Oh Paris

As the last summer festivals in Paris trickle away, one upcoming event promises more color than usual: the Ganesha Festival, held in the tiny stretch of northeast Paris that has come to be known as “Little Jaffna“. Every year, the local Sri Lankan community gathers to honor the Hindu god of prosperity in a noisy, joyful ritual meant to engage all the senses, but also to underline the fragility of life.

This year’s festival takes place on August 29th. The festivities begin at the Sri Manicka Vinayakar Alayam Hindu Temple at 17, rue Pajol (metro La Chapelle) at 11:00 am. A procession will wind through the streets of the La Chapelle neighborhood/Little Sri Lanka until around 3:00 pm.

In the procession, you’re likely to see giant chariots adorned with statues, fruit, flowers and leaves. The streets around the temple are purified in advance with rose water and saffron; the first to take to the streets are women carrying earthenware pots filled with burning camphor on their heads, followed by dancers, flutists and drummers. Throughout the procession, participants hurl coconuts to the ground and watch them splatter– a potent symbol of the fragile, illusory nature of the world and human existence. Giant chariots follow near the end of the procession, decked with imposing statues of the elephant god Ganesha and other deities.

The festival is also an excellent way to taste some of the Sri Lankan delicacies found in the area– throughout the procession local restaurants hand out food and drink. In the past I’ve tasted a rose-flavored yoghurt drink, samosas, and spicy, savory fritters flavored with coconut.

Related Articles:

• Guide to Little Sri Lanka (La Chapelle) in Paris
• Top (Semi-Secret) Paris Neighborhoods
• Top Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Paris

Image: Women carry burning camphor during the 2009 Ganesh festival in Paris. ©2009 Temple Ganesh Paris.

Be Sociable, Share!

•