Crew members on Queen Anne and Aurora recently celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi, a Hindu festival honouring Lord Ganesha, who is revered as the God of wisdom, prosperity, new beginnings, and the remover of obstacles.
Queen Anne Celebrations
The celebrations began on 14 September, with Queen Anne’s crew beautifully decorating the dedicated Faith Room on board, creating a welcoming space for prayer and reflection throughout the festival. The commitment and devotion shown by the crew were remarkable, with many attending prayers each morning and evening and offering traditional gifts such as Indian delicacies, flowers, monetary donations, and other symbolic offerings.
On Aurora, Indian crew members gathered every morning and evening to offer prayers, creating a meaningful opportunity to observe their traditions while away from home. The festivities reached their highlight on the final day with a colourful procession. Crew members paraded from the Prayer Room on Deck 3 to M1, continuing all the way to The Hub. The celebration was filled with energy and joy, with traditional dancing followed by a lively disco that encouraged crew members to join in and enjoy the occasion together.
The procession on Aurora
On Queen Anne, the celebrations concluded on 18 September with a (visarjan) special ceremony. The representation of Lord Ganesha was respectfully carried from the Faith Room to the aft mooring deck, where crew members gathered to mark the final day of the festival. It was a wonderful occasion that brought people together through prayer, food, music, and dancing, reflecting the strong sense of community on board.
Queen Anne’s Crew
The Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations were was warmly received by the crew and provided a wonderful opportunity for everyone on board to experience and appreciate the traditions of another culture. Events like this bring our diverse crew community closer together and help create a greater sense of belonging, respect. Thanks to Aurora and Queen Anne for sharing your stories!
Aurora display