http://www.lightstalkers.org/galleries/contact_sheet/16247 Ganesha Chaturthi or Ganesha Festival is a day on which Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati, is believed to bestow his presence on earth for all his devotees. Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is widely worshipped as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. The festival lasts for up to 10 days (depending on the place where it is celebrated), ending on Ananta Chaturdashi. During the festivals, a household worships an idol of Shri Ganesha, and there are public celebrations of the festival. For 10 days, from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to the Ananta Chaturdashi, Ganesha is worshipped. On the 11th day, the image is taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash while taking away with him the misfortunes of all man. All join in this final procession shouting "Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya" (O father Ganesha, come again early next year). After the final offering of coconuts, flowers and camphor is made, people carry the idol to the river to immerse it. In Paris, there is a chariot festival of Sri Manikka Vinayakar temple. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for ten days and then the temple’s Utsava Murti (Utsava-Festive, Murti- Idol) of Lord Ganesh is taken on a chariot. This is France’s largest Hindu festival celebrated by over ten thousand devotees. They consist of Sri Lankans, Indian Tamils, and Hindus from different parts of India, Madagascar, Mauritius and French colonies.The procession is accompanied by devotees dancing and singing bhajans. Two water trucks proceed ahead of the chariot and wash the road. The parade covers four miles and returns back to the temple. http://www.lightstalkers.org en-us http://images.lightstalkers.org/avatars/21704/07_39n00a_small.jpg http://www.lightstalkers.org/Mathieu Grandjean <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/704661/001Ganesha_Festival_Paris_2002_small.jpg' /><br />Ganesha Chaturthi or Ganesha Festival in Paris<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/704661'>view full-size image</a> http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/704661 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:14:41 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/704661 <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/704661/001Ganesha_Festival_Paris_2002_small.jpg' /><br />Ganesha Chaturthi or Ganesha Festival in Paris<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/704661'>view full-size image</a> Mathieu Grandjean <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/704700/Title_small.jpg' /><br /><br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/704700'>view full-size 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