Religion, the cyber way

www.beliefnet.com

IN THESE days of internecine quarrels among different religious groups, does the world hold out any hope for peace, unity and integration? At least one site on the worldwide web believes that by placing all religions on the same pedestal and addressing their genuine concerns, wounds can be healed and harmony achieved.

This secular site is home to a dozen religions explaining what they stand for and how they achieve their ends. The unique features that earn a special place here are the links given for each religion, cyberspace meditation and prayer circle. You can relax your mind and go into guided "living kindness" or "metta" meditation in the Vipassana mode with the help of Sharon Salzburg or take a quick "insight meditation" from Tara Brah or meditate the Buddhist way. Of course, you need to have plug-ins for these, but you can download them.

People in difficulties are categorised into terminally ill, cancer-afflicted, bereaved parents, divorced women etc. in the prayer circle. Messages wishing quick recovery or sympathising with the victims and calling for some action keep pouring into their e-mail addresses. One is moved when one learns about the disabilities dogging people and feels like doing something for them - at least send a mail of hope and cheer.

It is the "Soul Quiz" for each religion that steals the show, with mind-piercing or soul-searching questions. Another interactive feature is learning to chant psalms or mantras and listening to them and you are aided by experts.

www.swayamwara.com

Swayamwara.com specialises in match-fixing. No, not the kind that reeks of the nexus between cricketers and the underworld, but the one that unites hearts and families in holy matrimony.

The free registration with swayamwara.com, allows you an access to a database of prospective brides and bridegrooms. The listing is catholic, encompassing a wide spectrum of communities in India. You could also post your profile by filling up an online form.

There is also a directory of all those who are out to make your marriage memorable and your purse lighter - caterers, florists, beauticians, travel agents, decorators, musicians, textile merchants, jewellers and the rest of the marriage corps. Such listings are available only for Chennai, Madurai, Pondicherry, Colombo, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad.

There are marriage invitation cards which you could personalise and e-mail your friends. "E-motions" provides e-cards for all special occasions.

You could ascertain the level of compatibility you enjoy with your spouse\would-be through the interactive "Sun sign" and "Moon sign" features. There is a numerology feature too.

The site is a visual treat; but the fact that many links open in new windows could be an irritant.

Well, at swayamwara.com there is no assurance that your marriage would click, but there is every possibility that with a few clicks of the mouse, you could end up getting married!

www.pookaaikani.com

Pookaaikani - the website could not have been better summarised. For, pookaaikani.com is an online store for flowers (poo), vegetables (kaai) and fruits (kani).

The website's area of operations is limited to Chennai. The products are delivered within 12 to 24 hours from the time of order. Payment could be made at the time of delivery; no extra charges for delivery. The customer care team at pookaaikani.com would contact you by phone within 12 hours from the time of order, to confirm the same.

The simple but efficient design of the website makes for easy navigation.

(Contributions by K. Kirubanidhi & Prince Frederick)

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