Hindu American Foundation

Hindu American Foundation www.hinduamerican.org The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) is an educational and advocacy organization established in 2003. Our Guiding Principles

Satya. Ahimsa.
(263)

HAF focuses on educating the public about Hindus and Hinduism and advocating for policies and practices that ensure the well-being of all people and the planet. We work directly with educators and journalists to ensure accurate understanding of Hindus and Hinduism. We also work with policymakers and key stakeholders to champion issues of concern to Hindu Americans, including defending civil and hu

man rights and protecting all living beings. Inspired by our guiding principles and Hindu teachings, HAF promotes dignity, mutual respect, and pluralism. The Hindu American Foundation is not affiliated with any religious or political organizations or entities. Be truthful. We pride ourselves in offering programming and information with accuracy, integrity, and honesty. Be non-harming. We aspire to work and communicate fairly and respectfully. Viveka. Be discerning. We approach our work through careful contemplation, reason, and consensus building. Nutana. Be innovative. We aspire to keep our work and approach relevant to our constituents by being creative, innovative, and flexible. Sadbhavana. Be collaborative. We seek out partnerships with other individuals and organizations to forward our objectives. Kutumbakam. Be big-hearted. We value and respect each other as individuals, work well together as a team, and respect each other’s work/life balance. Utsaah. Be passionate. We are passionate about Hindu Dharma, the global community, and our work.

We don’t have the Ten Commandments. We have the Yamas and Niyamas.As classrooms in Texas begin displaying the Ten Comman...
08/14/2026

We don’t have the Ten Commandments. We have the Yamas and Niyamas.

As classrooms in Texas begin displaying the Ten Commandments, it’s also an opportunity to learn about the many traditions that shape the communities around us.

Hindu Dharma offers the Yamas and Niyamas—ten timeless principles that guide how we live, treat others, and cultivate ourselves. From non-harm and truthfulness to contentment, self-discipline, and lifelong learning, they offer a practical framework for everyday life.

📥 Download the PDF, share it with educators, or pass it along to family and friends 👉 https://myhaf.org/h10c

Austin, there’s a special screening of Namaste Yoga coming your way on Thursday, September 10! 🧘🏽‍♀️The film explores th...
08/13/2026

Austin, there’s a special screening of Namaste Yoga coming your way on Thursday, September 10! 🧘🏽‍♀️

The film explores the Hindu origins of yoga and the experiences of the Hindu diaspora, offering a deeper look at the tradition and its journey around the world.

After the screening, join a live Zoom Q&A with director Ravi Chand for an opportunity to hear directly from the filmmaker and continue the conversation.

And because no community gathering is complete without good food, your ticket includes chai and samosas!

This is a community event open to everyone interested in yoga, Hinduism, culture, and meaningful conversation.

📍 Austin, TX
📅 Thursday, September 10

Come for the film. Stay for the conversation, chai, and community.
Get your tickets now👉 https://f.mtr.cool/plhedadixp

A partial solar eclipse will be visible today across parts of the northeastern United States. In New York City, the ecli...
08/12/2026

A partial solar eclipse will be visible today across parts of the northeastern United States. In New York City, the eclipse will begin at 1:07 PM, reach its maximum at 1:53 PM, and end at 2:38 PM. While much of the country will not see the eclipse, parts of the Northeast will witness this rare celestial event.

But what is the spiritual significance of an Eclipse in the Hindu Dharma?

Solar eclipses symbolize moments of deep introspection and spiritual cleansing. Devotees engage in meditation and prayer, harnessing the potent energies felt during the eclipse to illuminate the path of self-awareness.
During a solar eclipse, Hindu Dharmas offers profound insights and practices to maintain harmony and balance in our lives. Ancient traditions prescribe observances like Sutak (fasting and chanting) before and during the eclipse and encourage a post-eclipse cleanup so that our internal and external surroundings are clear of clutter and grime.

Why the meticulous observances?
Solar eclipses are believed to modify the balance of solar, cosmic, and background radiation on Earth and the psyche. By engaging in spiritual practices during the eclipse, we align ourselves with higher vibrations, amplifying their benefits manifold.
After the eclipse, thorough cleansing and purification of our homes remind us to wash away any remaining external and internal negativity. It's a reminder to recalibrate and realign with the cosmic energies, restoring balance and harmony in our lives.
The ancient wisdom encapsulated in these practices invites us to contemplate the intricate interplay of celestial forces and our earthly existence.

Watch NASA's official live stream! https://f.mtr.cool/vaxfmvucwx
Image credit: HAF Senior Creative Director, Tejus Shah

08/11/2026

When HAF had a conversation with a family member of an Air India bombing victim, apparently, the Facebook comment section had a lot to say.

We took a closer look at what happened in the comments after HAF spoke with a family member of a victim of the Air India bombing. What followed revealed how online trolls, coordinated accounts, and political narratives can shape the way people engage with tragedy, identity, and history.

We also discuss the broader dynamics surrounding the Khalistani movement, the role of social media and bot accounts, and how Western narratives can oversimplify complex questions of India, identity, and foreign influence.

When even a conversation with someone who lost a family member to terrorism becomes a target for online abuse, it is worth asking what is really happening in our digital spaces.

Watch the latest episode of HAF Reacts 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/xsbxpgtrgd

08/10/2026

An American citizen, Sadhana Gollapudi was dancing in front of her own home, minding her own business. Then an anonymous troll account decided to make her the target of a false accusation, leading to doxxing and federal attention.

What does this say about online mobs, misinformation, and the real-world consequences of acting on unverified claims?

We unpack this and much more in the latest episode of HAF Reacts. Watch now👉 https://f.mtr.cool/wcrjjeldym

08/07/2026

Words carry meaning. But sometimes, the words we choose can completely change how we understand a tradition.
Is "mythology" really the right word for Hindu stories?
In Episode 8 of What's in a Word?, HAF's Samir Kalra and Dr. Vijay Satnarine explore why the term "mythology" can be misleading when applied to Hindu Dharma. Unlike the myths of long-lost civilizations, Hindu traditions are living, practiced, and continuously passed down through generations. So why are our sacred narratives still described as myths?
Understanding these distinctions isn't about semantics. It's about understanding Hinduism on its own terms.
Watch the episode and discover why the words we choose matter.
Watch the full What's in a Word? series 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/toofdiiziy

08/06/2026

Lo, what fools these trolls be. 🤡

Anonymous accounts ignite a firestorm with unverified allegations, and Americans pay the price.

In our latest episode of HAF Reacts, we unpack the visa fraud allegations against an Indian American woman, how online mobs and bot networks amplify misinformation, the political narratives surrounding the Khalistani movement, and why historical context, from the Air India bombing to foreign influence in American politics, still matters today.

Facts over frenzy. Context over clicks. Watch the full conversation now! youtu.be/IdeNFWXSop4

Shravan invites us to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with the Divine.In this thoughtful reflection, Swati Arun, Socia...
08/04/2026

Shravan invites us to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with the Divine.

In this thoughtful reflection, Swati Arun, Social Media Director at the Hindu American Foundation, shares what this sacred month means to her personally and how its timeless lessons of devotion, discipline, and inner transformation continue to shape her spiritual journey.
Read her reflection and discover why Shravan remains one of the most spiritually significant months in the Hindu calendar.

Har Har Mahadev. 🕉️

Through the lens of HAF’s Social Media Director, Swati Arun: "As a Hindu woman from Northern India, the month of Shravan holds a special place in my heart."

08/02/2026

For many, the Khalistan movement is a political issue. For families connected to the victims of Air India Flight 182, it is deeply personal.

In this episode of That's So Hindu, Ranjana Sharma speaks candidly about the resurgence of Sikh separatism, why it is so painful for those who lived through the aftermath of the bombing, and how support for the movement has become increasingly visible in some diaspora communities.

This is a conversation about memory, accountability, and the lasting consequences of political violence.

Watch the full episode with Mat McDermott 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/ztdkxwvvhr

08/01/2026

Some images never leave you.

Ranjana Sharma shares the haunting story her brother-in-law carried with him after helping recover victims of the Air India Flight 182 bombing. One memory stands above all others: a mother, even in death, holding her baby tightly in her arms.

The bombing claimed 329 lives, but its trauma extended far beyond that day. Families, first responders, and entire communities have lived with its consequences for decades.

In this episode of That's So Hindu, Mat McDermott speaks with Ranjana Sharma about her family's role in supporting victims' families in Ireland after the bombing, the lasting human cost of terrorism, and why remembering Air India Flight 182 remains essential.

Watch now 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/zomzsqgjlq

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