Teeki’s “Blue Ganesha’s Bell Bottoms.”
A group of Hindus last week urged the immediate withdrawal of pants carrying an image of Lord Ganesha sold by the Southern California-based firm Teeki, calling it inappropriate.
Rajan Zed, president of Universal Society of Hinduism, in a Dec. 23 statement said that Lord Ganesha was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be worn around one’s legs, crotch and hips.
Zed also urged Amazon, Sears and other companies that sell these pants to immediately withdraw these and urged Teeki to offer a formal apology.
Pants which the Hindu devotees find objectionable include “Ganesha’s Dream Hot Pant” ($66), which is claimed as “breathable to reach the highest peaks,” and “Blue Ganesha’s Bell Bottoms” ($75), which is described as “Empower yourself to do anything in these.”
Teeki, a yoga swim-active wear fashion company founded in 2008 “based on love and sustainability,” claims to manufacture all its apparel in the United States and is “clothing that is fashion forward, functional and eco-conscious all in one.” Lindsay Hemric is said to be the designer and founder.
It reportedly has a warehouse in Vernon, California. It sells tops, bottoms, accessories and hot pants online and through various stores, including Amazon and Sears.