Ganapathi Bappa Moriya! Hindus All Set for the BIG ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ Feast
Mangaluru: Is anybody home? A question no one asks during “Ganesh’ week. Just like Mangalorean Catholics join together for a traditional lunch with the family members on “Month Festh’ which falls every year on 8 September, similarly is ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ which celebrates Lord Ganesha in all his forms and the festival is celebrated with even more grandeur here in Kudla as every member of the family makes their way home. This homecoming and gathering of the families has its own nostalgic feeling and joy.
Even though there is a soar in prices of Lord idols, flowers, vegetables, but the celebration mood is still buried deep in the heart of the devotees, who are all excited to celebrate the big feast. Though the prices on the needed items for the feast has shot up drastically, however, this has not deterred the devotees from buying the items, while their bargaining skills are also coming into play. Rainy weather has slightly dampen the festive mood, and people braving the down pour are still seen in their last minute shopping free buying the required items for the Feast. So while our Hindu brethren are getting ready to chant,” Ganapathi Bappa Moryiya” , Team Mangalorean would like to wish our beloved Hindu readers a Happy and Fun-Filled “Ganesh Chaturthi.”
Yes ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ is here, and the City is gearing up with excitement, with devotees seen thronged at shops and markets buying Lord Ganesh idols, flowers, vegetables and what not, that is required to celebrate the great feast. Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Karnataka is different from other regions as the festival is preceded by the Swarna Gouri Vratam or Gouri Habba and therefore the Chaturthi festival is also known as Ganesh Gouri Festival.
Yes, Ganesh Chaturthi is back, and with it the most lovable deity of contemporary Hinduism, larger and more beautiful year after year.The public celebration of the festival has spread to the whole country, including towns and villages. Huge Ganesha images are installed on street corners, highways and in remote villages. Shops ( some makeshift shops, just for the occasion) are flooded with colorful Ganesh idols in different sizes and lots and lots of colorful glittering decorative items, tempting the devotees to buy them. Flower vendors have set up their business on the footpaths and at busy junctions.
Kudla is wearing a festive look with devotees flocking in from different parts of the Coastal City to pick up their favourite Ganesha idol, and the the city is abuzz with activities. Prices on most of idols have gone up due to rise in cost of clay, and also that clay is not easily available. Inflation has not dimmed the locals – People never care for the price, since they have to celebrate their favorite feast, no matter what the circumstances are. Idols made of Plaster of Paris are also a big hit, since they are bit cheaper than clay made idols- even though they are prohibited by State Pollution Board.
The main street during the time of “Ganesh Chaturthi’ – the Car street and Central Market area is buzzing with excitement and activities. Street vendors were busy making few bucks here and there, either selling idols, flowers, moode leaves, sugar cane, vegetables etc; etc; Both the street vendors and shop owners are glad the demand has been good so far. Car Street flower market was booming with business, so also the vendors on the streets and by lanes. Even early morning rush was seen near Central Vegetable market , where lots of devotees were buying their goodies for the feast.
All obstacles, whatever they may be, are rooted out by worshiping Ganesha, and it is the blessing necessary to any society.Ganesha derives all his qualities from the elephant. The elephant is huge and strong yet gentle, qualities of Ganesha. The elephant is known to be wise: Ganesha symbolizes wisdom and knowledge- and that’s exactly what this Feast stands for.
But many family members can’t be home, either because they are abroad or little far away from their hometown, but those who are near will be with their families to celebrate the feast. And somewhere in the din and revelry of the celebrations abroad, there will many whose hearts will be humming these lines of the evergreen Simon and Garfunkel number-“Homeward Bound”- I wish I was Homeward Bound; Home, where my thought’s escaping; Home, where my music’s playing; Home, where my love lies waiting; Silently to me”-
The last two lines are especially true for forced bachelors abroad with their wives and children back home, in Mangaluru. To each of them and to all fellow Mangaloreans and our ardent readers Team Mangalorean wishes a very happy, peaceful and loving Ganesh Chaturthi.