Shri Surya Narayan Mandir has been playing host to the seven nights annual Queens Ramayana in the Park spiritual discourse at its courtyard in Jamaica, Queens. The discourse began on the evening of Sunday July 26 and will conclude on the morning of Sunday August 2. A different pandit read from and interpreted the holy Ramayana nightly as would continue till the final session. It has been a very vibrant outdoor spiritual event under a well decorated huge tent that can accommodate thousands.
The Ramayana is sponsored by the Hindu Federation of Mandirs with Pt. Ram Hardowar as the Dharmacharya. The Hindu Pandits Parishad Indo has been a co-organizer. Arya Samajists and Sanatanists collaborated on this event. It was graced nightly by dozens of pandits and leaders of Hindu organizations. Different organizations and or individuals sponsored the hosting of each night’s discourse – prasad, meals, water, and soft drinks. Attendees donated generously to cover the overall cost of the event in the thousands of dollars.
The Indo Caribbean organized Ramayana in the Park has been institutionalized as an annual event over the last couple decades. The discourse has demonstrated that the Hindu scripture continues to inspire today’s public, reminding everyone that the values of truth, duty, honesty, kindness remain as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago when the Ramayana was revealed by God.
It has been an unforgettable celebration of Hindu faith, culture, tradition, and community presentation of the Ramayana. The discourse has been taking place on stage and the public seated on chairs below. Pandits, families, youths of diverse backgrounds gathered to enjoy an evening of Hindi reading of the scripture and its English translation and interpretation accompanied by entertaining religious music. The congregation so far had been captivated by the discourse.
The discourse has told the life on earth of the Hindu God Shri Rama and Goddess Sita, His brother Lakshmana, and their loyal servant Hanuman. Other characters including Rawan have also been revealed. The discourse has highlighted themes of courage, righteousness, devotion, loyalty, compassion, integrity, perseverance, and the triumph of good over evil.
The Ramayana is divided in to seven Kandas or books. The first night was on Bala Kanda: details of Rama in Ayodhya, his youth, and his marriage to Sita. (Pandit Hardat Ashwar).
The second night was on Ayodhya Kanda: covers the court politics that lead to Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana’s 14-year exile. (Pandit Chaitram Maharaj)
The third night was on Aranda Kanda: describes their life in the forest and wilderness, ending with Ravana’s abduction of Sita. (Pandit Loaknauth Misir)
The fourth night was Kishkindha Kanda: features Rama meeting Hanuman and Sugriva, leading to the creation of the monkey army.(Pandit Ganesh Sukul)
The discourse has captivated the congregation of all ages. There were applause and appreciation for the musicians and the vyas (the pandit who interpreted the Ramayana).
The discourse has promoted an understanding of the Ramayana and Hinduism. Hundreds of thousands of Indo-Caribbean Hindus live in New York with the largest concentration in Queens, Brooklyn, and Bronx. The discourse unites multi-generational Indo-Caribbean Hindu congregations for nightly readings of the scripture and bhajans.
