Ganesha idol attracts Hindu worshippers
TO COMMEMORATE Sri Ganesha Chaturthi, the Hindu god’s birthday, a 3m bejewelled idol weighing 380kg stands tall at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground where worshippers have been flocking to pray and sing bhajans.
The idol of Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, who is regarded as the “remover of obstacles”, was made by a sculptor in India and shipped to Durban last month.
It’s been placed in an enclosed area at the stadium and will be immersed in water at the Blue Lagoon on Sunday.
Devotees have been offering fruit at his feet, while also listening to the discourses offered.
The event’s co-founder, Viren Singh, said the Ganesha Utsav had been observed for the second consecutive year and explained its significance.
“In India, Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated for 11 days but in South Africa we only celebrate a day (last Thursday). Co-founder Aman Dang, who is actually the
brainchild, and myself, decided to put this event together to resemble celebrations in India. Durban has one of the largest Indian populations, so we also wanted to do something to connect our NRIs (non-resident Indians) and South Africans.”
Each evening satsangs are held from 6.30pm, with a priest present, and he performs prayers daily from 11am.
“Sunday marks the 11th day of prayer, so we will take this 380kg murthi and immerse it in water. It will be transported by helicopter and lowered into the ocean at around midday.”
He said the idol was made of clay and was biodegradable and that the tradition of immersing the Ganesha in water was a ritual to “see off” the god in his journey towards his abode in Kailash.
Today, in the evening, the religious group Divinity will render music followed by the Foresthaven Sathsang Group tomorrow.
On Friday and Saturday, musician and singer Keeran Eeshwarlall and the Queensburgh Satsang Society will perform respectively.