FREMONT, CA: Fremont devotees celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi festival for 10 days with religious fervor. Every day was marked with decorating Lord Ganesh in different styles and incarnations. This period bound Bay area closely to their roots and traditions.
Finally, on September 10, a huge procession started from Fremont temple towards Pacific Ocean for bidding adieu to the Lord for this year. Over 500 devotees filled up a caravan of buses on their way to San Francisco’s Pier 3, some 40 miles away. Everyone got into a waiting ship and went on board a 3-hour long journey for the final leg of visarjan. Along with them, they carried over 300 Ganesh idols that local Bay area residents gave for immersion. Everyone onboard participated in offering the idols to ocean.
Dr. Romesh Japra, Founder Fremont Hindu Temple, said that this Visarjan was modeled along the lines of Ganesh Visarjan held in Mumbai. The aim is to bring the same enthusiasm, pomp and show here. “We are trying to recreate the same festivities here. This is the 8th successful year of Visarjan being held here.”
“Symbolically, as both Pacific and Indian Ocean meet, both Bay area and Mumbai Visarjans unite people across the world. Ganesh Utsav every year gives our devotees and children an opportunity to participate and learn our spiritual thinking, traditions and rituals. There is no better way to teach our children than this. It has been a wonderful experience for everyone involved. Every year, this event increases in size and hopeful thousands will participate soon, creating an atmosphere that is unimaginable.
“The main motivation in holding these events is community service and desire to bring all devotees together and create an atmosphere similar to what exists in India. For last 30 years, Karma Yoga and community service have been the driving force behind temple activities.
“It gives lot of happiness and gratification looking at so many devotees enjoying. Community is increasingly involved and benefitting from these functions. People are welcome to volunteer and get involved in temple activities. Every Tuesday there is a volunteer meeting and this is a great way of giving back to community.”
Ritu Maheshwari
India Post News Service
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