Hindu Organization Says Montco Yoga Company's Mats Are Offensive

GLADWYNE, PA — Leaders with an area Hindu organization are calling mats produced by a Montgomery County-based yoga company "highly inappropriate" for their depiction of Hindu deities.

The Universal Society of Hindusim issued a public call over the weekend for the company, Spiritual Revolution, which is headquartered in Gladwyne, to apologize and remove the mats from circulation.

The company responded to the claims over the weekend, apologizing and saying the situation has been a misunderstanding. They also cited First Amendment rights.

"Spiritual Revolution is deeply apologetic if anyone has been offended by the artwork it has released," the company said in a statement. "We only work with highly regarded and respected artists. The artwork has been released in limited edition format after very careful consideration to protect its artistic integrity. As Americans, we gratefully enjoy freedom of speech, without fear of retribution, censorship, or societal sanction. The artistic expression represented on these mats is meant in honor and devotion, and we are sure no one is implying that the freedoms protected by the First Amendment should be encroached upon. The calling for an "immediate withdrawal" of this artwork is an unfortunate misunderstanding of what this artwork is all about."

Representative Rajan Zed said that the mats depict Lord Ganesha, goddess Durga, and Lord Hanuma, all highly regarded figures in Hindusim, and are meant to be worshipped in temples, not sat on, sweat on, or trod on with feet. They also should not be used for a commercial agenda, Zed alleges.

Image via Universal Society of Hinduism