Bidding goodbye is never easy. Specially if the departing guest is Ganpathi, the roly-poly Elephant-headed God.
In hired trucks or cradled in arms, the idol is taken in joyous processions to the sea for immersion. There is music and dancing. Bright sarees and fashionable clothes. An old woman shows the younger ones how to shake a leg. The young lovers surreptitiously exchange smiles.
But beneath the smiles, there are tears. After being a part of their lives for ten long days, Ganapathi is going back home.
"Ganpathi Bappa Morya. Pudhchya Warshi Luakar Ya. Oh Lord Ganpathi, come again speedily next year."
_____
A drabble is a story told in exactly 100 words.
*Visarjan - ceremonially immersing the idol in a river or the sea, symbolising the ritual see-off of the Lord towards his heavenly abode. More Visarjan photographs here.
Rayna - I love the 'photo! And thanks so much for sharing this festival with us. Every time I visit your blog, I learn something so interesting! You give us all such wonderful glimpses of life in your part of India; I feel I'm getting to know not just you, but also your home, and I love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Margot. Even as I write this, I can hear the music (the theme of Come September is one of the most popular, go figure). One kid wants to watch, the other doesn't. I am trying to manage expectations, because it is not safe for the kids to go alone and watch.
ReplyDeleteWOw, a lot of celebrations going on right now. Do you get time off for the events?
ReplyDeleteCD
@ Clarissa - there are so many festivals, if we got time off for them all, we would do no work at all. But yes, this particualar thing disrupts traffic very badly, so offices close early (and schools give a day off).
ReplyDeletehow fun! (Or is it really sad?) Does he come back in 10 years? Are the little ones sad? I know if I was little, he'd probably be my fave~ :o)
ReplyDeleteI love festivals of any kind. Am in awe at the variety and grandeur of the ones you describe.
ReplyDeleteThis festival sounds like a visual treat! Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDelete@ Leigh - it is fun. We just got back after seeing the processions, and it was a visual treat.
ReplyDeleteAnd he comes back every year- you think Indians would wait more than that for a celebration?
@ Barbara- yes, festivals are mega size in India.
@ Elizabeth- I am posting a couple of pictures I just took- don't do justice, but good enough.
Hi, Rayna. I took my students on a tour of drabbles - now they are writing them. Right now.
ReplyDeleteThey love the ones about "Brown Thumbs" and "Flickering Images" and "Friends".
Thank you. :-)
Wish we had celebrations like that. Well, we have Mardi Gras, but that's anything but spiritual.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm ready for NaBloWriMo as well!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful festival.
ReplyDeleteHugs
SueAnn
WHat a lovely celebration!
ReplyDeleteThe festival sounds like fun. Thanks for sharing. It's fun and interesting learning about traditions and festivals from you.
ReplyDeleteMason
Thoughts in Progress
@ Shannon- thank you so much. Feels really good to know that people you don't even know are reading something you wrote. And I am so glad you are getting your kids addicted to drabbles- it is one of the best writing exercises there is.
ReplyDelete@ Alex- Mardi Gras is a lot more fun, I would think. But yes, this is a unique blend of spirituality and fun. Of happiness and sadness.
@ SueAnn - and thanks for coming along on my festive ride.
@ Jemi- it is great fun
@ Mason- there are a whole bunch of photographs for you on my other blog. And thank you.
Neat picture...and I learned something. That is one thing I love about the blog world...people with such different experiences than mine.
ReplyDeleteOne day I am visiting you in India, and I will make sure to schedule it for festival season. Your reports from it are wonderful, Natasha :)
ReplyDeleteGreat photo. India is such a colorful place!
ReplyDelete@ Jane- that is the most wonderful part of the blog world, isn't it? Meeting people so different from ourselves.
ReplyDelete@ Cruella- practically every time is festival time. Except the summer. So you are in luck!
@ Tabitha- thank you, and yes, it is.
@ Karen- India is a visual cacophony of colours.