Sunday, September 11, 2011

Why I love the Ganesh Festival visarjan

- By Deepa Krishnan

Today I went with my camera to get photos of Ganesh Visarjan.

I saw a lot of little things that arrested my attention, and I wondered why, inspite of living here all my life, I hadn't noticed these things earlier.

So this post is going to be a series of photos, titled I LOVE GANESH VISARJAN BECAUSE...


Because coming out to see Visarjan is the beginning of a tradition, grandfather to grandson.

Because only at Visarjan you can see a Mumbai-ki-chokri, dancing in abandon, taking the idol to the sea. When she dances, the world stops!


Because the rain makes the ecstatic drumming even more incredible.

Because the joy is very real - and not necessarily alcohol induced.


Because at some point, you'll always see the women doing fugdi :) :)


Because a little rain (or a lot of it!) doesn't mean a damn. People will line up for hours on the roads to wait and watch the processions.


Because Mumbai's upscale folks also celebrate this festival, they don't turn their noses at it. And it's great fun to go pandal-hopping and gawk at the gorgeous huge idols.

Because there are small family Ganpatis, not just big ones. This family of murtikaars have had a Ganesh in their home for 75 years.

Because there is pride and joy in decorating your own small thela


Because not everyone makes murtis of plaster! This is a clay murti.


Because children always get the best seats in the house :)


Because the shiny toy-sellers come out, and for one evening, Mumbai feels like a Rai Bareilly :)


Because you can hear kids refusing to get off the ferris-wheel even after the ride is over


Because the Mewad Ice-cream Man is not on holiday, and rain or no rain, you can eat ice-cream if you want.


Because basically, you can quite easily ignore the Elephant God and pretty much do your own thing if you want!! :)

20 comments:

Kavity said...

Beautiful snaps :)

GSDastur said...

Thanks. That helped me to understand. :-)

Shishir Dhulla said...

Lovely story.

Ilango Nadar said...

I dislike the nuisance value attached to the festival... tin can banging (drumming), crowd, traffic jam et. all. But there is another side to the story. Thanks for the photo journal. Loved it!

Sujata said...

Great pics...

Sujata said...

Great pics...

Sushant Danekar said...

hey wow great pics
I too found one interesting VIdeo about Ganesh Visarjan

Have a look at this link
Cute गणेश विसर्जन http://goo.gl/jYLL2

In Mumbai said...

Ganesh utsav is the best in Mumbai.

Richa said...

wow.. is the word.

In Mumbai said...

I love the way your family writes. The pics are ammazing. Needed some help and advise from you. I have my blog http://in-mumbai.com. Can you please review the contents and provide me some advice on how to improve. Would be grateful to you.

Bhushavali said...

So good that I came across your blog. Its not often that you come across a blog maintained by 3 generations!!!
Loved your photography...
Do drop by my blog sometime.
Would love it if you follow too... :)
Bhusha's Travelogue

Super Babe said...

Beautiful!!! I love Ganesha! :)

DegeSMS said...

very beautifully pic will be taken.

Shreeja N said...

You have captured the entire spirit of Mumbai during ganesh visarjan thru these lovely snaps! Beautiful post!

Unknown said...

i find this an an over-optimistic view to save mumbai from the snarls of the environment. lolz. we all now how much does our city pollute in terms of water air and noise, not to forget the traffic jams that cause travelers like me(a college student) to spend more than 2 hours of 1-way traveling per day for those few romantic days with lord ganesha.

Shubhi said...

Beautiful pictures...and even better captions:)

put me in Ganpati mood!

http://www.shubhisrevels.blogspot.in/

Sunshine said...

Love your blog...you make me miss my beloved Mumbai. I am hooked

Harisankar said...

BLOWN AWAY..Brilliant article and gorgeous snaps..I am ur fanatic for life..:)

Unknown said...

Great article and beautiful picture. Sharing on FB!

Unknown said...

Great article and beautiful picture. Sharing on FB!