Barack Obama has become the first US President to personally attend a celebration of the spiritual holiday Diwali, at a ceremony held in the White House on October 14th.

For Vaishnavas, Diwali heralds the victory of Lord Rama—considered to be God himself—over the demon Ravana, and his return to his kingdom Ayodhya.

We’re extending our gratitude to Ekendra Dasa, the managing editor whose two and a half years of dedicated service brought the site to where it is today—and welcoming a new face.

During an official visit to Moscow to commemorate Russia’s “Year of India” this September, Indian president Pratibha Devisingh Patil met with a delegation of Russian ISKCON devotees.

MUMBAI: Amy Pearce blushed into her pallu as Rohini Kumar, parikarmi (master of ceremonies), chanted a Sanskrit mantra and then translated it into English: “This means you will have to take good care of all your cows.’’ He then added helpfully: “Hope you have many cows in your backyard.’’

These are a favourite savoury item from Gujarat state on India's west coast. They're a good example of simple, tasty vegetarian "finger food". Most of the time spent to prepare these puffs lies in mashing and spicing the potatoes. The frying time is very quick because, even though they're cooked in a batter, the filling is already precooked, the wafer-thin crust cooking in only minutes. Serve Alu Vadas with Coconut Chutney (or fresh mint chutney or date and tamarind chutney) for a tasty treat. This recipe makes about 18 alu vadas.

American musician Gaura Vani is practicing with a motley group of musicians: Bramhachari Ananta Nitai on vocals, Krishna followers Adinath and Bhakth Gaurang on the tabla and Mridangam, faded jeans and sneaker-clad Karan on bass guitar, Florida girl Rupa Manjari on piano, Briton Jhanvi on violin, Prabhu Gaurang on bansuri and Rupa Manjari on vocals. As they croon "Govinda, Gopala", Gaura suddenly says, "Next time, let's chill on that melody. Take it cool guys!"

November 21, 2008 - It was with great shock, dismay, anguish, and anger that we received recent reports that a handful of misguided persons committed a great offense to His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), by burning his effigy in Jagannatha Puri, India.

The Bhakti Shastri course encourages students not only to memorize the contents of Srila Prabhupada’s books but also to digest the philosophy and practically apply it. Professionally designed by the Vaishnava Training and Education team, the course draws together the principles of Krishna consciousness and progressive education.

This dish proves just how delicious pumpkin can be if teamed up with the correct flavour partners. Succulent Gujarati Pumpkin is excellent served with hot chapatis. Makes enough for 6 persons.

BRUSSELS: A senior professor of Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, has called for more researches into the Bhakti (devotion) movement that still inspires India.

The ultra liberal Episcopal Bishop of Los Angeles J. Jon Bruno offered a formal apology to Hindus for centuries-old acts of religious discrimination including attempts by Christians to convert them.

He then authorized a joint Hindu-Anglican service at St John's Cathedral in Los Angeles permitting Hindu devotees to receive the consecrated elements.

Each year on the weekend before Halloween, about 100,000 people attend the Halloween Block Party in Oak Lawn, the gay and lesbian district of Dallas, Texas—which just happens to be the number two gay capital of the US, after San Francisco.

SUVA: A Hindu religious organisation is willing to help the 23 homeless people at a Catholic shelter going through administrational bickering.

LONDON: Devotees of the Bhaktivedanta Hare Krishna Manor and the Watford Interfaith Association, together with members of Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue (NPLS), will tidy up Maxwell Park in Borehamwood on Sunday, November 15.

A troupe of second generation ISKCON artists performed for Kartik Vandanam 2, the second in a series of annual classical music and dance evenings, this October 17th in Vrindavana, India.

Held in honor of Kartik, the most auspicious month of the Vaishnava year, the devotional “garland of prayer” was performed under the stars in ISKCON Vrindavana’s Bhaktivedanta School Gardens, which were lit with hundreds of lamps.

How's this for an early Diwali gift for Hindu-Americans (and, perhaps, Hindus around the world): President Barack Obama lit a ceremonial diya (traditional candle) and delivered a characteristically smooth speech in which he declared that he was happy to join "some of the world's greatest faiths" in celebrating a holiday that heralds "the triumph of good over evil."

The Sri Jagannath temple in Puri, India, has seen an increase in revenue over the past two years due to recent administrative reforms, but the temple also intends to dispose of tens of thousands of acres of land that is currently in unauthorized use by others.

The Sri Mayapur International School's holistic approach to education engages the body, mind, intelligence and words of devotee children from all over the world. It prepares them to fulfill their life's purpose spiritually, at the same time providing internationally accepted skills, training and academic education.

In 2007 and 2008 so far, Hare Krishna monk Robert Edwards has traveled 1,290 miles across the rural English counties of Somerset and Devon, hosted 25 meditation groups, and distributed over 1,000 books.

His adventure is inspired by the ancient Indian tradition of “Padayatra,” meaning pilgrimage on foot.

This moist carrot cake has a spicy, rich flavour and is iced with a vanilla cream-cheese frosting.