FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, USA, March 7, 2009: Priests at the Fremont Hindu Temple and Cultural Center sprinkled flames with clarified butter and chanted ancient prayers in a consecration ceremony held this weekend to enliven the temple’s Lord Jagannath deity, making it worthy of being worshipped as a living God–one of 330 million in the Hindu religion, a number that signifies that God is everywhere.
Crowds ranging from 250 to 1,000 people had been gathering at the Bay Area’s oldest Hindu temple since Tuesday, placing coconuts and fruit before the statue of Lord Jagannath. Devotees consider Jagannath to be “lord of the universe,” and his wide-open eyes indicate to believers that he can see all things. The English term “juggernaut” comes from his Sanskrit name.
“We grew up with religion and spirituality at home,” said Kashinath Mitra, 52, who was born in Orissa on the eastern coast of India, home of the holiest Indian temple dedicated to Jagannath. “This event kindles that. This reminds you of being a child and going to the temple. It reminds you of the good old days.”