Religious Experiences in America

Today I went to participate in the Diwali Celebrations at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir. It was a totally Gujju affair and highly conservative settings: separate staircase for men and women to enter the sanctum. Women not allowed to meet the Swamiji of the temple etc. This is perhaps to keep women from getting sexually harassed and preventing unscrupulous men from groping. I have seen this system pretty much working in several temples in India too. But in the US several American Born Confused Desis (especially young women) don’t like the idea and consider this oppression.

Anyway coming back to the function, it was a colorful community affair and loads of food was served in typical Gujarathi style. Lots of sweets and chaat and main courses too. I enjoyed every bit of the event and the kind hospitality extended to us. Hopefully I should be visiting the temple again in the coming weeks. One thing that makes us feel alienated is the fact that being a temple of Gujarathi community, I don’t understand their language and it is too much to ask for to expect them to change their language to English for my sake.

I downloaded some pictures off their website to go with this post.