‘Havan’ held in Chicago to pray for BJP victory in India’s general elections

April 30, 2024

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Chandi havan being conducted at a suburban Hindu temple in Chicago, to shower divine blessings for PM Modi and BJP victory in Indian general elections. PHOTO: Courtesy OFBJP

On April 27, 2024, Indian American supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party of India, held a havan to pray for the party’s victory in the ongoing general elections in India. It was held at a Hindu temple nestled in the city’s suburbs, a press release from organizers, the Overseas Friends of BJP, said, and the prayers sought divine blessings for the triumph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP. Similar prayers were held in other parts of the US.

“It is not just a symbolic gesture but a profound expression of our unwavering commitment to India’s progress and development,” organizers said, adding, “These sacred rituals evoke spiritual strength and symbolize our collective determination to support the BJP’s vision for a prosperous India under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.”

At the heart of the ‘Chandi havan’ ceremony lay the reverence of Goddess Chandi, a formidable Hindu warrior deity and the supreme manifestation of Goddess Parvati, the press release said. Describing the significance of the ritual, Rohit Joshi, the chief priest officiating the ‘havan,’ elucidated Maa Chandika’s embodiment of boundless power (Shakti) and her role in defeating hostility and negativity.

Supporters of PM Modi and BJP, gathered at a Hindu temple in suburban Chicago to conduct a havan for victory in the Indian elections. PHOTO: Courtesy OFBJP

Among the high profile individuals attending the event were Prakriti Batra, the granddaughter of the late Balram Tandon, former Governor of Chattisgarh. Batra, echoing the sentiments of many attendees, offered prayers for the victory of BJP candidate Sanjay Tandon from Chandigarh. Tandon’s candidacy, she emphasized, represents continuity, experience, and a steadfast commitment to Chandigarh’s development. Rakesh Malhotra, a resident of Chicago, echoed Batra’s sentiments about Tandon.

Reflecting on the ‘havan,’ Nirmala Reddy emphasized its significance beyond a mere ritual. She described it as a unified expression of support and aspiration, resonating with the widely recognized slogan “Abki Baar, 400 Paar” – symbolizing the collective hope for a resounding BJP victory under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.

Amar Upadhyaya, a Chicago convenor and volunteer of OFBJP, highlighted the event’s broader significance, noting that it reflected the unwavering commitment and solidarity of the Indian and NRI communities in the United States to fostering a strong, prosperous India under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.