This month was Ganesha’s month and I am happy that he had a pleasant stay in my home.
Even before CoVid rules came into place and Eco-friendly became the buzz word, I have been bringing out my little silver Ganesha year after year from my cupboard and immersing him in a bucket of warm water before drying him off and keeping him back .
But this year, somehow Ganpati celebrations were remarkably different and low key. I also managed a quick and unexpected visit to the IcchapurtiMurti opposite the General Post Office at Fort.
Ganesha in the times of CoVid
Normally, I like to visit Ganpati pandals in other people’s homes or the community ones in different neighbourhoods.
This year no one invited people home to see their Ganpatis and several neighbourhoods actually cancelled their huge big celebrations. Some preferred keeping a small idol and donating the money they normally made to those who needed money for medical help etc.
But this year, I did manage a quick trip to the Icchapurti Murti Ganpati opposite the General Post Office.
Unlike previous years when there were hundreds of people queuing before him, this time I was the only devotee.
But the bigger shock I got was the normally humongous idol cut down to barely two feet off the ground! However, that didn’t stop one from feeling His presence .
What I really missed, though, was the silver mouse crouched before Him. People whisper their wishes into the mouse’s ear and he makes sure that Ganesha remembers to grant it.
Did you know that the mouse at Ganesha’s feet is not only His mode of transport but also His special assistant?
The mouse also doubles up as his special steed and the story about how this came about you can read in a delightful post by one of my favourite bloggers Dahlia.
This time round, I had no intercessor .
Incidentally there are lots of interesting stories about this beloved Elephant Headed God You can read some of them here ( via a blog I discovered in Dahlia’s comments!)
Bidding Ganesha farewell
Talking of Ganesha and bidding him farewell, this year, the government has insisted on eco-friendly idols made of clay made with non polluting substances. The size too has been reduced and above all, people were encouraged to immerse idols in their own homes to reduce crowding .
So after the one and a half days, that I host my favourite God, Ms. Papaya and I immersed him in half a bucket of warm water and bid him farewell as we put him back in the cupboard where he resides the rest of the year.
What is your favourite family celebration?
Do let me know in the comments below.
Till next time,
Ciao
