More voices come out expressing concern about supermodel Heidi Klum’s "Kali" costume

More voices come out expressing concern about supermodel Heidi Klum’s "Kali" costume Print E-mail
Punjab Newsline Network
Saturday, 08 November 2008

NEVADA(USA): Remonstration against the actress, supermodel, and producer Heidi Klum for posing as Goddess Kali at a Halloween party in a club at New York appears to be widening.
Supporting the perturbed Hindu leaders, some of who called it denigrating and asked Klum to tender public apology for this portrayal, various Hindu and non-Hindu leaders have come out expressing concern. Acclaimed Hindu and Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed who initiated the protest, has said that Goddess Kali was highly revered in Hinduism and she was meant to be worshipped in temples and not to be used in clubs for publicity stunts or thrown around loosely for dramatic effects.

Reverend Larry Edward Schneider, Minister of Unity Church of Today in Nevada, stated, “I'm saddened to hear that the Goddess Kali, who is widely worshipped in Hinduism, has been portrayed in a way that is viewed by many followers of Hinduism as inappropriate. It is my hope that actress Heidi Klum, who posed as the Goddess Kali at a Halloween party, did so out of misunderstanding and will offer an apology to the Hindu community.”

Nevada Clergy Association president Right Reverend Gene Savoy Jr., has said, “Nevada Clergy Association (NCA) humbly requests supermodel Heidi Klum to offer a general public apology to Hindu brothers-sisters who we understand felt hurt on her portraying as Hindu Goddess Kali in a Halloween party in New York. We at NCA are for free speech as much as anybody else if not more. But faith is something sacred and attempts (intentional or unintentional) at debasing it cause pain to the adherents. Entertainment industry should be more conscious while handling faith related subjects.”

Swami Pooja Saraswati, a well respected spiritual leader, in an appeal to Klum said, “We know that you would not intentionally offend people of any religion, but, sometimes out of lack of knowledge we all make mistakes that may do just that. It so happens that the Goddess Kali, whose appearance may seem peculiar to some folks of a different culture, is a deity to many Hindus and it seems that some sentiments were hurt.”

Lonnie L. Feemster, civil rights activist and Religious Affairs Chair of Reno-Sparks National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, argued, “Supermodel Heidi Klum should apologize to Hindus, who may have been offended, by her portrayal of Hindu deity Goddess Kali, as a Halloween costume… I have read Ms. Klum has great interest in the Hindu religion. She should understand the importance to apologize when people feel their religious beliefs have been demeaned.”

Somnath Paramshetti of Forum for Hindu Awakening USA, addressing Klum, said, “Sree Kali is worshipped by Hindus. Your using this sacred symbol for fun has hurt and insulted the worldwide Hindu community… we urge you to publish a public apology for this irresponsible depiction of our Deity”.

Annabelle Younger of International Society for Krishna Consciousness, says, “I must vehemently protest this misguided abuse of the sacred religious symbols of the world’s oldest continuous Religion and Culture…”.

Rajan Zed, who is the president of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that ksama (forgiveness) was one of the main virtues of Hindu ethics. If Klum offered sincere public apology, Hindus would not only absolve her but might also pray for her success in future ventures, if asked.

Nominated for five Primetime Emmys, German born 35 years old Klum is actress, model, producer, fashion designer, singer, and television personality.

Goddess Kali, who personifies Sakti or divine energy, is widely worshipped in Hinduism. She is considered the goddess of time and change. Some Bengali poets described her as supreme deity.

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion followers. Moksha (liberation) is the ultimate goal of Hinduism.

http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/13597/92/

ராஜ்நாத் சிங்: மகாராஷ்ர்ரா அரசு சாத்வி ப்ரக்யாவை துன்புறுத்துகிறது

Maha Govt, police harassing Sadhvi Pragya: Rajnath
Agencies Posted: Nov 08, 2008 at 1633 hrs
New Delhi, November 8: BJP chief Rajnath Singh on Saturday accused the Maharashtra government and police of harassing Malegaon blast suspect Sadhvi Pragya Singh in the name of investigation.

"It seems that Pragya Thakur is being harassed in the name of investigation. Not even a terrorist is subjected to tests three to four times as she has been subjected to," he said on the sidelines of a party function.

"There is definitely a role of the Maharashtra government and police in this whole episode," he said.

Nine persons, including Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, having allegiance to a right-wing Hindu outfit, and a serving lieutenant colonel have been arrested in connection with the Malegaon blast.

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Maha-Govt--police-harassing-Sadhvi-Pragya--Rajnath/383116/

Hindus slam model’s Kali costume

Hindus slam model’s Kali costume
Subashni Naidoo Published:Nov 09, 2008

PARTY PIECE: Heidi Klum dressed as goddess Kali for Halloween
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Heidi Klum branded as ‘vulgar and revolting’ for dressing as revered goddess for Halloween party

South African Hindus are demanding a public apology from international supermodel Heidi Klum, whose Halloween costume depicting the Hindu goddess Kali caused a worldwide stir.

The German celebrity, who hosted her annual Halloween bash at 1-OAK nightclub in New York last week, came clad in a blue catsuit to which fake arms had been attached. She also wore a belt of decapitated heads, bloodied hands and a gold headpiece.

Her singer husband, Seal, was dressed as Angulimaal, an Indian mythical character known to chop off people’s fingers and wear them as a necklace.

Klum, who visited India with Seal last year, told reporters at the party that her secretary had suggested that she dress as goddess Kali.

Klum told the US publication The National Ledger: “My husband and I were in India last year, so my secretary said, ‘Why don’t you do an Indian goddess — like a scary Indian goddess?’ And I said OK.”

Her secretary then searched the Internet for images of the goddess.

“I loved it because she’s so mean and killed all these different people and had fingers hanging off her and little shrunken heads everywhere,” said Klum.

The 35-year-old supermodel is said to be a lover of Indian culture and even invited a Hindu priest from Varanasi, India, to Mexico six months ago when she renewed her marriage vows to her husband.

However, South African Hindus have slammed Klum’s choice of costume.

A Randburg woman, Ashina Chumanlall, said she was so disgusted that she was appealing to Hindus in South Africa to sign a petition condemning Klum’s “disrespectful” portrayal of a revered goddess.

“I was horrified that someone could do this. Klum made Mother Kali out to be some freak creature out of a horror story,” said Chumanlall.

She has initiated an e-mail campaign which is receiving tremendous support. “We hope to bring this woman to book for disrespecting and dishonouring our culture and religion.”

The president of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha, Ashwin Trikamjee, said legal action should be taken against Klum to send a strong message to the rest of the world.

“More and more non-Hindus appear to fl agrantly undermine Hindu beliefs and practices by treating them in an absolutely callous manner. They need to be stopped, and this has to be translated into action to ensure that it does not happen again,” said Trikamjee.

The president of the Indian Academy of South Africa, Dr Tholisiah Naidoo, urged Hindus worldwide to boycott everything Klum promotes.

“This should teach her a lesson. I think the model has no knowledge of the susceptibility or the respect for other religions. Hindus worldwide would find it vulgar and revolting that someone should take so much liberty to abuse Mother Kali,” said Naidoo.

“Call the Hindu whatever you like, but he believes very strongly in the goddess of strength and energy. To depict her in such a hideous manner is unacceptable.”

A Nevada-based Hindu priest, Rajan Zed, demanded in a statement to The National Ledger that the supermodel tender a public apology.

“Goddess Kali is highly revered in Hinduism. She is meant to be worshipped in temples, not used in clubs for publicity stunts or thrown around loosely for dramatic effect ,” said Zed.

Klum’s publicist was not available for comment. — naidoosu@sundaytimes.co.za

http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/News/Article.aspx?id=880038

நோய்கள் அனைத்தையும் தீர்க்கும் வைத்தியநாத சுவாமி!

நோய்கள் அனைத்தையும் தீர்க்கும் வைத்தியநாத சுவாமி! Search similar articles
- கா. அய்யநாதன், புகைப்படங்கள் : சீனி
ஞாயிறு, 15 ஜூன் 2008( 16:23 IST )

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நமது நாட்டிலுள்ள சிவபெருமானின் புனிதத் தலங்களில் ஒரு சிறப்பிடத்தைப் பெற்றது வைத்தீஸ்வரன் கோயில். இப்புவியில் மனிதனை வாட்டி வதைக்கும் 4,480 நோய்களை தீர்க்கும் வைத்தியநாதராய் இத்திருத்தலத்தில் சிவபெருமான் எழுந்தருளியுள்ளார்.

இக்கோயிலிற்கு மேலும் பல சிறப்புகள் உண்டு. இராமாயணத்தில், சீதையை இராவணன் கடத்திச் சென்ற போது ஜடாயு என்ற கழுகு, இராவணின் பல்லக்கை தடுத்து சீதையை காக்க முற்பட்டபோது, இராவணனால் வெட்டப்பட்டு இரு சிறகுகளையும் இழந்து இத்தலத்தில்தான் விழுந்துகிடந்தது. சீதையை தேடி இராமனும், லட்சுமணனும் வந்தபோது, அவர்களிடம் சீதை கடத்தப்பட்டதைத் தெரிவித்துவிட்டு உயிரை விட்ட ஜடாயு இத்தலத்தில் எரிக்கப்பட்ட இடம்தான் ஜடாயு குண்டம் என்றழைக்கப்படுகிறது. இக்கோயிலிற்கு வரும் பக்தர்கள் அனைவரும் ஜடாயு குண்டத்தில் விபூதி பெற்றுச்செல்வது இன்றும் வழக்கமாக உள்ளது.

இராவணனை போரில் வென்று சீதையை மீட்ட இராமனும், லட்சுமணனும் இக்கோயிற்கு வந்து சிவபெருமானின் அருளைப் பெற்றுச் சென்றாக இத்திருத்தலப் புராணம் கூறுகிறது.

தையல் நாயகி அம்மை!

இத்திருத்தலத்தில் வைத்தியநாதருடன் தையல் நாயகி என்ற திருநாமத்துடன் எழுந்தருளியுள்ள பார்வதி, பத்மா சூரனை வெல்ல முருகன் புறப்பட்டபோது அவருக்கு சக்திவேல் கொடுத்து ஆசிர்வதித்த்தும் இத்திருத்தலத்தில்தான்.

webdunia photo WD
அங்காரகன் (செவ்வாய்) தொழு நோயால் பீடிக்கப்பட்டிருந்த நிலையில் இத்திருத்தலத்திற்கு வந்து சிவபெருமானை வழிபட்டு, மருந்தைப் பெற்று குணமுற்றதால், செவ்வாய்க் கிரகத்திற்குரிய நவகிரகத் தலமாக இத்திருத்தலம் விளங்குகிறது. இத்திருக்கோயிலில் அங்காரகனுக்கு தனிச் சன்னதி உள்ளது. ஜாதகத்தில் செவ்வாய் தோஷமுள்ளவர்கள் இத்திருத்தலத்திற்கு வந்து பரிகாரம் செய்கின்றனர்.

சப்தஷ்ரிங்கி தேவியின் அர்த சக்திபீடம்!

சப்தஷ்ரிங்கி தேவியின் அர்த சக்திபீடம்!

நாசிக்கில் ஷாயாத்ரி மலை மீது அமைந்திருக்கும் சப்தஷ்ரிங்கி தேவியின் கோயிலை இந்த புனிதப் பயணத்தில் உங்களுக்கு அறிமுகப்படுத்துகிறோம்.

இந்த சப்தஷ்ரிங்கி தேவியின் கோயில் கடல் மட்டத்தில் இருந்து 4,800 அடி உயரமுள்ள ஷாயத்ரி மலை மீது அமைந்திருப்பதுதான் இதன் விசேஷமாகும்.

webdunia photo WD
கோயிலின் ஒரு பக்கத்தில் மிகப்பெரிய பள்ளமும், அதற்கு நேர் புறத்தில் மிக உயர்ந்த மலையும் அமைந்திருக்கின்றன. இந்த கோயிலை மட்டும் அல்ல அதை ஒட்டி அமைந்திருக்கும் இயற்கை எழில் மிக்க பகுதிகளையும் காண கண் கோடி வேண்டும் என்கின்றனர் இப்பகுதிக்கு வருபவர்கள்.

முழு கட்டுரையையும் படிக்க:
http://tamil.webdunia.com/religion/religiousjourney/articles/0811/09/1081109023_1.htm