of musical instruments, and dance forms. Notably, the temple’s construction exemplified unity, with over 12,500 volunteers from the United States and skilled artisans collaborating to bring traditional Hindu temple architecture to life. Dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, a revered 19th-century Hindu spiritual leader, the temple’s construction was inspired by Saint Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the 5th spiritual successor. Moreover, it incorporates sustainability practices, such as a solar panel farm, fly ash concre...

  The film “Adipurush ,” directed by Om Raut and starring Prabhas, Saif Ali Khan, and Kriti Sanon, faced controversy soon after its release. Vishnu Gupta, the National President of the Hindu Sena, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the movie, alleging that it had ridiculed Hindu epic Ramayana, deities, and culture. The PIL sought the removal of objectionable scenes related to Hindu gods and argued that their portrayal in the film deviated from the depictions found in the Ramayana. It claimed that such alterations by filmmakers violated the fundamental rights and sentiments of Hindus. Vishnu Gupta criticized the film for distorting the image of revered Hindu deities, emphasizing the need for adherence to established depictions in the epics. The Hindu Sena urged the Indian government and the Central Board of Film Certification to prevent the public exhibition of any film that could disturb public order and the secular fabric of society. The PIL contended that the film’s...