Goodbye Ganesha

This granite milestone marking 3 miles from St. Thomas’ Cathedral in the heart of what one can easily now call Old Mumbai ,(since Navi Mumbai  sits right across the harbour!) is normally hidden from view by the vegetable sellers who have acquired rights to squat on the pavement to sell their wares. Alas! so used are people to find our pavements crowded with  shops that they  automatically  walk on the streets of Mumbai,  giving Street Walking a completely different connotation.

As I waited by this milestone, I captured a few scenes of my city in the dying sun. People were making their way home: marching steadfastly to the Station at the bottom of the hill. Despite a day at work, their pace was swift betraying their impatience to get home soon.

Yesterday morning felt like Sunday : street life was slow to start.
At mid day the pace picked up and gradually preparations began
to bid farewell to Lord Ganesh:
The God with Elephant Head
 For ten days the city wore a festive look
with streets lined with fairy lights that lit up as the sun went down.
And temple bells clanged twice a day and sometimes thrice as people praised the Lord.

There was an air of joy untold
For ten whole days in festivity that brought together family,
friends and all the world to pray for peace and harmony.

At four the drums began to beat and people
poured out on to the streets.
Cars and trucks and tiny handcarts
with idols to the Lord Ganesh bedecked with flowers.
As incense sticks burned slowly down
the people danced all around
tapping their feet
drumming the drums in hypnotic frenzied beat.

All through , way past the setting sun
They made their way towards the sea
where multitudes of humanity waded in
with Lord Ganesha borne aloft.
Throughout the night the pilgrims
made their westward way
To say goodbye to Lord Ganesh
And welcome Him into their homes
and hearts again
Another day.

Ganpati Bappa Morya!