Blog | HPRG 17th Ganesh Festival in Paris Sunday 2nd September 2012 – Hotels Paris Rive Gauche Blog

17th Ganesh Festival in Paris
Sunday 2nd September 2012

The Indian area in Paris is centred around the side and back of Gare du Nord, and on 2nd September it’ll be party time all afternoon, with a procession, music, exotic smells, loads of colour… and exploding coconuts for Ganesh!

Not to be missed. Here are all the details.

photo by pixiduc used under cc licence

It’s only once a year, and the brightest, most surprising Indian festival you’ll see in Paris. The area between La Chapelle and Gare du Nord will be buzzing on Sunday 2nd September, lots of shops in the area will be giving away free food, and people will be all smiles…

And then, suddenly, groups of men will start hurling coconuts into the street to smash them! Don’t worry – it’s all part of the proceedings. As the official site says, “the shell symbolises the illusion of the world, the flesh of the coconut the individual’s karma, and the milk the human ego. By smashing the coconut, you offer your heart to GANESHA“! As he’s the most supercute of the Indian gods, that shouldn’t be a problem.

The procession starts heading southwards at 11am. To see the whole route, click here and check our Google Map. Don’t forget that La Chappelle métro station is closed until 2nd September inclusive (alight at Gare du Nord or Stalingrad instead).

Click the image to enlarge

The 17th Ganesh Festival is on Sunday 2nd September 2012 starting 11am

Official site (in French): www.templeganesh.fr

Route here

photo by pixiduc used under cc licence
photo by pixiduc used under cc licence