From early childhood, I have been fascinated by the deity Ganesh among all the 33 crore gods and goddesses in the Hindu Pantheon. Ganesha has the right to be worshiped foremost while conducting any auspicious deed or even a conducting a puja of any other gods or goddesses of the Hindu Pantheon. He is the God of Knowledge, Intelligence and Concentration.
The Deity has an Elephant Face, a huge body and 2 pairs of hands. The attraction of Ganesha is instant even in a mere glance. Blame it on my place of birth Bombay aka Mumbai where Ganesha is a very integral part of the culture. A special 10 day long festival is celebrated in the period of August - September, when various idols of mud and clay are ushered and worshiped for varied periods of 5, 7 and 11 days.
The myth goes that Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, who even sacrificed his human head while doing the duty of guarding his mother while she was bathing. His head was replaced with an Elephant's head and hence we worship him in this form.
Each Aspect of the personality of Ganesha is a message communicated to all his devotees. The small eyes mark the concentration with which, he intently does his job. The big ears and the mouth not visible shows listen more than you speak. The folded trunk in a certain direction shows that power has to be utilized with utmost responsibility.
The city of Bombay is best to visit when Ganesha stamps his presence across the city, in literally all sizes imaginable. He is the most awaited guest for the people of this city. His presence overshadows everything, from Inflation to Crime. Ganesha cuts across religions, customs, faiths and tradition to bring a feeling of unity which no politician but only a miracle can do. People usher the lord in their houses as well and also visit the various pandals which are set up on basically every street and corner.
The rich, the famous and the common man all are seen circling various locations which become temporary house of God and a Center of Attraction. The fragility of faith is there to see when people donate and promise to donate in lieu of wishes fulfilled.
Some of the famous pandals in Mumbai are Lalbaugchya Raja (King of Lalbaug), Girgaumcha Raja (King of Girgaum), Ganesh Galli, and the list is endless...
In a city like Mumbai, where water logging and flooding is a perennial problem in the months of monsoon, these ten days have never witnessed a flood situation in as far as my memory stretches, even being right in the heart of the monsoon season.
GANPATI BAPPA MORYA !! (Hail to Lord Ganesha !!)
The Deity has an Elephant Face, a huge body and 2 pairs of hands. The attraction of Ganesha is instant even in a mere glance. Blame it on my place of birth Bombay aka Mumbai where Ganesha is a very integral part of the culture. A special 10 day long festival is celebrated in the period of August - September, when various idols of mud and clay are ushered and worshiped for varied periods of 5, 7 and 11 days.
The myth goes that Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, who even sacrificed his human head while doing the duty of guarding his mother while she was bathing. His head was replaced with an Elephant's head and hence we worship him in this form.
Each Aspect of the personality of Ganesha is a message communicated to all his devotees. The small eyes mark the concentration with which, he intently does his job. The big ears and the mouth not visible shows listen more than you speak. The folded trunk in a certain direction shows that power has to be utilized with utmost responsibility.
The city of Bombay is best to visit when Ganesha stamps his presence across the city, in literally all sizes imaginable. He is the most awaited guest for the people of this city. His presence overshadows everything, from Inflation to Crime. Ganesha cuts across religions, customs, faiths and tradition to bring a feeling of unity which no politician but only a miracle can do. People usher the lord in their houses as well and also visit the various pandals which are set up on basically every street and corner.
The rich, the famous and the common man all are seen circling various locations which become temporary house of God and a Center of Attraction. The fragility of faith is there to see when people donate and promise to donate in lieu of wishes fulfilled.
Some of the famous pandals in Mumbai are Lalbaugchya Raja (King of Lalbaug), Girgaumcha Raja (King of Girgaum), Ganesh Galli, and the list is endless...
In a city like Mumbai, where water logging and flooding is a perennial problem in the months of monsoon, these ten days have never witnessed a flood situation in as far as my memory stretches, even being right in the heart of the monsoon season.
GANPATI BAPPA MORYA !! (Hail to Lord Ganesha !!)
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| Lalbaugchya Raja 2012 |
