The Ganesh festival celebrates the Hindu god with a lively procession. Don’t miss this ceremony in the heart of Paris, taking place on Sunday, August 30 (date to be confirmed).
The Fête de Ganesh takes place on Sunday, August 30 (date to be confirmed). Religious ceremonies will begin at the Temple de Sri Manicka Vinayakar Alayam at 9:00 a.m. The procession will leave the Temple at 10:30 a.m. and continue until 3:00 p.m. During this religious parade, coconuts are broken: the shell represents the illusion of the world, the flesh is individual karma, and the coconut water is the ego. This water is poured as the representation of Ganesh passes by. Symbolically, by breaking coconuts, people show the offering of their heart to Ganesh in exchange for his protection. The procession includes musicians (flute, nageshvaram, and drum players). They are followed by dancers carrying a large arch of peacock feathers called kavadi on their shoulders, and women dancers carrying terracotta pots on their heads in which camphor burns. The 5-meter-high chariot containing the statue of Ganesh is decorated with fabrics, garlands, fresh flowers, banana bunches, coconuts, and areca palm leaves. A 2nd chariot pulled by women carries Muruga, Ganesh’s brother. The goddess Durga follows in a 3rd chariot. Blessed offerings, sweets, and cold drinks are handed out during this friendly traditional festival, celebrated since 1996 in the 18th arrondissement of Paris.
Source: paris.fr — photo: ©Marc Verhille/Ville de Paris