Ganesh Chaturthi

[Sweety]

Today is the Indian festival known as Ganesh Chaturthi. We bring idols of Lord Ganesh into our homes, pray & keep these idols for 2-10 days (depending on choice) & then immerse the idol in a lake, river or sea. The idols are made out of PoP so they melt away in the water. There are many street side stages erected where the larger community idols are kept. Shottlebop uses all Lord Ganesh images as avatars.

Ganesh is the bringer of auspiciousness into any new beginning & any ceremony begins with a prayer to Him. During British occupation when the Quit India movement was gaining ground, the British imposed a ban on assembly of 4 or more people. Under Indian laws this is known as section 144. One of our revered freedom fighters Gangadhar Tilak hit upon this novel idea and urged the British to allow assembly of people for this religious festival. The British relented & Ganesh Chaturthi (10 day) festival was used to collect people for prayer and political discourse.

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[bigskygal]

Sweety, in 2000, I went to India for a month on a sacred pilgrimage.  We visited many, many places and stayed with many different holy men, most of whom, I don't remember the names of.  We spent several days at Puttaparthi and listened to Sai Baba speak, very moving.  We also visited Sarnath which was awesome!  Somewhere along the line, be it the Astrologer or one of the holy men, it was determined that Ganesh is my Ishta Devata.  I have several statues of him in my home.

[rocky]

i know all abt this
back in saudia i had a lot of indian friends
and thr is a large indian segment in s'pore as well 

[bigskygal]

Rocky, I've visited Singapore twice.  Used as a break in the long flights.  It is a beautiful place with lovely people.  I fell in love with the night street markets.  This was before my diabetes dx so I could eat all the goodies!!

[starsign]

Sweety, in 2000, I went to India for a month on a sacred pilgrimage.  We visited many, many places and stayed with many different holy men, most of whom, I don't remember the names of.  We spent several days at Puttaparthi and listened to Sai Baba speak, very moving.  We also visited Sarnath which was awesome!  Somewhere along the line, be it the Astrologer or one of the holy men, it was determined that Ganesh is my Ishta Devata.  I have several statues of him in my home.

That is really interesting. I hope you will plan another visit and then maybe we can all meet up.

[Sweety]

Today is the last day fo the festival. Today we bid adieu to Ganesh.
And it's raining today  . Don't know where that weather front came from.