Ganapati Festival
The streets cleared up with the rakhi stalks and the shops selling Ganapati idols stood up at every corner of the city. Beautiful eco friendly clay idols in all sizes and bright colors were arranged on rows beckoning devotees to choose from. Then came Ganesh Chaturthi on September 7th and each idol was welcomed into the host home with jubilation. Indeed the festival changed the aura of the entire city. Not just homes, Ganapati idols shone in public places in huge pandals, each crafted with a lot of creativity and effort.
This year I took up the invitation from my friends in Goa to celebrate the festival with them. First in Vasco, then in Aldona and Bicholim. There were several more friends and family scattered around Goa who I would love to meet but couldn’t because there were no drivers or taxis available during the festival. It is such a huge event in Goa, much more than Diwali that all people, including maids and drivers, take off to their ancestral homes.
I saw the celebrations up close in the homes of my friends. It was truly a great privilege. The festival brought extended families together in prayer. The benevolent Lord Ganesh seemed to take delight in the love and goodwill. The morning and evening Arati ( devotional songs) created a special atmosphere. Three to four generations singing these traditional songs together standing in front of the decorated podium housing the Ganapati idol was a sight to behold. Ganesh Chaturthi day I celebrated with the Joshi family in Vasco.
The following day in Aldona I had the additional privilege to sit down for personalized Ganapati Abhishek along with other members of their family, conducted by a priest. A sit down traditional lunch following the puja and arati, served on banana leaves had it own charm. The family then went on with light entertainment using karaoke. They invited me to join them in singing. It was fun. I hadn’t sung in a long long time.
From Aldona I accompanied my hosts to their home in Bicholim. Their home is one of a kind. Situated across the river it is a three storied building entirely and uniquely designed by my colleague’s father. It has the look of a log house but it is not made out of wood. Concrete is designed to give the appearance of wood. Inside, the rooms are each assigned a theme of the elements of nature. Kitchen has been done with the theme of Fire. Some rooms with earth theme, bathrooms with water theme, ceiling with sky/ air/ celestial theme etc. All elaborately hand painted by artists. Not surprisingly it took four years to complete the project. The living room had a specially created shrine with a large idol of seated Sai Baba and other idols in the forefront. All three kids in the family are named with Sai in the start of their name: Sailee, Saisha, Saidutta. The dad spends a good hour or more each morning with prayer rituals in the shrine. Not surprisingly the whole family consists of God fearing, good people. Their hospitality was something I can never forget. Mom and grandma put their hands into the kitchen immediately upon getting back from Aldona. They made the yummiest of curries and accompaniments for dinner and the lunch the following day. The kids and dad were giving suggestions to add items on the menu they thought I would like. They made me feel so welcome and special. As if the home cooked delicious meal wasn’t enough they pampered me with local packaged cashews, a box of saffron bought during their trip to Kashmir, a lovely saree from Bengal, and many more endearing gifts.
They took me for a short drive to a few temples nearby. One of the temples in particular was very historic, being built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This was the Sapta Koteshwar temple. It had unique architecture and wall designs. There is a special aura of peace and divinity that pervades all temples in Goa. This temple was no exception.
I returned to Pune on Monday with Sailee. It was one of the most memorable Ganapati celebrations I had ever had.
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