Ganesh Chaturthi Festival "Particularly Relevant" in Diverse Country

October 7, 2005

Source: The Hindu

Wire Service: PTI

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200510071818.htm

On October 7, 2005 the Press Trust of India reported, "Ganesh Chaturthi festival will be celebrated on a grand-scale in London for the first time on Sunday by the Hindu Culture and Heritage Society, UK. The celebration would be organised at the Vishwa Hindu Mandir in Southall with the support of numerous temples, Gurdwaras and many other organisations, Brij Mohan Gupta, Chairman of the Society, said today. 'We are seeking the blessing of Lord Ganapathi to grant world peace in an otherwise very turbulent world,' Gupta said. He said the 'Shobha Yatra' (procession) would start from Vishwa Hindu Mandir and proceed to Ram Mandir at King Street, Southall. Subsequently the Idol of Lord Ganesh would be immersed in River Thames in the presence of dignitaries, he said... 'The festival is particularly relevant today in Britain's diverse communities. Like our ancestral land India, Britain too is a multi-cultural and a multi-faith society, giving boost to a new phase of cultural transformation welcoming diverse communities and openly greeting their faith, living styles, food and even fashion.'"