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Philadelphia lights up for Ganeshotsav

For the fifth year running, Philadelphia's Hindu community organised the Ganesh festival with traditional pomp and gaiety, with thousands of Hindus from the area including young school kids, their families and visiting grand parents participating in the festivities that began on September 11.

Philadelphia lights up for Ganeshotsav

The festival is known for being the first and largest sarvajanik (public) Ganesh festival in America, noted a release from Philadelphia-based organiser Mukund Kute. Unlike other North American cities where the festival is celebrated for a day or a maximum of nine days, Philly's festival is a full 10-day festival -- just as in India, he pointed out.

Philadelphia lights up for Ganeshotsav

Unlike other places where it is celebrated by a single temple or few associations, Philly's Ganesh festivals is organised by more than 11 Indian-American associations through public contributions. The Bharatiya Temple in Montgomeryville, PA, is home to this famous Ganesh festival that has received wide coverage in the media.

Philadelphia lights up for Ganeshotsav

This year's Ganesh festival in Philadelphia commenced with a prayer for the peace and prosperity of America & India. As a mark of respect to the victims of the 9/11 attacks, the Ganesh procession was stopped for two minutes to pay respect/homage to them.  The procession then went around the temple in a traditional palkhi, with boys and girls from various Indian language schools dancing to welcome the procession. The religious ceremony was held in the evening, following which was simple vegetarian fare, both of which were open to all.

Philadelphia lights up for Ganeshotsav

This year, the festival organisers have arranged for a series of cultural programmes every evening. September 11 saw a Bharata Natyam recital by Nalini Prakash from Washington, DC. Among others lined up for subsequent days are Jersey Rhythms, NJ, Kiranavali Vidyasagar, Pandit Ramesh Narayan from India, Pandit Uday Bhawalkar from India, by Ramdas Padhye, Kathak & Jazz Fusion concert by Aditi Bhagwat, with Grammy winner Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhat winding up the festivities on September 21.

Ganeshotsav in the Big Apple

The Hindu Temple Society of North America too celebrated Ganeshotsav at the Ganesh temple in Flushing, New York. A large number of Indian-Americans who reside in the tri-state area turned up for the celebrations which began on Sunday.

Ganeshotsav in the Big Apple

Uma Mysorekar, president of the Hindu Temple society of North America, presided over the proceedings. New York Democrat and Congressman Gary Ackerman attended the function. The temple comes under the 5th Congressional District, which Ackerman represents.