Last year I was surprised to see so many Ganesh pandals around our house. Pune. Mumbai, and Maharashtra are know for its Ganesh festival celebration. However, public celebrations or Ganesh Puja is not a norm. Historically, it was a home afair, till B G Tilak as a public celebration as a way to congregate during British rule. In Delhi, various Marathi groups have Ganesh Pandals but the one in Malikpur gaon close to our house was a surprise.
This year, when I was wandering in Model Town I saw this hoarding declaring the first year of the …. Ganesh Mandal. So this is how it starts. People look at all the fun and celebrations and decide they want a piece of it too. Just like we have Navaratra Pendals in Pune now. Indians love festivities, public celebrations, and unfortunately loud music to go with it.
Bir bazar was ready with Ganesh idols, thursday before the big day (September 2). I am not too excited about the idols though. They have too much glitter for my taste. Parag was especially impressed by the black idol. It was in stark contrast with all the gold and mirror laden Ganeshas around it.
Yesterday, wandering in Karol Baug of all places, we were pleasantly surprised to see two shops selling Ganesh idols and quite a crowd around it, finalizing the idol to take home and all the trappings to go with it.
May be next time we will partake in the fun more consciously than just bumping into Punekar’s favourite god.
devayani tirthali 