Some Ganesha thoughts

If there are less number of words on this screen, it is because there is more travel on my platter. And hundreds of words too.

Here is some food for thought. Global leaders have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and other currencies in talking, debating and fighting climate change, ecological disasters and the like. Recession as the buzzword has not begun to cease in public consciousness too. Ditto with the Swine Flu fear.

We humans are strange creatures though. Speaking of the socio-religious and cultural context of Mumbai, when the need of the hour is to ensure minimal damage through our religious festivals, talk of simplicity in celebration and profoundness in thought, why are big newspapers still favouring big Ganesha idols and giving away prizers for the grandest of them all?

Why are they so silent about the damage that painted idols cause to water when you immerse the idols?

SOME RELIEF:

A trip down to Gokuldham the day before Ganesh Chaturthi was a mess. Garlands of Rs 15 near the Gokuldham Temple suddenly costed Rs 70! Getting mango leaves was out of question. And none of the idol stores stocked paint-free Ganeshas.

A colleague from Bangalore sculpted her own Ganesha in clay, minus any paint. A neighbour too did something similar. Her husband picked up some clay from near Powai Lake, and the family took an hour to give the clay its Ganesha. As for me, I decorated the Ganesha idol I always worship at home, and used the traditional turmeric-Ganesha on a beetle leaf for my pooja.

Manjal Puzhaiyar (Tamil), or Pasupu Vighneswarudu is a tiny hill or cone you make with turmeric paste over a beetle leaf and beautify with a kumkum dot. It is a practice followed in most festivals down South, where Ganesha is worshipped before we offer prayers to other Gods.


Picture: Ganesha in rice. Courtesy: www.e-coexist.com