Latest News

On Sunday 20 September, the Manningham Interfaith Network celebrated the International Peace Day & Ganesh Visarjan Festival at Ruffey Park Lake in the City of Manningham.

It was an ideal Spring Day and members of various faith communities within the Manningham Interfaith Network in partnership with Gautamji and members of nearby Chinmay Mission shared in a happy celebration of International Peace Day and the Ganesh Visarjan Festival. The celebration concluded with a delicious vegetarian meal and sweets in the park. A strong sense of peace, goodwill and sharing was clearly evident.

Immersion of Ganesh in the lake

The popular Hindu festival Ganesh Visarjan (which commenced Thursday 17 September) culminated on that day with a clay statue of the Hindu elephant god Ganesh being immersed in the lake to symbolise the return of Ganesha to, something like nothingness (or hibernation), after having once again passed on his annually recurring Visarjan message to followers. Immersion also represents removing the misfortunes (or sins) of mankind as the statue dissolves. Amidst the joyous festive chanting, bhajans (Hindu devotional song) and dancing the palanquin (sedan chair, or litter, carried on four poles) supporting the statue of Lord Ganesh was carried to the lake by many willing volunteers, then joyously immersed. Prior to this joint celebration a pre-service as part of Visarjan was attended by Chinmaya Mission members at their nearby Ashram.

Many faiths represented at the ceremony

The purpose of Visarjan is also described as replenishing spiritual energy and acting as a reminder that material wealth is transitory and of no use to the soul. Visarjan teaches a sense of detachment and realisation that life is short and that our own body, which we cherish and pamper, will one day be reduced to ashes and base elements. The joint celebration was joyous and very much in the context of peace and goodwill towards everyone.

Many Thanks to Gautamji and the Chinmaya Mission for today's joint celebration, and to Dot for organising the event for MIN.