Balagangadhar Tilak was instrumental in making Ganesh Chaturthi as a social function for all religion. We start an auspicious work with Ganpati slogan chanting.
Sarva vigna haram devam
sarva vigna vivarjitham
sarva siddhi Prajatharam
Vandheham Gana nayakam
Om Ganam thva Ganapathim havamahe
Kavim kavinam upamasravasthmam
Jeyshtarajam brahmanam brahnaspatha
Aana srunvannuthibi sitasathanam
Om Maha Ganapathaiye nama
God is Great and Elephant God Ganapati is really great. People have taken an oath to use eco-friendly Ganpati and save the satellite city from pollution.
The end of the monsoon brings round one of Mumbai’s most beloved festival Ganesh Chaturthi. Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated by Hindus around the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the destroyer of obstacles. Observed during the Hindu month of Bhadra, it lasts for 10 days, ending on the tenth day which is called Ananta Chaturdashi.
Ganesha idols are brought home and installed with great ceremony (sthapna) on a decorated platform. The idol is offered pure water along with libations such as honey and milk. A puja is performed twice a day until the idol leaves the home. On this day, the uttar puja ritual is performed, after which visarjan takes place i.e. the idol is submerged in the sea, river or even dipped in a bucket. The final visarjan day sees Mumbai criss-crossed on Anand Chathurdasi day, by throngs of worshippers trailing their idols to the shore. Kept at home for a day or two, they serve as panacea for the emptiness brought on by Ganpati’s departure.
Children enjoy the festival with much fanfare. With schools declaring a week’s leave, children enjoyed the prasadams and the cultural events very much. In all, it was a happy family reunion of relatives and friends.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
