Pune: As Ganeshotsav is being celebrated with great enthusiasm across Maharashtra and India, Indians residing abroad also embraced the festival with equal joy.
The spirit of Ganeshotsav was seen in countries like England, the USA, Australia, and Nigeria, where the Indian diaspora celebrated in a traditional manner, ensuring that the festivities continued with cultural authenticity despite being far from home.
In Birmingham, England, the Marathi Mitra Mandal of the Midlands organized a grand celebration at the Shirley Community Centre. The highlight of the event was the procession of Lord Ganesha, accompanied by the energetic beats of dhol-tasha, led by the 'Dhol Drums' group.
Sujata Mathur, in keeping with the unique tradition of the mandal, led the Ganesh puja, while children engaged in a creative painting activity. After the puja, a delicious Maharashtrian feast, featuring aamras puri, was served as Mahaprasad.
Key organizers of the event, including Srikant Jondhale, Smita Honap, Nutan Honap, and Anand Padki, worked diligently to ensure the event’s success.
In Nigeria, the Maharashtra Mandal Residents Association celebrated Ganeshotsav in Lagos with grandeur. This year, the mandal created a massive 18-foot-tall and 22-foot-wide replica of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, symbolizing the inauguration of the temple.
Notably, the Ganesha idol was sculpted by Charles, a local Nigerian artist. Girish Jaykar, Santosh Raut, Jitendra Matkar, Nitin Nagine, Sanket Kadam, and Makarand Dahidule took the lead in organizing the event.
The Houston Maharashtra Mandal in the USA marked the occasion with over 1,000 devotees in attendance. Lord Ganesha was installed amidst vibrant floral decorations, colorful rangolis, and a beautifully adorned hall.
The celebration featured traditional Marathi performances, including music, dance, and drama, with the procession of Lord Ganesha energizing the crowd with dhol-tasha beats.
The president of the mandal, Nital Adkar, and vice-president, Trupti Nag, warmly welcomed the devotees. The event culminated in a grand aarti and the distribution of Mahaprasad.
In Swindon, England, the Swindon Mitra Mandal and Swindon Hindu Temple collaboratively organized a public Ganeshotsav. A dhol-tasha procession, led by the 'Dhol Beats UK' team, brought Ganesha to the venue where the idol was installed with due rituals. Cultural performances by local artists, children, and members added to the festive atmosphere.
Special guests, including Wiltshire’s High Sheriff, Dr. Olivia Chapple, and the Mayor of Swindon, Imtiyaz Sheikh, attended the event. Pradeep Bharadwaj, president of the Swindon Hindu Temple, welcomed the guests.
In Yokohama, Japan, the three-day Ganeshotsav organized by the Yokohama Mandal was filled with vibrant cultural activities. The highlight was a grand procession with dhol-tasha and zanj music. The venue was adorned with a replica of the Ram Mandir, scenes from the Ramayana, and fountains.
The event featured group activities, a recital of shlokas and stotras, a mythological quiz, and performances of music, dance, and drama, creating a festive and spiritual atmosphere.
