Ganesh Chaturthi

Bharat… It is believed that every 50-100 kms the dialect and culture changes here. In our tradition almost all days have some significance, although some are celebrated with more fervor than the rest, depending on the region where you hail from. The main objective behind celebration and festivities was to celebrate life and its existence, to move our focus from the outside world to a deep world within ourselves in a homogeneous and collective manner.

The most revered festival in my region is Ganesh Chaturthi. This festival worships the elephant God, which is symbolic of wisdom, fortune, success and luck.

A month before the festivities the body is prepared for the occasion by consumption of only pure satvik food. This food increases the prana and positivity within ourselves. Various ceremonies are performed a few days prior to the festival. The house is decorated and special seat for the idol along with Matoli consisting of various fruits and herbs is prepared.

On the day of the festival the idol is brought home with great reverence and Puja and offerings are done along with singing of bhajans and folk dances. Special food items are prepared and offered to the deity. This is a way of thanking the almighty for all that he has made available to us in the form of food, medicines etc.

This is a festival wherein all the family members irrespective of being located in various states / countries come together in the ancestral home. It is like a grand gathering which happens once a year celebrating the occasion.

As per your wish you can keep the idol for a maximum of 21 days. On the last day immersion procession is carried out with great pomp and gaiety.

This festival reminds us of our temporary existence on this planet. It reminds us to honour our life and initiate a journey inwards. Ultimately it reminds us that death is inevitable and we all need to go back to the earth where we originate from. Such profound knowledge imparted in just a festival is a very brilliant method conceived by our ancestors and carried forward in the tradition.

Thus, we take leave from the idol saying ” Ganapati bappa morya, fudchya varshi Lavkar ya” thus meaning “praises to you as you leave and hope to seen you soon the next year “.

Signifying the ultimate reality of death in all our lives. Leaving behind bitter sweet memories.

What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite?

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Doorways

Beach or mountains? Which do you prefer? Why?

The ocean is very deep, yet it cannot contain the water which keeps lapping at the shores. It is a mystery which contains hidden treasures. According to legend the devas and asuras churned the sea for a millennium to recover ” Amrit ” the elixir of life. However poison and other riches too were recovered in the process. It signifies that we should harmonize the positive and negative aspects of our life so as to obtain the elixir of spirituality and real meaning of existence. Being in the presence of the ocean makes us realise the vastness of creation and the impermanent nature of every passing moment similar to the waves.

The mountains are an immovable, still existence, however just standing in front of one makes us humbled. It makes us realise that we are small and insignificant in comparison to nature. Mountains are believed to be a place where gods reside and inorder to get there we need to traverse the entire length of the hill. They are believed to be a symbol of strength and divinity. It signifies that to reach the apex of our spiritual well being we need to cross the paths which are uncharted and trodden with thorns, and ridden with challenges. However once the peak is reached the journey acquires meaning and is worth the effort.

Both beaches and mountains are by themselves marvels of nature. Both impart the same teachings but using different techniques. Nature reaches out to us through multiple doorways like the ocean, mountains, rains, seasons, trees and animals however we are so engrossed in our selves and our lives that we are not able to grasp and utilize the grace that surrounds us. Divinity is all around us we only need to develop the skills to perceive and experience it.

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Ravana performs victory Puja for Rama

What historical event fascinates you the most?

Before attacking Lanka where Ravana was holding Rama’s wife Sita captive in the ashok Vatica, Rama wanted to perform an Yagya for success. He needed a bramhin who was a shiva devotee too. Ravana was a great shiva devotee and a bhramin, hence lord Rama sent an invite to Ravana to perform Puja for victory. 

It maybe noted here that Ravana had kidnapped Rama ‘s wife for which Rama wanted to wage a war against him. But despite being enemies both of them putting their current predisposition aside took the path of righteousness and dharma.

Ravana agreed to perform the yagna promising that any deficiency in the yagna would be fulfilled by him. On the day of the yagna he said to Rama, “a married man can’t perform a Puja without his wife.” On this Rama says ” my wife is not here. What can I do now?” To this Ravana replies, ” a bhramhin has to make arrangements for any deficiency that may exist in the Puja. Hence only for the duration of this Puja I will have Sita here by your side. After that I am taking her back to lanka”.

Hence Ravana performed the Puja, blessed the couple and went back with Sita. Although many may argue that this is mythology. But whether mythology or not this story depicts how truthful a person can be to his duties and promises even in dire situations. Both enemies keeping their promises and trust even in trying conditions is truly fascinating.

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Victory over Death

Destined to die at 16, Markanday was a shiva devotee

As the time drew near, he hugged the shivalinga dear

On the final day when his turn came Yama, sprang his noose on the young boys neck.

But the noose landed on the Shivalinga.

Lord shiva emerged with all his fury and battled with the lord of death

Finally letting him go with a condition,that Markanday will live forever.

Six Sentence Story prompt word turn

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