Jaidyn Kennedy
Melbourne Ganesh Utsav will be returning for the ninth consecutive year at the Werribee Racecourse on Saturday, September 14.
The festival will celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, a significant one-day festival in the Hindu community, where worshippers and community members come together to celebrate the birth of Lord Ganesh.
The free festival aims to unite people from diverse backgrounds in Australia and showcase the rich traditions of one of Hinduism’s most celebrated festivals.
While Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated by Hindu communities all over across the world, Melbourne Ganesh Ustav takes pride in making the festival a multicultural celebration.
Running for eight hours, the event will feature food and market stalls, rides, and an entertainment stage.
A five-foot statue of Lord Ganesh from Shree Dagadusheth Halwai Temple in the Indian state of Maharashtra will be prominently displayed for rituals.
Dance performances, traditional music, children’s games and the traditional “Laddu” auction in the evening will add to the occasion, while a fireworks display is set to dazzle.
Founder Vinyak Kolape has championed the event since its inception in 2016.
He spoke about the significance of the event.
“We organise multicultural festivals like Melbourne Ganesh Utsav to educate our children about Hindu traditions and to enhance community harmony,” he said.
To achieve this goal, Mr Kolape also established the Hindu Community Foundation Australia (HCFC Inc), an educational non-profit organisation that values all faiths and supports emerging communities.
The annual event is expecting 3000 people to attend and has plans on expanding the festival’s reach.
Details: www.facebook.com/MelbGanesh/
