SOUTHEND, ESSEX, UK, September 12, 2008: Thousands of Hindus are expected at the fourth Ganapati Visarjana ceremony being staged on Shoeburys East Beach. Organized by the Shree Jalaram Seva Trust, the celebration is thought to be the largest outside India. Saturdays ceremony marks Ananta Chaturdashi, the birthday of the Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God. His birthday is one of Hinduisms most sacred events and is Indias largest public celebration.
John Lamb, Southend councillor responsible for enterprise, tourism and regeneration, said: I am delighted to welcome our Hindu guests to Southend. The free festival starts at 11am and lasts until around 4.30pm, but many clay murthis, including one portraying Lord Ganesha, will be dipped in the sea at high tide, expected at 6pm.