CATANIA, SICILY, September 1, 2014 (CTZEN–translated from Italian): The Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of the son of Shiva and Parvati, called Ganesha Chaturthi, has been celebrated with a quiet but colorful procession through the streets. Fifty devotees, all of Mauritian origin and from the little temple of the Catania Shiv Shakti Association took part in the event. Swami Ramchandas, from India, was brought by the group to participate. Accompanied by singing and dancing, the colorful (and biodegradable) Ganesha statue was carried on a small palanquin, through the Duomo Plaza past Il Liotru, the ancient elephant statue (official symbol of the city, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catania for a photo), on the way to the nearby seashore for immersion.
