logo
Mata Amritanandamayi receives Vivekananda International Peace Award

Mata Amritanandamayi receives Vivekananda International Peace Award

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi was conferred with the Vivekananda International Peace Award at a ceremony held at the Amritapuri Ashram on Thursday. The award, instituted by the Vivekananda International Relations Foundation, comprises a plaque and a certificate of commendation.
Receiving the honour, Amma urged everyone to learn and uphold the principles of Sanatana Dharma, which she said reflect India's timeless culture and values. She highlighted that this was also the core message of Swami Vivekananda's life and that global peace is possible if humanity learns to treat nature as shared inheritance.
The award was presented by Gagan Malhotra, convener of the foundation, and Ravikumar Iyer, its chief patron.
Speaking at the event, Ravikumar Iyer said that peace accompanies Amma wherever she travels, and that her presence helps spread India's Sanatana message, rooted in Dharma and truth, to the world.
Other speakers included Gagan Malhotra, Sarika Panhalkar, CEO of Tarpan Foundation, Shreya Bharathiya, managing trustee of Swanath Foundation, A Rajasekaran, chairman of Chakra Foundation, and others.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US: Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji leads global Bhagavad Gita festival in Dallas with 10,000 participants
US: Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji leads global Bhagavad Gita festival in Dallas with 10,000 participants

India Gazette

timea day ago

  • India Gazette

US: Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji leads global Bhagavad Gita festival in Dallas with 10,000 participants

Texas [US], July 14 (ANI): A grand global celebration of the Bhagavad Gita concluded at Allen Stadium in Frisco, Dallas, under the leadership of spiritual leader and head of the Avadhoota Datta Peetham, Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji. Over 10,000 devotees from around the world participated in the historic event, which featured the collective chanting of the entire Bhagavad Gita. Following the unprecedented success of last year's programme, devotees from 14 countries once again came together to recite all 700 verses of the Bhagavad Gita. Inspired by the divine guidance of Swamiji, many followers have memorised the scripture and experienced deep spiritual transformation in their lives. Through this initiative, Swamiji is spreading the message of the Bhagavad Gita across the world and promoting spiritual unity. For the past 65 years, he has been guiding lakhs of devotees through mantra deeksha, enlightening discourses, and the establishment of temples dedicated to Karya Siddhi Hanuman and Lord Dattatreya in India and abroad, upholding the core values of Sanatana Dharma. For the last ten years, he has been leading a powerful international movement in the United States to promote the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita among children, youth, and adults, sharing the eternal wisdom of Lord Krishna on a global platform. In 2025, the SGS Gita Foundation and the Gita Mahayajna programme--both founded by Swamiji--will mark their tenth anniversary. This visionary global movement aims to make the Bhagavad Gita accessible to everyone. The SGS Gita Foundation has trained over 500 teachers so far. The programme has inspired spiritual seekers aged between 3 and 85. The movement is currently active in 14 countries. In the United States alone, 30 learning centres are operational, with more than 250 dedicated volunteer teachers conducting regular classes. With unwavering devotion and divine compassion, Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji continues to guide humanity in the modern era as a beacon of spiritual light, working to establish a peaceful, righteous, and awakened society through the eternal teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. (ANI)

Devotees gather at Sarnath to celebrate Ashadha Purnima and Buddha's first sermon
Devotees gather at Sarnath to celebrate Ashadha Purnima and Buddha's first sermon

India Gazette

time5 days ago

  • India Gazette

Devotees gather at Sarnath to celebrate Ashadha Purnima and Buddha's first sermon

Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 10 (ANI): Under the golden hues of the setting sun and the sacred full moon of Ashadha, Sarnath--the site of the Buddha's first sermon--became a vibrant hub of spiritual reflection and cultural reverence as devotees from across the world gathered at Mulagandha Kuti Vihara. The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the Mahabodhi Society of India, hosted a solemn and graceful celebration to mark Ashadha Purnima, a day revered as the Buddha's First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma. This sacred day also marks the onset of Varsha Vassa, the traditional monastic rain retreat--a period of contemplation and study for the Buddhist Sangha, mirroring the inward journey as rains quiet the world outside. The event commenced with a meditative parikrama (circumambulation) of the Dhamek Stupa. Monks, nuns, and lay followers walked in peaceful unison, hands folded in devotion, as ancient chants filled the air. The solemnity of the moment was amplified by the stupa's timeless presence--its weathered stones standing as sentinels of centuries-old teachings. In his welcome address, Ven. Summitananda Thero, In-charge of Mulagandha Kuti Vihara, reflected on the spiritual weight of Sarnath and the gathering's deep symbolism--where memory and devotion unite beneath the open sky. One of the highlights was the heartfelt message by Ven. Dieu Tri, a senior nun from Vietnam, who spoke of the powerful emotions felt during the recent Relic Exposition of the Buddha in Vietnam. A short film showcased the event, which saw an overwhelming 17.8 million devotees venerate the sacred relics across nine cities. Ven. Wangchuk Dorjee Negi, Vice Chancellor of the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, beautifully blended scholarship with spirituality, highlighting the symbolism of Ashadha Purnima--the Buddha's first teachings, the formation of the Sangha, and the legendary dream of Queen Mahamaya, who envisioned a six-tusked white elephant foretelling the Buddha's birth. Representing the long-standing spiritual ties between India and Sri Lanka, Most Ven. Sumedha Thero, President of the Indo-Sri Lanka International Buddhist Association, emphasized the historic friendship nurtured through the shared Dharma. He lauded the Indian government for selecting Sarnath as the venue for this year's celebrations, calling it 'a most fitting and sacred choice.' The event concluded with powerful words from Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche, Secretary General of IBC, who stressed the importance of unity, empathy, and mindful action in today's interconnected world. 'Bridging differences and fostering inclusive dialogue is not just noble--it is essential,' he noted. Ven. Seelawanso Thero, Principal of Pali and Buddhist Dhamadoot College, closed the event with a sincere vote of thanks, expressing deep gratitude to all attendees and supporters for their trust and unwavering commitment to the Dharma. As twilight deepened and prayers echoed in the air, the celebration stood as a testament to Buddhism's timeless message of peace, compassion, and inner awakening--offering hope and harmony to a world in need. (ANI)

Tirumala Temple Introduces 'Book Prasadam' To Promote Sanatana Dharma
Tirumala Temple Introduces 'Book Prasadam' To Promote Sanatana Dharma

NDTV

time5 days ago

  • NDTV

Tirumala Temple Introduces 'Book Prasadam' To Promote Sanatana Dharma

In a move aimed at curbing religious conversions and fostering awareness of Sanatana Dharma, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has launched a "Book Prasadam" programme, offering devotees books on Hindu traditions and the glory of Lord Venkateswara. This initiative, guided by TTD Chairperson BR Naidu, seeks to widely propagate the rich heritage of Hinduism. So, from now on, alongside the traditional laddoo, devotees visiting the revered Lord Venkateswara temple will receive books as prasadam. The programme, spearheaded by the TTD's Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad, focuses on distributing spiritual texts for free in various areas, including Dalit hamlets, remote villages, and agency regions across Andhra Pradesh. Devotees waiting for darshan in the compartments of the Vaikuntham Queue Complex at Tirumala will also be given books. During a recent event at the Tirumala camp office, TTD officials presented Chairman BR Naidu with an array of books slated for distribution. The collection includes revered texts such as Sri Venkateswara Vaibhavam, Vishnu Sahasranamam, Venkateswara Suprabhatam, Bhaja Govindam, Lalita Sahasranamam, Shiva Stotram, Bhagavad Gita, and biographies of influential personalities. A remarkable aspect of this initiative is that the entire cost of printing these books is being borne by generous donors, ensuring no utilization of TTD funds. With this philanthropic support, the handbooks will initially be printed in Telugu and subsequently extended to other languages for nationwide distribution. The TTD Chairperson has emphasised the importance of this programme in propagating Hindu Dharma and actively working to curb religious conversions. The idea is to promote spiritual welfare and preserve and promote Sanatana Dharma.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store