Roslyn, NY: Indo-American Festivals of New York (IAF-NY) hosted its 7th Grand Ganesh Mahotsava at Christopher Morley Park from August 29 through September 1, welcoming thousands of devotees and visitors during the four-day celebration. The event was marked by spirituality, culture, and community spirit, creating a truly divine atmosphere.
The centerpiece of the festival was a magnificent 25-foot-tall statue of Lord Ganesh, which became a beacon of devotion for attendees throughout the weekend. Each day featured Havan, Puja, and Aarti performed by priests of the Hindu Center, accompanied by religious discourses from Brahma Kumaris, Ashok Vyas, and Krishna Kant Dwivedi. Uday Gupta, meditation Guru, and Dr. Vasudha Gupta, an Ayurveda Practitioner, inspired the audience.
Children brought their talents to the stage with vibrant cultural performances, while Sunday’s children’s painting competition, sponsored by Tri-Med Home Care Services, encouraged creativity among participants ages five to fifteen. Evenings came alive with Garba Raas, filling the park with music, rhythm, and joy. Thousands of attendees were also served langar Prasad daily, generously provided by Mahal and Nanking Restaurants.
Raffle drawings added the element of fun and surprise to the festive spirit, further delighting attendees with exciting prizes.
Several dignitaries joined the celebration (Photo courtesy: IAF-NY)
Several dignitaries joined the celebration, including Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Town of North Hempstead Clerk Ragini Srivastava, Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips, and Legislator Scott Strauss, all praising the festival for bringing the community together.
“This Mahotsava is not only a spiritual gathering but also a cultural bridge that unites people of all backgrounds,” said Dr. Ravindra Goyal, Chairperson of IAF- NY. “The devotion and participation we witnessed this year show how deeply Lord Ganesh’s message of wisdom and prosperity resonates in our community.”
Suman Sharma, President of IAF-NY, emphasized the festival’s role in fostering cultural pride among younger generations. “It is heartwarming to see children not only performing on stage but also taking part in activities that connect them with our heritage,” she said. “The Ganesh Mahotsava has become a platform where families come together to celebrate tradition, devotion, and unity.”
Attendees described this year’s Mahotsava as “bigger and better than ever,” crediting the hard work and dedication of the IAF-NY team, led by Dr. Goyal, Mrs. Sharma, Secretary Anurag Nigam, Treasurer Chandra Shekhar Goyal, and Program Director Rahul Soni, Vandana Kumar, and Vinod Goyal, Entertainment coordinators, along with the generous support of community donors and volunteers.
