Reaction to the Ganesha statue in Coeur d’Alene hasn’t been

reserved to just North Idaho. Representatives from the Hindu Temple

Society of North America in Flushing, N.Y., said the depiction of

the Hindu god as anything but peaceful is way off base and said

they were “baffled” by those who protest the statue.

Below are excerpts of an e-mail to The Press sent by G.Padmanabhan,

Public Relations Officer at  the Hindu Temple Society of North

America about the protest in Coeur d’Alene, and what Ganesha

represents to Hindus:

“.

. .As a devout Hindu I am baffled at the protesting friends’

damaging views about a God most revered and universally worshipped

by Hindus.

Lord Ganesa, remover of all obstacles, is worshipped by Hindus

seeking His blessings for achieving success in all endeavors. Since

perfect success in all religious acts as well as in mundane affairs

is the goal of all human beings, Hindus worship Ganesa before

beginning such activities. For this reason, Ganesa is worshipped

first in all religious functions and ceremonies. He is a Hindu God

and hence un-American, but offensive? How?

“What does Lord Ganesa represent to me? There is no known part of

the body that has an operating range as wide as that of an

elephant’s trunk. It can uproot a tree and yet lift a needle off

the ground. Similarly, the human mind must be strong enough to face

the ups and downs of the external world and yet delicate enough to

explore the subtle realms of the inner world. The separately faxed

line drawing should help one understand His image. The comparison

of his trunk (to a phallic symbol) is unthinkable and an ignominous

(sic) insult to the billions of Hindus all over the world.

“Hinduism is known for its respect for other religions and utmost

tolerance and acceptance of truths, if any, not known to it, from

other religions. It is hoped that Hinduism can expect the same

respect and definitely not insult, from other religions too.”

G.Padmanabhan, Flushing, N.Y.