By Rama Gaind.
Thousands of idols of Lord Ganesha were commissioned for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, in Mumbai, India.
An astute saying paints a heartbreaking picture as the world lives through the restrictions imposed by COVID-19. The travel industry in Australia and the world has been amongst the hardest hit.
The adage highlights patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting. Even as we wait to see how travel might be different in the aftermath, reminiscing about certain experiences make for joyful reflections.
What a difference a year makes! The usual extravagance associated with the Indian religious festival – Ganesh Chaturthi – was lacking in 2020. However, the viral pandemic did not dampen the ‘people spirit’ in the past week as the elephant-headed-pot-bellied Lord Ganesha was welcomed with traditional fervour into global communities.
Memories of a stopover in Mumbai during this propitious occasion last year remain vivid. The city’s streets were choked with traffic, the pageants moved slowly, but that was not a deterrent for the boisterous revellers who were swept up in the tide of devotion as innumerable statues of Lord Ganesha were paraded through the city to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi.
Observed with great piety all over India, the Hindu festival marks the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati. More than 6,000 idols of Lord Ganesha – the God of wisdom, prosperity and the remover of obstacles – were understood to have beeen commissioned for the festival in Mumbai alone, with over 10,000 statues being displayed at various locations in the city.
Bollywood actor Sonu Sood has become a real-life hero during the Coronavirus-triggered lockdown for his work in helping migrants reach their homes amid the pandemic.
Good fortune
I was fortunate to have been a part of the merriment that featured ‘pooja’, ‘bhajan’ and ‘darshan’ – all of which left an indelible mark. Ganpati is a popular God. His blessings are invoked at most sacred ceremonies as He is the one who can remove all impediments to success. He is the giver of fortune, helping to avoid natural calamities: this is my fervent wish, as I reflect on what made this sojourn so memorable.
Primarily, it was the spontaneous gesture and the sentiments expressed for my family’s wellbeing by a 19-year-old, a brief meeting with Pravin Panahale, of Kanderpada, in Dahisar, Mumbai, and his surprise, spontaneous gift: an exquisite, dazzling, multi-coloured murti (statue) of Lord Ganesha – resplendent in all his finery!
In the midst of all the rejoicing for divine intervention, Pravin – together with his parents Ram and Rajshree Panahale and sister Pooja, 25 – were consumed with an extraordinary zeal that was totally overwhelming. Their incomparable enthusiasm was infectious and I, too, ended up riding on an exceptional wave of religious fervour. Ganpati Bappa Morya!
Everyone was consumed with gay abandon in the capital of Maharashtra, the most populous city in India – and the fourth in the world – with a population of approximately 20.5 million.
Public celebrations were hugely popular as idols of Ganpati were ensconced in homes and temples and worshipped for 10-11 days amid chanting of shlokas, as local communities (mandalas) vied with each other to put up the best pandal, the biggest statues and visarjan processions became bigger and better.
Mumbai’s most recognised monument, the Gateway of India, overlooking the Arabian Sea.
The celebration is also the time for cultural activities including theatre and singing performances and orchestra and community activities. Ganesh Chaturthi is not only a popular event, but it has become a critical and important economic activity in Mumbai. Festivities are unparalleled and financial woes do not dampen spirits.
Heritage landmarks
Nostalgia for a bygone era resurfaces as recollections of visits to historic landmarks also resurface. Mumbai’s most recognised monument – the Gateway of India, overlooking the Arabian Sea – is designed to be the first thing that visitors see when approaching Mumbai by boat. The iconic stone arch, intrinsically linked to the former British Empire, perpetuates the memory of a past that’s still visible.
One of the finest examples of colonial architecture is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, also known by its former name Victoria Terminus, a historic terminal train station.
A collection of cave temples predominantly dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva are located on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri in Mumbai Harbour, 10 kilometres to the east of the city. Astonishingly carved into hillside rock are the Ajanta and Ellora caves, in Maharashtra, and both are important UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Ardent worshippers with an idol of Lord Ganesha during the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities held in Mumbai, India.
Mumbai’s cultural centre is Kala Ghoda Art Precinct, meaning ‘black horse’, referring to a statue that was once located there. This crescent-shaped stretch is home to Mumbai’s best art galleries and museums. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum is the largest museum in Mumbai.
For an unforgettable glimpse into the city, a visit to the Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat – a massive open-air laundry – is a must. Relax with the locals at Juhu Beach or Girgaum Chowpatty along the ‘Queen’s Necklace’ adjoining Marine Drive. Watching the sunset here is a spectacular experience!
Making sure life does not escape us is one of the reasons we travel. As Indian writer Ramachandra Guha so eloquently put it: “What is now in the past was once in the future.”
DETAILS BOX
Ganesh Chaturthi – religious observance
Mumbai, India
W: www.india.com/travel/mumbai/
