Hindu ceremony on Mersey’s waters
Sep 15 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post
Hindu ceremony on Mersey’s waters
THE River Mersey became the “Ganges of the North” on Sunday, when 1,100 Hindu pilgrims performed a waterborne ceremony.
They boarded the Mersey ferry Royal Daffodil for Ganesh Visagen, a Ceremony of Immersion performed on a symbol of the Elephant God, Lord Ganesh.
According to Dr Shiv Pande, secretary of the Indo British Association in the North, the Mersey has been adopted by British Hindus as their own Holy River Ganges.
The Indo British Association helped organise yesterday’s ceremony. The organisation aims to promote better understanding between British and Indian people.
The pilgrims lowered a one- foot clay statue of Lord Ganesh into the Mersey. That was followed by ornate flower arrangements made mostly out of marigolds, which are considered “auspicious” in India, Dr Pande said.
Devotees were taken from Seacombe Ferry Terminal into the middle of the river in four loads, dancing to Bhangra drum music and singing devotional songs. Dr Pande, 68, a retired GP who practised in Edge Hill, said: “Those people who were regular ferry-crossers were enjoying everything. It was wonderful that everyone was in a happy and generous mood.
“The flowers are immersed in the river. They represent dedication, devotion and submission to the Lord.”
Ganesh is one of the most revered idols in India, and one of the most popular because it crosses all religious divides and sects.
He is described as the most colourful of the Gods, being the symbol of prosperity and the remover of obstacles.
Yesterday’s ceremony was one of hundreds taking place in India and the rest of the world.
Dr Pande said 1,000 of this year’s pilgrims came from outside of Liverpool.
benschofield@dailypost.co.uk
http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-life-features/capital-of-culture/2008/09/15/hindu-ceremony-on-mersey-s-waters-64375-21817966/
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