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Stratford scuba club recovers lost Hindu jewellery from the Avon




IT was action stations for Stratford scuba divers when the Hindu community reached out for help last month to recover precious items that had sunk to the bottom of the Avon during a ceremony.

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. The festival typically lasts for 10 days, starting on the fourth day of the Hindu lunar-solar calendar month Bhadrapada, which this year fell between 20th August and 18th September.

Scuba
Scuba

The vibrant festival sees family and friends dress up in differently coloured traditional clothes and is observed with prayers, hymns, and offerings of sweets, music, and flowers, along with the immersion of a Lord Ganesh statue in the Avon.

Hindu festival Ganesh Chaturthi in Stratford - and the Ganesh statue which went into the river still with precious jewellery attached
Hindu festival Ganesh Chaturthi in Stratford - and the Ganesh statue which went into the river still with precious jewellery attached

This year as one group took a boat, hired from Avon Boating down the river, a mishap occurred, and items, including gold jewellery, were accidentally sunk with the statue.

Nicholas Todd, chairman of Stratford Sub Aqua Club, explained: “The drama unfolded when some precious golden items took an unexpected dive into the river. Avon Boating quickly reached out to the scuba club for an underwater rescue mission.

Hindu festival Ganesh Chaturthi in Stratford - and the Ganesh statue which went into the river still with precious jewellery attached
Hindu festival Ganesh Chaturthi in Stratford - and the Ganesh statue which went into the river still with precious jewellery attached

“The items, including jewellery, items held immense sentimental value, making their retrieval absolutely crucial. Luckily, the mission was a success and golden treasures were found.

“We are proud of our members Jay Scott, Andy Bacon and Robert James for dedicating their time and energy and helping to forge links with our friends in the Hindu community, who were very grateful for their assistance.”

Nicholas added: “If this tale of underwater adventure has sparked your interest, why not dive in yourself? Consider joining your friendly Stratford BSAC (British Sub Aqua Club).”

Find out more at www.stratforddivers.co.uk/training/try-dive.



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