March 28, 2008
Source: Asian Week
http://www.asianweek.com/2008/03/28/hindu-prayer-opens-state-legislatures-for-the-first-time/
Rajan Zed first sprinkled holy water from the Ganges River in India (Ganga jal) on the podium, a tradition in Hindu worship ceremony, before chanting “Om,” which in Hinduism is used to introduce and conclude religious work. This marked the first recitation of the Hindu prayer to open a state Senate session in the history of the Arizona state Senate and House of Representatives in Phoenix on March 24.