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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 .
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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.
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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 !”
'
Sep-18-2019