Kali comes to NY, by way of the West Indies

[Guest guest]

Worshippers' hearts in rite place

 

Hindu faithful invoke goddess Kali

in Jamaica Bay ritual

October 4, 2006

http://www.nydailynews.com/boroughs/story/458254p-385445c.html

or

http://tinyurl.com/kahmq

 

In Hinduism, one of the most ancient religions still

practiced, there are different approaches through

manifestations of divinity through different deities. The

worship of Kali, one such deity, dates back centuries.

Later, when Indians were brought to the West Indies as

indentured servants by the British, they brought their culture

and religions along.

 

>From Guyana and Trinidad, immigrants of Indian descent

took their practices along to the United States.

 

One of the temples in New York dedicated to Kali is the

Shree Maha Kali Temple on Inwood St. in Jamaica, Queens.

It is run by Head Priest Lewis Pancham and Assistant Head

Priest Vishnu Khemraj and their staff. Services are

conducted on Sundays beginning at 10:30 a.m.

 

Kali was ordained by Lord Vishnu, the second of the Hindu

Trinity, to eradicate evil as it ran rampant in the ancient

world, according to their beliefs. Today, followers celebrate

her triumph over evil, praying to her to eradicate the maya

(illusion) and other forms of evil from their lives, thanking

her for guiding them through the year and seeking her

divine blessing, knowledge and shakti (heavenly power) in

their daily lives.

 

On a recent Sunday, the Shree Maha Kali Temple,

celebrated its 14th semiannual puja. After a sunrise flag-

raising ceremony, some 175 participants headed to the

nearest body of water that flows into the ocean - in this case,

the Jamaica Bay.

 

While at the waterside, mantram [....] are sung by the priests

and learned members. The mantram are meant to invoke the

spirit of the goddess manifest as Ganga, so that she will

accept an offering of fruits, sweets or libation.