The yearly Ganesh festival/procession in Paris

The above picture was taken on 31 August 2025. Apart from the religious procession the main part of the celebrations took place the whole day in the neighbourhood of La Chapelle (Paris's own Little India) where all the streets were covered with buntings hung across buildings. Women in colourful sarees added a touch of glamour to the occasion, with many families taking the opportunity of enjoying their lunches in the open air. (Photo: pgoh13)

The above picture was taken on 1 September 2019, the last to be held before the covid pandemic started. As life returned to normal in France in 2022, the yearly Ganesh procession was held again on 28 August that year and every year after that (no processsions were allowed in 2020 and 2021). The celebrations are usually held on the last Sunday of August.

The Indian and Sri Lankan communities in Paris's Little India, most of whom are Hindus, celebrate the birthday of the Hindu God Lord Ganesha every year with a gigantic road procession starting from the temple in Rue Pajol to Paris's Little India near the La Chapelle subway then down to Marx Dormoy.
Note: The path along which the procession ploughs its way is considered to be sacred, so if you intend to take some really close-up pictures go bare-footed and you will be allowed to approach the participants.

Ganesh procession in Paris 2016 - temple at rue Pajol

The procession started and ended at the Sri Manicka Vinayakar Alayam Temple at 17, Rue Pajol.

Ganesh procession in Paris 2016 - two elephants under umbrella

Ganesh procession in Paris 2016 - two elephants under umbrella

Ganesh procession in Paris 2016 - towering woman

Ganesh procession in Paris 2016 - main elephant chariot

Ganesh procession in Paris 2016 - incense pots on head

Ganesh procession in Paris 2016 - carrying kavadi

Ganesh procession in Paris 2016 - chariot pulled by men

Ganesh procession in Paris 2016 - chariot pulled by women

Ganesh procession in Paris 2016 - women leading

Ganesh procession in Paris 2016 - barebodied men in ritual

Ganesh procession in Paris 2016 - men with kavadis

Ganesh procession in Paris 2016 - men's chariot

Ganesh procession in Paris 2016 - women's chariot

Ganesh procession in Paris 2016 - offerings

Ganesh procession in Paris 2016 - pots of incense

Ganesh procession in Paris 2016 - man carrying kavadi

Ganesh procession in Paris 2016 - free food

In an age where people try to make as much money as they can out of every single festival it is heartening to note that thousands of packets of simple vegetarian food like the one in the picture above were distributed for free to all the spectators. Respect to the Indian and Sri Lankan communities in Paris!

Note: The above pictures were taken during the procession on Sunday 28 August 2016. You can find more pictures of other processions in the links below.

Masonry Image Gallery of Ganesh 2017 procession
Behind the scenes
This was in 2008!