The annual Ramayana in Park concluded last Sunday August 2 in New York City. The large courtyard of Shri Surya Narayan Mandir played host to the 17th annual edition of Ramayana in the Park, a spiritual discourse on the holy Ramayana, held nightly from July 26 to August 1 and on Sunday morning August 2.
It was organized by The Federation of Hindu Mandirs and co-sponsored by the USA Pandits Parishad. Leading West Indian (Guyanese, Trini, Surinamese) Pandits from the greater New York area expounded on the life of Shri Ram as in the Ramcharitmanas. The Ramayana is divided into seven Kandas or books. Each session focused on one Kanda each night, starting from Baal Kanda and concluding with Uttar Kanda and Sampooran Gita on the 8th session Sunday morning. Reading from Thursday thru Sunday were Pandits Daneshwar Sharma, Akilesh Dubey, Acharya (Atri) Deo Sharma, and Hardowar Pandey. The previous sessions were read by Pts. Hardaty Ashwar, Chaitram Maharaj, Loaknauth Misir, and ganesh Sukul.
Attendees included Hindu West Indians and Hindus from India and other parts of the Indian diaspora living in the greater New York area. The katha was read from under a huge tent that can accommodate over a thousand.
The multi-night spiritual discourse featured Hindi reading, translations, and interpretations of the holy Ramayana by rotating pandits, accompanied by traditional classical music. There were also prominent featured singers who bellowed bhajans. Hundreds turned out nightly for each session.
Ramayan in the Park is an announcement that Hindus have institutionalized their faith and culture in the city. It displays their sense belonging in NYC. And it displayed an important aspect of their belief system. It is a display of the identity of Hindus, serving as an inspiration for Hindus to come together and be proud of their faith and culture in multi-ethnic New York and USA.
The Ramayana in Park was preceded on the Friday and Saturday by a two days Hindu conference that addressed issues and challenges facing Hindus in the greater NY area.
The Presidents of the Federation and the Parishad and the Dharmacharya, Pt. Ram Hardowar, expressed gratitude and appreciation to everyone (volunteers, donors, sponsors, members of the organization, attendees, others) who contributed to making the spiritual discourse possible.
At the conclusion of each session, there was aartee, bhojan, prasad, and soft beverage.
