GANESHA CHATURTHI - 11TH SEPTEMBER

The road was unspeakable, washed away by the Monsoon rains, huge craters made the going rough - the distance wasn't that far, but it took at least 45 minutes to get to the factory, called Danke, which made transformers, used locally in India and also for export.   Today was the start of the Ganesha Festival and the statue of Ganesha had been prepared and placed in the factory temple.  It was a special day because the spirit of the god would be invoked and would be invited to enter the statue.

The owner of the factory came out to greet us when we arrived and soon his son and daughter-in-law were ensconced on cushions in front of the idol and the puja ceremony began, with all the workers standing in a semi-circle, having first removed their shoes, ready to watch and offer their prayers too.  Ganesha is one of the most popular gods in India and cuts across caste and sect, for he is the remover of obstacles and is invoked also for the start of new projects.

This was the first day of the ceremony which will culminate in ten days time, when Ganesha will be taken to the river and immersed in water and left to dissolve.   Nandini and her husband, as the chief protagonists in the ceremony, being the son and daughter-in-law of the factory owner, were instructed by the priest in the intensely detailed ritual.  The little representations of the god were bathed in five things - curd, water, milk, honey and ghee.  Each represented a blessing - longevity, purity, nourishment, happiness and prosperity.  Colours too played their part - the rich vibrant orange marigold flower was added to the offering and rice and various spices.  Fruit and sweetmeats were placed within reach of the god. The priest intoned the prayers in a mix of Sanskrit and Hindi.  The ceremony lasted about 40 minutes and culminated in the hanging of a garland of bright marigolds round the shoulders of the statue.  Sweets were handed out to the crowd, everyone smiled and clapped and one could feel the mounting anticipation for the finale of the festival in ten days time, when there will be a good deal of merriment, dancing and music.