French President Macron joins India’s Republic Day celebrations as chief guest

NEW DELHI — Thousands of people lined a ceremonial boulevard in the heart of India’s capital on Friday to watch a colorful parade showcasing the country’s military power and cultural heritage to mark its 75th Republic Day. French President Emmanuel Macron attended the parade as the chief guest at the celebration of the adoption of … Read more

A temple to one of Hinduism’s holiest deities is opening in India. What’s its significance?

AYODHYA, India — About 80 chartered flights have landed at the new international airport of India’s holy city of Ayodhya for Monday’s partial opening of the controversial grand temple for one of Hinduism’s most revered deities, Lord Ram. Ayodhya’s airport can barely accommodate the influx of private jets. “The planes will depart after dropping guests,” … Read more

A Hindu temple built atop a razed mosque in India is helping Modi boost his political standing

NEW DELHI — Three decades after Hindu mobs tore down a historical mosque, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the consecration of a grand Hindu temple at the same site on Monday in a political move to boost his party ahead of a crucial national vote. Experts say the temple, dedicated to Hinduism’s most … Read more

Modi’s promised Ram temple is set to open and resonate with Hindus ahead of India’s election

NEW DELHI — Frenzied preparations were underway Wednesday in India’s northern holy city of Ayodhya to mark the opening of a grand temple for Lord Ram, Hinduism’s most revered deity. The Ram Mandir’s opening Monday would fulfill a decadeslong Hindu nationalist pledge that is expected to resonate with voters during the upcoming national election expected … Read more

Dwelling la vida yoga: India’s Modi will bend leaders into form on Worldwide Yoga Day

NEW DELHI — India’s prime minister has a status of casting himself as an ascetic. So when Narendra Modi leads international dignitaries and bureaucrats in a session for Worldwide Yoga Day on Wednesday on the United Nations’ Secretariat in New York, tens of millions of Indians will take word. Yoga, an historical self-discipline first practiced … Read more