The Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated today by Hindus. Prayers are said and processions follow across the island for the immersion of statuettes bearing the effigy of the deity.
Hénry Rotile
Mauritians of the Hindu faith are getting ready today for the celebrations in homage to the god Ganesh.
For Pandit Bisoodave Bissessur, who officiates in Grand-Baie, this festival is an opportunity to ask Ganesh for mercy: “The god Ganesh is worshipped for success, intelligence and wealth. For ten days, devotees fast and pray to seek and obtain their graces.”
The murti will also be taken to the sea, rivers and other waterways: “The visarjan – or immersion of Ganesh statuettes – symbolizes all the negative things that bind us to this world. By immersing themselves, devotees ask Ganesh to cleanse them of their faults,” explains pandit Bissessur.
What’s more, while many dishes will be on the table today, sweets won’t be left out either: “The god Ganesh loves sweets. To please him, devotees will offer him sweets, including modak, gulab jamun and other ladoo offerings.”
The editors of Le Matinal Media would also like to take this opportunity to wish all Mauritians a devout Ganesh Chaturthi.
