VHP Thailand celebrated Ganesh Utsav, a vibrant festival honouring Bhagwan Ganesh, who is known for wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. The festivities took place from September 14-15, 2024 at the Nimubitr Arena in the heart of Bangkok.
This year saw a double celebration – with one in Pattaya, Chonburi. Deo K Singh, Vice President of VHP, organised this in association with the Bharatiya Community of Pattaya. It was a grand affair and concluded with Visarjan on September 16, 2024. The event saw a gathering of Indians, Thais and other expatriates and tourists, who were all fascinated with this show of Bharatiya culture and tradition.
Ganesh Utsav, a significant festival in Hindu culture, brings together communities to celebrate with enthusiasm and devotion. Like every year, this year, VHP Thailand hosted a series of events to mark this joyous occasion, including cultural performances, devotional music, and community service activities. The celebrations aim to promote cultural heritage, community spirit, and the values of unity and goodwill.
High Profile Representation…
Bhagwan Ganesh, known in Thailand as Phra Phi Kanet, is highly revered and beloved to Thais and other expatriates living in Bangkok. The Bharatiya community too turned out in their thousands. There was high level representations from Embassies of Bharat, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, along with local representations from Government ministries, TCEB, and top Thailand businesses.
The celebrations were graced with the presence of Mayor of Pattaya, the head District Magistrate (DM) and other members of Pattaya City Councils. The authorities were very helpful in making this a successful event. The authorities requested to conduct this multi-cultural event annual and Deo K. Singh assured them that they would do so.
Interactive Workshops…
Educational workshops on the significance of Ganesh Utsav and Hindu rituals were conducted. This year the focus was on clay modelling of Ganesh and Mandal making. This was aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the festival’s cultural and spiritual aspects.
Visarjan – It was time to bid goodbye to Bhagwan Ganesh, and there were moist eyes, and mostly gratitude for Bappa visiting us. Farewell was bid in a unique way as Bhagwan Ganesh was paraded across prime Bangkok area with Ganesh atop a grand Chariot pulled by devouts, including the young and the old.
