The Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten day festival that celebrated the birth of Lord Ganesha. Though celebrated throughout India, Mumbai is known to have the most vibrant celebrations. For these ten days, statues of Ganesh are pulled along on carts or trucks with music (often Bollywood beats) blaring full blast while people dance in a procession. Pink powder is thrown and people are cheerful and smiling. Along with the deafening music, drums beat to announce the arrival of the procession while people yell "Ganapati Bappa Morya!" As I was photographing, I was offered ladoos, Ganesh's favourite sweet.
The idols are taken to the sea for immersion on the odd and last days of the festival. Though most are made of Plaster of Paris, it is becoming more popular to have environmentally friendly Ganeshes made of clay or even paper mache. The most popular pandals in Mumbai are visited by millions of people and have queues up to 24 hours just for a quick view. Bollywood stars also visit these pandals, in which I am sure you can imagine, the queue time lengthens considerably!
Here are just a few photos: Enjoy!
can't get enough of the last one!! i may be ordering a print or two from you upon your return...
ReplyDeleteI love that one too: the boys lit their Ganesh with their cell phone so I could take the photo!
DeleteDear Michelle, you go girl! What a trip. It has been so enjoyable keeping up with your travels. We love the descriptions and the photographs are awesome! Love, Patsy and John
ReplyDeleteThank you Aunt Patsy and Uncle John! And, thank you for sharing my blog with Grandmother!
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