11th September, 2011: 23:15 p.m.
I am back home from Ganesh immersion.
The Visarjan day has always been special to me and my lil' sister. Every year, on this day, we join the horde of devotees on Marve Road to see Lord Ganesha depart.
Like every year, today’s day was full of energy and joy. Thousands of people had hurdled, jostling each other on the mad busy road to catch glimpses of Lord Ganesha. One-fourth of Mumbai seemed to me like on the streets! It would be right to say that this is the only day when one can walk or stroll on the middle of road without following any traffic rules!
As the sun went down, more and more processions showed up on streets heading toward immersion venue. Myriad lights sparkled the wet roads. I saw Bappa in various Avtars, colors, sizes, poise; every Ganesh idol was embellished with stunning jewellery and flowers; and every idol looked vibrant, benevolent, and special.
Ambiance was electrifying, highly acoustic, and zealous. People in procession danced frantically to tunes of bollywood songs and bhajans. Several songs are devised in bollywood on Ganesh Chaturthi; but one song that became iconic and is played every year, in every pandal is “Deva ho deva” from the movie ‘Humse Badhkar Kaun’. It still manages to give us goosebumps and nostalgia!
I enjoyed the Visarjan day whole-heartedly. To catch a closer view of ganesha, I ran after every carrier, took pictures, took blessings, and waved a big bye to Bappa. Firecrackers, incessant honking, traffic snarls, shouts of bappa, hi-tech music systems, whistles, cries, laughter, and much more were a part of pompous celebration today and raised decibels of the upbeat atmosphere to par.
With as much fervor and frill the Bappa was carried through immersion, the devotees returned home with that much despair and emptiness! I retired with a bag of mixed feelings. Bappa left behind sadness and void, but at the same time, he renewed our faith and hope to look forward to a good year.
On a parting note, I pray that my loved ones be safe and healthy always. With the visarjan of worries and troubles, I trust in you Ganpati Bappa that next year you will bring us immense joy and happiness.
Ganpatti Bappa.. Morya…
Pudchya Varshi… Lav kar ya..!!
I am back home from Ganesh immersion.
The Visarjan day has always been special to me and my lil' sister. Every year, on this day, we join the horde of devotees on Marve Road to see Lord Ganesha depart.
Like every year, today’s day was full of energy and joy. Thousands of people had hurdled, jostling each other on the mad busy road to catch glimpses of Lord Ganesha. One-fourth of Mumbai seemed to me like on the streets! It would be right to say that this is the only day when one can walk or stroll on the middle of road without following any traffic rules!
As the sun went down, more and more processions showed up on streets heading toward immersion venue. Myriad lights sparkled the wet roads. I saw Bappa in various Avtars, colors, sizes, poise; every Ganesh idol was embellished with stunning jewellery and flowers; and every idol looked vibrant, benevolent, and special.
Ambiance was electrifying, highly acoustic, and zealous. People in procession danced frantically to tunes of bollywood songs and bhajans. Several songs are devised in bollywood on Ganesh Chaturthi; but one song that became iconic and is played every year, in every pandal is “Deva ho deva” from the movie ‘Humse Badhkar Kaun’. It still manages to give us goosebumps and nostalgia!
I enjoyed the Visarjan day whole-heartedly. To catch a closer view of ganesha, I ran after every carrier, took pictures, took blessings, and waved a big bye to Bappa. Firecrackers, incessant honking, traffic snarls, shouts of bappa, hi-tech music systems, whistles, cries, laughter, and much more were a part of pompous celebration today and raised decibels of the upbeat atmosphere to par.
With as much fervor and frill the Bappa was carried through immersion, the devotees returned home with that much despair and emptiness! I retired with a bag of mixed feelings. Bappa left behind sadness and void, but at the same time, he renewed our faith and hope to look forward to a good year.
On a parting note, I pray that my loved ones be safe and healthy always. With the visarjan of worries and troubles, I trust in you Ganpati Bappa that next year you will bring us immense joy and happiness.
Ganpatti Bappa.. Morya…
Pudchya Varshi… Lav kar ya..!!
