Edmonton, July 9, 2013: A Hindu temple will bring its festival to the streets for the ninth time this weekend and hopes to attract a record crowd.

The annual event put on by the Hindu Tamil Cultural Association (HTCA) at the temple in Church Lane, Edmonton will parade three chariots round the streets on the 14th day of the festival this Sunday, July 14 between 9am and 3pm.

The festival started on July 1 with the flag of the temple being hoisted and each day will showcase different events, with deities being carried around the site on vehicles.

MPs and councillors are expected to attend during the 18-day festival. Andy Love MP is joining the celebration halfway through with David Burrowes MP expected to visit on Saturday, July 13.

Shanmuganathan Navratnam, organiser and member of the HTCA said: “This annual event allows people to enjoy themselves and is very colourful.

“We invite everyone from all backgrounds to come along and see our community in action and celebrate our lives.”

The parading of the chariots means that roads will be closed off surrounding Church Lane. However, Mr Navratnam believes that the additional parking being provided by Latymer All Saints School, Hydethorpe Avenue, Edmonton, will cope with the mass numbers.

He said: “We expect to have 7000 people throughout the day coming to the event and that is why we have arranged car parking at Latymer All Saints so there should be no concerns with spaces.

“The council and the local police have also been very supportive of the festival and the Mayor of Enfield will declare the opening of the event, for which we are very grateful.”

Source: Enfield Independent, DT. July 9, 2013.