Hindu Pearl Pallakku Chariot procession in Victoria |28 August 2017

The Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple on Quincy Street was filled with worshippers on Friday night who had come to celebrate the Hindu Vinayagar Chathurthy festival.

They recited Vinayagar prayers to the background beat of nathaswaram spiritual music.

All were asking Lord Vinayagar for blessings, good wishes and successes in Life.

Lord Vinayagar, also called Lord Ganesh, is considered the god of wealth, prosperity and good fortune.

After the religious ceremony inside the temple, the congregation moved outside still reciting Ganesh Chathurthy prayers along with nathaswaram music for the annual Sri Navasakthi Vinayagar Pearl Pallakku Chariot procession. The procession marked the end of 10 days of celebrations which had started in the morning with prayers and spiritual bathing at the Ile Perseverance beach.

A large crowd had gathered outside the temple to watch the start of the colourful Pearl Pallakku Chariot procession. After some more prayers and ritual fire lighting the Sri Navasakthi Vinayagar Pearl Pallakku Chariot procession wound its way through various streets in Victoria with the chariot being pulled by devotees who were reciting prayers to beat of nathaswaram music.

Also notable was the large number of women pulling the chariot.

The procession went from Quincy Street through Revolution Avenue, Harrison Street, Lodge Street and back to Quincy Street where it all ended.

Fruits and Indian sweets and foods were given out along the way to those present.

The Vinayagar chathurthi festival is celebrated annually in all Hindu temples worldwide.

According to the chairman of the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam, Veera Pandiyan Pillay, during this festival they offered their prayers to Lord Navasakthi Vinayagar for peace, harmony and prosperity to all the people of Seychelles.

He also mentioned that the Pearl Pallakku Chariot was decorated by three special technicians flown in from India. They used local bamboo trees for this decoration, in keeping with the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam association’s strategy to decorate the chariot differently each year.

It also showcases Hindu cultural values to the local people.