HE. The one who is around us. The one who is within us.
Ganesh Chaturti – The Elephant God fiesta has always been
one of the major highlights of Maharashtra. It’s that auspicious phase during
the year where Lord Ganesha makes his grand arrival into homes and pandals to
grace his devotees with his presence.
In Mumbai, the Lalbaughcha Raga unarguably rules the roost,
being the most worshipped and celebrated Ganpati idol across the city. Call him
the King of all Gods, the Legend, the Brand. Masses, classes, hotshots,
celebrities, media all cling to Him to bask in His supreme glory.
The last day of the festival is the most crowded and the
loudest as the whole city buzzes with the chant of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya..Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya’. People dancing in visarjan processions, the
bystanders, the onlookers from windows and terraces, the infants, the young,
the middle-aged, the old, the cops, the photographers, the reporters, the
street vendors, families, couples, loners, the abled, the disabled. The
hysteria that circles every individual’s mind, body and soul is emphatic. For the
naked eye it’s just a porcelain idol but for believers it’s much more deep
within.
The grandeur with which the Lords are celebrated across the
10 day spell is phenomenal. And the farewell is equally poised with great
thrill and exuberance. For some it’s like experiencing a spiritual high
of sorts.
And as the God bids adieu and descends over the distant horizon, we continue our lives with new hope.
And as the God bids adieu and descends over the distant horizon, we continue our lives with new hope.
Stills of Lalbaughcha Raja and Girgaum Chowpatty on the last
day of Ganesh Chaturti
