A VIBRANT Hindu blessing ceremony heralded the opening of a new £10million state-of-the-art care village in Monmouth.

Hindu high priest, Rajubhai Mehta, performed the special ceremony at the new Gibraltar Care Village, on Portal Road last week, to ask the Hindu god Lord Ganesha for his blessing.

The development of 35 independent cottages alongside a 90-bed nursing home, is owned by PSP Healthcare Ltd, whose directors Prakash Dewani and his two sons, Preyen and Shrien, are Hindus.

The ceremony began by offering prayers to Lord Ganesha, who is believed to remove all obstacles, before an idol was bathed and anointing with coloured powder and fresh flowers.

Mantras were then chanted asking for peace and harmony, while a fire or havan was lit to cleanse and purify the air.

The service ended with the symbolic breaking of a coconut to bless the vitality of the home and all those that live and work there.

Monmouth mayor, Terry Christopher said: “This was a unique and spiritual experience and one that my wife and I are honoured to be part of. The village has already attracted significant interest from the local community, both for retirement accommodation and for the number of job opportunities it brings to the area.”

Ceremonies were held at each stage of the development to ask for blessings from the gods.

Residents from the existing Gibraltar House will be moved into the new home on January 26.

Facilities at the new home include a hydrotherapy pool, spa, cinema, library and therapy rooms.