The 10-day-long ‘Ganeshotsav’ organised by various associations at Mattanchery concludes on Saturday. The festival organised by the Sri Cochin Ganesh Mandal has been drawing huge crowds from various parts of the city. Similarly, the Ganesha festival at Sree Goapalakrishna Sarvajanik Temple at Mattanchery is also popular among the devotees.
The festival by Cochin Ganesh Mandal was inaugurated by Swami Purnamritananda Puri, secretary of Mata Amritanandamayi Math, on September 19.
“Everyday we have Ganesh Homam at 7 am. Also bhajans are rendered from 6.30 pm to 10 pm and Maha Arti performed at 8 pm. Devotees are given prasadam,” said Nikhil Asher, secretary of Shri Cochin Ganesh Mandal.
The managing committee of Cochin Ganesh Mandal include Bharat R Shah (president), Jitendrakumar Jain (vice-president), Nikhil N Asher (secretary), Sanjay Bhojak (joint secretary), Mayur V Shah (treasurer), Paras B Shah and Ashok Agarwal (committee members) Deputy Mayor B Bhadra, secretary Ajit Patil and T K Ashraf have come for the festival, he said.
Exhibition of Idols
An exhibition of over 40 antique Ganesh idols organised in connection with the festival is another attraction. On Saturday, the last day of the festival, there will be ‘Maha Prasad’ for devotees from 11.30 am to 2 pm. The procession from Hathi Talav Ground to Fort Kochi beach begins at 3 pm.
The Ganesha festival organised at the Sree Gopalakrishna Temple also concludes on Saturday.
A huge Ganesha idol, specially prepared for the festival, has been placed at the temple. “In addition to daily bhajans, the temple trust has also organised competitions for children as part of the festival. ,” said Arvind Gokhale of the temple trust.