Category: Religion

HOUSTON: The Shri Sita Ram Foundation, USA invites the Houston community to celebrate the 14th International Diwali-Dussehra Festival on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas. This year’s celebration promises a vibrant blend of cultural entertainment, food, parades, performances, and spectacular fireworks. 

Diwali, the “Festival of Lights,” is one of the most cherished festivals of India, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists — more than a billion people worldwide. 

“Diwali is more than a festival for us,” said Dr. Arun Varma, founder of the Shri Sita Ram Foundation. “It represents good triumphing over evil and the idea that the world is one family. We encourage everyone to celebrate together, regardless of background or belief.” 

Highlights of the 14th International Diwali-Dussehra Festival 2025 

• International Guest Performance: This year’s festival will feature a special appearance by MC YOGI, the internationally acclaimed hip-hop artist and yoga teacher known for blending modern beats with stories of Indian culture, yoga philosophy, and ancient wisdom. His dynamic performances have captivated audiences worldwide, making his Houston debut a unique cultural experience. 

• Grand Parade: More than 40 floats showcasing dance, music, and artistry. This year’s theme is the Maha Kumbh, celebrated earlier this year, featuring a stage play, a Shiva Tandav dance, and a float on the role of the akhadas. 

• Family Fun: Children can enjoy a dedicated play area, games, and a costume contest (ages up to 14), along with youth performances in singing, dancing, and music. 

• Cultural & Religious Traditions: Chanting of the Sundarkand, a traditional Ram Leela play, and the Maha Aarti (prayers to Lord Ram). 

• Vibrant Marketplace & Food: Local vendors will offer handicrafts, art, and authentic, mouth-watering Indian cuisine. 

• Grand Finale: The festival concludes with fireworks and Ravan Dahan — the only large-scale burning of Ravan’s effigy in Texas. 

The Shri Sita Ram Foundation welcomes Houstonians of all backgrounds to experience this unique celebration of light, culture, and community. 

HOUSTON: On September 13, 2025, the city of Houston came alive with color, rhythm, and festive energy as T2 Dance Company hosted the first-ever HTx Diwali celebration at POST Houston in the heart of downtown. Drawing over 5,500 attendees, the free event showcased the spirit of Diwali – India’s festival of lights – through dance, music, wellness, food, and, above all, community.

Founded in 2020 by Anisha Gupta and Sonali Patel, T2 Dance Company was created to spread the joy of movement, wellness, and culture through the vibrant energy of Bollywood dance. Teaching students ages 3 to 70+, T2 makes dance accessible to all, focusing on expression, empowerment, and joy. Alongside associate directors Ritu Patel and Dhea Patel, the co-founders have built T2 into a group where women connect, uplift one another, and help those in need by giving back through monthly charitable donations.

The HTx Diwali celebration reflected this vision. The day was filled with classes that welcomed all ages and backgrounds. Black Swan Yoga opened with a calming mindfulness session, Houston Bhangra Academy energized the crowd with Punjabi moves, and T2 Dance Company led Bollywood and Garba classes, bringing India’s most beloved dance styles to Houstonians.

POST’s X Atrium transformed into an authentic Indian market, buzzing with over 25 vendors offering handmade crafts, jewelry, outfits and Diwali decor. Guests explored a Creative Crafting station with Omnaments, a Medical Mela, a vibrant Kids’ Korner, henna artists, and a Desi Dhaba serving up mouthwatering cuisine from Mirch Masala and Tandoori Hut. The aromas of festive food added warmth and flavor to the already lively atmosphere.

In the afternoon, the Diwali Baraat – hosted by T2 Dance Company – featured a festive rickshaw, live dhol player, and an energetic flash mob that had the crowd on its feet, dancing and cheering together. Soon after, the excitement shifted to a dazzling fashion show presented by Dakshin Fashion, taking the audience on a colorful “tour of India” through traditional and contemporary styles.

As evening set in, the celebration moved to POST’s rooftop, where Houston skyline provided the backdrop for a spectacular Diwali show. High-energy performances by T2 Dance Company, Naach Houston, ParDesi Pulse, Houston Bhangra Academy, and Doonya lit up the night, in addition to a song where Aarav Chauhan’s soulful vocals were paired with the mesmerizing flute melodies of Rayansh Pande. Together, the performers showcased Houston’s immense South Asian talent, unified by the joy of sharing culture and positivity.

The night concluded with a Bollywood rooftop dance party led by DJ Sandeep Sulhan. Under the stars, families and friends of all ages came together, dancing against the sparkling skyline and creating unforgettable memories.

HTx Diwali 2025 highlighted Houston’s cultural richness and the growing demand for inclusive celebrations. More than a festival, it was a platform where culture, connection, creativity, and community came together – embodying Diwali’s timeless message of light triumphing over darkness. With T2 Dance Company’s dedication to joy and giving back, HTx Diwali has established itself as one of Houston’s most anticipated cultural events where everyone can come together to Shine Their Light over Houston.

By Ujwala Bhat

Photos by Bharat Rao and Ashutosh Kak

On September 7, 2025, Chinmaya Mission Houston commenced a new year of Vedantic learning for the Bala Vihar children, and enthusiastic families gathered at Chinmaya Prabha to honor the enduring legacy of a spiritual movement founded 75 years ago by Pujya Swami Chinmayananda.

The Chinmaya Movement began in 1951 when Pujya Swami Chinmayananda gave lectures on the Upanishads at a Ganesha temple in Pune, India, to a small gathering. Over the decades, it has evolved into a global spiritual movement encompassing more than 350 centers worldwide.

On the auspicious opening day of Bala Vihar at Chinmaya Mission Houston (CMH), a beautifully decorated Saraswati Nilayam Hall came alive to welcome a new year of spiritual learning. Children, seated together with their teachers by grade, filled the hall with eager smiles and exuberant energy as they reunited with friends and immersed themselves in the sacred atmosphere. Pujya Acarya Gaurang Uncle then addressed the children and encouraged them to learn and live the values taught in Bala Vihar. His words set the positive and motivational tone for the year ahead.

Guided by their Bala Vihar teachers, the children then performed the Chinmaya Namavali puja with sincere devotion. In the adjoining Smriti Hall, adults watched the children perform the puja with quiet reverence as it was broadcast on the big screen. At the heart of the celebration was the theme Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav with the highlight—a recitation of the Ashtotthara Shatanamavali, invoking Pujya Gurudev’s 108 divine names—evoked a deep sense of connection, drawing the audience into the chanting. This was followed by Chinmaya Mission pledge and the Vedic Aarti concluding the puja.

Following that important opening day celebration of Bala Vihar, there was another special ceremony in Chinmaya Prabha on September 14, 2025. In honor of Acarya Darshana Nanavaty who nurtured the outstanding Bala Vihar program in Houston since 1982 and created the teachers’ handbooks for the global Bala Vihar curriculum, Acarya Gaurang Nanavaty unveiled the new name, “Acharya Darshana Nanavaty Chinmaya Amruta Balamandir” for the building where Acarya Darshana Aunty had dedicated her entire life to the children of CMH. The large Chinmaya family felt blessed and grateful during the ceremony. It was a fitting tribute to the creative vision and tireless seva of Pujya Darshana aunty who empowered thousands of Bala Vihar children with scriptural values until her last breath in 2024.

Following the guidance of Pujya Darshana Aunty, CMH remains dedicated to ensuring that future generations have direct access to the timeless teachings of its founder, Pujya Swami Chinmayananda. What makes CMH a sought-after destination for spiritual education among Indo-American families is its unwavering commitment to quality education in spirituality and exemplary discipline. Both Bala Vihar sessions are at full capacity, with a growing waitlist of parents eager to enrol their children.

In addition to Bala Vihar, Chinmaya Mission Houston offers immersive Vedantic learning through study groups, Jnana Yajnas, and spiritual camps. Adults and householders engage in Satsangs and discussion circles that provide deep insights into Vedantic texts, fostering both personal growth and vibrant community gatherings.

For more information about Chinmaya Mission Houston, Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya, and its activities please visit www.chinmayahouston.org, www.saumyakasi.org or call temple 281 568 1690 or Jay Deshmukh 832 541 0059 or Bharati Sutaria 281-933-0233

By Juhi Varma

Good news can feel scarce these days. Assassinations, terrorist attacks and tariffs dominate the news, making violence and division seem like the defining themes of our time. Stories of kindness rarely carry the same weight.

But a recent visit to the Zoroastrian Center in Houston was a reminder that, while compassion rarely makes headlines, it is still very much alive in the world.

More than 100 representatives from local faith and sub-faith communities came together for the annual Interfaith Dinner and Dialogue, sponsored by the Fort Bend Interfaith Council.

The spacious event hall was set with 12 tables, each holding eight or nine chairs. From the start, it was clear this wasn’t going to be an event where guests sat listening passively, half-focused on the (very impressive) snack tables outside. Instead, participation was the point.

Seats were carefully assigned, each table was arranged to include people of different religions, ensuring that Fort Bend County’s colorful diversity of faiths was reflected in every conversation.

“In a time when the world is often shaken by religious conflict, this gathering served as a powerful reminder of the importance of dialogue,” said Geetha Ravula, founder of non-profit organization Ashirwad A Blessing Temple. She has served on the board of the Fort Bend Interfaith Council for six years.

To help spur meaningful dialogue, the organizers provided the attendees with prompts.

It felt a bit like a workshop or a breakout session. We went around the table, answering questions, listening to each other, and noticing the common ground we shared. On paper, it might sound contrived, but in the room, the experience was genuine and unexpectedly moving.

“When we meet and have a dialogue with openness and sincerity, our differences become pathways to connection rather than division,” Geetha ji said.

Pastor David Sincere served as the master of ceremonies

“It was fascinating to learn about the things we have in common,” one attendee shared. “But it was also interesting to hear about the practices and beliefs that are unique to certain traditions.”

On each table lay a sheet of paper with a list of questions: What is your favorite festival? What does service look like in your religion? Share something you admire about another faith. The exercise was simple but powerful — it encouraged participants not only to learn about each other’s traditions but also to recognize how much they shared. By the end, I felt as though a heavy curtain had lifted, revealing a world without borders, prejudice, or religious hostility. For the purpose of this story, I’ll focus on just the first question we answered. One question is enough to illustrate the larger point.

What is your favorite festival from your faith?

Nazi Khadivian (Bahai Community Of Sugar Land & Fort Bend):  My favorite one is Nowruz  on 21 March. It means ‘new day’. It is a time of change. We celebrate the beginning of the spring. Everything grows new. We have great parties—huge halls, thousands of people. We share our calendar (partially) with Zoroastrians, because this is a Zoroastrian festival we adopted. So, Iranians were Zoroastrian before the attack from Arabs.

Lisa Lauve (St. Laurence Catholic Church): Always, as a child, being Catholic, Easter was important. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve really come to appreciate the death and resurrection more deeply. It’s not just a church service anymore. We all go through times when we don’t know what’s happening, when everything feels uncertain. And then, somehow, there’s resurrection. I think age shifts your focus—you begin to see that cycle more clearly.

Juhi Varma (your reporter): We celebrate a lot of festivals—Diwali and Holi are big ones—but my favorite is Ganesh Chaturthi, especially in my state, Maharashtra. For ten days, families bring an idol of Ganesh into their homes, decorate an altar, and everyone comes to visit. On the last day, we take the idol—usually eco-friendly now—to the sea and immerse it. It’s a way of saying goodbye until next year.

Yasmin Engineer (Zoroastrian Association of Houston): There is a Parsi tradition called the Haft-Sin (or “Haft Seen”) table, associated with Nowruz where seven items starting with the “S” sound/letter are placed on a table, all symbolizing different things. Sabzi which means greens symbolize rebirth and renewal. Samanu,  a pudding for wealth and fertility. Sib, that is apple for beauty and good health. Seer, garlic for health. And more.

John Barzilla (St. Mark’s Episcopal Church): Mine would have to be Christmas. All the Sicilian families come together, and the women make fig cookies and all sorts of dishes. It turns into this big gathering where you end up seeing relatives you didn’t even know you had—because if you’re Sicilian, you’re related to just about everyone.

Davis Tolman (Thoreau Unitarian Universalist Congregation) We have a tradition called the water ceremony. It’s usually in late August when people come back after summer. We all bring water from a meaningful personal source to church, it’s poured into a little hole, mixed together.  It’s kind of like a symbolic homecoming.

Jessica Leavitt (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints): For me, it’s General Conference. All the members around the world participate at the same time. If you’re in Salt Lake, you can go in person, but most people watch the broadcast. It happens twice a year. Our Prophet and some of the apostles speak to us. Since we believe in living prophets, it’s really meaningful—we get to hear their words directly.

Festivals and traditions take many forms, but they all share common threads: a sense of community, reflection, renewal, and connection.

“Each faith carries profound wisdom that elevates our spirit, and together, we weave a vibrant tapestry that reflects the one Divine Source from which we all originate,” Geetha ji said. Geetha Ravula has been a representative of Hindus of Greater Houston for many years.

What is the Fort Bend Interfaith Council?

The Fort Bend Interfaith Council was created to foster meaningful connections among faith communities. Each year, it sponsors three signature events: an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service in November, a Martin Luther King Youth Day of Service in January, and the Interfaith Dinner and Dialogue.

Faiths represented included Baha’i, Muslim, Buddhist, Methodist, Hindu, Baptist, Ismaili Muslim, Jain, Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sikh, Catholic, Unitarian Universalist, and Zoroastrian.

HOUSTON: Kirtan Fest Houston 2025 marked the powerful return of one of the community’s most beloved celebrations. Organized by the youth of ISKCON Houston, the festival brought together thousands of people for a weekend filled with sacred music, flowers, devotion, and community spirit. Over three days, more than 2,500 people attended the event, experiencing the joy of kirtan and the warmth of a community united in service.

The centerpiece of this year’s festival was the Flower Festival on Sunday night, held in honor of Radhastami, the appearance day of Srimati Radharani. More than 2,300 people gathered on this night alone, making it the largest Flower Festival in North America. Over 30,000 flowers were offered in a joyful abhishek, showering the deities and the crowd in color and fragrance. The atmosphere was electric as the temple became a living garden of devotion, celebrating the beauty and mercy of Radharani’s birthday.

Across the weekend, participants were immersed in 31 hours of kirtan led by renowned musicians from around the world. The sacred chanting created a spiritual sanctuary where people of all backgrounds connected through sound. This global gathering of musicians gave the festival an international spirit while remaining deeply rooted in Houston’s local temple community.

Service was another hallmark of the festival. More than 4,200 meals were served, ensuring that everyone who came was nourished and cared for. From volunteers preparing prasadam (food) to youth coordinating logistics, the entire event reflected the community’s values of hospitality and service.

Support for the festival was also evident in the overwhelming enthusiasm for merchandise, which sold out completely, with 80 percent gone on the very first day. Beyond those present, Kirtan Fest Houston reached far wider, with more than 90,000 impressions across social media, allowing thousands more to join virtually in the celebration of Radhastami.

What makes this year especially significant is that the festival was revived after a long hiatus by the youth of ISKCON Houston. For the organizers, it was an offering of gratitude to the temple and culture that shaped their childhoods. By stepping forward, the youth showed that tradition is alive, growing, and being carried into the future with devotion and energy.

Kirtan Fest 2025 was more than a festival, it was a testament to what is possible when love, music, and community come together. It is a way to bring people together, to celebrate through sacred music and flowers, and to show how youth can play an active role in sustaining traditions while making them accessible for future generations. With thousands attending in person, tens of thousands of impressions online, and every detail infused with service, the festival has set a new standard for what a youth-led celebration can be.

For continued updates on this year’s festival and future events, please follow @kirtanfesthou and visit kirtanfesthou.com

AUSTIN – HinduPACT, an American Hindu organization dedicated to advocating for dharmic values and the Hindu ethos in public life, proudly announces the successful launch of its Austin, Texas chapter. The inaugural event, held recently, was met with an overwhelmingly positive reception from the wider community, marking a significant step forward in HinduPACT’s mission to foster inclusion, pluralism, and human rights.

A key highlight of the event was an informative presentation by Rahul Sur, Executive Director of HinduPACT’s Hindus Advancing Human Rights (HAHRI) initiative, a distinguished global leader in social justice reform and former Chief of the United Nations Peacekeeping Evaluation in the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) at UN Headquarters in New York.

Mr. Sur delivered a thought-provoking talk on the “drip, drip Genocide of Hindus in the last 75 years in Pakistan,” offering deep insights from his extensive UN work, including human rights.

Mr. Sur said, “The world has turned a blind eye to the killing, and rape of Hindus and the destruction of temples after Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus took charge of the government. Bangladesh’s Hindu population has plummeted from 28% in 1947 to just 7% now. This blatant violation of human rights must end immediately.”

His powerful presentation resonated deeply with attendees, shedding light on the Hindu Genocide that is often suppressed from public consciousness.

The event’s success underscores the growing need for platforms that facilitate open discussion and advocacy on issues vital to the Hindu community. HinduPACT’s launch in Austin signifies a stronger commitment to its mission, empowering individuals to participate in meaningful dialogue and help build a more inclusive and just society.

The launch event served as a pivotal platform to showcase HinduPACT’s key impactful initiatives, each created to tackle significant issues affecting the Hindu community both globally and in the United States.

• HAHRI (Hindus Advancing Human Rights): Inspired by the Bhagavad Gita’s call for righteousness, HAHRI champions human rights worldwide. This initiative has been instrumental in raising awareness and taking action against human rights violations, including the formal complaint regarding the “drip, drip genocide” faced by minorities in Pakistan, and advocating for persecuted Hindus in regions like Bangladesh, Kashmir, Afghanistan, and Canada. HAHRI also addresses broader issues of gender equality and racial justice.
• CHINGARI (Coalition for Hindu Girls Abducted and their Rights): CHINGARI is a crucial human rights initiative focused on shedding light on the plight of Pakistani Hindu girls who are tragically abducted, forcibly converted, and sexually abused. Through global awareness campaigns, Chingari urges international action, particularly from the United States, to combat these horrific forced conversions and abductions.
• AHAD (American Hindus Against Defamation): Established in 1997, AHAD stands as the pioneering Hindu movement globally dedicated to combating Hinduphobia and the denigration of Hindu scriptures, deities, icons, and cultural symbols across publications, mass media, and educational materials. AHAD leverages innovative AI methods to detect and counter Hindu hatred and ensure the sanctity of Hindu heritage.
• HinduVote: This initiative seeks to integrate dharmic values into the democratic process. HinduVote actively collaborates with temples and community organizations to promote voter registration and education. It plays a critical role in informing candidates and legislators about the Hindu perspective on policy issues, providing American Hindu voters with detailed insights, including candidate questionnaires, feedback, and analyses of key votes and funding.

About HinduPACT:

 The Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective (HinduPACT) is dedicated to the advocacy and policy research of issues concerning the American Hindu community.  HinduPACT promotes human rights, voter education, and policies affecting American Hindus, aiming for peace and understanding through informed policy initiatives and grassroots advocacy. Visit https://hindupact.org for more details.

By Shreya Thakekar

HOUSTON: Of all the acronyms we toss around, one always sparks smiles and good vibes: HHYC — four letters that stand for the best five days of the year.

After months of planning, we’re thrilled to welcome campers to another unforgettable week of learning, bonding, and growth. The 41st year of the Hindu Heritage Youth Camp (HHYC) is kicking off soon. Since 1985, this camp has built a bridge for Hindu-Americans in the Greater Houston Area to celebrate cultural traditions and uncover the deeper lessons of Hinduism. HHYC is part of the Hindus of Greater Houston.

HHYC is more than a camp. It’s a space where campers explore identity, build confidence, and form lifelong friendships. It’s where our vibrant culture is celebrated with joy and pride. As a first-time counselor, I’m filled with excitement and anticipation for this year’s camp.

Growing up, I didn’t have a strong Hindu community around me. I rarely met kids who celebrated the same holidays or spoke the same languages as I did at home. Hinduism often felt like something distant, reserved for temple visits or family rituals. But HHYC changed that. It gave me a safe place to connect with others and realize how large and welcoming our community truly is.

What I love most about HHYC is the balance – one moment, we’re planning lessons and coordinating activities; the next, we’re racing across the field playing games like Coconut Tree. Holi is another favorite, where we cover each other in color and laugh until we can’t breathe. Looking around and seeing directors, counselors, and campers all dusted in the same rainbow shades reflects the spirit of HHYC: joy, equality, and togetherness. Through it all, I’ve made incredible friends, some of whom I met at Sunday meetings and bonded with at camp.

And none of this would be possible without the dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of our donors. As a nonprofit, HHYC runs on the selfless seva of those working behind the scenes. With 86 counselors on board, we’ve spent Sundays crafting thoughtful lessons – from Bhagavad Gita teachings to pop culture connections to help campers walk away with new insights and a stronger sense of belonging.

This year, I’ll be teaching lessons based on the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred text written between the first and second century BCE. Though ancient, its wisdom is still deeply relevant. While we may not face a battlefield like Arjuna, we all experience moments of doubt or confusion. With courage, good guidance, and the right mindset, we can overcome anything. I’m eager to show how these lessons connect to our daily lives.

At the heart of this effort are our incredible directors: Srushti Gaikaiwari, Smit Shah, and Keshav Shah.

Srushti Gaikaiwari, daughter of Shishir and Sanskruti Gaikaiwari, returns for her second year as director. A December 2023 Texas A&M graduate in Bioinformatics, she’s been part of HHYC since elementary school — first as a camper, then counselor. “Camp helped me see how Hinduism fits into our American lives,” she says. “Now I get to pass that experience on.”

Smit Shah, son of Akshay and Tejal Shah, joins as a first-time director. A May 2023 Biochemistry graduate from UT Austin, Smit brings dedication and heart to the leadership team. “After 14 years with camp, I’m proud to share what I’ve learned and help build a space where we form friendships and connect with our Hindu roots,” he says.

Keshav Shah, son of Rajiv and Nisha Shah, is also serving his first year as director. A longtime camper and now a May 2025 graduate from the University of Houston with degrees in Accounting and MIS, he’s passionate about giving back. “Camp gave me lifelong friends and a place to learn about Hinduism — now I get to help create that for future generations.”

Together, these three directors have worked tirelessly to make this year’s camp the best it can be. From safety protocols and menus to education planning and counselor training, they’ve poured their heart and soul into every detail.

True seva is service done with heart — and that’s exactly what our directors embody. Their leadership ensures that every camper, counselor, and volunteer has the tools and support needed to make these five days meaningful.

As we gear up for the week, I feel grateful to be part of something this special. HHYC isn’t just another summer camp — it ties us together and helps us grow, whether we’re singing bhajans for the first time or having thoughtful conversations guided by counselors.

From sunrise to sunset, each day at camp is filled with moments that matter. We kick things off with Shakha at 7 a.m., followed by yoga and games like Coconut Tree and Ko to get energized. Campers then dive into thoughtful education sessions and creative arts and crafts. Each evening ends with Aarti and bhajans, where the flicker of flames and our voices in harmony create a sacred space to reflect, reconnect, and remember why we’re here.

Our celebrated traditions — from gaga ball and Garba night to education sessions and Holi — make these five days truly unforgettable. But the lessons, friendships, and memories last long after camp ends. They stay with us as we head back to school, grow into adulthood, and continue building our future.

As we celebrate 41 years of HHYC, I can’t wait to see how the next generation will keep the magic going.

Shreya Thakekar is a Rising Freshman at the University of  Texas

ऐक्यं बलं समाजस्य तद्भावे स दुबबलः | तस्मात् ऐक्यं प्रशंसन्ति दृढं राष्ट्र हितैहिणः ||”

(Aikyam balam samaajasya tadbhaave sa durbalah. Tasmaat aikyam prashamsanti drudham Raashtram Hiteshinah.

(Unity is the true strength of a society. Without it, society becomes weak. That is why those who wish for the nation’s well-being always uphold and promote unity with great conviction.)

HOUSTON: In a vibrant affirmation of identity, responsibility, and cultural unity, more than 200 members representing 76 Hindu dharmic and cultural organizations assembled at the Meenakshi Temple in Pearland for Hindu Sangathan Diwas (HSD) 2025. Hosted by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS-USA), the annual event served as a call to deepen Hindu American engagement in civic life while reinforcing the timeless values of Sanatan Dharma in a modern American context.

The day opened with sacred Hindu rituals—Tilak and Raksha Sutra—signifying purity and protection. A traditional breakfast followed registration, before the collective recitation of prayers to Lord Ganpati, Goddess Saraswati, and Shanti mantras set a devotional and purposeful tone.

Civic Engagement: Turning Awareness into Action

The central focus of the event was civic participation. In a key panel titled “Hindu American Engagement in Governance and Policy,” experts Shri Amit Misra (Vice President Houston Chapter HSS) and Shri Rishi Bhutada Ji (Director HAF) offered actionable pathways for community involvement—firmly within the boundaries of U.S. nonprofit law. Suggestions included:

• Hosting voter registration drives at temples.
• Training Volunteer Deputy Registrars (VDRs) within the community.
• Organizing nonpartisan Q&A sessions with candidates at mandirs.
• Encouraging temples to register as polling locations.
• Motivating Hindu youth and families to pursue elected positions on local school boards and utility districts.Tripathi Ji also elaborated on the role of HSS-USA as a sutra—a thread binding together the mani (pearls) of Hindu organizations across the U.S.

“Culture is our medium. Let’s use it not only for celebration but for transformation,” Tripathi Ji remarked.
“The beauty of a garland lies in the unity of its pearls. Similarly, our society finds strength when our organizations stand united,” he said, praising the collaboration among the 76 participating organizations. He encouraged parents to think beyond traditional STEM career paths and instead nurture children toward public service, law, and civic leadership grounded in dharmic values.

A Clarion Call for a Dharmic Future
As the day concluded, speakers issued a powerful call to action:
• Every Hindu event should have civic purpose.
• Cultural awareness must evolve into advocacy.
• Youth should be empowered for leadership and public service.

Quoting the Rig Veda, “संगच्छध्वं संवदध्वं सं वो मनांहस जानताम्” (“Let us walk together, speak together, and understand together”), organizers emphasized unity, clarity of purpose, and dharmic commitment as the pillars for a resurgent Hindu American presence.

Vote of Thanks
In a warm closing address, Shri Subhas Gupta Ji (President Houston Chapter HSS) thanked the tireless volunteers, partner organizations, and individual attendees. “This was not merely a gathering,” he said. “It was a movement—an invocation of unity, identity, and responsibility.”
Hindu Sangathan Diwas 2025 was more than an event—it was a blueprint for the future of Hindu Americans: confident, cohesive, and committed to shaping a just and vibrant American society, rooted in Sanatan Dharma.

By Juhi Varma

Swami Vigyananand is not your typical swami. He’s candid, refreshingly blunt, and doesn’t dismiss wealth creation
as mere materialism. In fact, he argues that building a strong economic foundation is essential for any civilizational revival. His latest book, The Hindu Manifesto discusses the eight Hindu sutras — core principles meant to guide Hindus as a people and a civilization.

Published on April 26, 2025, the book has already sold thousands of copies. Swami Vigyananandji’s recent appearance at the GSH Event Center in Houston was just one stop in a series of packed events across the U.S. About 150 people gathered at the GSH Center on Monday to meet Swamiji, pick up signed copies, and join the discussion on The Hindu Manifesto.

“I met (Swami Vigyananand) one year ago, and I was very impressed by his clarity and practical advice,” said Giyarpuram Prasad, a resident of Clear Lake. “He was able to connect with people quite easily, and speak confidently and assertively about Bharat, and which is always interesting, especially for people outside.”

Interestingly, the book tour wasn’t planned. Swamiji hadn’t intended to promote the book in America, but strong interest and numerous requests led him to go ahead with it.

A call for unity

The Hindu Manifesto draws on several foundational texts, including the Vedas, the Mahabharata, Valmiki’s Ramayana, Kautilya’s Arthashastra, and Shukracharya’s Sukranitisar. India’s colonial past left a deep psychological scar, causing many to forget that Indian civilization once produced such advanced political thought, said Houston resident Madhukar Adi at the book signing. “As more people take interest in India’s own history and ideas, it’s no surprise that treasures like the Arthashastra are back in focus,” he said. “I heard about this, so that is the reason why I said, okay, let me check it out. I’m expecting something good out of this new book.” The Arthashastra is an ancient treatise on statecraft, politics, and economic policy.

Swami Vigyananand serves as the joint general secretary of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP). He is also the visionary behind the World Hindu Congress (WHC) and the World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF), global platforms designed to accelerate the Hindu renaissance. Swamiji praised the Hindu organizations in Texas but stressed the need for greater unity and coordination.

Upon hearing about the Texas Hindu Campsite in Columbus, he proposed that five representatives from each group attend a three-day retreat there to strengthen bonds and foster collaboration. So, who is Swami Vigyananand? Swamiji received his BTech from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur in 1985. For those unfamiliar , IITians are the cream of Indian academia. Gaining admission to an IIT in the 1980s meant conquering brutal entrance exams in physics, chemistry and mathematics, beating out hundreds of thousands of other applicants. It meant a ticket to elite jobs and immigration to prosperous countries like the U.S. or U.K. It meant prestige, wealth, and often, a very favorable marriage market.

But at the age of 23, just two years after graduating, he renounced it all. He became a brahmachari and chose to walk the country with a begging bowl. Why? He points back to his time at IIT, where he’d been troubled to meet professors who’d subtly— and sometimes not so subtly—promoted Marxism and socialism. “It was not really allowed, but a professor would, for example, call four students to his office and ‘educate’ us about how well things were going in Russia and China,” Swamiji said. “The Russian magazines were colorful and glossy; we were very impressed. Professors would say Bharat is backward and poor because we have not followed the Marxist model. And Hindu feudalism was responsible for all of this.”

Their dismissal of Hinduism and their push for a “secular, socialist republic” as described in Indian textbooks of the time all pushed young Vigyananand to ask deeper questions. “At the same time, there was an anti-communist league in Calcutta, they would send out pamphlets,” he said. The plain pamphlets shocked those who read them, revealing that in China and the Soviet Union, farmers had no land rights, harvests were faked, and dissent was brutally crushed.

Students who challenged their professors using the information from these pamphlets were labeled “reactionary”, Swamiji recalled. Instead of turning away from his roots, young Vigyananand immersed himself in Hindu scripture and philosophy. He read Swami Vivekananda, Tagore, and Rama Tirth, not just to find answers for himself, but to arm others against the same intellectual ambushes he had faced. That search became his life’s mission: to restore civilizational confidence in young Hindus.

A strong economy

Reading the shastras, Swamiji found their wisdom deeply relevant to modern times and felt it needed to be presented clearly and systematically. The eight sutras are as follows:

1. Prosperity for all
2. Defeating enemy, defending citizens
3. Quality education for all
4. Responsible democracy
5. Highest respect for women
6. Non-discriminatory social system
7. Care for nature
8. Respect for the land

“The first sutra is prosperity for all—Hindus want everyone to be prosperous, and that is our first principle,” he said, addressing the audience at the GSH Center. “For a community, any society to have a renaissance and resurgence, a strong economy is a must. Unfortunately, for the last 150-200 years, actually for the last 500 years, we have ignored this profound teaching of our shastras.”

Swami Vigyananand called out other spiritual leaders who denounce material pursuits as mere illusion, observing that they conveniently make this pitch in the U.S., which boosts their funding. He said that the refrain “sansaar maya hai” (“the world is an illusion”) has made Hindu society reluctant to acknowledge the importance of wealth creation. “Yet while the world may be an illusion, dakshina or donations certainly are real, aren’t they?” he added, as the audience burst into applause.

The second sutra—“defeating enemy, defending citizens”— also resonated strongly with the audience. Megha Raja and Sheetal Kohli emceed the GSH event, asking sharp questions—including one on the ongoing Operation Sindoor— during which Swamiji insisted that a proven enemy must be crushed without mercy. “Never take pity on your enemy,” Swami Vigyananand said. “The enemy must be identified and destroyed. We’ve forgotten this wisdom, and that is why we are suffering.”

Additionally, the book states that Hindu scriptures and early Hindu society did not discriminate by varna, jati, gyati, skin color, or gender, stating that many original terms lost their true meanings and sometimes acquired negative connotations due to mistranslations.

The Hindu Manifesto is available on Amazon.