VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple at Quincy Street, Victoria, organised a colourful chariot procession yesterday evening to mark the Vinayagar Chathurthi Festival, one of the most cherished festivals on the Hindu calendar. The annual event takes place at all Hindu temples presided by the deity Lord Vinayagar, also known as Lord Ganesh. The festival celebrates the birth of Lord Vinayagar, the remover of obstacles and bringer of wisdom, and is considered a time of renewal, joy and togetherness. For devotees, it is not only a religious event but also a cultural expression of faith and gratitude.
In attendance were Vice-President Ahmed Afif and leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Sebastien Pillay, along with other dignitaries and members of the Hindu community who gathered to witness the colourful celebration. The chariot procession started at 6pm along the outer courtyard of the temple, covering Quincy Street, Royal Street, Harrison Street and Lodge Street, and lasted for about two hours. The colourful and lighted chariot, in which the deity sat, was drawn by devotees to the accompaniment of special Nathaswaram music.
During the procession, devotees performed pujas, also known as prayers, and offered coconuts, fruits and flowers to the deity as symbols of purity and devotion. The festival was marked by music and drumming, with devotees singing and dancing in the streets. Along the procession route, sweets such as Laddu and Kozhukatti were distributed to the watching public as gifts from the devotees. In recent years, the procession has also become an attraction for many tourists, with hotels informing their guests of the schedule so they can come and watch the colourful spectacle.
