Mumbai: The birth of Ganesha – destroyer of obstacles, is celebrated across India with much gusto and merriment. With Ganesha Chaturthi just around the corner and amidst the hustle-bustle of its preparations, let’s see how people all over the country celebrate it.
The chants of `Ganpati Bappa Morya` can be heard in the lanes and by lanes of Maharashtra on the auspicious days leading up to the festival of ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’. The 10-day long festival is celebrated with much grandeur and in lively spirits across Mumbai and other cities of the state.
Several devotees are seen flocking outside the famous Siddhivinayaka temple during the festival. The temple which is devoted to Lord Ganesha is considered to be an extremely pious and religious spot for worshippers.
Everyone gets together to join in the celebrations, starting from establishing clay idols of the lord in their houses to make-shift pandals. Once the idol is established, the priests perform a ritual called Pran-Pratishtha, which includes reciting mantras to invoke the presence of Lord Ganesha.
After that, the devotees offer sweets, flowers, coins, jaggery, etc. to Ganapati in a ritual called Shodashopachara (16 ways of paying tribute). Mumbai transforms into a cultural bonanza for these ten days with music, dance and other events taking place throughout the festival.
Traditionally, the festival comes to an end after 1,3,5,7 or 11 days when people come in large numbers to immerse the idol in river or in the sea. The procession known as Ananta Chaturdashi is carried off with a lot of splendour and joy in every street. The significance of immersing the idol symbolises the Lord taking our sorrows along with him and returning again next year to protect us.
Let’s all join and chant, `Ganapati Bappa Morya`!
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