[GHHF] Attended Navaratri Celebrations conducted by Mostly Bangladeshi Hindus in Irving Texas; Spoke to youth, and about 600 Hindu congregation.

14 Oct 2024 154 Views

Global Hindu Heritage Foundation has been actively involved in Bangladesh to help educate our future generation. We have about ten Bala Samskar Kendras teaching about Sanatana Dharma, with an average of 30 students in each class. For more than three years, we have supported them in celebrating various festivals in and around the Dhaka area. 
                As you may know, the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ignited a wave of violent upheaval in Bangladesh, severely impacting the nation's 15 million Hindu and other religious minorities. According to data compiled by our team on August 5th, many Hindus have been lynched, while temples and places of worship face systematic attacks.
                On August 8th, GHHF and other organizations organized a Protest Rally in Frisco, Texas, demanding Justice.  GHHF has helped local Hindus to get back some of their temples, which were looted, deities thrown onto streets and encroached on during Ayodhya. Now, it has added a burden for Hindus to protect again. Somehow, we are managing to protect several people.  Our Pracharaks and teachers are guarding our people, risking their lives. Hundreds of our people guard our temples day and night shifts. It is our responsibility to at least provide basic amenities and moral support. GHHF has full-time Pracharaks and volunteers who work around the clock.
Durga Puja in Irving, Texas
Durga Puja is a grand and meaningful festival in Bangladesh. It is the most awaited time of the year for them, and they celebrate it with great joy and enthusiasm. Over the next few days, they welcome 'Uma' and celebrate her glory and victory over Mahishasur, treating the goddess as their very own family member.
This year, Durga Puja will be celebrated from October 8th to October 13th, with October 9 marking the first day. These five days are filled with colorful rituals and activities, and they also bring communities together. Let's explore the grandeur of Durga Puja, which is celebrated in Bangladeshi tradition. 
According to the legend, Mahishasura was a demon who received a boon from Brahma that made him invincible to any man or God. Empowered by this boon, he began terrorizing the heavens and the Earth, defeating gods and disturbing cosmic balance.
The gods, helpless against Mahishasura’s might, approached the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva for help. They and other deities combined their divine energies to create a powerful goddess – Maa Durga. She embodied the strength and virtues of all the gods and was bestowed with their most potent weapons. Riding a lion and wielding celestial weapons in her ten arms, Durga set out to confront the demon Mahishasura.
The battle between Durga and Mahishasura lasted for ten days. Durga displayed extraordinary courage, and on the tenth day, known as Vijayadashami or Dussehra, she finally defeated and killed Mahishasura, restoring peace and balance to the universe.
Durga's victory over Mahishasura symbolizes the victory of good forces over evil, light over darkness, and justice over tyranny.
Durga is revered as a powerful feminine deity, symbolizing "Shakti," or divine feminine energy. The festival is a tribute to the strength, wisdom, and protection women and mother figures offer. 
Sri Sajib Singha, Sri Ayon Dey, and many organizers received us and explained the importance of this celebration. They have been organizing This Durga Puja for the last 11 years. More than 400 Hindus attended. 
Chandra Movva Summarized the Sunday’s events:
We had a great reception at the Bangla Durga Puja Celebrations today.
* We had the chance to separately engage a group of 15+ enthusiastic College Undergrads
* the three course parasadam served was delicious (100% vegetarian) !
* Uncle gave an overview of our services and the need of the hour for us to collaborate and contribute to the Sanatana Dharma.
* The pre-recorded Bangla video from Pinnamaneni Garu was played in full Dolby high-decibel audio. THIS WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE EVENT; the team connected well.
* There was a lot of enthusiasm while uncle was talking, and several approached for more info
The GHHF session was a great success, with over 400 participants in attendance. This is our first baby step in expanding and scaling our footprint in Bangladesh.
Sajib Ji was a great host and helped introduce me to several local Bangla leaders.
Thanks to all of our core volunteers, Chandra, Prashant, Kishore Deevi, Vamsi Annamredy, Lalith Sharma, Venkata Krishna, and others—for supporting us in the event.
PLEASE DONATE to help Hindus in Bangladesh to resume their lives.
Your donations are appreciated;
https://www.savetemples.org/donate
By Zelle: ghhfusaorg@gmail.com
By Check: payable to GHHF, 14726 Harmony Lane, Frisco, TX 75035.
It is tax-deductible.
By Rupees: call 601-918-7111; +91 83096 43979

 

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