Hindu organisations distribute food to the needy on the last day of Ganesh Utsav

As Hindu’s in Fiji celebrate the last day of Ganesh Utsav today, some organisations have taken this opportunity to give back to their community by distributing food parcels to the needy.

Ganesh Utsav is a Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of Lord Ganesh to earth from Kailash Parvat with his mother, Goddess Parvati. After 10 days of prayers, devotees bid farewell to Lord Ganesha by submerging his statues into water and praying for his return next year.

The Bhagti Marag Mandali in Navua is celebrating the day by distributing more than 500 food parcels in Navua Town.

Organisation President, Avineshwar Dutt Sharma says this has been made possible through donations from various individuals and organisations.

He says God does not need money so the money donated to religious organisations must be used for the betterment of the community.

Sharma says thousands of families in Fiji are impacted by COVID-19 and are struggling so if you have the means to live a comfortable life, then it becomes your responsibility to assist the less fortunate in your communities.

He says it is also important to value the religion of humanity above all else when assisting people and never look at a persons race or ethnicity and decide if you should be helping them or not.

The organisations President is also urging everyone to get vaccinated as the components of the vaccine are God-given and adds that God is not here but he has found a means through the vaccines to help overcome this pandemic.

A family from the Bhagti Marag Mandali will be taking the statue of Lord Ganesha to about 7 Hindu temples and 7 communities from Pacific Harbour to the Navua River.

The Visargan or the submersion of Lord Ganesha’s statue will take place at about 4pm this afternoon at the Navua River.

Meanwhile, the Fiji Sevashram Sangha will be distributing about 1,500 food parcels to needy individuals in different communities between Nausori and Lami today.

Organisation volunteer, Anish Chand says Lord Ganesha is the remover of obstacles and through his blessings, people can now gather.

Chand adds although they are excited that restrictions on gatherings are being eased, they are being very cautions and are limiting the number of people that gather for prayers.

The Fiji Sevashram Sangha will be performing Ganesh Visargan at 4pm tomorrow.