Saturday, September 22, 2012

Ganesh Chaturthi Celebration 2012 at Paris


Sunday 2 september 2012 ,Temple of Ganesh "SRI MANICKA VINAYAKAR ALAYAM" situated at 17, Rue Pajol, 75018  Paris celebrated << Ganesh Chaturthi Festival >>.

This is the first hindu temple in France which was created in1985, this year it became 27 years old .

Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga are brothers and are sons of  Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati .
There were several processions of chariots carrying decorated Idols of Lords . They were accompanied by people who are considered as Infantry of Lord's Army while Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga are considered Leaders of that Army .


1. 
First of all came chariot of Lord Ganesha as seen below .According to Hindu Mythology ,before starting any new business or task, we pray to Lord Ganesha so that the task gets accomplished smoothly without any hurdles.




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2.
Next came idol of an Elephant GOD in second chariot pulled by a swami ji . (Lord Ganesha's head was replaced by Elephants head .There is a story behind it . Once upon a time , Lord Shiva had gone for meditatin and prayers on Himalayan mountains and Parvati was alone at home . So before going for bath she made idol of Ganesh with multani that she had used for her body . Thus Lord Ganesh was born and she asked Ganesha to stand at the door and dont allow any strangers inside till she was taking bath .Meanwhile Lord Shiva returned from mountains and tried to enter his house but Lord Ganesha son of Parvati did notallow hi to go inside .So Lord Shiva got angry and cut of his head ignorant that HE is HIS son only .Later when Goddess Parvati came and came to know all this and told Lord Shive HE is OUR son then Lord Shiva brought Lord Ganesh back to Life by searchind and getting head of such child elephant from earth whose mother was sleeping with her back towards her son )
 
 
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3. 
Also there is another idol of Ganesha on this chariot also and there are brahmins all wearing yellow shawl and pulling the chariot of Lord .
 
 
 
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4.
Then came another group of people which danced at one place for 15 minutes or so and then move ahead following the pre-decided route of procession .
It consisted of people singing hymns of Lord Ganesha in tamoul and dancing in accordance with the music and dhol being played .

a .
There are idol of toys like horse etc in form of ballon like this


 

b.
One person desguised as statue of huge girl dancing



c.
Then comes another procession of swamis carring decorative things on their head and  ;




d.
People carrying kalasha (pot filled with water) containing leaves and fruits to be offered to Lord Ganesha




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5.
Shopkeepers decorate with Dhoop Deepam Fruits and coconut in a Kalash in front of their shop where the procession of Lord Ganesha comes .



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6.
Lots of people irrespective of religion and nationality come from throughout Paris to Gare du Nord to see this spectacle  . Just before a procession is about to come ,all the coconuts brought by people are collected and are offered to Lord .



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7.
Next comes procession of prople singing Lord Ganesha hymn and swamis dancing carrying on their shoulders semi chakra made of wood decorated with  flowers and peacock plumes

 
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8.
Next came procession of people accompanying the chariots carrying Panch Mukh Ganesh


 
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9.
Next came chariot carrying Lord Muruga brother of Ganesh and along with Valli and Devyani
 
 
 
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10.
All the shops of the road on which procession takes place are decorated and they aslo sell idols of all the GODs of Hindu Mythology and other symbols like




a.
Idols of  Goddess Radha & Lord Krisha , Lord Rama ,Lakshman and Sita ,Lord Hanuman


 
 
 
b.
Various different forms of Lord Ganesha 



 
 
c.
Idols of Dolls depicting Kerala danse Bharatnatiyam

 
 
d.
Lord Muruga's idol




Thus it was fantastic experience good to witness Indian festival being celebrated with great pomp and show in Paris.