Ayodhya in America: Indian Americans Celebrate Ram Temple Inauguration With Car Rallies and Bhajans
- Since December, devotees have been participating in the festivities in large numbers to mark the occasion.
Indian Americans turned out in large numbers to mark the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya this week. Dressed in traditional Indian clothes, waving saffron flags, and chanting bhajans and songs praising Ram, community members joined celebrations at various venues across the country. Many burned the midnight oil to watch the inauguration live from Ayodhya. Some marked the occasion by performing pooja at home and preparing prasad.
In New York City, Times Square hundreds of devotees illuminated the iconic venue with large Lord Ram’s images. Similarly, several temples across the country, including over 100 BAPS temples, joined the global celebration. Temples were adorned with lights, diyas, and rangolis depicting Shri Ram and the new temple in Ayodhya. The BAPS celebrations also included processions and an elaborate Annakut.
Anju Kalra, a freelance photographer and amateur DJ based in Somerset, New Jersey, stayed up late to watch the inauguration. “I am very proud of the fact that finally, this leadership has been able to give Hindus their correct due and has had the strength and courage to do what was long needed without being apprehensive of the vote bank,’ she told American Kahani. “There is no doubt that there has to be a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya — it is has united the country across states and invoked a sense of pride and cultural identity that had eroded in the recent years.” According to her, “a true secular Indian would rejoice in this historic achievement irrespective of religion .. whether it the establishment of a mosque, a church or a Gurudwara .. every faith must be given its own religious freedom and identity without being perceived as divisive or threatening.”
In a blog post, Kalyan Viswanathan, president of the Hindu University of America, wrote, “Ayodhya is re-emerging from destruction and neglect, epitomizing the eternal nature of Sanātana Dharma.” He said, “The consecration at Ram Lalla Mandir after 550 years is bringing immense joy to the city and nearly a billion Hindus across the world.”
Since December, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America has been organizing a variety of events throughout the country to mark the temple inauguration. From public car rallies, exhibits, and readings of the Ramayana, as well as kirtans, Indian American devotees came out in large numbers to participate in the festivities.
Ahead of the Jan. 22 inauguration, the VHPA placed more than 40 billboards in 10 states, prominently displaying the message of the consecration ceremony. “The resounding message conveyed by these billboards is that Hindu Americans are elated and joyously participating in this once-in-a-lifetime event,” Amitabh VW Mittal, general secretary of Hindu Parishad of America, told ANI. “Their emotions overflow as they eagerly await the auspicious day of the consecration ceremony.”
