Whether it's with Holi or the Ganesh festival, every year, India shows us a glimpse of its religious culture in the streets of the capital. This summer, mark your calendars for August 27, 2023, from 11 am to 3 pm, to experience a grand musical and colorful parade for the Ganesh festival. The program will include musicians, dancers, traditional costumes, and, of course, Ganesh statues!
Leading the procession, you will find flute players and Nâgasvaram players, a traditional Indian instrument similar to the oboe, as well as drummers. Accompanying them will be dancers dressed in peacock feathers and colorful costumes, performing traditional dances. But beyond the festivities, the Ganesh festival is primarily a celebration of joy, love, and the unity of the community.
Hindu religious festival very important for the Indian and Sri Lankan communities and will be an opportunity to witness many rituals in the heart of the La Chapelle district.
The celebration of Ganesh's birthday
Every year, the Ganesh Temple of Paris Sri Manicka Vinayakar Alayam organizes the Festival of the god Ganesh to celebrate the birthday of the divine child with a grand procession in the La Chapelle district. His statue travels through the streets on a beautifully decorated float with colorful flowers and brings blessings along the way.
Throughout the route, coconuts will also be broken in front of the shops. The breaking of this nut is a major metaphor in Hindu religion and a very important ritual during the Ganesh festival. Its shell represents the illusory hardness of the world, its flesh our individual actions and its water human selfishness. By breaking the coconut, each person « frees themselves and offers their heart to the blessings of Ganesh.nesh ».
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Ganesh, the god of wisdom
If you do not know the story of Ganesh, it is about Shiva's son, the god of the moon, creation, and destruction, and Parvati. Ganesh is regarded by the Hindu religion, among other things, as the god of wisdom, intelligence, education, and prudence. He plays a protective role in the Hindu community and is representedIt is represented in the form of a human body with 4 arms and an elephant head. There are several stories surrounding this myth, but the one that is well known goes like this: in the heart of the Himalayas, Shiva entered into deep meditation. But one day, his stepson Ganesh prevented him from entering his house. Furious, Shiva cut off Ganesh's head. As you can imagine, his mother Parvati was inconsolable. She had created Ganesh out of dust and pieces of her dead skin to keep her company in her moments of solitude. Shiva promised Parvati he would replace their child's head with the first young being he encountered without a mother. He then came across a baby elephant. Ganesh later became a symbol of maternity, paternity, and abundance. He is considered a god due to his elephant appearance and is a central figure in Hindu history.
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Now that you know a little bit more about the myth of Ganesh, come and calm your hearts and celebrate with the Hindu community, with joy and good humor! Who knows, this free festive moment may even help you find your inner peace!
Ganesh Festival
Sri Manicka Vinayakar Alayam Temple
17, rue Pujol - 18th arrondissement
Sunday, August 27, 2023 from 11am to 3pm
Free
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