Celebrate Lord Ganesha's Birthday in Mumbai
Winter Festival Season in India Begins with Ganesh Chaturthi
Aug 27, 2009
Winter is a festive time in India and one of the most awaited religious events of the year is Ganesh Chaturthi in August- September. This marks the birth of Lord Ganesha. Ganesha or Ganapati is the most popular Indian deities, considered to be the remover of all obstacles. He is pictured as having a head of an elephant and a portly body.
The Ganapati Festival
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on a large scale in the states of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. People buy idols of all sizes and materials, from small gold pendants to large clay deities. The idol is placed in the house for the ten days of this festival and on the tenth day it is taken in a procession and immersed into the river, sea or well.
Private prayers or pujas take place within the house but this festival is popular for its community gatherings. Beautifully sculpted Ganesh idols are installed in special marquees constructed in each neighborhood. These are decorated with lights and colorful stringers and flowers. Some are created around elaborate themes. These are usually picked from the current problems in India such as the recent outbreak of swine flu.
Each evening Aarti (religious ritual) is performed in front of the Ganesh statue and Prasad (religious offering) is distributed among the followers. This Prasad consists of modak, a sweet dish made of rice flour and coconut. The aarti is followed by dance and music continuing late into the night.
Eco-Friendly Idols
Until a few years ago most Ganesh statues were made of plaster of paris because it is easy to mould and gives a fine finish. But the pollution caused in the water bodies by the immersion of the statues led civic authorities to urge people to use eco-friendly materials and colors. Today most idols are made from papier mache which disolves in water. Natural dyes are used for the decoration.
History behind the Ganapati Festival
During the British Raj public assemblies were barred. It was Bal Gangadhar Tilak who called on the people to come together for the Ganesh puja. These gatherings helped to strengthen community unity and spread the call for freedom.
Best Place in Mumbai to Witness Ganesh Puja
The Mumbaikars believe in celebrating this festival with zest and devotion. According to The Times of India, 200,000 idols arrived in the city of Mumbai at the start of the festival this year and there are 10,500 registered associations erecting marquees around the city.
To soak in the festivities it is best to head to Lalbaug in South-Central Mumbai where the biggest and oldest Ganesh association puts up its idol. It believes in celebrating on a grand scale and devotees from all over the city flock to pay their respects.
Chowpatty beach in Central Mumbai is a popular destination for the Visarajan ceremony. This takes place on the tenth day. Huge processions follow the idols through the streets towards this beach where the statue is immersed.
September to New Year is festival season in India with Ganesh Chaturthi being one of the most important in the Mumbai calendar. This is a great time for visitors interested in sampling the Maharashtrian culture and the Hindu religious fervor.
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