Hundreds of Hindu devotees assembled at My Suva Park in Nasese, Suva, marked the culmination of the Ganesh Utsav festival with the Ganesh Visarjan ceremony last Saturday. This event symbolized the end of the 10-day festival dedicated to Lord Ganesh, who is revered as the deity of wisdom, prosperity, and the remover of obstacles.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, highlighted the significance of Lord Ganesh as symbolic of overcoming challenges and fostering prosperity. Moreover, he emphasized the festival’s role in promoting unity and encouraging reflection on Fiji’s diverse history, culture, and traditions.
The event was deeply imbued with devotion, as families and communities came together to chant prayers and perform bhajans before participating in the final immersion of the deity. Prasad expressed gratitude to the Fiji Sevashram Sangha and all participants for their efforts in organizing the event, indicating the importance of shared cultural and religious practices in bringing people together.
Similar to past celebrations across Fiji, the Ganesh Utsav observed in Suva is part of a broader tradition where religious festivals serve as occasions for fostering unity, inclusivity, and communal understanding. Leaders like Prasad have consistently underscored the role of such events in promoting mutual respect and cross-cultural dialogue, contributing to the country’s social cohesion and harmony.
By integrating the values and teachings of Lord Ganesh into daily life, such celebrations also aim to reinforce the spirit of community and shared identity among Fiji’s diverse population. Through vibrant cultural expressions and communal prayers, events like Ganesh Visarjan continue to enrich Fiji’s social fabric, offering hope for continued unity and peace among its citizens.
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