Its that time of the year again, when traffic snarls in Mumbai get worse, roads rendered potholed by the rains, and narrowed by various stalls (do not call these encroachments, for they claim to be "legal occupants" of the land), bear with makeshift tents ("mandaps") and the ever-resilient Mumbaite just shrugs it off with a smile, as he navigates his bike / car / his own two feet through it all. After all - even he can't help but respond to the call of "Ganpati bappa" ... with an enthusiastic "Morya". Such is the culture of this island city, that it welcomes every visitor whether it be for a day or for a lifetime, and before you realise it, rubs off some of its religious, social fervour on you.
The Ganesh festival is one such occasion where the people irrespective of religious beliefs and social strata, come together and enjoy the many facets of this 10 day long festival.
Beginning with the open markets selling all kinds of seasonal produce and those specific items that are traditionally cooked and served during this festival, to workshops selling idols of the elephant headed Lord Ganesha and makeshift tents that seem to spring up in the midst of crowded junctions - you can't miss the signs.
Every family has their own traditions, mostly centered around food and pleasing the much awaited, revered guest - Ganesha. On his part, he graces their homes in his idol form - seated on thrones and pillows, with his little mouse for company. The sculptors imagination holds little back, having the Lord play music on a harmonium, with various other dieties for company as long as the theme is mythologically relevant, no scene or sculpture is too far-fetched.
The Ganesh festival is one such occasion where the people irrespective of religious beliefs and social strata, come together and enjoy the many facets of this 10 day long festival.
Beginning with the open markets selling all kinds of seasonal produce and those specific items that are traditionally cooked and served during this festival, to workshops selling idols of the elephant headed Lord Ganesha and makeshift tents that seem to spring up in the midst of crowded junctions - you can't miss the signs.
Every family has their own traditions, mostly centered around food and pleasing the much awaited, revered guest - Ganesha. On his part, he graces their homes in his idol form - seated on thrones and pillows, with his little mouse for company. The sculptors imagination holds little back, having the Lord play music on a harmonium, with various other dieties for company as long as the theme is mythologically relevant, no scene or sculpture is too far-fetched.
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