A gold plated idol of Lord Hanuman will be presented to Obama (PTI) More Pictures NEW DELHI: With Democrat senator Barack Obama busy in the run-up to the US presidential polls, a group of well-wishers in the capital have decided to send him a symbol of his lucky charm, Lord Hanuman, to help him emerge victorious. Obama's representative Carolyn Sauvage-Mar on Tuesday received a gold-plated two-feet-high idol which she will pass it on to the Obama after it is sanctified. The idol is being presented to Obama as he is reported to be a Lord Hanuman devotee and carries with him a locket of the monkey god along with other good luck charms. An hour-long prayer meeting to sanctify the idol was earlier organised at Sankat Mochan Dham and by Congress leader Brijmohan Bhama, Balmiki Samaj and the temple's priests. "Obama has deep faith in Lord Hanuman and that is why we are presenting an idol of Hanuman to him," said Bhama. Accepting the souvenir, Sauvage-Mar, who is chairperson of Democrats Abroad-India, said, "Obama has extended his thanks for the support." However, questions on Obama's religious beliefs elicited just a smile from Sauvage-Mar, apparently to avoid controversy back home where the Democrat senator is pitted against the Republican Party's John McCain in the Presidential polls. The idol will be kept at the temple for 11 more days and then sent to US. "We will perform the prayers for 11 days and then hand the idol to Carolyn who will send it to Obama," said the temple priest.

NEW DELHI: Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama can now expect help from an unexpected quarter — Lord Hanuman.

All-India Congress Committee member Brij Mohan Bhama has organised a 11-day religious ceremony at Karol Bagh here for his success in the U.S. elections.

The idea of sending an idol of Hanuman dawned on him after friends in the United States mentioned a “prominent American politician who carried a miniature Hanuman idol in his pocket for luck,” Mr. Bhama said speaking on the first day of the ceremony on Tuesday.

“After hearing that, I decided to gift Mr. Obama a larger, gold-plated version along with the wishes of thousands of his supporters in this country,” said the leader struggling to lift the 15 kg, 21-inch brass idol.

The first-day ceremony, pranapratishta, or infusion of divine life into an idol, was performed by a dozen priests reciting mantras in tandem. It was attended by Democrats Abroad India chairperson Carolyn Sauvage, who spent over an hour at the venue.

The idol was later kept in the sanctum sanctorum of the Sankat Mochan Dham, where it will be kept for 10 more days. Mr. Bhama said several temples in New Delhi had already expressed an interest in keeping the idol for worship on their premises before it begins its journey across the Atlantic.

Along with the idol, a copy of Hanuman Chalisa, a compilation of hymns in praise of the Lord, would be sent.

“We will ensure that Mr. Obama receives the idol by August 24, a day before the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado,” said Mr. Bhama.

hanuman le raxya garun obama bro lai!!

Yo Blistering barnacles, what's up. Things changing faster than..well, I have no idea what's the fastest.. We are now a republic. Ain't that something? Federal  Republic of blah blah blah and even more blah blah blah of Nepal.

Just logged on to drop you a note. May lord hanuman bless and protect us all...

Oh Boy,  I am drunk. Seven Drunken Nights..!!!

Anyways, what's the difference if its Obama or anyboy else? As I see no difference whatsoever. Bush dude screwed it so much so that no one, and I repeat no one, even Ralph Nader, can clean up the mess now.

no. not really. whether iys obama or Mccain or whoever else for that matter, what difference its going to make? None whatsover.

LMAO...guess they couldn't send Fauxbama a 15kg gold-plated Ganesh.  That'll be sent to McCain.  And we all know Ganesh is the go-to god for good luck and auspicious beginnings.  Heh.

Careful there Captain; you forgot the call out to Christianity and we wouldn't want Dobson and his ilk coming down hard on your for that omission now would we.

I have been accused "obambi-mania" by many a friend, but I have to fervently believe that, Obama, given the life experience (if nothing else) sees things differently. The foreign policy of this country is in dire need of change as is its energy policy. McCain seems much too content changing policy day-to-day based on political expediency. Obama too has shown equal prowess for changing his stance (see: Public financing promises and the statement ablout Jerusalem remaining the undivided capital of Israel); however, I still think that on the "larger issues" i.e. Energy policy, War, Foreign Policy, he is the one that will bring about that much clamoured for change.

As for Hanuman...I'm not sure how help/luck he would bring Obama, but, is there anyway we could divert his attention to Nepal? increasingly it looks the like our country could use all the luck and help anyone can spare!!

HAHAHAH  Haddock, Completely missed out on this thread...Hanuman for Obama?  HAHAH

I assume that the Indian Press mistook the whole incident.  It should've been Dunkin' Hanumans for Obama instead.  A month or two ago I saw a pic posted on sajha of Saurabh, a member of the Dunkin' Hanumans (an ANA basket-ball team) trynna shake hands with Obama...The Indian Press did get it right, but they shouldn't have left out the Dunkin' part!  Confused the shiet outta everybody. 

PS: Sending Obama the Hanuman Chalise?  WTF!  And I seriously hope black peeps here don't hear about this.  As it is, anything "monkey" is a considered in the same lines as the N-word...And a Monkey God sent to support Obama would defn not be taken lightly by Rev.Sharpton!  HAHAHAHA

 "The US might see a higher use of non-hydro carbon fuels over a ten to fifteen year period based on the policies of the next four or eight years. This in turn would impact foreign policy decisions, especially those related to oil-rich Middle East in the long run (10 -20 years). "

I am a bit skeptic. Do you think all those oil refineries/distributors who have inversted all that sum of money in the middle east would let Obama do what he wants to do? No way! Its all about oil-politics and the money involved. Also let's not forget all those who are investing on the whole Caspian sea stuff. Its all messed up dude.

Obama, Bush III or Nader, nothing's going to change. Why?

1.Pulling out troops from Iraq is not easy. Iraq is not Vietnam.

2.State department does not care who is the President. They look at the long term American interests.

3. We are talking about billions and billions of dollars here. Do you think the Oil tycoons would turn environmnet friendly overnight?

But again dude, you are entitled to your opinions and I, a mere observer from far away, is not trying to contradict your informed views, or challenge you. I am just putting forth my way off views.