Ganesh Festival

We have been trying to be a part of the Indian culture while we are here in India.  So--- we participated in honoring Ganesh.   We even purchased a statue of Ganesh and for 10 days we lit a candle and incense for him.  We also brought him fresh flowers. (We picked them on the side of the road) We did not eat meat for those days, which was very easy for us since we have pretty much been vegetarians since we both were sick a few months ago.  We brought him home covered with a white cloth.  The reason for that is so that Ganesh does not see any of the bad or evil in the world. He needs to feel safe.


Our Ganesh covered to bring home





Our Ganesh





Debbie with Ganesh

This is a 10 day festival welcoming Ganesh.  Ganesh, also known as Ganapati the Elephant God, translated means troops leader.  On the first day of the festival Dave and I walked around Koregaon Park and took pictures of every one preparing for the first night of the festival.  There were people doing Rangoli art work and parades with people dancing and playing the drums as they prepared to welcome Ganesh to the different stages that he would be at for the next 10 days. On most stages there were smaller statues of Ganesh set out during the day.  The large statues were brought in that night. The first parade we saw I thought was a funeral.  As you can see, Ganesh is on a platform being carried to the stage.

Rangoli Art on door step

Smaller Ganesh in parade covered



Stage for Ganesh in Koregaon Park




Ganesh Parade




Dancing in the street




Drummer in parade




Ganesh in parade


















                                               
We attended the first evening of the festival with a couple from Texas, Sherrie and Robert.  It was raining but lots of people came out to welcome Ganesh.  Ganesh was taken off the cart that brought him to the site after an Aarti, which is a Hindu blessing ceremony. The Aarti which offers light, flowers and other gifts to Ganesh is performed by many women that come in their best, and the most beautiful sarees you have ever seen.  There is music, and chanting.  Very heart warming to be a part of.
 

Aarti on first night of Ganesh Festival

 




Robert and Sherrie

 


Debbie and Dave




Aarti at Ganesh festival

























Ganesh on stage



Ganesh being brought on stage



Ganesh fully decorated on stage




Rangoli art in front of Ganesh in Mundhwa




Rangoli art in progress in Mundhwa

 The story of Ganesh is: Once goddess Parvati, while bathing, created a boy out of the dirt of her body and assigned him the task of guarding the entrance to her bathroom. When Shiva, her husband returned, he was surprised to find a stranger denying him access, and struck off the boy's head in rage. Parvati broke down in utter grief and to soothe her, Shiva sent out his squad (gana) to fetch the head of any sleeping being who was facing the north. The company found a sleeping elephant and brought back its severed head, which was then attached to the body of the boy. Shiva restored its life and made him the leader (pati) of his troops. Hence his name 'Ganapati'. Shiva also bestowed a boon that people would worship him and invoke his name before undertaking any venture.


Ganapati at festival

We also went thru the hole in the fence to Mundhwa for the last day of the festival.  Ganesh was removed from the stage and put back onto a decorated cart.  It was interesting to see lemons under each wheel of the cart.  These lemons were run over as the Ganesh procession started.  The meaning of this is to be rid of bad influences.  There was a very festive procession with drums, kids with swords to protect Ganesh, people jump dancing with flags, twirling each other in circles, throwing red powder paint and women handing out Ganesh's favorite sweet, Modak.  We had the best day just being part of the community.  We were invited to dance, jump with the flag, eat the sweets and enjoy the day with every one.  I even had my picture taken dancing and it was published in a Hindi paper .  If you can call it dancing!  We held hands and twirled in a circle.  I was just happy not to fall down from being dizzy!!! Dave even twirled!  Every one clapped because he went so fast and long.  Again-- I was just happy he didn't fall down!!!  Notice the cute little orange hat Dave is wearing!!  They gave it to him to celebrate and he loved it!!! Oh, and the swords, they are not real!  : )


Waiting for parade




Dave n Debbie at festival




Ganesh being moved for parade




Lemons under wheels




Kids getting ready for parade




Dave in his orange hat!




Swords in celebration




Drummers in parade




Village kids watching parade




Indian lady handing out sweets




Carts with Ganesh's ready to go to river




Our Ganesh in red shorts!!



Cow watching celebration!



Hindi paper, Debbie dancing


















All day there were trucks loaded with Indians, mostly men, driving through Pune yelling "Ganapati Bappa Morya"  This means "Ganesha, come again early next year".  The picture taken of the kids on the truck was not very safe but at least they were driving very slow!!  Very easy to get caught up in all the excitement!  We were even interviewed by a Hindi paper.  : ) Not sure if our words were ever printed!



Guys in truck at festival




Army guys celebrating




Kids on top of truck celebrating


















Later that evening, on the 11th day, the statue's were taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, and fanfare to be immersed in the river symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash while taking away with him the misfortunes of his devoteese.   There were two men that braved the river to perform this ceremony.  These men were paid a few rupees each time they went in.  I'm pretty sure you could not pay me to do this!  The water was cold and dirty and the current was swift.   The Ganesh statues are made of either plaster-of-paris or paper mache which eventually dissolves in the river.  Pune is trying very hard to be eco friendly and there were quite a few statues made of paper mache this year.  Tho-- ours was plaster, because we couldn't find a paper mache Ganesh!  We did try!


River from distance




Ganesh being prepared to dunk




Ganesh being dunked




Ganesh being let go



There were quite a few families performing poojas and celebrating on the side of the river before sending Ganesh off.


Kids sitting on rock by river celebrating!




Family performing pooja




Pooja being performed before letting Ganesh go



Families celebrating before letting Ganesh go





Pooja being performed before letting Ganesh go



 Tada!!!  One great festival!!!!!  Thank you to everyone that taught us about Ganesh!!!!  We hope everyone back home in the US enjoys the experience through our pictures!