Ganpati Bappa More Yaa

Everything in and around appears so pleasant since last two days. Even as I traveled to office today there was a calming atmosphere all around. The rickshaw driver too experienced it and said to me while driving “Ganpati mein sab kaisa mast lagta hai na” (everything appears to nice/beautiful during Ganpati). And yes it was. Though I am not a hard core believer of religious habits (I am not agnostic either), I have always rejoiced the festival of Ganesh Chaturti. It feels really nice to behold beautiful Ganesh idols, enticing decorations, devout worshippers and cultural songs. I could not stop the urge of writing about this beautiful festival that overwhelms the city for 10 days. I began my fact collection about Ganesh Chaturti and sat to write.

Everybody looks up to Ganpati for good fortune and protection. Ganpati is also referred to as Vighna Harta (Destroyer of all obstacles). Ganpati blends everyone and hence no activity (nothing for that matter) begins without alluding to Ganesha’s benevolent name. The festival, started by Lokmanya Tilak is celebrated across the country. However, the most impressive celebrations take place in Mumbai. Ganpati brings out unification of all Hindus, however diversified they be. Many non-Hindus too celebrate this festival by bringing home a Ganpati idol and relishing the festival with equally engrossed participation.

Festive Period: This deity is worshipped all year around and is a part of all Hindu rituals. However, there are 10 special days when masses of people collectively celebrate Ganpati. The 1st day is Ganesh Chaturti when the Ganpati’s image/idol is installed (sthapana) and worshipped with sacred rituals. The festival ends on 10th day i.e. Anantha Chaturdashi when the idols are ceremonially immersed (Visarjana) in water bodies.

Elephant headed deity: According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva beheaded Parvati's son, Ganpati, who was guarding her as she took her bath. Ganpati did not allow Lord Shiva to enter the arena and hence had to sacrifice his head. Sorrowed Parvati pleaded to Lord Shiva to bring her son back. Just then an elephant passing by offered his head to be replaced on Ganpati's body. That is how we have the elephant headed look of this deity and is Ganpati is admired as the cutest deity with this look. As a matter of fact there are enthusiastic people who collect images of Ganesha, many modern day artists can resist painting, sculpting, sketching Ganpati's appealing form.

The Ganpati symbol: The head signifies the soul (Atman) while his body epitomizes our earthly existence (Maya).

• Elephant head denotes wisdom
• Trunk represents OM, the sound symbol of God’s universe
• A goad (Ankush) in the upper right hand helps Him push mankind forward along righteous ways
• The left hand holds a noose that loop up all hurdles from our life
• The broken tusk (during the dictation of Mahabharata from Vyasa Muni) in His lower right hand denotes sacrifice
• The prayer beads (japmala) in Ganesha’s other hand implies that we stay focused in God’s name always
• A special sweet (modak) encourages us to discover the sweetness of God-knowledge
• Ganpati’s large elephant ears tell us that He is always there to hear our call and at all times
• All the type of energy in this universe (mental, physical, and cosmic) is denoted by the snake tied around His stomach

The mouse: There are plenty interpretations that go around about the presence of a mouse near the deity’s idol. The finest belief goes that God likes engrossing us with small little charming things, if only we would bother to look.

The women: They represent the completeness of the deity. Though not always, Ganesha is seen to be accompanied by Riddhi (Intelligence) and Siddhi (Spiritual Power). It symbolically honors the sacred feminine presence at conceptual level. Ganesha, the deity of Intellect, needs these two feminine energies to complete his own power.

Prayers: There are many prayers that are chanted for Ganpati during this festival and otherwise too. However, the most famous one is “Sukha Karta Dukha Harta”, composed by Chhatrapati Shivaji’s spiritual mentor, Swami Samartha Ramdas.

Although there are some eggheads that try to spoil the fun with fusty theories and misinterpretations, devotees keep too busy enjoying the aura of this great deity. I feel satisfied and peaceful when people enjoy these 10 days keeping themselves away from all worries, as they feel comforted under the protection of their Vighna Harta. Even on the 10th day people as they bid farewell to their darling deity they cry “Laukar ya!” (Come back soon!).

Ganpati Bappa Morya!

Information source courtesy – Hindustan Times, Mumbai edition