Followers of the Hindu
and Buddhist god Ganesha prepare to lower a statue of the “god of
success” into the sea at Bali Hai Pier.
Urasin Khantaraphan
Followers of the Hindu and Buddhist god Ganesha capped a 15-day festival
with a ceremony lowering a statue of the “god of success” into the sea
at Bali Hai Pier.
Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh and Pattaya Ganesha Lovers Club President
Chaiwat Detnathee led the faithful at a fire sacrifice and prayer
ceremony Aug. 28 as part of the Ganesha Chaturthi celebration.
The centerpiece of the event was the ritual immersion of a
2.39-meter-tall Ganesha figure made of Plaster of Paris into the sea,
symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in his journey towards his
abode in Kailash while taking away with him the misfortunes of his
devotees.
Devotees joined in, bathing the figure in curcuma, coconut and nectar,
and covering head of priests as per ancient tradition. They prayed for
sadness and disease to be lifted and wrote the names of relatives on the
statue to eradicate evil from their lives and bring prosperity.
The Aug. 15-30 festival - the sixth year it has been held in Thailand -
is the country’s largest celebration of its kind. The festival included
a parade through Pattaya to display Ganesha’s image so followers could
pray for their own success and obstacles to be removed. Pattaya
officials and club leaders then led followers in an evening
candle-lighting ceremony.
