Work & Settle Abroad

Indian Immigrants in USA

Ganesha, Vinayaka or Vighnaharta, no matter what name you call him by, or what religion you follow, He is a God who has collectively captured our psyche. Popularly known as the remover of obstacles is worshipped by most immigrants fervently even before they step into the USA. Right from the time of filing their applications, you can be sure that Ganesha is one God that most Indians would be worshipping in order to get a visa to the US without obstacles.

Indian Immigrants Welcome Ganesha to their Homes

On the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, many Indian immigrants will be welcoming the Lord Ganesha to their homes. Of course one may not find the clay Ganesh idols which you are used to in India, but most Indian grocery stores in major cities in the US start selling Ganesh idols a few weeks before the festival. Some Indian stores such as the Mayuri chain in Bellevue, WA also sell traditional items essential to the festival such as banana leaves, marigold flowers, betel leaves and various other items for the puja especially sourced from India. One could also buy pre-decorated Ganesh pandals made out of Thermo cool or you could ask your kids to join you and make it as a craft project yourself. After the pandal is decorated, the idol is lovingly placed and the whole family comes together to pray. The prayer for Ganesha must necessarily be completed early in the morning by the Immigrant family in the USA as it is not a public holiday and grown ups and children need to rush to offices and schools respectively. In the evening, however, the festive atmosphere comes on again, with Indian immigrants visiting each other with their families and exchanging sweets and gifts, while they admire each other's pandal decorations just as we do in India.  

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Temples all over the USA Will be Crowded with Immigrant Indians

Not just at homes, even temples across the USA put on the festive atmosphere for the Festival of Ganesha. The temples are brightly decorated with garlands made out of mango leaves and marigolds. Community Ganesh pujas are arranged all through the day in temples where devout people can take part alongside other members of their community. Dinners are arranged on a large scale and immigrants come decked in their best finery to partake of the vegetarian traditional Indian fare. Many temples in states like Washington, New York, and California also have educational programs around the time of the festival to teach about the legend of Lord Ganesha to the little children who are the next generation of immigrants. Temples also organize singing competitions and other cultural activities for the families of Indian immigrants at the time of Ganesh festival.  

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The Festival is also Celebrated with Gusto by Americans

Of late even Americans are starting to celebrate the festival of Ganesha. Many schools in America encourage the celebration of the festival among their students by asking them to take part in craft activities related to the festival such as making small decorations for the pandal and making Ganesh motifs as classroom exercises. These activities help the local American children learn about Indian culture and help to bring the community together. Many American families have also started celebrating the festival by visiting the homes of their Indian friends and by holding Indian and Bollywood themed parties at their own homes in the name of Lord Ganesha and calling their friends over for a night of fun and frolic To know more about Indians and Americans come together to celebrate the festival of Ganesha and other festivals in the USA, contact Global Tree at Begumpet, Hyderabad the Most Trusted Immigration Consultant in India.