Indian group asks Hindu monkey god to lead Obama to election triumph

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
A dozen priests chanted around a sacred fire in New Delhi on Tuesday as a group of Indians offered prayers to the Hindu monkey god Hanuman asking him to grant US presidential hopeful Barack Obama an election victory in November. Several dozen people took part in the prayer ceremony held at a Hanuman temple. Many said they believed an Obama victory would bring positive change to the world. "From the land of Gandhi we convey our best wishes to Mr. Obama for the forthcoming presidential elections in the United States," said Brij Mohan Bhama, a local businessman who organized the event. Bhama said an Obama victory would be good for India and the rest of world "because he stands for change" and would help stem rising prices, poverty and terrorism. Bhama said he got the idea for Tuesday's event after reading reports in Indian media that among the many good luck charms Obama carries is a replica of Hanuman.