Ganesh Chaturthi - memories

 

 

I wrote this today, in my gratitude journal, as a ‘Thank You’ memory:

Thinking back today of Ganesh Chaturthi in Baroda, every year, today being The day this year.

Around 5-10 days prior to this day, some of the ‘yuvak mandals’ (Youth congregation / groups) would bring the unpainted Ganesh Idols to their ‘location’ in their block. And, the idols would be painted there itself. A majority would bring the idols 4-wheel carts(larris), or bullock carts or trucks, depending on the size of the idol.  It would be a festive procession for each one, people singing ‘Ganpati Bappa Moriya’, as they went along on the road. We would fold our hands in prayer each time. It would be a fun day, watching each procession passing, and the air of festivity all round. Particularly, when the Ganesha idol on the back side of our Road(HP Yuvak Mandal) would be brought in, there would be a long prayer, and, then the ‘Sthapana’(Installation) of the idols.

Memories also, of the ‘collection’ teams of 3-5 people of the Mandals near us, who would bargain, for a higher amount… 11 Rs 21 Rs or 51 Rs … all used to be big sums in the eighties.

A time also, to look forward to getting the local papers(Sandesh, Gujarat Samachar or Loksatta) each day from the neighbous, to see the photos of Ganesha idols from around the city, and deciding which ones were close enough to visit, over the span of the next ten days.

Also memories of the ‘events’ organized by the Mandal in those days… a ‘Anand mela’ or a small fair, wherein the area people would be trying to earn a big of money selling home made food, or having hoopla games. 

Once there was also a musical program( A ‘Musical Nite’ as it was called) when a famous group had come and sung all the hit songs of those days, one of the singers being our neighbor from across the road. Another time, they had arranged a giant screen, and shown ‘Don’ on it, using a VCR and a projector.

Small happenings, super memories, super values of these memories. Thank you, Thank you. J