[sadhuji]

On the 27th of September, 2006, the celebrations will commence. Ganesh, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is widely worshipped as the supreme God of wisdom. This festival in his honor is celebrated in the states of Maharastra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. To fully appreciate this occasion, one must go to Mumbai, where preparations begin months in advance.

Started by Chattrapati Shivaji, the great Maratha ruler, the festival was given a new impetus by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak to spread the message of freedom and to defy the British, who had banned public assemblies. It infused the Indians with a sense of unity and revived their patriotic spirit.

Ganesh is fervently worshipped for seven to ten days. On the day of the Anantha Chaturdashi, the last of the days dedicated to the God, thousands of processions converge on the beaches of Mumbai to immerse the holy idols in the sea, accompanied by drum beats, devotional songs and dancing.

http://www.whatsonwh...ents/~53237.jml

The ‘modak’ is a special sweet preparation that is a must for Lord Ganesh – it is a pyramid like structure with stuffing of the choicest food items. There are dry fruits, cashew, and mango apart from the sugar free and herbal varieties. A shop in Thane displays at least 51 different varieties on the occasion of the festivals. The price ranges from Rs 200.00 to Rs 600.00. The ‘ukdiche’ (steamed) modaks are priced this year at Rs 7.00 per piece. The shop also takes orders for Pure Gold modaks – the price is Rs 2000.00 per Kg. In this type, the ingredients are mamri almonds and saffron with a wrapping of gold varak – they use two grams of gold for two kilograms of the final product. It is available only on order.  (from information appearing in the Thane/Mulund supplement of the Hindustan Times dated 25/8/2006).

Ganapati Bappa Morya !!!!
‘Vakrathunda Mahakaaya Sooryakoti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kurumedeva Sarvakaaryeshu Sarvadaa"
You of the twisted trunk and the massive body with the dazzle and light of millions of Suns Lead me on a path that has no obstacles clearing the way in all that I do, and always!

Other related sites –

http://o3.indiatimes.../01/238987.aspx

http://www.blessings...estivalid=F0694

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesha

Attached Files

•  ganesh3.jpg   76.48K   17 downloads

[H.Nick]

On the 27th of September, 2006... ... ...

I think you mean the 27 August.

ie tomorrow.

And all the Ganesh temples and even the small shrines are lit up and decorated here

[sadhuji]

H.Nick, on Aug 26 2006, 06:22 PM, said:

On the 27th of September, 2006... ... ...

I think you mean the 27 August.

ie tomorrow.

And all the Ganesh temples and even the small shrines are lit up and decorated here

ooops - i'm extremely sorry, it is the 27th august and not september.

[priya]

Quote

And all the Ganesh temples and even the small shrines are lit up and decorated here

Approximately 150 people attended our local 2 hour gathering yesterday, followed by, of course, delicious prasad

[sadhuji]

modaks hand delivered by lord ganesh

yes - that is what we saw on tv. this idol from vadodra had a mechanism by which the right hand lifts as if in blessing and a modak drops on to the outstretched palm.

it is all thro electrical circuits - hi tech ganesh, as the news reporter mentioned.

[priya]

Ganapati blessings to all on the Tree, on this special day.

[sadhuji]

priya, on Sep 3 2008, 11:56 AM, said:

Ganapati blessings to all on the Tree, on this special day.

Ganapati Bappa Morya

http://www.merinews....rticleID=140519

[priya]

Oh to be in Mumbai to witness the end of the festival.

[Hyderabadi]

[KABAARY]

I hope I have posted this in the right forum...

An American celebrates Ganeshutsav

[anjali]

I think Ganpati is a god whose pooja is done almost all over the world?