UK Indian associations celebrated Ganeshotsav 2015 with processions, aartis, festivities and visarjans

Ganpati Festival 2015, Sept 17 to 26: Pics of UK Ganesh Utsav celebrated in style

Archana Venkatraman

September 17th to 26th, 2015 were special 10 days for UK Indians as they celebrated Ganesh Utsav or Ganesh Chaturthi with as much pomp and splendour as it was celebrated in India. The important Indian festival – which celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesh - is was marked by UK Indians with Ganpati idol sthapana, procession, aartis, cultural activities and visarjan in Thames (Richmond).

Ganpati festival September 2015 in the UK - september 17 to september 26
Photo courtesy: Slough Mitra Mandal Ganpati festival 2014

Maharashtra Mandal London Ganeshotsav 2015 programme – Sept 17, 2015:

Maharashtra Mandal London or MML celebrated its 25th year of Ganesh festival celebrations this year for 11 days from September 17th till visarjan on Sunday, September 27th at river Thames near Richmond. The festivities began on September 17, 2015 like every year, this year too MML's Ganeshotsav celebrations included processions, Ganpati sthapana, aartis, poojas and bhajans, fun activities for children, entertainment and cultural activities for all ages and even a Visarjan programme on Sunday, September 27th at 3pm in Thames! the main highlights of the Ganpati Utsav at MML was the "evergreen antakshari" on Friday, Sept 25th, Baal Darbaar show on Saturday, 26th where children and rising stars will show their talents and a "Marathi Bana" event that involved UK-based members of the Marathi community showcase Maharashtrian culture to dignitaries invited to the event including Mayor and local MP.

Rising stars from the MML community that showcased their talents during the Ganeshotsav celebrations

 

Grown-ups perform on stage at MML Ganesh utsav festivities too!

 

MML's 25th year Ganeshotsav celebration ended in style with a Thames Visarjan

 

MML's (Maharashtra Mandal London) Ganpati visarjan at Thames ceremony

 

 

Slough Mitra Mandal & Hindu Cultural Society Ganeshotsav plans – Sept 16, 2015:

This year marked Slough Mitra Mandal's fifth Ganpati festival anniversary. The Ganpati Festival celebrations started on Wednesday, September 16 at 5.30 pm with a grand Ganpati arrival procession and setting up of a new Ganpati idol. The utsav continued for six days and included majestic Aartis, Mahaprasad and cultural events showcasing local talent from all age groups. See below SMM's Ganpati festival pictures

Hundreds of people attended the five-day Ganpati festival organised by SMM

 

 

Women in traditional attire playing fugdi as part of Ganpati festivities

 

 

Rising Star - a UK Indian girl from the SMM community performs on stage

 

 

SMM's community members welcome Lord Ganesh to kickstart Ganesh Utsav celebrations

 

 

Slough Mitra Mandal Ganpati idol-2015

 

SMM devotees participate in aartis during Ganeshotsav celebrations 2015

 

Ganeshotsav 2015 festivities at SMM including performances and song and dance

 

Marathi Mandal Reading Ganpati celebrations programme – Sept 19, 2015

Another UK Maharashtrian association Marathi Mandal Reading celebrated Ganeshotsav on Saturday, 19th September 2015 from 12:00 to 15:30. 

The packed single-day Ganesh festival celebration - attended by over 100 people - included arrival of Ganpati idol, aarti and Prasad; hot authentic Marathi meal and beverages, creative arts and drawing competition for children (between 5 and 8 year-olds and between 9 and 12 year-olds). Another major highlight of the event included the play – Sobat - performed by children for the children. Rangmanch UK and Balrang Art Group presented Sobat – a play about two girls from contrast family backgrounds who meet by chance.

Celebrating the community spirit during Ganesh Utsav and maintaining the legacy at home away from home-MMR Ganeshotsav 2015

 

Talented children perform the play Sobat on stage at the Ganpati Utsav celebrations in Reading

 

Traditional marathi meal served at MMR's Ganesh Utsav Celebrations

 

Women dressed in traditional attire to celebrate Ganesh Utsav at MMR

 

The grown ups perform too!

 

Kids paint Lord Ganesh's pictures during MMR's Ganeshotsav 2015 celebrations

 

Marathi Mandal Reading Ganpati sthapana-Ganeshotsav 2015

 

MML's 25th Ganeshotsav celebration including Ganpati idol sthapana and aartis

 

But that was not all. There was another kind and generous side to the community celebrations. MMR, in partnership with Shinfield Rangers cricket team, has donated £720 in total to two Nepal charities to support “Nepal Earthquake Relief” during the Ganesh Utsav event. MMR has also taken another charity initiative to raise funds for “Farmers Drought Relief Appeal” to support farmers who have been affected due to severe drought in regions like Marathwada, Vidarbha of Maharashtra state in India. 

Ghanapathy Temple Wimbledon

Like every year, the Wimbledon Ghanapathy Temple celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi (Vinayaka chaturthi) this year too with elaborate aartis and poojas on Ganpati day. The special poojai attracted many from the South Indian and Sri Lankan community who are regular visitors to the temple.

Telangana Development Forum UK Europe

The organization's Vinayaka Chavithi Utsavalu 2015 was celebrated for 3 days (September 17 to September 19) at East Ham South Conservative Club including poojas, prasadam and bhakti bhajans. The celebrations further included Vigraha prathisthapana and Vinayaka Pooja  on  Day 1, Pooja, Abhishekam and Dinner on Day 2, and Pooja, Nimajjanam and Lunch on Day 3 at the same venue.

Here's how UK Indians have celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav in the UK in previous years– including Ganpati Visarjan in river Thames!

Watch this space for more updates and pictures of Ganpati Festival 2015 celebrations in the UK.

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