Dharmic Ecology

“Change in social and religious values are now posing a danger to the sacred forests,” says Prof. C.G. Kushalappa Erosion in people’s beliefs in nature worship, religion and social values are posing a threat to the sacred forests–devara kadu–that are conserved patches of forests that lay undisturbed, according to experts. “Religion played a very important role [...]

As the stars of their cruel little roadshows, sloth bears danced to the piercing sounds of the damru for hundreds of years. Orphaned by poachers and trained by the Qalandars, a nomadic Muslim community, these bears trudged through towns and villages to earn their masters a meager livelihood. “Kajal was the first dancing bear I [...]

An octogenarian engineer-turned-sadhu has staked his life once again to stop the damming of the holy river Environmental engineer and former IIT-Kanpur professor-turned-sadhu, Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand (formerly GD Agrawal), 81, has not eaten anything for three-and- a-half months. By the time this article will be published, it will be 107 days since he started [...]

For the Hindus the Earth is sacred as the very manifestation of the Divine Mother. She is Bhumi Devi, the Earth Goddess. One of the reasons that Hindus honor cows is that the cow represents the energies and qualities of the Earth, selfless caring, sharing and the providing of nourishment to all. Hindu prayers are [...]

It's time for the people to stand up and let the politicians and big business know that we will not let our heritage, religious beliefs and environment be trampled over like this. This episode is in stark contrast to the morals and symbolism provided by the Ramayana which tells the story of how divinity, humanity [...]