Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi with Lord Ganesha

Last Updated on September 26, 2012 by Babita

I would like to wish all my readers a grand and happy Ganesh Chaturthi. It is a 10-day long Hindu festival celebrating the birthday of Lord Ganesha. There is no confirmed date for the start of the celebrations, however it is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, which this year falls on Sept. 19th, and lasts until Sept. 29th.

 

 

Even though it is celebrated all over India, in my home state of Maharashtra, the celebrations reach an epic fervor. My fondest childhood memories of this festival in Bombay (now Mumbai) are the temple hopping we used to do to try and check as many areas as possible. Each area had their own pandals where the idol of Lord Ganesha was housed. The organizers of each area would then creatively stage and decorate the pandals in one-of-a-kind and elaborate settings with the intention of out doing each other. As kids we took it upon ourselves to be the judge and jury and proclaim the best pandals. Of course most of the time we were partial to our local pandals and would vote it the best.

 

 

Although I miss the temple and pandal hopping here in New Jersey, I am glad that I have access to some of the best Hindu temples where we are able to celebrate and worship Lord Ganesha. In addition, at home celebrations include singing special prayers and offering of sweets. Lord Ganesha is known for his love for boondi laddoos and rice modak (steamed rice dumpling).

Since I am not really well versed in making rice modak, I will make my mom-in-law’s fried modak with coconut stuffing and hopefully have a recipe for it soon.

 

[Image Source: Naveen Shetty @ THRUPICTURES]