In London, Hindu Celebrations Make Waves by the Riverside

As reported by the Wandsworth Guardian; Oct. 6, 2006

A Hindu goddess at Putney Bridge on Monday evening proved that East isn't always East.

It was the first time the Bengali Hindu Durga Puja festival was properly celebrated in London, with a statue of the goddess Durga and other deities being drowned in the river.

A Hindu priest turned the Thames into the Ganges for the occasion by emptying a vial of Ganges water into the river to purify it. About 300 Hindus and non-Hindus turned out to watch.

Spectator Hannah Boulton said: "It was a very joyous and moving occasion. The sun came out as the goddess was submerged and a rainbow stretched over Putney Bridge."