Source: www.theasiannews.co.uk
UNITED KINGDOM, September 19, 2009: Colorful statutes of some of the most important Hindu Gods are due to arrive from Kolkata in India to Manchester next week. They will form part of the centerpiece of one of the most significant religious Hindu festivals in the city, Durga Puja.
The star of the five-day event, taking place between 24-28 September at Gandhi Hall in Withington, will be the Hindu vanquisher of all evil, Goddess Durga. Alongside Her will be Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Saraswati, Goddess of learning, Ganesh, the elephant God of wisdom and success and Kartik, the God of youthful grace.
The festival, marks Durga’s victory over Mahishasura and is a celebration of victory over evil.
Organizers of the festival, the Greater Manchester Bengali Hindu Cultural Association, raised over US$8,000 though cash donations from generous members of the association and its supporters to fly in the statues which will be become a significant addition to Hindu iconography in Manchester for decades.