Tag Archives: Lord Ganesha

Ganesha – The God of Beginnings.

festival, General 5 Comments

In one of my previous posts, I had expressed negative views about festivals in India that festivals end up with bad news. This line didn’t go well with many people. I have many negative comments but thanks to wordpress, I have the authority to publish the comments which I want. So haters, you sit at home and enjoy this post.

Ganesh Chaturthi; hectic, vibrant and yet peaceful festival. Hectic because we have to do all the rituals, follow all the protocols to welcome Ganapati Bappa. Peaceful because, the moment Ganapati Bappa enters the house, you will automatically feel the positive vibes. The 10 days of Ganapati, not only bring peace but also bring all people together. As usual due to covid, this time too there will be restrictions. But I really miss this festival. Huge mandals, full on lights, staying awake the whole night with friends, playing some funny games so that we don’t get drowsy. We always come up with new slogans everytime, every year.

ek rupaiya ka chew gum, ganpati bappa singham..
garam Jalebi Fafda, Ganapati Bappa apda..
Kaha Chali Ho Goriya, Ganpati Bappa Moriya..
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Ganapati Bappa Superstar..
Videocon Samsung, Ganapati Bappa Handsome..
ek do teen chaar, Ganapati Cha Jai Jai kaar…

Whatever the occasion is, or going somewhere, or buying new things, “Ganapati Bappa Moriya” is a must. Feeling scared or feeling lonely, Ganapati Bappa is always there. That’s the vibe of our Ganapati Bappa. In my childhood days, I used to visit almost all the nearby mandals. Stand in queue or sometimes pay them to get direct entry. My favourite mandals is the one which had short stories in it. I still want to go, but this covid has given full stop to all these mandals. I really enjoyed not only the story but also the creativity, the designs and the decorations. Creating such mandals requires patience and intelligence. Really, hats off to them.

Lalbaughcha Raja, Year 2015

The festival has been publicly celebrated in Pune since the era of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Peshwa rulers  were devotees of Ganesh, and started a public Ganesh festival in their capital city of Pune. In every city, the view is different. How can one can’t pay tribute to Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati in Pune and Lalbaugcha Raja in Mumbai. Making a plan to visit these two places is a must. That huge crowd going only in one direction, no coming back and then eating vada pavs and tea. Ha ha, we Mumbaikar never say no to vada pav. Always available 24×7 in Mumbai.


Ganapati Idol Made of many super heroes. Near NL College, Malad West, Year 2015

But when it’s time to say Goodbye, almost everyone’s eyes get moist. As if someone is going for ever and will never return back. Yes, I do cry when I see Visarjan (Immersion). For two reasons, first obviously, I don’t want this festival to end and secondly, the way we do visarjan, sometimes not saying bye in proper good rituals. Hence eco-friendly Ganapati idols are a must. But we still have to urge people to go for it. How did you forget that Goosebumps, while performing aarti, that bells gongs and tintinnabulation. Whenever I see any Ganapati Idols, I wonder how these Ganapatis are made? Awesome art work and creativity.


Ganapati Idol made up of polo (mouth freshener), Near NL college, Malad West, Year 2013

Well, how come no negative content this time? Well then here it goes. I really really really HATE the collection of songs played by DJs during Anant Chaturthi. Why you want to show “Sheela’s Jawani” (Sheela’s youthfullness) to Ganapati Bappa, before his immersion? and why you want him to tell that “Munni” is “Badnaam” (Munni is infamous for bad reasons) for him. Well, this time, I am 100% sure that  “Zalimaa” (Merciless) will definitely give “coca-cola” and will urge Ganapati Bappa to “bhuja” her “aag” (Merciless, please give me cocoa-cola and extinguish the fire within me). Seriously!! Ha Ha!!.. Do check out some more pics here. 

Ganapati Bappa Moriya!

The Genre Of The Famous Seashore Town

General 7 Comments

Goa is on.  Bus, train, flight or road trip, travelling to Goa from Mumbai is always fun. We all don’t need any explanation on Goa but have you visited each and every corner of it? Some make their own trip by googling famous spots, some google un-famous spots. Some ask the local people so that they can explore the un-touch beauty of Goa. Some want parties, liquor and some even want drugs.

Here is my version of Goa. I am from Mumbai and  I have been to Goa many times and I have experienced all the ways to reach there.

Right from my childhood days, I have visited Goa. I don’t remember how many times. But for me, Goa is next door. I remember, the first time I visited Goa was Panjim City. Don’t remember the hotel name though, But the famous Panjim bridge was visible from my room. All I remember in that trip was the story of how that bridge fell down, how lucky people survived, how unlucky people died, etc etc. And also I believed that the bridge was made of coins (Rupees coins).

Shree Mangesh temple

Shree Mangesh temple

My kuldevata (tutelary deity in Hinduism) is Mangueshi-Mahalakshmi (Lord Shiva – Goddess Lakshmi). So Whenever I  had traveled to Goa, I never went there to visit beaches and all.  My family’s main motive was to visit our temples and do our rituals. Majorly, my stay was at Mangueshi Temple in Mardoli.  And after finishing all rituals, we used to visit Mahalakshmi Temple. Then for 3 days only Temples Temples. Mhalsadevi Temple, Ganesh Temple, Shanta Durga Temple, Ram Nathi Temple, Vikram-Betal Temple, Nageshi Temple. And on the very last day we used to see Miramar beach and then leave for Mumbai.

Mahalakshmi Temple

Mahalakshmi Temple

As I grew up, I started exploring beaches.  And mostly North Goa because it comes first while entering Goa, by road and South Goa was far. So in North Goa, obviously, that Baga beach. Don’t know why it is famous. It was just a happening beach, like other beaches, nothing else. After many years Chapora Fort became famous. It was because of the movie ‘Dil Chahata Hai’, and was famous as  ‘Dil chahata hai point’ rather than Chapora Fort.

Chapora Fort, Dil Chahata Hai Point

Chapora Fort, Dil Chahata Hai Point

Many years later, I heard of ‘Dudh-Sagar waterfall’, which comes in South Goa. This place is good but a little difficult to go there as you have to pass through many rocks. Best  season to go there is after the rainy season. Rest all day, you get very less waterfall. And yes, the place is over-crowded.

Dudh Sagar Waterfall

Dudh Sagar Waterfall

So goa, goa, goa and beaches started to get over-crowding. All places, markets started to get over-crowding. Goa is fun but since hell lots of crowd, then we can’t enjoy much.  So one day, I decided to visit South Goa. Because as per google, the crowd is less there. The place is not-so happening there. So thought, let’s give it a try. I booked ‘Cuba Patnem’ shack-hotel located at Patnem Beach.

Patnem Beach

Patnem Beach

The beach was small, and very less crowded.  I enjoyed staying there. The rooms of that hotel were not so hi-fi, no TV (surprise to see after check-in) but the food was awesome. And since  it was a shack hotel, playing on the beach and cleaning our-self was not a hazel task. The waves were moderate and hence kids also enjoyed it too.  When not at the beach, we used to sit in a shack, watch sunset. The beach was so peaceful that people even used to do meditation there. In Baga beach, all u hear some nasty comments when you do such things. But my 3 days at that beach was awesome. peaceful and very relaxing.

If you haven’t seen all, then next time visit South Goa, book a shack-hotel at a not-so-famous beach and I am sure you will enjoy it. I Will surely visit once again but after go-corona-go.  Till then  stay safe, keep distance, wear a mask.

March 2016 – The Festive Month

festival, Festival of Colours, General, Holi, Information, Knowledge 1 Comment

So, March 2016 is one of the most festive month. We just celebrated Maha Shivratri and now its time to celebarte Holi.

Oh wait, After Holi, Its Good Friday, and then Shivaji Jayanti and then Eastern Sunday and last but not the least Rangapanchami.

 

Holi – March 23, 2016.

In Mumbai, you will experience this festive 1 week before its starts. Young kids (even elder) throws ballons, filled with water. Now-a-days, It has been replaced by small plastic bags.

Maximum people don’t like this custom, coz now-a-days, people are mixing bad water and other harmful colors, which not only effects human being but also Animals around.

Though Government has applied many rules on this, but still, we get to see such incidents every year.

To know more about Holi click here.

March 2016 – The Festive Month, Holi
 
 

Dhulivandan – March 24, 2016.

This festival marks the beginning of Spring season, which is why it is also referred as the ‘Spring Festival of India’. The main attraction of the festival are lots of colors, fun and fervor.

To know more about Dhulivandhan click here.

To check out Dhulivandan real snaps click here.

March 2016 – The Festive Month, Dhulivandan
 
 

Good Friday – March 25, 2016.

Good Friday is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. There are a few theories about why Good Friday is called ‘Good Friday‘ probably because ‘good‘ is used to mean ‘holy‘ and that terrible Friday is called ‘Good Friday’ because it led to the Resurrection of Jesus and his victory over death and sin and the celebration of Easter, the very pinnacle of Christian celebrations.

To know more about Good Friday click here.

March 2016 – The Festive Month, Good Friday
 
 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti – March 26, 2016

Birthday of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is celebrated in Maharasthra as Shivaji Jayanti. As such, Shivaji Jayanti is celebrated on 19 Feb. But according to Hindu customs, Jayanti (Birthdays) are celebrated as per Lunar Days.

Chhatrapati Shivaji is a hero not only for the people of Maharashtra but for those of India as well. On the occasion of Shivaji Jayanti several processions are taken out and people dress up like Shivaji and his associates. The birthday is celebrated on a huge scale and various programmes remembering the achievements of the great ruler are organised.

March 2016 – The Festive Month, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti
 
 

Sankashti Chaturthi – March 27, 2016

Sankashti Chaturthi  also known as Sankata Hara Chaturthi is an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Ganesha. On this day, the devotees observe strict fast. They break the fast at night after having darshan/auspicious sight of the moon preceded by prayers to Lord Ganesha.

Observing this fast is believed to reduce your problems as Lord Ganesha symbolizes the removal of all obstacles and supreme lord of intelligence. Before moonlight the Ganapati Atharvasheersha is recited to invoke the blessings of Lord Ganesha.

March 2016 – The Festive Month, Sankashti Chaturthi
 
 

Easter Sunday – March 27, 2016

On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ. It is typically the most well-attended Sunday service of the year for Christian churches.

Christians believe, according to Scripture, that Jesus came back to life, or was raised from the dead, three days after his death on the cross.

March 2016 – The Festive Month, Easter Sunday
 
 

Rangapanchami – March 28, 2016

Rangapanchami is celebrated on the fifth day (Panchami) in the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar month. This bliss is celebrated by throwing colours in the air. Thus, Rang Panchami is a symbol of victory over raja tama.

The festival is particularly popular amongst fisher folk. They celebrate it in on a large scale and revel in the festivities by singing, dancing and merry-making. This special dance provide them means to release all their repressed feelings, needs and desires. People also utter sound through their mouths in a peculiar fashion by striking their mouths with the back of their hands.

The festival of Rangapanchami is also associated with Holi festival but is not very popular as it is more of a traditional festival and is limited to Maharashtra. Some people confuse Rang Panchami with the Holi festival that is celebrated with colors the day after the lighting of fires. The Rangpanchami festival is more closely associated with rural Marathi culture.