THE SABHA JOURNAL
A record of the living tradition.
Festival dates, official notices, prayers, and writing on Hindu life in South Africa. Every post the Sabha has published, filed by topic.
Fresh from the Sabha.
Every post since 2019.
166 posts and counting. Use the topic chips above to narrow the list, or page through the full archive here.
2023 DURBAN DIWALI FESTIVAL
The South African Hindu Maha Sabha flagship event – The Durban Diwali Festival will be celebrated on the 3rd, 4th and 5th November 2023 at the Suncoast Parking Site. Diwali is a time of great joy, peace and blessings. To the Hindu community Diwali signifies the triumph of righteousness over evil, the return of […]
Saraswati Pooja
Saraswati Pooja English meaning of the festival Saraswati Pooja is a festival dedicated to the Hindu goddess Saraswati. She is revered as the deity of knowledge, arts, music, wisdom, speech, and learning. Her name is derived from the Sanskrit words…
Venkateshwara Brahmotsavam
English meaning of the festival Lord Venkateshwara or Lord Balaji is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and known to his devotees with many names – Lord of Seven Hills, Venkateshwara, Venkatesh, Balaji, Tirumalesha, Perumalla, Govinda, and Shrinivasa. How the date is…
Panguni Uthiram
English meaning of the festival Panguni refers to last month in the Tamil calendar and Uthiram refers to Nakshatra or star that is ruling. It falls on the day the moon transits in the asterism or Nakshatra of Uttara-Phalguni or Uthiram in the twelfth month of…
Narsingha Jayanti
English meaning of the festival Narsingha means half lion – half man form. Jayanti refers to one who triumphs in the end. Narsingha Jayanti is the day on which Narsingha is celebrated since he is the one who stands victorious despite all the odds. How the date is…
INITIATIVE 108 OF SA HINDU MAHA SABHA PROMOTES SOCIAL cOHESION
INITIATIVE 108 OF SA HINDU MAHA SABHA PROMOTES SOCIAL COHESION The unfortunate incidents of July 2021 resulted in the destruction of shelter of families living in the Khan Road informal settlement, Raisthorpe in Pietermaritzburg. There were several challenges in the area and these included: The looting and attempted looting of some businesses; The alleged killing […]
Madison Avenue Night Club Apology
Namaste to all Hindus. Prior to the receipt of numerous complaints from the public about the bhajan song being played at a nightclub, we received an email apology from the owner of the said Night club which Sahms have found as sincere and therefore decided not to pursue further action. Whilst we understand the […]
CALCULATING HINDU RELIGIOUS AND FESTIVAL DATES
CALCULATING HINDU RELIGIOUS AND FESTIVAL DATES The Priest’s Council of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS), representing linguistic and ideological diversity in the Hindu sector, annually declares festival dates for the South African Hindu public. Often…
Explanation of Heaven and Hell in Hinduism
Explanation of Heaven and Hell in Hinduism In Hinduism, the concept and form of heaven is very different to that understood in other religions. While some scriptures may describe heaven and hell as the final and permanent destination of the soul, in Hinduism, heaven…
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News & Press
Press statements, community reporting, and coverage of the Sabha’s work.
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Official Notices
Formal notices and clarifications from the national office.
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Auspicious Dates
Festival and observance dates, explained and confirmed.
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Prayers
Daily prayers, and prayers for the moments that call for them.
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Hinduism & Philosophy
Longer reads on belief, practice, and meaning.
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Bhagavad Gita
Verses with commentary, chapter by chapter.
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E-Books
Full-length books to download and keep.
Browse“One must elevate, not degrade, oneself by one’s own mind. The mind alone is one’s friend as well as one’s enemy.”
Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 6 · Read the series
THE MONTHLY NOTE
Never miss a date.
Calendar dates, programme updates, and one piece of scripture-grounded writing. Once a month, never more.