Source: www.thaindian.com
PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, August 28, 2009: Thousands of Hindus thronged temples across Trinidad and Tobago to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with devotees observing fast and chanting Vedic hymns. Earthen murtis are prepared and devotees here pay obeisance to Lord Ganesha. After Ganesh Chaturthi ends, the idols are immersed in the river or the sea.
Hundreds of devotees join the parade from Sangre Chiquito to the Valencia river where Ganesh is immersed.
Late Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyswami [founder of Hinduism Today], in his book “Dancing with Siva,” said that Lord Ganesh is the deity who helps souls adjust to higher consciousness, guiding them on the right path towards their dharmic destiny.
People of Indian origin constitute nearly 40 percent of the 1.3 million population of Trinidad and Tobago. Their ancestors came here from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar between 1845 and 1917 to work on sugar plantations.