Hindu Pilgrimage Greeted

A pilgrimage that began in India and is expected to encompass 40 countries made its way Sunday to Norwalk, where nearly 2,000 Hindus gathered to pray and call for unity.

Called a Yaatra, the worldwide pilgrimage is the first in more than a century and was brought to Southern California in recognition of the area’s growing Indian population.

Hundreds sat on foam pads in Sanatan Dharma Mandir Temple and Cultural Center’s gymnasium to hear speeches calling for unity among Hindus as well as others.

Hindu leaders said the event served to bring together the Indian community and raise awareness of Hindu culture in a country where, according to one survey, most people have little or no knowledge of the religion.

The pilgrimage’s goal “is to foster greater awareness of Hinduism’s rich heritage and promote genuine understanding among people of different faiths,” said Dr. Bhupendra Kumar Modi of the Hindu Leaders Forum.

Others echoed the theme.

“If you think of the whole world as your family, then everyone is your brother or sister,” said Jaidev Rao of Reseda, a teacher at a local temple.

Los Angeles County’s Indian population has boomed, jumping from about 44,000 to 60,000 in 10 years, according to the 2000 census.

Although many Indians enjoy success in this country, many worry that they will lose touch with their roots. The Yaatra, they hope, will remind Indians to become more involved in their communities, organizers said.

“Hindus have done very well in most places they’ve settled,” Modi said. “This is just to recognize that. And to [ask Hindus to] play a bigger role in making people understand who Hindus are.”

Sunday’s event was the last stop in the American leg of the pilgrimage, which stopped in Miami, Chicago, Washington and Atlanta.