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JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, February 26, 2006: Chanting prayers, Hindu youths took part in an annual procession ahead of the Sivaratri festival in the South African Indian township of Lenasia near here. The procession drew a crowd of more than 2,500 devotees. At each of the six Hindu temples along the eight-kilometer route in Lenasia, devotees welcomed the procession with traditional Gujarati garba dances. The Hindu Coordinating Council organized the yatra. Council chairman Kokie Singh told IANS that there were 14 groups participating from all over Gauteng province, but most significant aspect this year was the involvement of the large number of youths. “I think this is because they realize that culture is important (and) as they become increasingly aware of the spiritual functions,” he said. “The elderly folk were particularly overjoyed at the shuttle service. They could be ferried between temples on the route without having to walk.” Many devotees brought along their own containers for taking home the water handed out at several points along the route. This is a mix of the Ganges and local well water. In Laudium, a much smaller crowd than had been expected joined the 11th annual sivaratri Yatra organized by the Pretoria Hindu organization. Devotees started to walk at the Sivan Alayam temple and proceeded to the Vishnu Mandir before ending the procession at the Seva Samaj temple. At each temple prayers were offered.

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