Telugu NRIs celebrate Vinayaka Chavithi across Dubai, Oman, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia

Telugu NRIs across the Arabian Gulf celebrated Vinayaka Chavithi with rituals, community meals and festive gatherings. While devotees immersed idols at home within one to three days, celebrations in Dubai, Oman, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia reflected diverse practices and customs

By Gulf Correspondent

Dubai: The Telugu NRI community in the Arabian Gulf witnessed a spiritual yet vibrant Vinayaka Chavithi festive spirit. The festival, celebrated at home by many NRIs, was simple yet deeply spiritual. Unlike in India, most devotees here immerse Ganesha idols within one to three days.

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However, in selected places in Dubai, Muscat and Bahrain, the festival is celebrated for nine days with pomp and spirit. The Hindu Temple in Dubai has asked devotees to immerse Ganesha idols at home after completing the pooja, rather than taking them to public water bodies such as seashores.

Noise is another area highlighted in the temple’s guidance. Devotees were advised to avoid drums, loudspeakers and musical instruments in an effort not to disturb neighbours.

Many Telangana NRI workers in Burj Dubai in the city celebrated the festival on Sunday and offered community meals. Some labour camps also celebrated Ganesha according to local traditions and circumstances.

Mythri Farms in Ras Al Khaimah witnessed a huge rush of devotees, largely drawn from Dubai, over the last nine days, with the idol being immersed on Sunday.

“We have been celebrating Vinayaka Chavithi for the last five years,” said Kesari Trimurthulu, the organiser of the celebration.

In Oman, devotees turned up in large numbers at Motishwara Mahadev Mandir Hall in Muscat, where rituals were performed with great devotion. The Telangana NRI community also celebrated the festival in various parts of the country. This year, most workers’ accommodations where sizable Telugu workforces live also celebrated the festival.

In Saudi Arabia, the Telugu community held an impressive festive event on Friday in Dammam, which witnessed the participation of a large number of devotees. It was traditionally organised and instilled with an eco-friendly spirit as a single-day event.

The community also celebrated the festival individually in Riyadh on Friday. “We prayed to Lord Ganapati to remove obstacles and bless the Kingdom with peace and prosperity, which is our home away from home,” said Ranjith Chetluri, a leading Telugu community activist in Riyadh.

In Bahrain, Telugu Kala Samiti conducted the festival, where Telugu devotees performed rituals. Several workers’ accommodations where the Telugu community lives also celebrated the festival, according to various organisers.