Ganesh Festival, Paris, August 2022
Usually, I am well organized for photo outings. Today is the exception that proves the rule. I was planning to arrive around 3 p.m. to see the parade. But it had started in the morning at 10:30 a.m., first with religious ceremonies and then the parade. The course was then done several times...
What to say ? Simply, wonderful. To a certain extent, I felt like I was in India when I visited temples with my friend Saiprasad. Color, music are so much wonder. The Hindus come forward to touch either the statue or the people pulling the chariot. This creates a hell of a crowd between the fervent admirers of this God and all the spectators who make their way to see, understand, take pictures but perhaps to be blessed by this God so popular in India.
Who is Ganesh? In Hinduism, Ganesh, Vinâyaka, Gaṇapati ("the chief [Pati] of the troops of deities [Ganas]" or better "the lord of the categories") or Pillayar in the south of India is the god who removes the obstacles. He is also the god of wisdom, intelligence, education and prudence, the patron of schools and knowledge workers. Recognizable by his elephant head, he is undoubtedly the most revered god in India, and his aura touches the entire Indian subcontinent and Asia in general. He is the son of Shiva and Parvati, the husband of Siddhi (Success), Buddhi (Intellect) and Riddhî (Wealth).