State Rep. Latha Mangipudi of Nashua takes of photo of House Speaker Shawn Jasper with Veeramani Ranganathan from the Hindu Temple of New Hampshire on Thursday, March 23, 2017. Ranganathan gave the opening Hindu prayer before the session.
State Rep. Latha Mangipudi of Nashua takes of photo of House Speaker Shawn Jasper with Veeramani Ranganathan from the Hindu Temple of New Hampshire on Thursday, March 23, 2017. Ranganathan gave the opening Hindu prayer before the session. Credit: GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

Veeramani Ranganathan of the Hindu Temple of New Hampshire in Nashua gave the opening prayer in front of the House of Representatives session Thursday. And State Rep. Latha Mangipudi of Nashua became the first legislator to wear an Indian sari during a session. Ranganathan spoke the prayer first in Sanskrit and then in English.