Ganesh Chaturthi

Micheleeee

Hello,
I read that at the day I arrive in Mumbai Ganesh Chaturthi begins (3.September this year).
I actually planned to leave Mumbai after 1 day. Is it worth to stay longer because of the festival?

Thanks...Michele!

spicetrekker

Definetely . The processions on the 5/7/11 days of the festival,when the idols are immersed in the sea is a speactacle to watch.

snonymous

The final day, Ananth Chaturdashi, is a spectacular sight with huge idols taken out in procession, for immersion. The Girgaum beach gets the largest idols including the famous Lalbag cha Raja which reaches the beach the following morning after a long and slowly winding procession through Central Mumbai. Juhu beach also gets the large idols from the areas in that vicinity. Bear in mind that the streets get extremely crowded on this day.

If you dont wish to stay for so long, you could catch the one and a half day immersions when small idols from individual homes are immersed. These are usually taken out by the respective families on hand cart or in their cars, or just carried on a large tray upto the immersion point.

Ashvani

Hi everybody ,
I'm arriving on the 4th of september in Mumbai from The Netherlands . Are there still some activities going on the Ganesh festival? And where is the place to be to see these activities?
I'll be staying till the 12 the of septmber in Mumbai and hope to enjoy some activities of this festival.
Can anyone give me some more information?
Best regards

Ashvani

jadegarden

It is definitely worth a stay and have a look, it is awesome and memorable

visit the Ganesh Puja locations and have a look at the craftsmanship and the enjoy the ambiance

the color,sound, smell is so heady

edwardseco

Wasn't there something about colored powder associated with this holiday (I know what Holi is).?

PrasadIyer

Immersion of community idols is generally performed on the 10th day, i.e. on Sept 13. Idols are transported in trucks accompanied by large crowds of devotees dancing to the beat of loud drums and other musical instruments. A number of them are immersed at the seashore at Shivaji Park, Dadar, and at the Chowpatty beach, Girgaum. They are quite a sight to see. But the action occurs quite late at night and takes a while to unfold, so considerable patience is required.

Lakhs of rupees are spent on decorating the major community idols, such as at Lalbagh and at Tilak Nagar (Chembur). They are put on public display throughout the ten days of Ganapathi worship, and are well worth a visit. Here again, the only problem is the crowds of people waiting in line to take a look. Might take a while to get your turn.

-Prasad

skk

My brother BS'ed me as a kid that the actual immersion was of really small idols as a substitute for the real big ones that one saw at the various clubs | mandals, or on the procession to the river - on grounds of cost. I never got close enough to see the actual immersion, I was too small for that massive crush that develops - Maybe it wasn't BS but was perhaps true wayyy back then.

But, no longer as these set of photos taken of what the Mumbai beaches look like, a few days AFTER the immersion show:

http://www.ultrabrown.com/posts/the-...of-kurukshetra

Well worth a look at all the debris on the beach. And pretty sad for the religiously inclined too I guess. No wonder there are moves afoot by environmentally conscious people to alleviate this aftermath - a variety of solutions are proposed. Maybe my brother's BS may come true after all !

-skk

Vasko

Wow! Those are some eerie, striking and fascinating pictures! Reminds me of the end of The Planet of the Apes, where the head of the Statue of Liberty is lying in the sand.

We will be landing in Bombay on Sept. 6th, and hope to get a feel of the festivities, as well. Any suggestions on where to catch the best vibes before the big immersion?

prashshir

Dear All...
The real Ganesh festival is in the houses which bring in small 'murtis' of God Ganesh. Lord Ganesh is treated as a guest in house. The house which brings in the idole is decorated by the members of family, relatives and freinds too....All thru the days when Lord Ganesh is in house sweets are prepared as offerings, "modak" is prepared in every house. Modak is like dumplings made of grated coconut mixed with jaggery and spices covered in rice flour.
Members of family, relatives, friends and neighbours sing 'Bhajan" i.e. praise for Lord with music instruments. It's an opportunity for people to come together, as generally there's one Ganesh idol for the family. All members of the family i.e. brothers and sisters even though they are living separately away from home come together on this occassion. It's a practice to visit the homes of relatives and freinds where the Lord Ganesh's idol is brought in.
At the day of immersion that can be the 2nd, 5th, 7th or 10th day of festival, people feel really sad that Lord Ganesh is leaving home. With heavy heart and prayers on lips he is immersed with full respect.
The Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals bring in BIG idols and various social activities are sponsered by these mandals i.e. groups. But the real Ganesh Festival is in small households.

prashshir

It's really sad to see big idols washed ashore in very sorry state. But the Hindu religion teaches you that you come from dust and you become dust on day. It's cycle of life. It's more important that what you do during the life on earth.
Though I fully agree that Huge Ganesh Murtis need not be prepared just to show off the might of Ganesh Mandals.

jadegarden

Yes Prashir

what you said about the idols is true, it feels bad when the festival ends after such fun and enjoyment

Vasko

Thanks prashshir for the inside knowledge. Even though it's mainly a domestic family festival, are there any public festivities besides the immersion?

Also, apparently the proceedings to the beach can get quite crowded, but can they get rowdy as well? I understand some festivals with big crowds can involve some loose behaviour...

Well, I'm just really looking forward to being in the city during the festival. In 2003 I missed it by a couple of days.

IndianRanger

The immersion days, the 5th and the 11th are quite a spectacle. Juhu beach in Andheri, and Girgaum Chowpatty (not far from CST) are places to visit.

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capt_mahajan

I think it is flung around a bit, yes. What significance that has, I have no idea.

The festival was ok long ago. It is becoming, like Durga Puja in Kolkata, more a show of strength every year.