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The Ganesh festival, Sunday 27th August 2017

The most colourful and joyous festival of the entire Parisian calendar is here for its 22nd edition, with an incredible parade, lots of noise, smashed coconuts and infectious positive vibes!

Here’s all the info.

Celebrations for the Fête de Ganesh actually go one for two weeks at the Sri Manicka Vinayakar Alayam temple in the La Chapelle neighbourhood in the north of Paris. Although those are private, everyone is invited to the big festival that finishes the fortnight off – the Ganesh festival.

If you’ve never been able to go down and see, we suggest you do.

The whole area behind Gare du Nord is covered in bright colours, all the shops are open – often with free Indian food given out to passers-by – and the parade itself is a sight to behold, with a giant Ganesh being pulled on a float by a large team of topless men.

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During the parade (check out the route here), hundreds of coconuts are broken on the ground to symbolising offering one’s heart to Ganesh. It’s an impressive sight.

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And even once the parade has finished, the whole of Little India remains really lively, with lots of quirky shops to check out, dozens of restaurants to try (with lots of vegetarian options)…

You might also like to do some shopping at the VT Cash & Carry Indian supermarket, where the sheer quantity of foreign foodstuffs will blow your mind.

The whole event is a great family outing. Don’t miss it!

The 22nd Fête de Ganesh is happening in Paris on Sunday 27th August 2017 in the Indian quarter near the La Chapelle metro station, between 10.30am & 3pm

Website (in French): templeganesh.fr

Facebook event page: ici

Free!