Lulled by the scent of flowers and incense, I join the procession of the 20th edition of the Ganesh Festival organized this Sunday, August 30 by the largest Hindu temple in France. To the rhythm of drums and bells, the elephant-headed god, son of Shiva and Parvati, is celebrated as a symbol of love and knowledge. In the heart of the 18th arrondissement of Paris, I am transported to the streets of Colombo or Calcutta, mixed with the crowd of Hindus and curious people who have come to ask for the blessing of the god at the origin of the world and of all life's events. All came from 9am, celebrating Ganesh and praying at the Sri Manicka Vinayakar Alayam Temple at 17 Parjol Street. Despite the cool morning air of the French capital, a warm and intoxicating atmosphere emanates from the crowds and the spicy scents of the offerings. The change of scenery is total.

At 11am, the chariot, where the status of the god is enthroned, begins its parade through the streets of Paris, pulled by men and women adorned with flower necklaces and dressed in brightly coloured traditional costumes. As Ganesh passes by, everyone asks for his or her blessing, while the dancers, singers and musicians celebrate the goodness of the elephant-headed god. The kavadi dancers are so impressive that their physical performance seems so demanding. Hammering the Parisian asphalt with their bare feet, they wear heavy wooden and peacock feather structures on their heads and shoulders, in honour of Ganesh and his brother Skanda, god of war. Women also revere the gods by carrying on their heads terracotta pots filled with offerings such as flaming camphor or milk. The imposing resin elephant and horses made of pasteboard mingle with the Tamil flute and drummers who accompany the procession in honour of the one who has the power to remove life's obstacles.

Until 3pm, Ganesh's float decorated with dozens of necklaces of flowers, bananas and leaves, roamed the streets of Paris to the sound of broken coconuts in its path. By breaking the fruits, the faithful offered their hearts to Ganesh, and broke the illusion of the world (the shell), the individual Karma (the flesh), and the human ego (the water). This religious feast was the occasion for a unique and exotic communion where the faithful from the Hindu countries and regions of the world came together to celebrate the love of the divine Ganesh, the purifier of the world.

See the video of the Ganesh 2015 party