SJR80

A Joint Resolution designating January of each year as “Hindu Heritage Month” in New Jersey.

Whereas, Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion, dating back to a time between 3000-8000 BCE; and

Whereas, Among many practices, Hindus believe in karma, reincarnation, non-violence, and the spiritual nature of living beings; and

Whereas, Hindus believe in a divine higher power that takes form in many deities, such as Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha, Devi, Krishna, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Durga and Kali; and

Whereas, There are many holidays celebrated throughout the year in which Hindus honor various deities, but the most well-known in the United States are Diwali and Holi; and

Whereas, Diwali, the Festival of Lights, celebrates Lakshmi, who is the goddess representing wealth and good fortune; and

Whereas, Holi, the Festival of Colors, is a holiday that honors the beginning of spring, in which bonfires are lit and colored paste and water is thrown on those celebrating; and

Whereas, Hindus have made enormous contributions to cultural development throughout history, including significant achievements in math, science, and medicine used in the modern world; and

Whereas, There are over 1.1 billion Hindus in the world; and

Whereas, About three percent of New Jersey’s population is Hindu, making New Jersey the state with the highest percentage in the United States; and

Whereas, The largest Hindu temple in the world, called BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, is located in Robbinsville, New Jersey; and

Whereas, New Jersey has a large and vibrant Hindu community that deserves recognition for their rich and noteworthy history and cultural contributions to this State; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The month of January of each year is designated as “Hindu Heritage Month” in the State of New Jersey.

2. The Governor is requested to annually issue a proclamation calling on the public officials and citizens of this State to observe “Hindu Heritage Month” with appropriate activities and programs.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution designates January of each year as “Hindu Heritage Month” in the State of New Jersey in recognition of the many Hindu residents of this State and their rich and noteworthy history and cultural contributions to this State.

Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, dating back to a time between 3000-8000 BCE. Sacred texts have been passed on through generations for thousands of years, creating a strong following of 1.1 billion Hindus in the 21st century. Hindus believe in a variety of deities, each representing different concepts and values within Hinduism. Different sects of Hindus emphasize particular deities and practices over others, depending on their beliefs. Various Hindu gods and goddesses can be traced to origin points spanning several thousand years, making the traditions surrounding Hinduism and the Hindu deities rich and storied. Some deities have holidays celebrated in their honor, such as Diwali, the Festival of Lights, which celebrates Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune. Another well-known Hindu holiday is Holi, the Festival of Colors. It is a holiday celebrating the coming of spring, famous for colorful paste and water thrown on those celebrating.

Hindus have made enormous contributions to cultural development throughout history across the globe. Significant achievements in math, science, and medicine used in the modern world can be traced to Hindus. New Jersey is lucky enough to be the state with the highest percentage of Hindu residents in the United States. The Hindu community has shown others the beauty of their beliefs, including though the establishment of the largest Hindu temple in the world, now located in Robbinsville, New Jersey.