NEW YORK: Ivy League Cornell University in Ithaca (New York) is showcasing various Hindu gods and goddesses in it “Gods and Scholars” exhibition, on view till March 7 at its Hirshland Gallery.
Various Hindu deities shown in its exhibit “Book of Hindu Deities” (1860-1900) displays images of Vishnu and its avatars, Shiva-Parvati, Brahma, Ganesha, Durga, Rama, Krishna, Radha, Saraswati, Hanuman, Kali, Kartikkeya, Shreenath, Bhairava, Sitla, Garur, Ganga, Jamuna, etc.
Another exhibit shows “Devi Mahatmyam” (The Glorification of the Goddess, a Hindu text in Sanskrit glorifying Devi).
Fredrika Loew is the Curator of this exhibition, which includes materials from the Rare and Manuscript Collections.
Founded 1865, research university Cornell, one of whose “core values” include “Thinking otherwise”, has been named “11th best university in world” and “sixth in academic reputation”. It has about 21, 600 students and boasts of 45 Nobel laureates. Robert S. Harrison is Trustees Chairman while Elizabeth Garrett is President.
Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, commended the Cornell University for showcasing Hindu gods and goddesses. Frequently organized exhibitions focused on Hinduism would go a long way in sharing the rich philosophy-concepts-symbols-traditions of this oldest religion with the rest of the world.
Neela Pandya
