Thousands Attend the Spectacular and Joyous Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations at the Hindu Temple in Atlanta.

By Mahadev Desai
Pics.by: KRISH PHOTOGRAPHY & SRI PHOTOS

The Hindu Temple of Atlanta in Riverdale, Georgia, (HTA) celebrated a spectacular and joyous annual Ganesh Utsav celebration from September 2nd to September 7th, 2019 which attracted thousands of devotees and visitors from all over Atlanta and South East. The celebrations were graced on the last day by the presence of Indian Consul General Dr.Swati Kulkarni. Upon arrival, she was warmly greeted with traditional Indian welcome by the HTA President Sheela Lingam, HTA Officers and priests. After offering her prayers, the priests conferred their blessings on her. Later on Dr.Kulkarni addressed the huge gathering under the canopy, where she again lauded the Temple for organizing the Ganesha festival and bringing the community together for the celebrations.

Artistic Creation by Anand Bukkarayasamudram and Hanu Krothapalli

The HTA has been hosting spectacular and well attended Ganesh Utsavs for the past seven years. The Ganesh Utsav team led by Ravi Chander decided on an eco-friendly setting for this year. The décor was planned with rainforest theme. A majestic eco-friendly and imposing clay idol of Ganapathi specially made in Hyderabad was installed in the specially built canopy in the forecourt of the Shiva temple. A wooden stage backdrop constructed by a team of volunteers, under the canopy was an ideal setting for the dazzling idol of Lord Ganesh, resplendent with rich adornments, artistic décor, and fresh flower garlands. Adjacent to Lord Ganesha mandap, Anand Bukkaraysamudram and Hanu Krothapalli along with volunteers designed a captivating, artistic display depicting Lord Shiva, greenery, animals, and gentle waterfalls for continous abhisheka of Lord Shiva.

Aaarthi before visarjan of Lord Ganesha.

Lord Ganesh is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune, traditionally invoked at the beginning of a new venture or challenge. Ganesh is known as vighnahartaa (remover of obstacles). Throughout the Utsav, the elaborate rituals, archanas and chanting of shlokas and Ganesha mantras were meticulously done by Temple priests. Devotees also enthusiastically joined in chanting Ganesha bhajans. All the deities in the Balaji and Siva Temples also wore a dazzling look in their ornate fineries and colorful fresh flower and fruit garlands.

Ravi Chander, Tulasi Vanapalli and dynamic Kitchen Team

The Make your Clay Ganesha has been a signature event of the HTA. The eco-friendly clay Ganesha making workshop started with a prayer by Hindu Temple's priests Sri Srinivas Sharma ji, Sri Pavankumar ji and all priests, who chanted Vedic Ganesha shlokas. Radhika ji & Nanda ji with over 50 Volunteers assisted kids and adults all day to make Ganesha sculptures made of clay, guided the parents, grandparents visiting from India to make the idols. Festive music was provided by nadaswaram and drums. Children were taught how to do Ganesh Puja and homam.Later, they took their clay-Ganeshas home. It was heartening to see children proudly showing off their Ganeshas crafted with love and devotion. Children had also lot of fun with face-painting and mehendi and cotton candy.

HTA President Sheela Lingam

This merits emulation by other Temples as it helps young generation to learn the rituals, and spiritual significance of homams, and imbibe rich Indian culture. The kitchen manned by Committee Chair Dr. Tulasi Vanapalli and volunteers was ready as always with mouthwatering Prasad serving thousands of devotees. HTA provided laddu and vada for naivedyam, and parents brought Ganesha’s favorite food, modakam. The grand pooja concluded with Mangala Aarathi and blessings to the children. The HTA President, Sheela and Executive Committee thanked and congratulated all the participants.

On Saturday, a spectacular Visarjan mela provided non-stop entertainment from 10-00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. The Dance and Music Academies had trained their students and dressed them up in colorful costumes to perform in the festival.
These students vied to outperform each other in solo and group items before the imposing idol of Lord Ganesha.The audience were treated to classical; contemporary, folk and fusion, dances, dance-dramas and devotional songs in Hindi and Carnatic. The riveting Cultural program coordinated and organized by Vaisheshi Jalajam and Jyothi Chintalapudi, HTA Cultural Chair. The event was emceed by energetic, enthusiastic and ever popular emcees Vikas Goyal, Janardhan Pannela and Anshu Sharma.

High octane Dance by Mazungu Parai Team

The enthralling entertainment included Kuchipudi dances by talented students of Atlanta Dance and music Academy's Gurus Jyothi Chintalapudi; Sridevi Dadithota; Sridevi Ranjith; Pushyami Lanka Gottipati,Varsha Krupananda;Latha Sriram; Neelima Gaddamanugu, Aparna Turaga, among others. Gayathri Subramaniam’s students regaled the devotees with their Hanuman Chalisa rendition. Diya Ghosh performed a scintillating dance. Leera Rawal, a student of renowned Birju Maharaj did a stunning Kathak dance. And a graceful Odissi dance in fetching costumes by students of Bhikipta Panda added extra flavor to the entertainment. Akhil of Sree Dutta Raga Dance Academy wowed the audience with his electric moves. Well trained students of Kala Vasudevan, a trained Carnatic classical and light music singing also impressed with their singing. Rendition of Carnatic and Hindi classicals on violin and piano added to the variety of the cultural segment. Atlanta‘s Dance and Song Gurus Viji Murali; Swathi Kari and Deepa Sriram were also applauded for their singing prowess. The audience was treated to a pulsating authentic ancient drum-beat fromTamilnadu by Mazhangu Parai team which had come all the way from Ohio to perform at the Festival. And as in previous year, street dancing with sword dance, teen maar, dand pradarshan and dancing to drums and dhols added vibrancy to the festival just before the visarajan ceremony added to the festive fervor. Kids also enjoyed matkabreaking or Handi competition. Sri Pavankumar ji performed many poojas and bhajans.

Helicopter showers flowers on Lord Ganesha

About 300 kids participated in the Arts Competition held in the Shiva Temple. Prizes were awarded to the winners of the competition, which was in three segments: Coloring, drawing and Canvas.
Rangoli competition also created a buzz. The rangolis were attractive to watch. Three winners were awarded prizes.
This year, the Judge for the exciting Laddu auction was Dr. Kulkarni. Laddu auctions raised over $10,000.00 from generous donors for the Temple .

HTA President Sheela Lingam with India Consul General Dr.Swati Kulkarni

Finally it was time to bid farewell to much-loved Lord Ganesh. Enthusiastic young devotees in kurtas and saffron headbands, carrying saffron flags came out of the canopy, dancing and shouting “Ganapati Bappa Morya” to the pulsating beat of dhols as Lord Ganeshji’s idol was placed in a truck, and slowly carried in a procession. A helicopter showered Ganesh ji with flower petals! Magical fireworks added extra sparkle! Two girls performed a befitting scintillating devotional dance amidst thunderous applause. Ganesh Visarjan ceremony was performed in a rubber pool on the Temple plot with joyous shouts and wishes (agale saal jaldi aa’) for his quick return the following year. As they say, “with the immersion ceremony, the Form (physical) returned to the Formless (spiritual).” The Ganapati idol became one with the water.
The HTA President Sheela Lingam effusively commented,” On behalf of the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees, I would like to congratulate our Ganesh Program coordinator Ravi Chander and his team for a very successful event.  I would also like to thank our temple staff, priests, managers, cooks, security, volunteers and EC members.
My special thanks to Atlanta based premier photo and video company Sri Photo's, who captured captivating photos and videos of the entire event.

Visitors had the smooth parking experience thanks to Ganesh utsav volunteers Madhav Kasam and team.

Without Vaisheshi & Rajender Janumpally, Anand & Sneha Bukka, Hanu Krothapalli, Deepa, Sunil Gotoor, Mahesh Koppu, Naveen Bathini, Meher Saride, Niranjan, Samir Shah and their commitment, it would have been impossible to accomplish something of this magnitude.
In addition, we would like to recognize all the people who donated generously for this program.   As a result of these collective efforts, thousands of devotees were able to attend and enjoy 5 days of Ganesh celebrations. Without your participation, this event would not have been a success. God Bless All.”
Ravi Chander ji, the Volunteer Chair of HTA and organizer of Ganesh Utsav in his words:

“Ganesh Utsav strengthens the bond of brotherhood and guides the people to peace and prosperity like any of our other festivals. This auspicious festival brings excitement for kids of all age groups. Ganesha is the Lord of arts and sciences and the Lord of Wisdom. He is revered at every auspicious beginning. While growing up I heard that Ganesha resides where there is Uthsaham ( translated in english meaning : Excitement) So it is very important for us to have that spirit of enthusiasm, excitement and happiness in celebrating him. It is befitting that we celebrate the Utsav in an exuberant way.
 
Since 2012 Volunteers with their families and kids have come together with the help of HTA to host this festival so all can make some time to visit, pray and celebrate. Volunteers have worked relentlessly for over 3 weeks before festival and 1 week during the festival to create this outcome. Our ultimate aim is for our kids to have fond memories of their growing up and absorbing rich Indian culture. We have only so many opportunities to do so and we chose to have kids participate, have everlasting memories, show their talent during this Utsav from making clay Ganesha to Nimmajan procession. On behalf of all Volunteers we thank each and every one for giving us the opportunity to serve the Temple and our great Indian Diaspora that had an opportunity to experience the Utsav. A big Om to All !”