Hindu chariot procession in Victoria on Monday September 18, 2023 |15 September 2023

A scene from a past Hindu chariot procession in Victoria

The Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple at Quincy Street, Victoria is organising a colourful chariot procession on Monday September 18 in the evening to mark a Hindu religious festival.

The Vinayagar Chathurthi Festival is an annual event at all Hindu temples which are presided by the deity Lord Vinayagar, who is also called Lord Ganesh.

The chariot procession will start at 7pm along the outer courtyard of the temple, covering Quincy Street, Revolution Avenue, Harrison Street and Lodge Street and is expected to last about two hours.

The colourful and lighted chariot, in which the deity sits, will be drawn by devotees to the accompaniment of special Nathaswaram music.

All along the procession route, sweets (Kozhukatti) will be distributed to the watching public as gifts from devotees.

The procession is expected also to be an attraction for tourists, as in past years. In fact, many hotels have been asked to inform their guests of the procession so that the tourists can come and watch the colourful spectacle.

The ten days of religious observances will commence in the Navasakthi Vinayagar temple and one of the main events will be held at the North East Point seashore at 9am on Monday.

Contributed