The Tamil community in southern Bavaria marked the first anniversary of the Sellapillaiyar church in Fürstenfeldbruck with a temple festival and parade. The festivities revolved around the worship of Ganesha, the elephant-headed God. Despite its location near the S-Bahn tracks in the Fürstenfeldbruck industrial park, stepping into the Sellapillaiyar Hindu temple transports visitors to a different world. In the early morning, devotees gather to prepare offerings for the Hindu service called puja.
Lerai Dharmakulasinghamth, who traveled from Munich for the event, explains the significance of Ganesha: “No matter what we embark upon, be it a test or building a house, we first pray to God Ganesha. That’s why He is our most important God, and that’s why we are celebrating today.” The highlight of the puja is the unveiling of the new Ganesha statue, accompanied by the growing volume of calls, drums, and nadeswaram, a type of horn. Hundreds of people gather in the temple room, including believers from as far as Switzerland who attend this special ceremony. It is the only time of the year when Ganesha leaves the temple and is carried out on a magnificent chariot. Passersby on the street are captivated by the chariot, often stopping in surprise. One woman waiting to pick someone up from the S-Bahn expresses her amazement: “I’m completely amazed. At first, I thought I had been transported to India.” Another person comments, “It’s fantastic, like a mini vacation for us.”
