Religious Experiences in America

Tomorrow is Ganesha Chathurthi, one of the most popular festivals for followers of Hinduism. Though I am in America, I will celebrate this festival like the million other Hindus living here. There are numerous Ganesha temples in the US, where special prayers will be offered and worship routines performed. Here is a small Sanskrit hymn in praise of Lord Ganesha.

Mushikavaahana modaka hastha,
Chaamara karna vilambitha sutra,
Vaamana rupa maheshwara putra,
Vighna vinaayaka paada namasthe
MEANING: “O Lord Vinayaka! the remover of all obstacles, the son of Lord Shiva, with a form which is very short, with mouse as Thy vehicle, with sweet pudding in hand, with wide ears and long hanging trunk, I prostrate at Thy lotus-like Feet!”

About the festival
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular of Hindu festivals. This is the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is the day most sacred to Lord Ganesha and is celebrated on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada month of the Hindu Calendar (August-September). This festival is celebrated throughout India and in different parts of world where devout Hindus live.

In India the most common form of celebration is to make/ buy clay images of the Deity and after being worshipped for a day or in some cases ten days, they are immersed into water. Lord Ganesha is Lord of knowledge and wisdom.