Go to :  Index File

Mumbai celebrates 'Ganesh Chaturthi' festival

     Mumbai: Mumbai celebrated the popular festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha, with much pomp and show on Saturday. The ten-day festival called as 'Ganesh Chaturthi' began on Wednesday, which marks the birthday of lord Ganesha. The festival is celebrated with much gaiety and people from all walks of life participate with equal enthusiasm and faith. Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty too celebrated the festival and performed rituals with much devotion and passion. She along with her family and fiancee Raj Kunder visited the Lalbaug and Chinchpokli Mandals in Mumbai and offered prayers. "I have strong faith in lord Ganesha. I haven't come here to ask for something but I came here because of my faith and devotion for lord Ganesha. It gives me immense pleasure and peace," said Shetty. In many parts of the city the temporary stalls made to keep the idols were artistically decorated and depicted special themes. In one such stall the theme this year depicts the life history of lord Krishna. The people are happy, as they believe that this would give their children an opportunity to be aware of their heritage. "We have such arrangements depicting the life history of Hindu gods like Krishna, Rama and Ganesha every year. They tell about the life history of various Hindu gods. This provides an opportunity to the public and children to get acquainted with their heritage and legends," said Bal Narey, an organiser.

    The festival is popular in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Legend has it that Hindu Goddess Parvati, consort of lord Shiva had created Ganesha from a perfumed putty-like substance, and made him to stand outside her abode not to allow anybody in, while she had a bath. Shiva flew into a rage on not being allowed in by the boy and beheaded him. Soon realizing his mistake, Shiva brought Ganesha back to life by putting an elephant head on his shoulders. Thus was created elephant-headed Ganesha, the lord of wisdom and remover of obstacles and is worshipped by Hindus at the beginning of every auspicious occasion. For years, Ganesh festival was a personal or private affair, celebrated at homes. But at the turn of the century, Bal Gangadhar Tilak converted Ganesh festival into a public event using it as a platform to fight the British colonial rule.
-Sept 6, 2008