Recital of Vedic mantras and rituals like awahanam, havanam, pran pratishtha, mangal aarti, mahabhog and mahaprasad in addition to the welcoming tilak, badhai, shobha yatra, chunari utsav, mehndi utsav, colorful dances by kids and adults and kirtan by Sharad More from Kolkata, India highlighted the event that was organized by Dadi Pariwar USA Foundation, a newly formed non-profit organization that raised funds for the project.
The mahaprasad consisted of three sawamani of besan ki barfi for Khatu Naresh Shyam Baba, balushahi for Jhunjhunu ki Ranisati Dadi, boondi and choorma for Salasar ke Balaji.
The mahabhog included daal, baati and choorma, a traditional Rajasthani fare that was an instant hit. Over 1,200 people feasted at the mahabhog, the queue extending to the Community Center Hall.
The enthusiasm was evident in the local Marwari community, who worship these deities and often do so by visiting Salasar, Khatu and Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan, India.
The event started with a colorful and traditional Rajasthani welcome with tilak of all visitors. Dupattas and Dadi badges were given as badhai to all men. Women bagged chunari, borla or mang tikka (a peacock broach), nuth (nose pin), and more.
After poornahuti, men took the 21 kalashas with the president of Dadi Pariwar USA Foundation, Ashok Gupta, leading the procession, as women danced in front of the Shobha Yatra to complement the festivity of the event.
(Above and below): Havan and pooja before the installation and Pran Prathishtha ceremony. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer]
(Above): Raj Bhanot and Naranji Patel from Sunnyvale Hindu Temple join the Havan. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer]
(Above): Tilak, a traditional Rajasthani welcome. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer]
(Above): Silver replica of deities. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer]
(Above): Kalash Utsav - Carrying the kalash inside the temple, Sept. 1. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer]
(Above): Shobha Yatra - Carrying the kalash inside the temple, Sept. 1. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer]
(Above): Dance and Chunari Utsav inside the temple, Sept. 1. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer]
(Above): Chunari Utsav - Women dance as they carry chunari to place on the newly installed deities, at the Sunnyvale Temple, Sept. 1. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer]
(Above): Khazana: The troughs filled with jewelry before moortis were installed. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer]
(Above): Close up view of the delties: Khatu Naresh Shyam Baba. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer]
(Above): Close up view of the delties: Jhunjhunu ki Ranisati Dadi. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer]
(Above): Close up view of the delties: Salasar ke Balaji. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer]
(Above): Mehndi Utsav, Aug. 31. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer]
(Above): Sharad More (r) from Kolkata, India, had the audience on their toes as he sang kirtan in Marwari, Sept. 1. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer]
(Above): A child recites Ganesh Vandana at the cultural event tha featured dance performances by kids and adults, Sept. 1. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer]
(Above): The mahabhog featuring daal, baati, choorma was a feast savored by all. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer]
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