Phuket celebrates second Ganesh Chaturthi festival

PHUKET — Phuket started hosting its second Ganesh Chaturthi festival on Monday, bringing Thai and Indian communities together through religious ceremonies, cultural performances and a colourful procession through the historic Old Town. Phuket governor Chotnarin Kerdsom presided over the opening ceremony on Monday in Phuket Old Town, joined by provincial officials, representatives of the Indian Embassy, business leaders and the public. Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrating Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity associated with wisdom, prosperity and new beginnings. Organised by Phuket Nine Co and the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple in Rawai, the five-day festival runs until Friday under the theme “Bridge of Faith and Culture”. It aims to promote cultural exchange between Thailand and India while giving residents and visitors an opportunity to experience Indian religious traditions and performing arts. An artist creates a sand mandala during the festival. The opening procession carried a statue of Lord Ganesha through Phuket Old Town, combining Indian religious traditions with the distinctive Sino-Portuguese architecture and cultural heritage of the historic district. One of the highlights was a Dhol-Tasha performance featuring two groups from India and more than 50 performers. Traditional drumming and other cultural activities along the route attracted crowds of residents and tourists. Papatcharaorn Meepa, managing director of Phuket Nine, the event organiser, said the festival was intended to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, one of the major Hindu festivals, while creating a platform for closer cultural ties between Thailand and India. A participant at the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. The Rawai temple houses Shrimant Ganpati, an image of Lord Ganesha inspired by the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple in Pune, Maharashtra, India. The temple was established as a place of worship and as a cultural link between the two Asian countries. Mr Chotnarin said the festival reflected Phuket's cultural diversity and complemented the province's tourism offerings by highlighting its history, traditions and beliefs. The remaining programme includes Rishi Panchami, Ganapati Atharvashirsha chanting and Ganesh Yag ceremonies on Tuesday, followed by another Ganesh Yag and cultural performances on Wednesday. A performance at the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. On Thursday, devotees will take part in the 56 Bhog Seva ceremony, involving offerings of 56 auspicious foods, alongside performances by artists from India. The festival will conclude on Friday with Ganesh Visarjan. Devotees will carry the statue from the temple in Rawai to Rawai Beach, where it will be immersed in the sea in accordance with traditional practice. The second celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi could become a recurring cultural milestone for Phuket, providing a platform to celebrate Indian heritage and strengthen cultural ties between Thailand and India.