The massive procession organised by the Ganeshotsav Trust included dozens of ‘kavadi’ and ‘kumbhakudam’ dancers, performers decked up as gods, and what’s more, dancing drum-beaters!
As many as 500 vehicles took part in the procession, in which over a hundred Ganesh idols which were worshiped at homes and other centres were taken to Shangumugham beach for immersion.
The smaller processions from 35 centres in the city and 28 spots in the suburbs joined together at Pazhavangadi Maha Ganapathy Temple, where the cultural meet was inaugurated by Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.“The festival is an expression of the deep faith Indians have. It is this faith that redirects the path of wrongdoing. Ganeshotsav is a sign of the inner power of man to stay away from evil and have faith in the good,” the Minister said.
The Minister flagged of the procession by lighting the lamp with a flame brought from the Pazhavangadi Maha Ganapathy Temple. ISRO former chairman G Madhavan Nair, Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Changanassery vicar general Fr John V Thadathil and Santhigiri Ashram organising secretary Swami Gururatnam Jnanathapaswi were also present at the function.
The procession was led by hundreds of devotees carrying ‘Vighneswara poorna kumbham.’
Several dancers fainted as the ‘kumbhakudam’ procession advanced. However, the dancing ‘chendamelam’ troupe following them captured the attention of spectators. Nearly 30 ‘kavadi’ dancers, dancing with balanced ‘kavadis’ on their shoulders, followed. People dressed up in several ‘theyyam’ forms, Gods and other mythical characters also added hue to the procession.
Another charming sight was an illuminated float carrying a large idol of the Lord. The idols, that varied not only in size but also in shape, represented the 32 different ‘bhavas’ or expressions of Lord Ganesh.