Sunday, October 7, 2012

THE KING’S FAREWELL


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.



Stills of Lalbaughcha Raja and Girgaum Chowpatty on the last day of Ganesh Chaturti


















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