Devotees Gather for Hindu Ganesh Festival Fire Ceremony in Chonburi
Hundreds of devotees and officials gathered at Maha Kali Temple in Chonburi on September 18 for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, featuring traditional Hindu fire worship ceremonies and a grand procession culminating in the ritual immersion of
Chonburi—Officials and prominent guests gathered at Maha Kali Temple Avatarchakravala on September 18 for the 2569 Ganesh Chaturthi festival celebration. Naris Niramaiywong, Chonburi Governor, chaired the ceremony alongside Pattaya Mayor Prameswar Gampichetchod, Panasnikhom District Chief Chayaphol Ratanavissuthikul, Pattaya Provincial Police Station Commander Anek Sathongyu, and other dignitaries and devoted worshippers.
The festival featured traditional Hindu aarti fire worship ceremonies honoring Ganesha, with devotional chanting and prayers. Aarti, a ritual involving fire or lamps, is central to Hindu worship practices. Crowds of devotees continuously arrived to pay respects and seek blessings from Ganesha amid a festive atmosphere. Ganesh Chaturthi is a major Hindu festival celebrating the birth of the deity, observed with prayers, offerings, and aarti ceremonies.
The temple scheduled the festival between September 14–18. On the evening of September 17, fire worship ceremonies began at 7:08 p.m., accompanied by performances from Indian singers. On Friday, September 18, the final day, morning aarti ceremonies preceded a grand procession carrying the Ganesha idol through Pattaya to Bali Hai Pier for the immersion ceremony, known as Visarjan. This ritual, performed at the festival's conclusion, symbolizes sending Ganesha back to the divine realm, completing the annual celebration.
