By Anil Pandey l Beijing
The fervour of Ganesh Chaturthi transcended borders as the Beijing Marathi Mitra Mandal celebrated Ganeshotsav with grandeur in the Chinese capital over the weekend. The festival drew enthusiastic participation from the Indian diaspora and featured a rich blend of rituals, cultural performances and competitions at the popular Taj Pavilion Indian Restaurant.
The festivities began with the traditional sthapana of Lord Ganesha’s idol, followed by prayers, mantras and shloka chanting that filled the hall with devotion. Cultural highlights included dance and musical performances, drama, devotional songs, and storytelling sessions by children narrating the birth of Lord Ganesha. The beats of dhol-tasha and the vibrant lezim dance electrified the atmosphere, as chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya” echoed through the venue.
Adding to the celebratory spirit, a quiz on India and Lord Ganesha, a drawing competition for children, and a prasad-making contest were organised. Winners were felicitated by Ajay Bhushan Pandey, Vice President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), who praised the creativity and enthusiasm of the participants.
The event concluded with a symbolic visarjan, affirming the community’s resolve to return with greater zeal next year. For Indians in Beijing, the annual Ganeshotsav is more than a festival—it is a reaffirmation of their cultural identity and a bridge of friendship abroad.
Event organiser Ketki Thakar said, “Our primary aim is to connect the next generation with Indian traditions and spread awareness of our festivals among the international community.”
In the competitions, Shagun Kakkar won first prize in drawing, followed by Amaira Pandey and Tiyasha Nandi. In prasad-making, Agastya Kuthe secured first place, with Rekha Sharma and Charu Taneja coming second and third. Winners were felicitated by Vijay Bhushan Pandey, Vice President of AIIB.
