It was a special moment for the organisers of the Lord Ganesha Float Procession when they unveiled two beautiful and divine murthis at the launch held at the Shri Marieammen Temple in Mount Edgecombe, recently.
The guest of honour was Durban businessman, Vivian Reddy, and there were performances by the students of the Saraswathie Padasalai School of Music, headed by Guru Sadha Munien.
The murthis, which are in the image of Lord Ganesha and Mother Ganga, will go on a pilgrimage to 27 temples in Newlands West, Durban North, Phoenix, Verulam and Marianhill for the next 10 days. This year is significant as the procession celebrates its 10th anniversary and takes place on September 3 and 4. The first float procession took place at the Blue Lagoon Park in 2007.
To start the proceedings off, an invocation ceremony of the murthis will take place at the Durban Hindu Temple in Somtseu Road on August 25 at 5pm.
The two day festival will start on Saturday, September 3, at 2pm, with a special senior citizen and cultural programme, followed by the conclusion of the 10-day Ganesha pooja and the breaking of 108 coconuts for Lord Ganesha.
There will be music will be rendered by Kannan Veeramani Keeran Eshwarlall. The Mother Ganga prayer and the offering at the banks of the Umgeni River will conclude the day’s events. Patrons can also look forward to a massive firework display sponsored by the India Firework Industries at China Mall in Springfield Park.
Sunday, September 4, will start with the 10th annual float procession from the SVEA Temple in Umgeni Road to Blue Lagoon Park. The day will conclude with the sculpturing of the turmeric mould of Lord Ganesha. Devotees are reminded to bring a packet of turmeric to participate in the turmeric mould pooja. There will be music be rendered by the famous Nagara Stars. Lunch will be served.
Devotees and the public wanting to donate, sponsor or participate can contact Roy Moodley on 084-655-5692. Stalls will be available for hire.