Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Croydon marked Ganesh Chaturthi with a vibrant two-day festival, bringing the community together for prayers, cultural programs, music, and traditional rituals.
Over the weekend, Krishna Avanti Primary School hosted Croydon Mitra Mandal’s Ganesh Utsav, a two-day celebration that included communal activities, cultural performances, and prayers.
The Ganesh celebration, also called Ganesh Chaturthi, is one of the most popular Hindu holidays. It honors Lord Ganesha, who is famed for his human body and elephant head and is the god of wisdom, prosperity, and fresh beginnings.
Hindus over the world celebrate the event, which includes the placement of exquisitely constructed idols of Lord Ganesha in public and residential areas, prayers, singing, and, at the end, the immersion of the idol, known as Ganesh Visarjan, which represents the cycle of creation and rebirth.
Hundreds of people from Croydon and the surrounding areas attended the festival, which was held at the primary school nestled next to the Croydon Flyover on Southbridge Place.
Its purpose was to “unite families, friends, and well-wishers in devotion and cultural pride.”
The Conservative council member serving as Croydon’s ceremonial mayor this year, Richard Chatterjee, spoke. It appears that council members from other political parties did not attend the ceremony.
The organisers said:
“The Croydon Ganesh Utsav is more than a religious festival – it is a celebration of cultural heritage, harmony and togetherness.
The event showcased the strength of Croydon’s Indian and British-Indian community.
We are deeply grateful to all the devotees, volunteers, performers and special guests who joined us for Croydon Ganesh Utsav 2025.
The energy, unity, and joy were truly heartwarming, and we look forward to making this celebration even bigger in the coming years.”
How did the festival impact nearby businesses and traffic?
The Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Croydon had a positive impact on nearby businesses, boosting local commerce with increased foot traffic and participation from the community. Many local vendors and shops benefited from the influx of festival attendees who came to take part in the celebrations, purchase festival-related goods, food, and offerings.
The event helped foster a sense of community and cultural pride which translated into increased spending in nearby restaurants, shops, and services. Regarding traffic, there were some localized disruptions due to road closures and parking restrictions in the areas close to festival venues to accommodate the large crowds and ensure safety during religious processions and events.
Authorities managed the traffic flow and parking arrangements to minimize inconvenience. Overall, while there were some traffic slowdowns and diversions during peak festival hours, the impact was well managed.