h o m e

o l d g u e s t b o o k

c o n t e n t s

Date:	10/31/06 - 8:08 AM
Name:	Anand Joshi
Site:
Location:	Mumbai, India.
Comments:	Smt. Sushamaji, Very thankful to you for starting this site. You may please note that the period of Adi Shankaracharya from latest research is 5th century BC (ref- Some historical blunders in Indian history by P N Oak, Pune, India). (Editor's Note: Thank you very much for the information. I have changed the dates for Adi Shankaracharya in the chapter under Quotes 21_40. Regards).

Date:	10/31/06 - 5:40 AM
Name:	Urs Bogart
Site:
Location:	Portugal.
Comments:	What a beautiful site! Such wisdom, so many details, hardly anything missing. I am touched beyond words and my heart feels radiant. Definitely will spend quite some time at perusing all this information. Thank you for your wonderful effort!!!

Date:	10/29/06 - 4:05 PM
Name:	Arvind Kumar
Site:
Location:	London, England.
Comments:	Hi Sushama, This is an excellent reference site. As a lapsed and rather cynical Brahmin, I find the information a very good read and it just goes to show the richness the India has brought to the world over the many millenia. I wish you all the best in continuing to evolve this site to achieve an ever-expanding readership. Regards Arvind.

Date:	10/29/06 - 2:31 PM
Name:	webmaster
Site:	http://www.ramapir.org
Location:	United Kingdom.
Comments:	Bhagvan Ramdevji Maharaj was a Tunvar Rajput regarded by Hindus as the incarnation of Lord Krishna. History goes that five Pirs from Mecca came to test his miraculous powers and after being convinced, paid their homage to him. Since then he is venerated by Muslims as Ramshahpir or Ramapir. The fame of Ramapir reached far and wide. He believed in the equality of all human beings, both high and low, rich and poor. He helped the down trodden by granting them their wishes. Bhagvan Ramdevji Maharaj took samadhi (conscious exit from the mortal body.) in 1459A.D. Maharaj Ganga Singh of Bikaner constructed a temple around the samadhi in 1931A.D. The devotees of Ramdevpir offer rice, coconuts, churma and toy wooden horses to Ramdevji. The samadhi temple is in Ramdevra, Rajasthan.

Date:	10/29/06 - 6:40 AM
Name:	Suryanarayanan
Site:
Location:	Paris, France.
Comments:	I would like to congratulate you for maintaining this wonderful site; I learnt a lot of things. Some of your links don’t lead to websites or are not available- it is pity - of course no fault of yours; the fight will be very long to disprove the Aryan invasion theory. Kindly keep this site living with current developments.

Date:	10/27/06 - 3:26 PM
Name:	Sanjay Choudhry
Site:
Location:	New Delhi, India.
Comments:	Madam, I read on this site that you have written a manuscript on Hinduism which is a condensed version of the fantastic information provided here on these pages. I am quite interested in helping you get the book published in India. I am a small writer-cum-publisher. I write travel books, get them printed myself and then have the whole lot put at bookshops all over India by national distributors. Currently I have written books on Goa, Varanasi and Delhi. Would you be interested? Let me know. I am based in New Delhi. Sanjay Choudhry sanjaychoudhry@hotmail.com

Date:	10/24/06 - 2:42 PM
Name:	Shirley Marie Bradby aka MiraBai Devi Dasi
Site:	http://www.jalebimusic.com/
Location:	Italy.
Comments:	Compliments on your very interesting and excellently organized web site that invites visitors to learn more about Hindu culture...and offers a very satisfying visit to new comers and frequent visitors alike! I am of Afro-American origin but I have been studying and practicing Bhakti Yoga for more than 20 years so I have had a very personal and positive experience with Hindu culture and in particular Hindu music...especially devotional songs such as bhajans and kirtans! In fact our devotee band called JALEBI has become very popular with our genre-busting music, which combines traditional Indian music with soul, blues, gospel and a pinch of modern technology and creates a completely different sound! We are currently NUMBER ONE at BETA Records.com with our JALEBI Music song "Radha Govinda Kirtan"!!! Please check it out at www.beterecords.com/jalebi. By clicking this song and others you can listen to JALEBI Music using the free streaming service and even download a FREE JALEBI MP3 "Maha Mantra"! Our official web site is www.jalebimusic.com! I hope you stop by for a visit :-) Thank you for all that you are doing to promote Hindu culture in the world! Hare Krsna! Namaste! Shirley Marie Bradby aka MiraBai Devi Dasi JALEBI www.jalebimusic.com. (Editor's Note: Thank you for your kind words of support for my website. I will add a link to your site in the chapter on Links and other relevant places. Regards).

Date:	10/23/06 - 3:05 PM
Name:	Bhasker Prajapati
Site:
Location:	London, United Kingdom.
Comments:	Just cover India totally. Put some software on your website so what ever language you know you read the website on that language. Translate your web site in Chinese so India’s big enemy become cool. Excellent work from an excellent female. You should contact all tourism web site of India and request that your website portal be put on main page so knowledge can be shared fast.

Date:	10/23/06 - 3:10 AM
Name:	Malladi Govindadeekshitulu
Site:
Location:	Visakhapatnam, AP, India.
Comments:	Dear One, Thanks a lot for maintaining this wonderful site. I am the author of Shripada Shrivallabha Charitamritam in Telugu. This is the only authoritative book on the life and teachings of Lord Shripada Shrivallabha, the first incarnation of Lord Dattatreya in this Kalyuga. The Marathi version and English version are coming soon. This book everything has been explained in a very wonderful way many scientific explanations were given only after 700 years this holy book has come into light. With love and light. Malladi Govindadeekshitulu – contact me for more information about this book. My e-mail shribabaji999@yahoo.co.uk.

Date:	10/22/06 - 7:32 PM
Name:	Pete
Site:
Location:	East Lothian, Scotland.
Comments:	I have found your site while searching for images of the Milky ocean Churning.. I've read through with great interest the chapter on Angkor Wat; it's very impressive. Thank you for that. I wonder if I can ask permission to reproduce one of your images of the Milky Ocean Churning in my forthcoming book 'The Architecture of the Spirit', (to be published by Inner Traditions, Vermont USA in autumn 2007). If so please let me know asap your terms etc., Thanks again for all this enlightening information. Pete

Date:	10/19/06 - 10:04 AM
Name:	Ash
Site:
Location:	France.
Comments:	Namaskar, Good site. Can I have your authorization to translate the website into French please? Ash. (Editor's Note: I will get back to you by email this week. regards).

Date:	10/18/06 - 12:32 PM
Name:	Dr Ashish Rane
Site:
Location:	Mumbai, India.
Comments:	I was following a link and got a chance to visit this wonderful site that had eluded me since a long time. I really appreciate the efforts that have been put in to host a wonderfully information rich website. I wish you could add more information regarding perpetual motion, which was a reality in Old India, the ancient texts do mention some contraption with cylinders filled with mercury. If living outside India you could come up with such a vast amount of knowledge about Ancient India. I do really think you are a great person. Hats off to you Keep it up.

Date:	10/17/06 - 7:49 AM
Name:	Nithin.S
Site:
Location:	Mysore, Karnataka, India.
Comments:	I just read about Islamic onslaught and am very grateful, that you have included articles from Sita Ram Goel. He is my most favorite writer. I was little disappointed that, much of the facts in his books are not explicitly mentioned, but only guided people to refer the book. Please include them. Because, it shows that Occupying India was not easy for Muslims and that Hindus did not submit to Islam. You may find it helpful reading the following books- 1. Rewriting Indian History – By Francois Gautier. 2. Arise Again, O India! – By Francois Gautier. 3. Negationism in India: Concealing the Record of Islam - By Koenraad Elst 4. The Dead Sea Scroll and the Crises of Christianity – By N S Rajaram. Please read the following books about Indian yogi's and Rishis. They are actually autobiographies. 5. Living with The Himalayan Master- by Swami Rama 6. Walking with the Himalayan Master your website is the most beautiful, informative, and my favorite Hindu website. In one word, it is outstanding, mind blowing. Thanks for this greatest gift to Hinduism. Your hard work will not go waste, because your work is acting as a torch for thousands of Hindus. In all the readings, I am disappointed about only one thing. The contribution of RSS to Hinduism and Bharath is never mentioned. About Hedgewar or Guruji is not mentioned. There is no mention of the contribution of RSS in protecting Hindus during Partition or their service during 1965 and 1972 wars or Tsunami or floods. Please include some accounts on RSS and its service, recent history of Bharath like that of Partition and post partition wars. Freedom struggle of India (Hindu Mahasabha, Bhagat Singh, Subhas Bose)..... (Editor's Note: Thank you for very much for your suggestions and information regarding books relating to Islamic Onslaught in India. I will add relevant information in the future from these sources. Regarding contribution and services rendered by RSS during the Tsunami has been referenced in the chapter on Glimpses XII. regards).

Date:	10/16/06 - 1:38 PM
Name:	Sudhish Shetty
Site:
Location:	India.
Comments:	Hi Sushamaji, I am a frequent visitor to your site. The information on this site, now coupled with a new layout is quite amazing. It is good to know that you are planning to come out with a printed version of the information contained in this site. Your hard work and dedication towards the building of this website and educate the world on the wonderful land of India is laudable and unparalleled. I wish you all the best and look forward to the release of the printed version. - Sudhish.

Date:	10/16/06 - 1:09 PM
Name:	Nithin.S
Site:	http://www.voiceofdharma.org/books/hhrmi/
Location:	Mysore, Karnataka, India.
Comments:	Digvijay, rightly said, that Hindus had resisted the Islamic onslaughts, very bravely. That is why the Muslims who had occupied till India's western border, could not enter India for another 500 years. This information is given in this book - "Heroic Hindu Resistance to Muslim Invaders (636 AD to 1206 AD) -by SITA RAM GOEL. Voice of India, New Delhi" The book is in the link- http://www.voiceofdharma.org/books/hhrmi/

Date:	10/16/06 - 6:58 AM
Name:	Sumatraa Chowdhury
Site:
Location:	India.
Comments:	I love this website. We have to fight against the odds, this is the time. All the brothers and sisters unite. Hinduism is the sole living religion, which has room for all creatures and Goddesses. It is the sole religion, which shows full respect to women.

Date:	10/16/06 - 2:10 AM
Name:	Renu Sharma
Site:	http://www.divyayoga.com/main.htm
Location:	India.
Comments:	Please contact for Swami Ramdevji's upcoming US tour itinerary at the above email address.

Date:	10/14/06 - 9:07 PM
Name:	Vijaya Yelisetty
Site:
Location:	New York, NY. USA.
Comments:	This is a tremendously insightful website on Hinduism....I am deeply thankful to you for putting together this wonderful website that is and will enlighten so many people.

Date:	10/14/06 - 4:41 PM
Name:	Dr. Dipak Chakrabarti
Site:
Location:	Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, United Kingdom.
Comments:	I bumped to your site by accident. I could not believe such a site existed. Fantastic. What determination! Congratulation. Dipak. (Editor's Note: Thank you very much for your kind and sincere words of encouragement. It is support like yours that has kept me going for so many years! regards).

Date:	10/14/06 - 3:58 AM
Name:	Digvijay Pratap Singh Deora
Site:	http://hindurajput.blogspot.com/#Rajputs_and_Invasions_of_India
Location:	India.
Comments:	Sushama Ji, Your site is an incredible resource for well-researched information. Thanks for putting in this effort to educate the world. I would like to point out a few things with regard to India & Islamic invasions. In India the Hindus fought with the invaders continuously for 1000 years and that is the reason why there are Hindus left in India today. If you compare what happened in places like Iran/Iraq etc, with India, you will see that these other places lost a couple of major wars with the Mohammedan invaders and there entire country was converted to Islam. Same thing could not happen in India because of the bravery of our people which includes: The Rajputs, Marathas and Sikhs as we fought and defended our religion with utmost bravery. I have a small writeup elucidating our history: http://hindurajput.blogspot.com/#Rajputs_and_Invasions_of_India Can you please add a link to the above website in the section of Islamic invasions of hinduwisdom.info ? Regards, - Digvijay. (Editor's Note: Thank you for your information regarding Islamic invasion of India and pointing out the bravery of the Hindus. It will be a pleasure to add a link to your site in the chapter on Islamic Onslaught as well as the chapter of Links. regards).

Date:	10/14/06 - 3:50 AM
Name:	Shankar Bhate
Site:
Location:	Mumbai, India.
Comments:	The new look of the website is nice... Best wishes for great work… (Editor's Note: I appreciate your comments on the new look. Thank you. regards).

Date:	10/12/06 - 12:15 AM
Name:	Vikneswaran Shunmugam
Site:
Location:	Indonesia.
Comments:	I read your online website today and was very impressed with your work and already recommended it to few of my friends to take a look. The website caught my attention and would like to get hold one copy of it. Argument and explanations stated are immaculate. Proud to see that fellow Hindu doing such brilliant work. Excellent and commendable work. (Editor's Note: Thank you for recommending my website to your friends. regards).

Date:	10/11/06 - 8:15 PM
Name:	B.B. Goyal
Site:	http://www.punjabcolleges.com
Location:	Barnala, Punjab, India.
Comments:	Your site is great. I appreciate it. regards.

Date:	10/10/06 - 2:51 PM
Name:	Dr. Shriharsha Sharma
Site:
Location:	Nottingham, England, U.K.
Comments:	Dear Sushama, You are doing a great service to Hindus and Hinduism. The work you are doing is unique and I believe that Goddess Saraswati Herself is inspiring you. In a mysterious way her Shakti is working. May Parmatma bless you in your work and your mission. I give details of your website to whom I meet. Tamaso ma jyotirgamaya. With regards. Shriharsha. (Editor's Note: Thank you very much for your kind and thoughtful words and I appreciate your support in spreading information about this website. regards).

Date:	10/8/06 - 6:38 PM
Name:	Biraj
Site:
Location:	Canada.
Comments:	Greetings: I quickly browsed through your website and like most people find its "production values" strong. We need a website such as this one (and forgive my cynicism) given that as a people, in contemporary times, not many of us have a true appreciation of "production values". What I am wondering though is who has produced this website. I have not been able to find the website owner/producer's identity. For me the person or persons responsible for it are perhaps as important, if not more, as the website content itself. And I have not been able to find out who has designed and put the content into it. Of course I will return to browse the website more closely when I have more time because I think this website deserves such respect. However, the niggling thought will continue to persist no matter what as to who has produced the website. To me that piece of information has much to do with the kind of credibility I attach to any published work. But the website is great!!! Thank you, B. (Editor's Note: Please check the index page for the identity of the owner of this website. Thanks).

Date:	10/8/06 - 12:47 PM
Name:	Sher Ali Talpur
Site:
Location:	Pakistan.
Comments:	Namastubhyam, You have done a magnificent work and the website is very good. God Bless! (Editor's Note: Thank you for your kind words. regards).

Date:	10/7/06 - 1:55 PM
Name:	Nithin. S
Site:
Location:	Mysore, Karnataka, India.
Comments:	Very good website. Greatest website I have ever seen on Hinduism. Please, include about the history of Kannada Language and poets like Pampa, Ranna, Kumaravyasa.Kannada has more than 2000 years of history. Can you also mention about "Sankhethi Community". Please include more on Shankaracharya, VidyaRanya, Vijayanagara Empire... Can you please include about Prithviraj Chouhan from his Biography by Chandh Bardai. Please read - an explosively revolutionary book entitled 'NGOs, ACTIVISTS AND FOREIGN FUNDS: Anti-Nation Industry' jointly edited by two fearless journalists and writers Radha Rajan and Krishen Kak has recently been published by Vigil Public Opinion Forum (VPOF) in Chennai. Can you include some informations about the heroic Fight put up by Hindu kings against Islamic aggression. This is given in book - 'Heroic Hindu Resistance to Muslim Invaders by Sita Ram Goel" - http://www.voiceofdharma.org/books. There are many online books in this website. I believe, you can include many points by reading those books. I am writing a long article of may be about 4000-5000 words about the Islamic rule in India, by quoting from many books and articles which are secondary sources. Would you publish it, if you find it interesting?? E-mail me to- nkgrock@yahoo.co.in - Jai Shri Ram. (Editor's Note:Thanks for the information and links. It would be pleasure to include your article in this website, if it is not too long. Send it to me via email. The email address appears on the index page. regards).

Date:	10/6/06 - 6:12 PM
Name:	Shivaprakash Nagaraj
Site:
Location:	Vancouver, Canada.
Comments:	Hello, I just wanted to share the URL for the website that I recently stumbled across which has so much information just like your wonderful site does. And, as I suggested in my last feedback to add more information about rituals/custome/pooja & the real meaning behind it. I'm happy to find so much information about this in this URL http://www.hinduism.co.za/ & you can probably avoid re-invent the wheel & probably complement the info present in your website, it'll be a great help for people looking for such info. Thanks.

Date:	10/6/06 - 11:37 AM
Name:	Trond Ruud
Site:
Location:	Norway.
Comments:	Hello, there! Thank you for publishing a most interesting web site. I got interested in Vedic history and mythology through Micael Cremo's books "Forbidden Archeology" and "Human Devolution" and your site has further whetted my curiosity. Please keep up the good work! :-)

Date:	10/5/06 - 4:07 PM
Name:	Dr. Arthur and Lynette Horn
Site:
Location:	Northern California, USA.
Comments:	Dear One, We humbly express our deepest appreciation for your beautiful website dedicated to Ganesha. Your endeavors are forever brilliant in our minds and souls. We were exploring the Internet to personally connect with Dr. S.R. Rao, the Indian marine archeologist who is researching the sacred underwater marine sites off the coasts of India. We would sincerely appreciate any available information you may have to offer us for contacting Dr. Rao. Looking forward to hearing from you. Most sincerely, Lynette Horn. (Editior’s Note: I am afraid I have no information regarding Dr. S R Rao, but perhaps you could contact Mr. Alok Tripathi – Superintendent of Archaeological Survey of India - http://asi.nic.in/index1.asp?linkid=35 - regards).

Date:	10/2/06 - 2:49 PM
Name:	S.Surendraan Nair
Site:
Location:	Malaysia.
Comments:	Yours truly is the "Himalayas of web sites" found anywhere on the internet. I consider your site; at least from the Indian view point, an 'avatar', an additional branch of the sources of knowledge that continue to permeate us. I humbly pay obeisance to your work of truth and cherish its cosmic duty. Do you know of any sincere works by Muslim writers on Hinduism? It certainly would help to open the minds of those who by forced self ignorance have till this day kept their spiritual selves as religious slaves in bondage and loathing in intellectual slavery, with their hearts and minds closed to the TRUTH. (Editor’s Note: Thank you very much for your thoughtful and kind sentiments. I am afraid I do not know of any modern Muslim writer's work on Hinduism except Prince Dara Shikoh who translated the Upanishads into Persian. He is featured in the chapter on Quotes. Perhaps some of the readers to this website may be able to help you).

Date:	10/1/06 - 1:47 PM
Name:	Nishad
Site:
Location:	Ingolstadt, Germany.
Comments:	Hello! .... I am currently studying in Germany...I’ve heard that there's a lot of research going on in Germany on our Hindu scriptures.... do you have any idea where in Germany all this is being carried out? ...If yes, could you please tell me where...and how could I get more info about this? Thanks. Nishad

Date:	9/29/06 - 6:25 AM
Name:	Mickie Rawat
Site:
Location:	India.
Comments:	Dear Madam, I do not intend to make any comment on Christian faith through this observation. I am not a History expert. But I am a serious reader of History and an observer. We are hearing about the 'Holy Grail" or "Chalice" since long. Some tell us that it was actually the cup used by Christ during the Last Supper, now lost. Some tell us that it was not a cup but a symbol of bloodline of Christ. Anyhow, the 'Chalice" remains under a cover of mystery. The mysteries appeal human psyche and can be utilized in many ways. Everybody these days is in search of the Chalice though the location of the Grail or Chalice can be precisely traced. Just ponder over the word CHALICE: The word appears to have been originated from the SANSKRIT words either "KALASH" or "CHASHAK". Similarly the word Grail has a remarkable phonetic similarity with another commonly used word GAGARI. The existence of the Chalice or the concept of Chalice does not matter. What matters is the tradition from which the concept has been taken; and the TRADITION IS CLEARLY VEDIC - HINDU. You can still see the Chalice (KALASH) in every Hindu home with Sriphal and banana leaves. It is, now a days an exclusive Hindu tradition to keep Chalice in every holy function. You can see the Chalice on the top of the pinnacle of the Taj Mahal.

Date:	9/29/06 - 2:00 AM
Name:	Gaurav Bhatnagar
Site:
Location:	United States of America.
Comments:	Dear Ms. Londhe, your painstaking research is a tremendous windfall for Hindus around the globe. I have especially enjoyed reading your chapter on Sacred Angkor and its magnificent monuments. It is truly a glorious tribute to Hinduism and her creative legacy! After reading it my only hope is that one-day I will be able to go and visit Angkor. Thank you for your great work. regards…

Date:	9/28/06 - 8:15 PM
Name:	Muski
Site:
Location:	Australia.
Comments:	This website is fantastic, however I am rather dissapointed that in the music section there is no mention of the Hari Daasa movement that occured in Karnataka during the middle ages. Composers like Purandara Daasa, Kanaka Daasa, Tygarajah etc have been completely ignored. It would be great if some information on them were posted as well. Wishing you all the best. -Muski. (Editor’s Note: Please refer to chapter on Images for reference to Purandara Daasa. I will try to add the contributions of these composers to the chapter on Music in the future. Thank you for your suggestions).

Date:	9/28/06 - 6:28 PM
Name:	Joya Comeaux
Site:
Location:	Baltimore/California, USA.
Comments:	Hello, I happened upon this site... and am so thankful for the information and association. It is in line with my own personal beliefs, and it is nice to know that others are on the same page. I look forward to reaching out into the community! All the best, Joya.

Date:	9/28/06 - 9:15 AM
Name:	sg_trg
Site:
Location:	India
Comments:	You have done a magnificent work and the website is very good. I enjoyed reading the articles. It would be nice if you include a separate section on Indian Mathematics. The ancient Indians seemed to have made huge strides in the field of mathematics compared to other civilizations around the globe. Those mathematicians have not yet been bestowed with many original discoveries, which were theirs. Mathematics have continued to endure in India even towards the 16th century (after many foreign invasions) especially in the so called Kerala school of mathematics which developed the idea of calculus (Particularly differential calculus) and the idea of infinitesimals. This was hundreds of years before Newton developed his idea of calculus. I would like you to add a separate section on Indian Mathematics. Recently I found this link about Indian mathematics useful. http://www-history.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/history/Projects/Pearce/ You can go through it if you haven't. Keep up your good work. With best wishes… (Editor's Note: Thank you for the link. This information is already available in the chapter - Hindu Culture).

Date:	9/28/06 - 4:43 AM
Name:	Suchitra Iyengar
Site:
Location:	Dubai, UAE.
Comments:	No words to describe my appreciation.

Date:	9/27/06 - 7:32 PM
Name:	Shivaprakash Nagaraj
Site:
Location:	Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Comments:	Hello Sushama Londhe, I have been visiting your site quite often over the last couple of years (4 or so) & have to admit that you have done a wonderful job of collecting so much information & putting them across in such a beautiful & factual way that you need a big applause from all the Billion plus Hindus from all over the world. Really appreciate your painstaking work. I was born, brought up & educated in Bangalore Karnataka & came to US in 1999 on H1 visa & worked for 6 yr in California & have now moved to Vancouver BC Canada. I have to say that I have started to appreciate Hinduism more so now than I was when back in India. There are so many people who are so curious to know more about Hinduism & I grab every opportunity to explain about it the way I have understood all these years. I guess, living abroad & learning about other cultures has made me love Hinduism & its ideologies more not that I don't like other religions, but knowing more on Hinduism one can only appreciate the amount of thought & wisdom put into creating something like Hindu way of life is truly amazing. Growing up in India we were always being surrounded by festivals, rituals & ceremonies & it was more of a fun event when we were young to a more routine when we were grownups & not many elders took time to explain why such festivals or rituals were performed, but some tried honestly to explain to the best of their abilities. But, I was a child who was not going to settle for ordinary explanations. Even so, we were doing good in science & maths at school & that made it even more difficult to accept the explanations given by elders & others. As I grew up into teenager, I started to have my own interpretations of the rituals & other customs we were made to go through, though it may not make sense for anybody. But, I started thinking in scientific terms & was trying to see if that ritual had any remote connection in any way & was slowly trying to see the festivals, customs & rituals in a different light altogether. I was always of the opinion that who ever invented these customs & rituals was brilliant & had thinking ahead of his/her time. Also, now I appreciate their sense of passing the scientific & medicinal terminology in an easy to understand common terms for everybody to understand. For eg: There is a great deal of emphasis laid on being physically clean when performing pooja or anything related to GOD, my scientific interpretation is being hygienic is of utmost important & since in India pooja is performed first thing in the morning, one gets to take bath & clean oneself in the morning. Doing surya namaskar/yoga in the morning as the sunrays are very mild in the morning & not that harmful & that sunlight does have a beneficial effect on ones body & prepares for the rest of the day. We have many festivals where there are lots of friends & relatives over, this is nothing but a social gathering which is very essential for building a strong community & in turn a strong nation. I'm no scientist to precisely interpret each & every ritual or custom in Hinduism, but I'm starting to see many rituals in a totally different light & trying to make my own sense of the underlying meaning for it & sometimes I'm just amazed at what I find. Now for the uglier side of it. I'm slowly trying to realize that Hindu philosophy (which is what I want to call rather than religion) was very well thought out by our innumerable Rishis & sages over the ages & they were smart to tell all too complex things of universe in such a simple to understand language & symbols which over the years had been manipulated by some people (or group of people) to meet their own vested interests. Over the years the rituals/customs have been misused to such an extent that it has stared to loose its meaning & people are doing it without knowing the actual meaning of it or just forgetting it altogether. Its sad to see that many vested interests are ruining the real meaning of Hinduism & are labeling it as age old & not modern enough, also innumerable so called modern day "Swamiji's" who tend to love only traveling in Mercedes' in India are not doing any good job of spreading the real meaning of being a Hindu & its customs & traditions. What I would like to see in your website is if you can provide more information on various rituals/customs/poojas etc in India & abroad by Hindus & why that is performed & is there (might be) any scientific basis for such a thing. Because many times I have heard & read that walking on fire (done during various festivals in India) has a positive effect on ones body, but how & why? I can name so many such rituals which is suppose to have beneficial effects to humans but not properly explained anywhere or not enough scientific evidence exists as yet to support them. If you can have a separate section for Hindu customs & rituals & explain them why they are done starting from a simple day to day ritual like getting up on the right side of oneself from the bed & looking at the photo of a GOD before seeing anyone else that would actually explain the Hindu way of life. Thanks & please keep up the good work. Shivaprakash Nagaraj Vancouver, BC Canada. (Editor’s Note: Thank you for your thoughtful compliments regarding this website and your suggestions and ideas for future topics. I will try and include a chapter on rituals/customs/pooja in the next update. It will highlight Hinduism’s ancient, rich and colorful rituals with their deep underlying meaning that seem to be tragically lost on many modern day Hindus. If you would like to contribute more of your ideas or information/articles to this chapter, please feel free to email them to me. Thank you once again. I do appreciate your input and support to further enrich this website very much).

Date:	9/27/06 - 7:17 PM
Name:	Ramesh Kumar Shardha
Site:
Location:	Cardiff, United Kingdom.
Comments:	This site is really a world of knowledge. I belong from Pakistan & in Pakistan you can see the three most sacred sites about Hinduism, first, Moenjodaro, second,Harrapa & third Katas Raj temple. You can also see world oldest university Takshila University site. I request the Indian government that please preserve these sites in its original shape & nominate these sites for World Heritage Site status.

Date:	9/27/06 - 12:06 PM
Name:	Dr. G. Dinakaran
Site:
Location:	Kerala, The wonderland of Tourists in INDIA.
Comments:	Kudos. This marvellous website is a powerful evidence to the whole mankind as to the significant role ancient India played in moulding world civilisation and culture. Think of this ancient heritage 6000 years old -with all its Vedas, Sastras, art, architecture, religion, science, technology ..... In 2006, today, the whole mankind including all those from most politically powerful countries, turn to modern India and look for better friendship, business-tie-up, technology-tie-up, Yoga, and Indian art, music and so on. Your site shows completion of this CYCLE OF CULTURE. Warm regards.

Date:	9/27/06 - 2:06 AM
Name:	Deepak Shimkhada, Ph.D.
Site:
Location:	Claremont, California, USA.
Comments:	In addition to being a scholar of Indian studies, I consider myself an amateur photographer. During the last forty years I have taken more than 5,000 photographs of paintings, sculptures, architecture, musical instruments, and ritual objects in museums, research libraries, temple sites, and private collections located in India, Nepal, Europe, and the U.S. Some of the photos are of rare objects that have either been stolen from the site or destroyed by acts of nature or vandalism in the past decades. These photos are my property and I hold copyrights to them. While some are black-and-white negatives, most are photographed in color slides. Because after a certain period slides begin to lose their color, I have begun the process of digitizing them to preserve them. Although I have considered creating a website to make my picture collection available to students and researchers alike, I haven't found the means to do that yet. If there is any way that I can help you with my photographs, I will be pleased to share them with your site for the sole purpose of research. Please feel free to contact me at deepak.shimkhada@cmc.edu to discuss how we can best help each other. (Editor’s Note: Thank you very much for your offer of photographs for research purposes. It will be a pleasure to include some of the photographs on my website. I will get back to you by email this week. Thanks again).

Date:	9/27/06 - 1:27 AM
Name:	Sampuran Singh
Site:
Location:	Bangalore, India.
Comments:	Aadarniya Sushmaji Namaskar. You are doing a Great job of putting immensely useful information on your website. Kudos for the same. However, to call it as Hindu wisdom is not only technically incorrect, but attitudinally as well. Hinduism is an eternal spiritual tradition, not a narrow - minded belief system contained in books. We never called ourselves as Hindus or something else. It is a term used by the Arabs (muslims) and popularised by the British missionaries. Whatever knowledge and wisdom was developed in India belongs to the whole of humanity as such. If you call it Hindu, then it leaves out not only the monotheists, but also the Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains etc, who are our very own flesh and blood. In fact, they themselves never thought to be different from the continuous traditions of India. Therefore, to my mind, you should name it as Bharatiyawisdom.info. (Because even Indian is an alien term). Regards. (Editor’s Note: The former name - A Tribute to Hinduism was a tribute to Sanatana Dharma’s sheer stamina to survive against tremendous odds. Most other ancient global traditions have disappeared by onslaught of today’s aggressive and intolerant religions from the Mid East. The new name - Hindu Wisdom is NOT meant to exclude other Indic traditions, but rather to make us aware the urgent need to nurture and save Sanatana Dharma for future generations. References have been made to include Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism on this website where ever it is possible. Much to our distress, the word 'Hindu' is better recognized in the today's world, than say 'Santana Dharma or Bharatiya.' Thank you for your astute input on the new name change. I will certainly give it a thought and reconsider it in the future).

Date:	9/26/06 - 11:52 AM
Name:	Bharat Gandhi
Site:
Location:	Mumbai -The "HINDUSTAN"
Comments:	I have been lucky to visit this site, each and every sentence is containing depth on the Indian Mythology. I have no words to praise the depth study and homework done to create this site. Congratulations and best wishes. For reference to readers of this site, Dr.Devdutt Pattanaik at Mumbai has written Bibliography on Lord Shiva, Sri Hanuman,Devi- Mother~Goddess. ( Publisher- Vakils, Feffer and Simons Pvt.Ltd, Haague Building, 9, Sprott Road, Bellard Estate, Mumbai 400 001). I am not advertising for these books, but this my humble gesture to respect our Mythology and religion by exchanging information to like-minded people. If any one finds difficulty in getting information on my suggested publications, can write to me. I will be happy to assist by sending any book at my cost. This will be a Token of my honest Hinduism.

Date:	9/26/06 - 11:33 AM
Name:	Shantanu
Site:
Location:	Mumbai, India.
Comments:	Great Thought & Great Work. While I appreciate the compilation of thoughts & views of many a Scientists, who are my Heroes & Role Models even while they're not Indian, we must demonstrate a Higher Level of Confidence by explaining the depth & vastness of our heritage without relying on endorsement - purely on merit & logic.

Date:	9/26/06 - 7:40 AM
Name:	Capt Manmohan Kumar
Site:
Location:	United States of America.
Comments:	Sushama ji, Thanks for commenting on Dr. Terence Kealey's article on Times Online. Here is my comment, which I have put there but can't say whether editor will post it or not: ”Though you have given one example of Khajuraho yet you have generalized it in conclusion as if you are talking of all Hindu temples. To the best of my knowledge, it is more of 'vastukala ka namuna' rather than temple. Just to preserve this piece of architecture, they named it as temple so that ignorant minds (!) may not destroy it. It only goes to show that it was the zenith of Indian architecture rather than eroticism as you are making out to be which reminds me of Sigmund Freud to whom the suckling of mother's breast by a neonate was also act of sex. Following in the same vein, your conclusion that it was to encourage prostitution seems to be far-fetched and disingenuous. Hinduism is one of the religions where you will find Gods and Goddesses unlike others, which are male dominant. If we follow your logic, people may not think highly of nuns. Thanks. PS: Being Vice Chancellor you have wasted exchequer's time, money and given highly improbable reasoning revealing you’re kinked sexual fantasies slurring yourself! (Editor’s Note: For more on Dr. Terence Kealey's article, please refer to chapter on Glimpses XVII).

Date:	9/24/06 - 2:24 PM
Name:	J. Lenora Daniels
Site:
Location:	White Plains, NY, USA.
Comments:	Your website has opened up new vistas for me. I am so happy to have found this site. You are doing such an excellent job of enlightening those of us who weren't brought up as Hindus, but seek to know about this wonderful religion. Thank you so much for all you've done. And I wish you good fortune with the publishing of your book. (Editor’s Note: Thank you very much for your kind wishes).

Date:	9/22/06 - 2: 23 PM
Name:	Deepak Shimkhada, Ph.D.
Site:
Location:	Claremont, California, USA.
Comments:	While I surfed the Internet the other day trying to find something totally unrelated, I came upon your site by accident. Sometimes accidents can be more rewarding and sweet than one would anticipate. I was impressed by the amount of information your site has culled to provide to the surfer. The site is user-friendly and the information (although I must admit that I haven't read all of it yet) seems balanced and objective. I noticed occasional typos, which can be ignored on the face of the monumental task that is ahead of you. The site is on the verge of becoming an encyclopedia with all the pertinent and relevant links to the primary and secondary sources. The photos are equally useful and are of high quality. If there were one suggestion I could make it would be with regard to the photographic sources. For a serious student or a scholar who is using your site for research, the exact location of a particular image would be of immense significance for further studies. I am a professor of religious studies at Claremont McKenna College and would be pleased to direct my students to your site for finding information on Hinduism. Thank you for the time and effort you have put in to make the site truly encyclopedic. (Editor’s Note: Thank you for your thoughtful and caring suggestions. The site, formerly known as A Tribute to Hinduism began as a hobby page. At that time, images were collected randomly from various sources, including books and online. Over the years the site has grown tremendously. After receiving many requests for sources from readers for certain images, effort has been made recently, where possible to include sources. Going forward, every effort will be made to provide sources for images.)

Date:	9/22/06 - 11:43 AM
Name:	Karigar
Site:
Location:	United States of America.
Comments:	Thanks for a wonderful site. I always recommend it to friends, & anybody who cares. The renaming is also nice, & glad you still re-direct from the "atributetohinduism" URL.

Date:	9/21/06 - 7:06 AM
Name:	Kamla Chitroda
Site:
Location:	London, United Kingdom.
Comments:	Namaste Sushama, Congratulations on the 10th anniversary. Well done. Kamla.

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Updated - August 15, 2006