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Spectacular celebrations of
Ganesh Chaturthi at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta By Mahadev Desai Pics.by Dr.B.K.Mohan The Hindu Temple of Atlanta organized a spectacular, spiritually suffused, Ganesh Chaturthi celebration On September 8, 2013. The celebration had historic significance in that it had the newly installed majestic Ganapathi idol specially made in  Hyderabad
for the Hindu Temple. It was air lifted to New York and trucked
to Atlanta right in time for the celebrations. The Temple
priests and volunteers wasted no time in decorating the idol for
the Ganesh Chaturthi festival on Sunday. So on bright, crisp Sunday morning many devotees, guests and visitors thronged to this spectacular nine- day-celebration which began with 40 Shanku Sthapana (conch shells) and puja at the Balaji Temple, followed with Mandala Sthapana at the Siva Temple. Ganesha is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune and traditionally invoked at the beginning of any new venture or challenge. Ganesha is known as vighnahartaa (remover of obstacles). The new dazzling and colorful idol of Lord Ganesh, resplendent in rich adornments, artistic decor and lavish garlands was a perfect setting for yagnam (Maha Ganapathi Homam) and Maha Ganapathi Abhishek conducted in the yaaga shala between Balaji and Siva Temples. The elaborate rituals were performed by Chief Priest Srinivas Sharmaji together with associate priests of the Temple, who sat around the imaginative, attractive and colorfully displayed homa kunda with a blend of fruits, flowers and puja accessories, and conducted homam chanting Vedic shlokas and apt Ganesha mantras. The Devotees also joined in chanting Vakra-Tunndda Maha-Kaaya Surya-Kotti Samaprabha; Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryessu Sarvadaa; meaning: O Lord Ganesha, of Curved Trunk, Large Body, and with the Brilliance of a Million Suns, Please Make All my Works Free of Obstacles, Always. All the deities in the Balaji and Siva Temples also wore a dazzling look in their ornate fineries and colorful garlands. The priests here cheerfully performed archanas throughout the day blessing all the devotees who came to offer their prayers. In the Balaji Temple 40 Sanku (Conch) Sthapna pooja was done and the conches were attractively displayed for viewing and prayers. Ganesh Chaturthi was also celebrated by children inside the Temple and many devotees observed Ganesh Vratha.In the evening, during Prakara Utsavam, Ganesh Murti was carried by devotees in a procession around the Temple to accompaniment of drums, musical instruments, chanting and singing by enthusiastic supporters. This was followed with Harathi and Theerdha Prasadam.  The Temple gave a rousing welcome to Sri Swamini Svatmavidyanandaji,who is a disciple of Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati and Acharya of Arsha Vijnana Gurukulam(AVG), which is active in GA, OR, and MD. She travels regularly to spread the traditional teachings of Vedanta through spiritual retreats and classes. Sri Swaminiji is active in interfaith efforts and is frequently called upon to speak at international conferences on world peace. Swaminiji was escorted inside the Temples where she offered her prayers and later gave a spiritually elevating discourse in the Balaji Temple auditorium. In her articulate and eloquent talk, laced with humor and anecdotes, she spoke about Karma Yoga. She said that pursuit of happiness is fine but it should not be sought in material acquisitiveness and outside pleasures. “True happiness lies within. Yogify your entire life and search within with steadfast resolve, unwavering faith and sincerity” she implored. What is a Festival without tasty food! The varied menu of South Indian vegetarian splendors like spicy idli sambhar, masala dosas, tamarind or curd rice, upama, boondi ladoos, prepared in the Temple’s kitchen, under the supervision of Food Committee Chairperson ,Seshu Sarma and served by dedicated volunteers, was relished by all. An elated HTA President, Narender Reddy commented, “This year HTA has decided to celebrate Ganesha Chathurthi in a way that was never done before.  Ganesh Chaturthi festival is one of the most popular Indian festivals celebrated all over India. We wanted to show our children how the Ganesha Chathurthi is celebrated back home in cities like, Mumbai and Hyderabad. The word about the new Ganesha idol and the Festival got around very fast through our marketing efforts, so it was heartening to welcome more than three thousand devotees to the Temple who came to participate in the joyous celebrations and get Sri Ganesha’s blessings. Children were thrilled to see the awe-inspiring 6.5 feet tall Ganesha looking adoringly at them. Parents were happy that their children could experience the joy that they themselves experienced as children. We had a special Ganesha pooja performed by Children in the afternoon and a Prakara Utsvam in the evening that was fun to participate in and also to watch. 
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