Huge Hindu festival set for showground

GANESH Chaturthi festivities are coming to Ballarat, in what’s being billed as a regional Australian first.

Put on by the city’s Indian community and The Ballarat Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre, the free five-day event is called the Grand Ganesh Festival and celebrates the birth of the Hindu deity.

Taking place at the Ballarat Showgrounds between Wednesday, 31 August and Sunday, 4 September, BHTCC executive member Sachin Dahiya said the timing is right to introduce the annual tradition.

“It’s a passion for us to celebrate it in India so that’s why we’re bringing it here for the first time. We want to encourage people around multiculturalism and tell them about our culture,” he said.

“A lot of things will be happening. Morning prayers, exhibitions, food and market stalls and showcases of our Indian heritage.”

A cultural exhibition will be on display depicting the Ramayana Sanskrit, which tells the story of Lord Rama with the use of specially-made dolls imported from India.

A five-foot idol of Ganesh will be available to pray to during the festivities after which it will be dissolved at Lake Wendouree.

Children’s activities and pooja dance shows will be on offer each day before a fireworks display on the Friday.

More than 40 cultural programs are being run in the leadup to the festival in collaboration with other organisations.

BHTCC president Harishankar Parippaayillam said it will highlight more than just Indian culture.

“The multicultural population is increasing in regional Australia and they are the backbone of those communities. The Indian community has the largest number of immigrants here,” he said.

“It’s about improving multiculturalism in Ballarat not just for us but for everyone.”

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