When I did Modi Yagna

On Sunday, April 27th, 2014, the organization "Overseas Friends of the BJP" held a Shiv Maha Yagna to pray for the successful election of then BJP candidate Narendra Modi as Prime Minister of India, and I was very grateful to be in attendance. At the time I was new to Hindu politics so I believe this was one of my first Hindu political events. It was so different from anything else I've ever experienced before, it was the most spiritual political event ever. 

11:00AM

Arrival At Birchwood Manor, Whippany, NJ 

The event was held at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany New Jersey and no better grounds could have been chosen for this very special occasion.  The entrance to the grounds was guarded by a lion and as one walked toward the ceremony site they were met by several romantic era idols representing Greek and Roman gods, Pan being the most noticeable of them all.  I believe I have detected a pattern with the Hindus, they do seem to go out of their way to find hotels with mythological themes to hold their events. 

But one could not help but feel as though the gods of the West were conspiring with their long lost brothers and sisters in the East to make the occasion a success and further usher in the era of American Hinduism. Modi's election was really the start of the growth in real world American Hindu politics which has literally seen its first real bloom in the past five years. It wasn't just that Modi was a big man, but he was going to be in charge of a big country, India, and he had a big spiritual power at his back, Hinduism... and that meant something to the world.

Approaching The Ceremony Grounds

As one approached the ceremony ground the gray Western god statues gave way to colorful Hindu god flags which waved and fluttered in the wind. Even Kali was there holding her many severed heads. Usually in the West such overt imagery of god if used at a political rally would be frowned upon, but finally religion and politics were integrated sanely and safely, this did not have the feel of a theocracy. Still, it didn't quite feel like a political event or a religious event, or a party, it was it's own special energy.

The Yagna

The yagna was a medium sized flower shaped brick fire pit where a small fire was lit accompanied by the singing of hymns and the sacrificing of foods and spices into the fire pit. There was some Indian and Western media there to take video and speak with the attendants. Afterward we had lunch and all mingled.

If you do happen to be in a state with a large Hindu population such as New York, New Jersey, California, Texas or Florida, you should definitely look up the Overseas Friends of the BJP (OFBJP).  They hold many events every year and they are great places to meet elected officials from both the United States and India.  I am sure the OFBJP will be very active in the upcoming India elections in 2019.  As it looks I'll be supporting Modi and the OFBJP again.

Vishnu