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NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Anguished and weary relatives looked for loved ones among rows of charred bodies on Tuesday as Indians marked the biggest Hindu festival of the year clouded by the worst militant attack on the heart of their nation. The sound of firecrackers greeted the day in Delhi as the city began Diwali, the festival of lights marking the triumph of good over evil, days after three bombs killed at least 59 people and wounded 200 more, some still fighting for life. Some worshippers were searched as they arrived at temples for prayers. India is on high alert...

Hindus worldwide are stocking up on firecrackers, succulent sweetmeats, 22-carat gold jewels and colorful, silk outfits to usher in Diwali on Nov. 1 -- the start of the Hindu new year. Local merchants, such as Vinod Rai, the manager of Bhindi Jewellers in Newark, say "prosperity is key" to the holiday. "Wealth comes into a Hindu's home during Diwali," says Mr. Rai, after he quietly blesses each corner of his store while a popular Hindu devotional prayer, "Om Jai Jagadish Hare," plays softly in the background. "Diwali brings us the most business of the year," representing more than half the...

New Delhi, Oct. 29 (PTI): Terrorists struck in the capital in a big way on the eve of Diwali today triggering three explosions in two markets and near a bus killing 50 people and injuring over 70 others, including some foreigners. The first explosion toook place at around 5:40 p.m. in the busy Paharganj market in central Delhi in which 11 people died and 60 were injured. The market, which is frequented by foreigners, was bustling with Diwali shoppers. Minutes later, another explosion rocked Sarojini Nagar Market in south Delhi killing where maximum casualties were reported. Another blast took place...

Though pleased that the White House would be celebrating Diwali this year, the United States India League has said the celebrations should reflect the festival's status as Hinduism's most important one. The League, a representative body of Indians in the US, has also urged President George W Bush to attend the function, noting that his presence would send the 'right signals to his friends in India and the Indian American community'. According to the League's executive director, Don Feder, merely 'going through the motions of having a pro forma Diwali celebration' would not be enough. "Diwali is Hinduism's most importance...

The Vatican has issued a message to Hindus, congratulating them and wishing them a “happy Diwali”, the Hindu sect’s Festival of Lights. The message to Hindus, issued by President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, proposed that Catholics and Hindus work together for the protection of children from forced labor, sexual abuse, AIDS, and other social evils. (1) 1) “Hindus and Christians: Together to help needy children,” (Vatican Information Service, November 11, 2004) This is a prime example of the loss of the supernatural in the post-Vatican II Church. Conversion for eternity's sake, the prime reason...

SYDNEY: The governments of Australia and New Zealand joined the resident Indian community in celebrating Diwali by illuminating their parliament houses in a rare gesture. In Australia, the northern façade of the gigantic parliament building at Canberra was illuminated at an impressive function Saturday. The Australian Parliament House would be illuminated for three nights. In Wellington, capital of New Zealand, it was Prime Minister Helen Clark who lit the traditional lamp to inaugurate the first ever Diwali function to be celebrated in parliament house. Clark had visited India only last month. At the Canberra illumination, around 1,000 people attended the...

WASHINGTON: It was a Diwali without sparkle for many Indians who attended a White House event on Wednesday to mark the festival. President Bush was a no-show, First Lady Laura Bush did not turn-up, and there was little representation from the top echelons of the administration or the Republican Party - not even in the form of Karl Rove, Bush's chief political strategist who attended last year's festivities. This year's principal was Robert Blackwill, former US ambassador to India and White House pointman on Iraq, who resigned from the administration over the weekend and whose last day it was at...

The Catholic Church has issued a message to Hindus, wishing them a happy Diwali, the Festival of Lights, one of the oldest and most important feasts on the Hindu calendar. Echoing the theme of a message to Muslims last week, which marked the approaching end of the Holy Month of Ramadan, the message to Hindus focused on children. It was issued by President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, who called for collaboration among people of different faiths in protecting children. "During this season of Diwali, as you strive to overcome darkness through light, evil through...

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 05, 2004 12:37:33 AM ] WASHINGTON: After the electoral fireworks, the light. Indian-Americans will have their first dibs in the Bush II White House at a Diwali celebration to be hosted by the President next week. A tradition begun by the Bush I White House last year will be continued this year on November 10, when community elite will troop into 1600, Pennsylvania Avenue for the festival of lights. Bush was not present last year - he was in Hawaii on his way back from a trip to East Asia - but community leaders hope...