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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MARCH 27, 2026 | The Indian Eye 26

19th Bharatiya Temple

Gangaur Festival Celebrated with Great

Fervor in Pennsylvania

OUR BUREAU

Pennsylvania
he 19th Gangaur Festival was
celebrated with great devotion,
Tenthusiasm, and cultural gran-
deur at the Bharatiya Temple in Penn-
sylvania. On this occasion, more than
500 members of the Indian diaspora
and the Rajasthani community from
various states across the northeastern
United States gathered to celebrate
the sacred tradition of Isar–Gauri
Mata. This information was shared He also appreciated Nand Todi,
in a press note by Dr. Ravi Murarka, founder and philanthropist of the
President of the Philadelphia Rajas- Bharatiya Temple, who has generous-
thani Mandal (PARAM). ly donated $1 million for the construc-
The event was organized under the tion of a shelter home in Montgomery
leadership of Shri Nand Todi, found- County in Pennsylvania.
er of the Bharatiya Temple, and Dr. During the festival, nine children
Ravi Murarka, President of PARAM. who won the poster competition were
The ceremony was graced by honored. These nine children were
Ambassador Binay Srikanta Pradhan, presented cash awards and certifi-
Consul General of India in New York, cates by the Rajasthan Association of
as the Chief Guest. Prem Bhandari, North America (RANA), New York.
President of the Rajasthan Associa- The children created beautiful posters
tion of North America (RANA), New highlighting Rajasthan’s tourist desti-
York, attended the event as the Guest nations, historic forts, and the impor-
of Honor. In addition, U.S. Congress- tance of granting constitutional recog-
man Brian Fitzpatrick, the Mayor of nition to the Rajasthani language.
Ambler, and several community lead- multifaceted relationship between the unanimously passing a resolution on On this occasion, a special meet-
ers were also present. United States and India. August 25, 2003, no concrete progress ing was also held with leaders of more
Several members of Rajas- Ambassador Pradhan also en- has been made in this direction over than 25 Indian community organiza-
than Association of North America couraged members of the Indian com- the past 23 years. tions, where community issues were
(RANA), New York accompanied munity to inspire and support their Bhandari said that all political discussed with Consul General Binay
Prem Bhandari, including newly ap- fellow Indians in entrepreneurship parties share responsibility for this Srikanta Pradhan and Prem Bhan-
pointed Patron Jugal Kishore Ladda, and trade through collaboration. He delay. He explained that for the past dari. During the meeting, representa-
Secretary Ravi Jargarh, and members noted that the nature of U.S.–India 16 years he has participated in various tives of all organizations also honored
Raj Garg, Vinay Jain, Sharad Agarw- relations has evolved over time while movements and demonstrations— them by draping ceremonial shawls as
al, and Harish Thakkar. earlier the focus was on economic as- from protests on the streets to repre- a mark of respect.
During the festival, devotees par- sistance, today the relationship is in- sentations at Rashtrapati Bhavan— Dr. Ravi Murarka also expressed
ticipated in the worship of Gauri Mata, creasingly centered on collaboration yet due to a lack of political will, no his heartfelt appreciation to the
a grand Gangaur procession, cultural in modern sectors such as Artificial decision has been taken so far. He PARAM core group members and
performances, and the serving of tradi- Intelligence (AI), trade partnerships, also expressed that it is difficult to un- numerous volunteers whose dedica-
tional Rajasthani cuisine. Special attrac- and technological cooperation. derstand why the Government of Ra- tion and tireless efforts made the 19th
tions included Dal Baati Churma, Gatte In his address, Prem Bhandari, jasthan has not yet granted the status Bharatiya Temple Gangaur Festival a
ki Sabzi, and Chhach (buttermilk). who serves as the International Con- of a second official language to Rajas- grand success. He noted that the plan-
In his address, Ambassador Binay vener of the Akhil Bhartiya Rajas- thani within the state. ning and smooth execution of such
Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of thani Bhasha Manyata Sangharsh During his remarks, Bhandari a large cultural gathering would not
India in New York, emphasized that Samiti and is a prominent voice of also praised Ambassador Binay Sri- have been possible without the col-
the Indian diaspora in the United the Indian diaspora community, high- kanta Pradhan, Consul General of lective teamwork, commitment, and
States should work together in unity lighted the long-standing demand for India in New York, for ensuring that enthusiasm of the PARAM leadership
and cooperation to address the is- the inclusion of the Rajasthani lan- the Indian Consulate remains accessi- team and community volunteers who
sues and challenges faced by the In- guage in the Eighth Schedule of the ble and active for the community 365 worked behind the scenes to ensure
dian community in America. He said Constitution of India. He stated that it days a year, maintaining continuous that every aspect of the festival—from
that the Indian diaspora can play an is extremely unfortunate that despite engagement with members of the In- cultural programs to hospitality—was
important role in strengthening the the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly dian diaspora. organized seamlessly.

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