Hindu Ritual in Jamaica Bay Inspires Exhibit, Discussion, Screening at Queens Museum
Hindus cleanse their sins by making an offering into a body of water. India’s Ganges River is the world’s most famous spot for this ritual, which is called “Ganga Pooja,” but the most common Queens venue is a Jamaica Bay beach on the Broad Channel side of the Joseph P. Addabbo Memorial Bridge. Of course,…
Hindus cleanse their sins by making an offering into a body of water. India’s Ganges River is the world’s most famous spot for this ritual, which is called “Ganga Pooja,” but the most common Queens venue is a Jamaica Bay beach on the Broad Channel side of the Joseph P. Addabbo Memorial Bridge.
Of course, practitioners of this religion are not the only ones who leave litter in Jamaica Bay, but many of their offerings are not biodegradable. Thus, after the Ganga Poojas first appeared roughly 25 years ago, they immediately attracted negative attention from residents of Howard Beach, Broad Channel, and the Rockaways. Enter Sadhana, an NYC-based coalition of Hindus bent on asserting principles of tolerance and inclusiveness.
In response to the debris issue, Sadhana started Project Prithvi, which conducts monthly beach cleanups in partnership with the National Parks Service. Also enter Dan Hendrick, who is currently shooting a documentary on the waterway entitled “Jamaica Bay Lives.” He found out about the ceremonies and made a short film on the conflict, The Divine Waters of Jamaica Bay. And there’s still room for the Queens Museum and its Community Partnership Exhibition Program, which helps cultural and other nonprofit organizations host short-term exhibitions.
This Sunday, Queens Museum holds an opening ceremony for Sacred Waters: A Collection of Hindu Offerings from Jamaica Bay, an exhibition of items recovered through Project Prithvi. The event kicks off with a panel discussion featuring Hendrick, Saldhana representatives, and Charles Markis from the Gateway National Recreation Area. The program includes a screening of Divine Waters.
Details: Opening Reception for Sacred Waters: A Collection of Hindu Offerings from Jamaica Bay, Queens Museum, New York City Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, September 14th, 3 pm to 6 pm, free. The exhibit began on September 7th, and it will run through September 28th.
Photos: Sadhana
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