A weeklong Srimad Bhagavata Saptaha Maha Gyan Yegya organized by Hindu Faith Trust of New Hampshire completed in Concord, NH on July 16.
The organizers claimed that the event was held with an objective of maintaining global piece, emotional wellbeing, brotherhood and spiritual enlightenment.
Aacharyas duo, Sita Ram Adhikari and Haribinod Adhikari, led a team of seven priests to accomplish the purana.
The event was open to public from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm where devotees listened to the spiritual discourse, chanted kritans and bhajans, participated in spiritual dialogue, yoga and danced throughout the event.
United States Senator, Jeanne Shaheen, in her message to the organizing committee of the event expressed, “By providing opportunities to celebrate heritage and invite others to experience a different way of life, this week’s Purana will strengthen the ties that bind our diverse community”.
Meanwhile, governor Maggie Hassan also graced the event on July 15. She was welcomed with deo-kalash by the volunteers and was honored with abishek, garlands, traditional scarf and Bhagawat Geeta by the principal priests.
Speaking in the event governor said, “Your presence in our community and in our state is a great gift. We want to learn more about your culture and community and look forward to continue to work with you so we all get stronger and build the Granite State together”.
The Executive Councilor for Governor, Collin Van Ostern and Bill Gillette, the Dean of Business School of the Southern New Hampshire University jointly inaugurated the event by lighting lamp. During the inaugural address to the event, Ostern expressed that refugees and immigrants brought rich culture and added diversity to the hosting community.
Speaking in the event, Dr. Abhaya Asthana, the President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) of America, who is also a Bell Labs Fellow with Corporate CTO at Alcatel-Lucent, focused in promoting educational and spiritual programs and projects that will help Hindus living in North America to remain Hindus, and through their lives contribute to the richness of their adopted land.
Dr. Asthana further stated that Hindu tradition holds a deep respect for all beings as well as nature for all is interconnected.
Welcoming the governor to the event, on behalf of the greater Hindu community, Aasish Bhattarai requested the governor to support in establishing a Hindu temple in the state of New Hampshire where people can celebrate their culture. Citing examples of other states with Hindu temples, Bhattarai said that having a temple in the Granite State would help attract tourists which will in turn help boost New Hampshire’s economy.
Singer Hari Maya Khatiwada and Tabala player, Nandu Shankar from Massachusetts made the event lively for the seven days. A team of musicians and singers from Harrisburg, PA also came to the event and offered their performance.
The chief coordinator of the event, Rohit Subedi said that in average about 500 devotees were in and out per day throughout the event. “We were so grateful to have overwhelming participation of devotees from Indian origin, Nepalese, Bhutanese and Americans in the event.”
One of the event organizing committee members, Bhagirath Khatiwada expressed gratitude to all the donors who made this event a success and thanked all the priests, devotees, volunteers and sponsors for their dedication, support and commitment for the event. In an attempt to encourage and motivate youth to volunteer in community events like this, hard-working volunteers in the event were honored on the final day.
