where religion is politics.

Our family spent Good Friday morning at the botanical gardens.  On our arrival we met a festival with food, music, and performances.  Religions compete for calender space, and it is not uncommon to see Hindu festivals on Christian holy days.

Top state officials flanked the mayor to do puja (worship) together at a Hindu temple atop a rocky hill to celebrate the founding of our city.  It was fascinating to watch several rituals – giving offerings, taking sweets, releasing balloons, lighting a torch.  I was trying to imagine Congress taking communion together in the U.S.

You’ll notice from the grainy i-phone pics below I pushed my way front and center and nodded to the officials but didn’t get a chance to speak to any of them.  News crews know how to throw some elbows.