Richa Karmarkar
Richa Karmarkar is an author at Religion News Service.
All Stories by Richa Karmarkar
An anti-Hindutva teach-in spurs debate about Hindu representation on college campuses
By Richa Karmarkar — April 25, 2024
(RNS) — Hindu student organizations, say advocates, do not always represent the full breadth of thought within the community of young American Hindus.
Hindu Lord Ram road-trips through the United States
By Richa Karmarkar — April 17, 2024
(RNS) — For the first time in North America, an image of Lord Ram is being paraded from temple to temple on a two-month-long road trip, just in time for the deity’s birthday, Ram Navami.
Solar New Year celebrations unite religious groups across the South Asian diaspora
By Richa Karmarkar — April 15, 2024
(RNS) — This week, people of all South Asian backgrounds celebrated the Hindu Solar New Year in their unique, regional ways. But common threads between the holidays, many say, have the power to unite those living in the diaspora.
The worship of Shiva, Hinduism’s ‘inconceivable’ deity, finds a home in the tech sector
By Richa Karmarkar — April 11, 2024
(RNS) — Often cast as the most transcendent sect of Hinduism, Shaivism’s appeal to scientific-minded Hindus is becoming more visible.
The fight against Hindu nationalism in the United States is multifaith, says a newly formed coalition
By Richa Karmarkar — April 5, 2024
(RNS) — A declaration from the newly formed coalition Savera: United Against Supremacy expressed the group's 'acute concern' of Hindu nationalism, which they say now 'finds itself in a deepening alliance with various facets of the American far-right.'
Indian American lawmakers urge DOJ to address ‘alarming’ rise of Hindu temple vandalism
By Richa Karmarkar — April 3, 2024
(RNS) — Hindu advocates say the trend of temple vandalism points to a lack of an adequate response from law enforcement, which they blame on anti-Hindu bias.
In suburban Washington, a new ISKCON temple marks a new beginning for devotees
By Richa Karmarkar — March 25, 2024
POTOMAC, Maryland (RNS) — Growing from a small ashram in the 1970s, the D.C. branch of the movement formerly known as Hare Krishnas opened an 11,000-square-foot house of worship on Saturday (March 23).
Hindu advocate slams General Mills for using beef-based gelatin in Yoplait yogurt
By Richa Karmarkar — March 20, 2024
(RNS) — Hindus commonly abstain from eating beef, believing cows are sacred and revered companions to the gods.
As Hindu wellness gains in West, chakra healing practitioners root their art in science
By Richa Karmarkar — March 18, 2024
(RNS) — These teachers are working to dispel myths of chakra healing, starting first by recognizing the ancient roots of this spiritual science.
Hindu women look to ancient goddesses for guidance on modern feminism
By Richa Karmarkar — March 13, 2024
(RNS) — Many point to Shakti, the divine feminine energy, as an antidote to toxic masculinity.
Dating app burnout and COVID-19 make Indian matchmaking cool again
By Richa Karmarkar — March 1, 2024
(RNS) — Indian matchmaking is having a comeback in the United States, say elite matchmakers.
Hindu American organizations adopt a new short film on anti-Hindu ignorance
By Richa Karmarkar — February 28, 2024
(RNS) — Director Ravi Chand’s “Namaste Yoga,” released worldwide in late January, was created to highlight the challenges Hindu children face in the Western world.
Hinduism has no rules against marrying outside the faith. But couples say it has its bumps.
By Richa Karmarkar — February 20, 2024
(RNS) — Among American Hindus, a survey by the organization Interfaith Shaadi found that 38% marry outside the umbrella of Dharmic faiths — Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism.
The first traditional Hindu temple in the Middle East promotes a message of interfaith tolerance
By Richa Karmarkar — February 14, 2024
(RNS) — The mandir, or temple, will create a spiritual home for the more than 3.5 million Indian expatriates who make up 30% of the UAE’s population.
Every week is World Interfaith Harmony Week for devotees of Swami Vivekananda
By Richa Karmarkar — February 7, 2024
(RNS) — As religious conflict and disharmony rage on elsewhere in the world, the interfaith teachings of Swami Vivekananda are evergreen to these devotees.
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