Page 24 - The Indian EYE 041924

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline APRIL 19, 2024 | The Indian Eye 24

Gangaur celebrated in the Bhartiya

Hindu Temple in Philadelphia

OUR BUREAU
Philadelphia

angaur is a very important
Hindu festival observed by
Gwomen of northern and west-
ern India, chiefly Rajasthan. The
festival is observed as Chaitra Gauri
Vrat in Maharashtra and Karnataka
and as Saubhagya Gauri Vratam in
the southern states of Telangana and
Andhra Pradesh.
The harvest festival, which marks
the end of winter and start of spring,
is famous not just in India, but also
in many Western countries, including
America where it is observed with
great enthusiasm. Bhartiya Hindu
Temple in the Philadelphia area of
USA has been celebrating this festival
for well over 15 years now. Rajasthan
natives Nand and Shashi Todi, Dr.
Ravi and Kusum Murarka, Umesh
and Vandana Tambi, Pankaj and
Shweta Ajmera, along with members
of the Rajasthani community play an
important role in ensuring the spir-
it of Gangaur remains alive in the The celebrations on the 6 of delicate Zari work done on both the dren, who were closely observing the
th
hearts and minds of thousands of In- April commenced around 2pm EST poshaks by local craftsman. It was in- event unfold while imbibing all about
dian Americans. This year Gangaur with women performing the tradi- deed a slight to behold! their roots, their very own Rajasthani
was celebrated on Saturday, the 6 of tional Gaur-Isar pooja ritual and par- Post the Pooja rituals and Shobha culture, heritage and tradition.
th
April at the Bhartiya Hindu Temple, ticipating in Shobha yatra carrying yatra, it was time to burn the dance No Rajasthani event is complete
Philadelphia. The day witnessed the the idols on their shoulders, singing floor! Men, women and children without the scrumptiously delicious,
presence and blessings of Shri. Prem and dancing to traditional folk geets. dressed in traditional Rajasthani at- finger-licking good traditional food
Bhandari (President RANA, New America natives and our esteemed tire danced the night away to vibrant, items. At the Bhartiya Temple, vol-
York), Smt. Tarang Soni ji (President guests, Ms. Jeanne and Ms. Tammy traditional folk songs and music. unteers cooked fresh delicacies the
ROAR, New Jersey), Shri. Mukesh too carried the idols on their shoul- Most women were dressed in tradi- aroma of which filled the air!
Modi (Film Producer and Director, ders and walked barefooted during tional lehanga-kurti, some in saree This year’s Gangaur was extra
New York), Ms. Jeanne Sorg (May- the entire procession as a mark of and some in ornate salwar- kurtas, special as the community also cele-
or of Ambler Township), Ms. Tam- respect and honor to Hindu customs all looking impeccable, joyous and brated Rajasthan Divas, commemo-
my Bamford (Supervisor of Monto- and traditions. Per Dr. Ravi Murarka resplendent celebrating this day with rating the 75 year of the State’s for-
th
gomery Township), volunteers from ji, the idols worshipped this year were immense pride and devotion. mation. School going kids prepared
SEVA USA, and several local digni- larger in size compared to the ones Not far behind and standing and presented their research on the
taries. utilized last year. proudly next to their respective Gan- glory of Rajasthan on the occasion of
Eco-friendly, ornately decked-up In an effort to promote, propa- gaur’s, were men dressed their best the State’s diamond jubilee. Nandini
wooden idols of Gaur and Isar ji ar- gate and preserve the vibrant hand- in traditional kurta-pyjama adorning Goswami tantalized our taste buds
rived at the Bhartiya Temple on the icraft industry of Rajasthan, special the signature multi-colored Rajas- with her presentation on the ‘Foods
2 of April. In an effort to boost lo- emphasis was laid out to make sure thani Safas that were flown all the of Rajasthan’; Aarushi Sharma took
nd
cal craftsmanship and to preserve the the idols were sourced from local way from Bikaner, Rajasthan. The us to a tour of the Pink City, Jaipur;
States cultural heritage, hand crafted artists of Jodhpur. The idea behind celebration witnessed women per- Nevaan talked about the Business
idols carved by local Jodhpur crafts- utilizing wood as the base material forming the traditional Ghoomer Maharajas of Rajasthan; Rushnak
man, Shri Prahlad Kumawat ji of instead of the usual clay, was envi- dance along with numerous other took over to discuss the Forts and
Nanda Ri Chauraha, had been flown ronmental consciousness and sus- folk-dance numbers. Live dhol-taa- Temples of the State, while Aayansh
to the Bhartiya Hindu Temple. The tainability. Bejeweled idols of Ishar sha and drumbeats added an addi- chose to remind us about Veer Maha-
use of wood as a medium for crafting ji and Maa Gauri were dressed beau- tional dimension to this celebration. rana Pratap. Needless to say, it was a
the idols reflects Rajasthan’s commit- tifully in red colored, customized Dance numbers prepared and re- learning night for us grown-ups, and
ment to minimize environmental im- dhoti-kurta and lehanga-blouse re- hearsed exclusively for this special one more reason to be thankful to
pact and boost sustainability. spectively! Not to forget the intricate, occasion were also performed by chil- the State we all come from!

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