I feel like this whole vacation has whizzed past, it's now time to pack my bags and return. And as usual, it never feels enough no matter where I travel to, just knowing its for a limited duration is enough for me to wish I had a week or even a few days longer to spend in that place. Especially now in the midst of the Ganesha festival, filled with good cheer and happy spirits.
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| Lord Ganesha/Ganapati - The Remover of Obstacles |
This is a time for most people in the city to bring home an idol of Ganesha (also called Ganapati), worship him, offer him sweets and pray for the removal of obstacles in their path (for that is what Ganesha does), abstain from meat and alcohol, and at the end of their specified number of days (could be less than 10) walk the streets to a lake or the sea and immerse the idol, bidding goodbye to the God and looking forward to his return in the next year.
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| Sweets Galore - The topmost rack has a sweet called Modak (Ganesha's favourite sweet) |
I am glad we came during festival time to Mumbai although our month long stay sped swiftly and we leave this weekend! We have yet to properly visit the pandols or tents with various Ganesha idols - some popularised as wish-fulfilling idols, which Mumbaikars seem to believe or dismiss. This time is like Christmas for the average Mumbai citizen, great food, lots of sweets, meetings with families and friends, getting together and imbibing the spirit of the festival; a time of togetherness, of spreading joy and giving generously.
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| Flower garlands at the market |
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| A stall selling decorations (streamers, paper garlands, crowns, umbrellas) |
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So many colours - measures of cloth for salwar kameez, fruits, lace and
the yellow and black of my fave mode of transport: a rickshaw! |
So much fun! What a wonderful festival. I loved learning the history of Ganesha, The Remover of Obstacles. I could use some help in that respect from time to time, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I need help too with my (almost) unbelievable ability to procrastinate. Was battling a cold for the past couple of days, looking forward to going out today if the weather changes!
ReplyDeleteOh, I sure hope you are feeling better now. Boo on colds. Ick.
DeleteTo answer your questions from your comment on my blog ... I'm not on Etsy now. I've had a lot of people ask, but right now I'm just crafting for fun. Maybe later I'll make it something more. As for my October crafting plans. I'm hoping to learn how to embroider. Should be fun! :)
Wow...looking forward to your updates on it. I had an embroidery course in school and never really made use of that art although I learnt only the very basics. I'm interested to see how you use it, seeing how you bring a very unique perspective to your art.
Deletevinita, everything looks so colorful and festive! what fun it looks to be part of.
ReplyDeletei hope you enjoyed your vacation and that you travel safely this weekend.
Thank you, I had a good trip and actually slept on the plane this time. Which was great as the flight duration was 15 hours - longest I've spent travelling continuously.
DeleteFestivals are always colorful. Vinita thank you so much for the nice words.
ReplyDeleteIt was great to get acquainted with your recipes, and I'm looking forward to your updates.
Deletevery nice post..
ReplyDeleteTasty Appetite
Mumbai on the occasion of Ganpati festival is the place to be. Must have been fun and even more difficult leaving India when everyone has just started on the whole celebration mode, with Dussehra, and diwali in the near future. How is your jet lag coming along? Back to the usual grind?
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