Hindu and Buddhists celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi in Pattaya with an eight-day festival culminating in the immersion of idols representing the “God of Success” in the sea to fete the son of supreme deity Shiva.
Tourism Promotion chief Ornwara Korapin and Chaiwat Dechnatee, president of the Pattaya Ganesh Lovers Club, opened the 10th annual festival Sept. 7 with former Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh and the Royal Thai Police’s Pol. Maj. Gen Kittirach Panpetch at the Central Marina shopping center.
Club members took the statue through the city and finished at Central Marina where believers lit candles, prayed and paid respect with pure milk, coconut water or water to shower the statue. The activities were repeated throughout the week.
On Sept. 13, the birthday of Ganesh, worshipers took the statue to the sea at Bali Hai Pier in a ceremony running from 6:59-9 p.m. The ritual immersion of Ganesh images made of plaster of Paris symbolizes 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.
In Thailand, Buddhists recognize Ganesh as the “god of success,” appearing in Mahayana Buddhism texts in the form of the Buddhist god Vinayaka as well as a Hindu demon form with the same name.
Hindu and Buddhists celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi in Pattaya with an eight-day festival culminating in the immersion of idols representing the “God of Success” in the sea to fete the son of supreme deity Shiva.
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