U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti was taken in by the charm of a century old Ganesh mandal in Girgaon on Thursday, when he visited Shri Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Sanstha. He said that he had won his first mayoral election in Los Angeles with Lord Ganesha’s blessings and that he still has a Ganesha idol in his office.
The oldest Ganesh mandal had hosted the first public festival of Ganeshotsav in 1893, after freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak had pioneered the public celebration of the festival.
“Ganesh has a place of honour in so many communities in the United States where many Americans celebrate his power to clear obstacles and prosperity” said Mr. Garcetti in his note wishing the mandal for “protecting the heritage of the sacred celebration.”
Mr. Garcetti along with the other dignitaries including Mike Hankey, the Consul General, were welcomed with a traditional ‘aarti’ and were felicitated with a shawl in the presence of several devotees, said Kumar Walekar, Secretary of the Shri Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Sanstha. The Ganesh mandal showed Mr. Garcetti a 100-year-old palanquin made for the God.
“During the visit, we briefed them about the history, tradition and heritage of the Ganesh Festival” said Mr. Walekar. “We offered traditional prasad like Modak and Keshar Milk to our guests.” The visit concluded with positive feedback from the guests and a promise to visit next year again,” he added.
Mr. Garcetti expressed gratitude for inviting him to the festival and said that he had Ganesh idols at office and home as inspiration, both as the Mayor of Los Angeles and as the U.S. Ambassador to India, in his note wishing the organisers. He wished the members of the mandal for their work “to celebrate the history, strength and beauty of Indian people and all human beings.”
Published - September 12, 2024 02:26 pm IST
