Temple, Churches Join to Honor Gandhi

With prayer and dance, food from India and food for thought, about 100 people took part in a celebration of Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday Sunday night at the Valley Hindu Temple in Northridge.

Gandhi is celebrated as the leader of the nonviolent movement that ultimately freed India from British rule and paved the way for colonialism’s eventual unraveling around the globe.

The ecumenical event, sponsored by the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council, was designed to embrace members of the Valley’s diverse ethnic and religious communities, said the Rev. Jeffrey Utter, council president and pastor of Chatsworth Congregational Church.

The council was looking for ways to reach out to more cultural groups in the Valley, especially the growing Indian community, which consists mostly of Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and a few Muslims.

“Gandhi is someone who can bring so much growth and joy to a person’s life if you can focus on him,” Utter said. “Gandhi represented the very best of the Hindu tradition. In fact, he firmed us all [in our faiths], yet he challenged us always to change and grow.”

Sunday’s celebration of Gandhi’s birthday, which was Oct. 2, began at 6 p.m. with chants, prayers and speeches. It included a traditional Indian vegetarian dinner of chapati/poori (Indian bread), sabjis (vegetable curries), seasoned rice, chay (tea) and sweet desserts, followed by Punjabi and Gujarati ceremonial dancing.

An estimated 10,000 Indian emigres live in the Valley, community leaders say. Overall, some 68,800 people of Indian origin live in Southern California.

“Next year, we are going to celebrate the Gandhi Day in a big way with an exhibition portraying Gandhiji’s life,” said Kannis Sharma, secretary at the Valley Hindu Temple.