GANESH CHATHURTHI

This is in response to Day 15: Blogging 101-Create a feature labels-

My label-  My thoughts , experiences

GANESH CHATHURTHI

Lord Ganesha’s arrival brought rains . Its been pouring
cats & dogs since the last three days. There is greenery all round.
The entire place is free of dust . ( muddy puddles…is a different story).

Vinayaka seems to be saying I will arrive once the whole city has been
cleaned up .!!

This year our complex Ganapati is for three days. We have an eco friendly Ganesha made of clay sans colours ( if the paints are used they are chemicals which are toxic to the water body when immersed)

It is  a very nice feeling as if Ganesha is amidst us, maybe all the more because our
complex is not very huge and has just six buildings. There is an air
of festivity all around. I look forward to the morning & evening Aarti (ritual of worship-song sung in praise of the deity, when lamps are being offered)
time.
Its also the time to wear saris, to have a look at all the
colourful saris & other outfits clad by others.

The Mahaganapati Homam is a time when the chanting of holy mantras just seems to bring positive vibrations around. I feel lucky to have learnt Sanskrit while at school . Never liked the
third language studying while in school. But since now I am able to
understand , make out a little meaning when the shlokas (prayer), mantras are being chanted, I find it enjoyable. I thank my school for having introduced Sanskrit .

The prasadams (offering to the Lord)  that we get after the evening puja (rituals in worship) are something I love.
Being a southey I am all the more familiar with puliyodarai ( Tamarind rice), bagala baath ( curd rice), chakara pongal,   ladoos ( not the moti choor type but the Tirupati ladoo type),  besi bela baath,  lemon baath ( baath means rice),  sundal,  rava kesari……………. yummmmy

The quantity served is quite sufficient & filling ,no need to
prepare dinner. And, yes if someone in my family does not relish all
this its time for DIY in the kitchen for them.!!!!

Finally, its Ganapati visarjan (immersion of Lord’s idol)  time . A part
of my mind asked time to tick slowly so that Ganesha could stay a
little longer . As we bid goodbye to the Vignahartha , I  am going to
miss Him all the more when I see the place where He was seated
blessing one & all.

Finally, its time to say “Ganapati bappa morya , pudhchya varshi laukarya”.