US: New Mexico Senate opens with Hindu prayer

The Senate of the New Mexico sate in the United States reverberated with the chants of Sanskrit mantras as an Indian-American leader opened the session with Hindu prayers for the first time.

Indo-American leader Rajan Zed opened the session on Monday by reciting ancient Sanskrit mantras besides reading portions from the Rig Veda and other Vedic scriptures.

Before starting the prayer, Zed sprinkled Gangajal on the podium in keeping with Indian tradition.

The Hindu chaplain also presented a copy of the Bhagavad Gita to Lieutenant Governor Diane D Denish before she introduced him to the Senate.

Zed created history in July 2007 when he opened the United States Senate session in Washington DC with a Hindu prayer for the first time. He has also read Hindu prayers in California and Nevada State senates and the Nevada State Assembly.