Ganesh Chaturthi is fast approaching that means loads of sweets, savories and togetherness. In Tamil Nadu it is celebrated as Vinayagar (Pullayar) Chathurti, while in Hyderabad the festival is called Vinayaka Chavithi. However in Bangalore the festival is celebrated as Ganesh Chaturthi. Actually as per the Hindu myth Lord Ganesha the son of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati is the person who ought to be prayed first for all pujas. It is a known belief that Lord Ganesha when first evoked shall help the performer to complete the ordeal more efficiently and more effectively. Ganesh puja in general is performed with due respects across the nation and fervor mounts equally in all metros. However the metro densely packed are feared to rake in communal riots during the immersion of the Lord's gigantic statues. But ever since decades the immersion procession has been going on smoothly with no untoward incidents. And most recently even people from other communities wished us on the occasion.
A personal experience while I was residing in Chennai keeps me awestruck at the facts that defy logic. Well on one year due to some controversies the statues were not allowed to be immersed in the ocean, which is the regular procedure. Sensing some communal issues the idols where not taken out for immersion and remained neglected in the special pandals or the false roofing set up exclusively during the ten day celebrations. Normally the idols are taken out in a procession after a maximum of ten day-celebrations to be immersed in the river or ocean in the metros. But this was different that year. On the twenty first day or later after the Ganesh Chaturthi was completed, there was a huge cyclone, which quenched the water reservoirs that were parched without water for some years. Not only this most of the idols disintegrated into mud due to the heavy downpour and the false pandal giving away. Religious veterans expressed that the lord gave water and also took away his statues that were denied immersions. Immediately after the rains had stopped the balance idols were taken out in procession and immersed. While I leave it for the readers to leave this issue behind, as it was my belief that I have quoted here with no logic behind.
One most important thing that one needs to remember while celebrating this renowned festival is the water pollution that leaves a permanent scare on the human race. The traditional mud statues were pretty good in the age old days. But later the synthetic stautes that had hazardous chemical and metals in it were contaminating the water sources while immersion. Hence bring home a Green Ganesha and enjoy this festival while safe guarding the environment. Wishesh is also eagerly planning for the celebrations on a large scale as usual. Keep abreast with the latest happenings about the festival celebrations taking shape in south India, by visiting this space on a regular basis. (With inputs from internet-AW AarKay)
