Browser Questions- Edition 2

October - December 2002
Those outlined in purple are inquiries for which I request your input! Thanks!
10/17/02

Hi Jennifer -
I really enjoyed your website. I'm a white girl married to an Indian Hindu & it's good to see others like us. Despite the Little India article, it certainly doesn't feel too common. I have a request - if you receive of have any information on a support group or forum, I would really like to know about it. We've been married for over 3 years now, but there are still areas, especially when dealing with our families, where 'cultural differences' arise. I'd love to talk to others who may have or have had similar problems & find out how they've dealt with such issues. Again, I really enjoyed your site. Thanks.
VB

Jayanthi's Comments -

I replied to VB stating I was not aware of any such support groups. If anyone reading this is aware of one, please Contact me.
10/23/02

Namasté Jayanthi!
If possible I would be grateful for a reply before Diwali this year, if you can't, don't worry.
Okay, this may seem a little strange, but I have a question on bindi wearing...
Can any material (apart from materials which harm animals in the making) be used for bindi (E.G. Paints etc...)?
Also I have another question, it is a bit personal so I understand if you do not wish to reply... Are you a vegeterian/Hindu-vegeterian (can only eat meats at certain times)?
If you are a Hindu vegeterian, or if you know why, why do Hindu-vegeterians only eat meat at certain times? (When I say Hindu vegeterians I mean the Hindu way of eating)

Jayanthi's reply:

Jonni,
Okay, this may seem a little strange, but I have a question on bindi wearing
Don't worry no question is strange to me!
Can any material (apart from materials which harm animals in the making) be used for
>bindi (E.G. Paints etc...)?
Yes. Many Indian women use paints and paint designs instead of stickers. Others use kum kum. But these are not permanant things. All are temporary. Actually, they say the sticky material on the back of sticker bindis could be harmful to people (and maybe animals, don't know). Many women get allergic reactions to the sticky material and have a rash on their forehead from it. Well, this did come in the newspaper there several times in my stay in India.
Also I have another question, it is a bit personal so I understand if you do not wish to
>reply... Are you a vegeterian/Hindu-vegeterian (can only eat meats at certain times)?
If you are a Hindu vegeterian, or if you know why, why do Hindu-vegeterians only eat
>meat at certain times? (When I say Hindu vegeterians I mean the Hindu way of eating)
I am not sure what you mean by the 'Hindu way of eating'. However, Yes I am a vegetarian. What I don't eat is - meat products, meat juices or broths. What I do eat- yogurt, milk, occassionally eggs (though I don't cook these at home). I don't prefer chesse or other dairy.
There are Hindu NON vegetarians. There are MANY more Hindu NON vegetarians than Hindu vegetarians. Usually the non veggies in India do not eat as much meat as American meat eaters. In US for example, meat is the main focus and veggies are side dishes or elimanated.
In India veggie and rice dishes are the main course and meats come in curry or in the 'soups' (sambars) or basically side dishes. If it is a main course, it is very less portion to the American portion. Non vegetarian Hindus DO eat - mutton (goat), fish, sea foods, chicken. Although most non vegetarian Hindus ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO EAT beef and pork, some do.
For the non vegetarian Hindus - they will refrain from eating meats for days before or day of special holy days or death anniversarys, or day or more before attending special pujas at temples. Some Non Vegetarian Hindus do not eat meat on certain days just to fast themselves of it.
So, I consider myself of these classifications a HINDU VEGETARIAN. Though many Hindu VEGETARIANs in India do not eat eggs (but maybe eggs in cakes). I don't eat meat or broths at all, and haven't for about 5 years.
Thanks,
Jayanthi (Jennifer)
11/5/02

Hello, My name is Shivi and I am a 17 year old Hindu living in America. I have lived here my entire life and ashamed to almost say that I do not know as much about my culture as I should. I mean, although I can speak, read, and write hindi fluently, I still feel that I do not know enough about my own religion. I do read the Bhagwat Gita but I was just wondering if you could direct me in the proper direction to go in order to learn more about my own religion. I am not in an area where I have access to a Mandir so I feel like I do not have to many alternatives in helping myself grow spiritually except what I can provide myself with. Thank you very much for you time and I would help any suggestions or advise that you could give me.
sincerely, Shivi
Jayanthi's reply:

If anyone out there can contribute knowledge to this, please Contact me.
11/10/02

hi
enjoyed looking through your webpages i am an undergraduate student in bangalore and going to Delhi in jan-feb for an internship. me and a friend are planning to hitchhike all the way from Delhi to Bangalore on the way back we have about 15 days before college starts again. do u know of anyone who will be interested in a proposal whereby our expenses are taken care of and in return we catalogue the whole journey take pictures and write a good piece on the whole trip. our expenses will not be much we plan to hitch rides on trucks, eat at dhabaas and visit lots of places on the way. earlier we have done this in Rajasthan and enjoyed it al lot please let us know if u can help us find a sponsor
santosh

You can contact Santosh Directly at santosh_kpai@yahoo.com
12/7/02

Hello,

I am white, 50 years old, and a Catholic by birth. But I am interested in learning more about Hindu culture. Would it be appropriate of me to stop by a Hindu temple to try to meet some Hindus or would that be a bad idea. Thank you.
Michael

Jayanthi's reply:

Michael,
Hi. Thanks for seeing my page and sending your comments to me. I feel your endeavor is very genuine and that your idea to find out more is a good one. Generally I have found that Hindu priests are very knowledgeable and open minded to answering questions and having discussions from people of all backgrounds. However, especially those of non-Hindu backgrounds as 'we' can bring a different/new perspective to whatever the topic is.
Jayanthi (Jennifer)
End of Edition 2. Copyright Deceber 2002.
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