My Musings

earlier 16 Sep 2007 Sunday As we reached house, Ganesan was ready with vada paav for us. After this and then lunch, we all (except Subhadra Manni) left for seeing the Ganapatis. Read our experince 17 Sep 2007, Monday Got up at 0730. Sundaresan phoned. He is leaving for Pune this afternoon. Sudhakar is leaving for Germany in the night (0230AM). Evening at 5, we two walked towards Santacruz railway station - we had travelled on this road many years ago - the Potdar school on this road has changed beyond description. We saw a couple of Ganapatis in the station road. On our way back, we walked along SV road where Arun was born in Kashibai Nursing Home. This nursing home has been demolished and was not to be found. 7PM or so NIRUPAMA came and she & Vijaya went out to purchase dinner for all of us - Paav bhaji, and ice cream. Niru left at 11PM. An enjoyable day. 18 Sep 2007 Tuesday . Rains in Mumbai. I initiated Ganesan to Blogs. Announcement in media that there would be no...

Ganapati Bappa - Visarjan. The Ganapati idols that are kept for pooja in individual houses and Sarvajanik Mandals are bid a warm sendoff after 3/5/7/9/11 days. These idols are immersed in water (sea / river) and this is known as Visarjan. Visarjan is celebrated with gaiety, passion, and bhakti in Maharashtra. On 19th Sept 2007 we went to Juhu beach in the evening just to spend a few minutes by the sea. We were not aware of Visarjan that day. As we walked along the Juhu beach road, we could see many Ganapatis taken in procession towards the beach. On the sands of the beachfront, there were dozens of families - big and small - with their Ganapatis. They carry the idols either in their hands or (mostly) in a push cart. Many bring them in auto-rickshaws or in their swanky cars. The entire family - thatha, paatti, son / daughter, grand-children - come to the farewell party. As soon as they reach the sands, they put a kolam on the sands and keep the idol within the square. They t...