Welcoming Nativity Scene at West Virginia State Capitol, Hindus intend to showcase various Hindu deities at the Capitol during next Diwali, most popular Hindu festival which falls on October 24 in 2022.
“Tabletop Nativity Scene”, is reportedly displayed in Upper Rotunda House between December 13 to December 27 in the West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston.
Hindus welcomed the idea of demonstration of religion at public places as long as it permitted the exhibits of diverse religions and denominations practiced in West Virginia and the nation and the expression of non-believers, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed said in Nevada today.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, indicated: We would invite West Virginia Governor James C. Justice and First Lady Cathy Leigh Comer Justice to inaugurate this proposed Diwali display by lighting a traditional lamp. We are thinking of a 10-feet tall display monument and plan to sanctify it by chanting of mantras, some as old as 1,500 BCE; sprinkling of holy water from river Ganga in India; ringing of ghanta (big metallic bell); and other ancient rituals. It would be a nice blessing for the state.
Religion is highly meaningful, important, intensely valuable, and significant to many as it: brings happiness; builds inclusive and stronger communities; empowers societies; generates sacred power; makes us good neighbors; motivates us to the common good; persuades us to do the right thing; promotes altruism, charity, empathy, ethics, generosity, higher morals, selfless service; uplifts us; etc.; Rajan Zed points out.
Zed hoped that West Virginia General Services Division, whose Mission included “maintaining a pleasing experience for those visiting” its buildings, and its Director William Barry would heartily welcome and approve their Diwali display idea. This Diwali monument would be a totally privately funded project, financed and assembled by Hindu community, with no money from government.
Rajan Zed further said that besides honoring the Hindus living in West Virginia, this Diwali display would raise awareness of West Virginians about Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.2 adherents and a rich philosophical thought.
There are about three million Hindus living in USA and ultimate goal of Hinduism is moksh (liberation).
West Virginia State Capitol, completed in 1932; which houses State Senate, House of Delegates and Governor’s Office; is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.