Ganesha rumour lights up city

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Here is a article from the Deccan Chronicle on the web

 

Ganesha rumour lights up city

New Delhi/Hyderabad, Nov. 5: Faith reigned on Wednesday, as rumours sent

thousands of people rushing to Ganesha idols to light lamps and make wishes.

The buzz was: “Light five diyas before Lord Ganesha and your wish will come

true.”

Phones were ringing in homes across the country and the SMS message that was

circulated read: “Pls lite 5 diyas 2day n make a wish smthing auspicious 2day

hope ur wish comes true.”

In September 1996, a similar rumour had Ganesha drinking milk. Millions of

families throughout the country had then offered milk to idols at temples and

homes.

In the city, the network of housewives was abuzz with a variation: Lighting five

lamps and five incense sticks and offering jaggery would protect the menfolk.

The jaggery should be distributed among five married women, and the news should

be spread to five more women. Then all their wishes would come true.

The news spread like wildfire especially in the apartments in the city, and

women even as late as 10.30 pm were lighting lamps.

N Aruna of Saleemnagar, Malakpet, said she performed the puja and spread the

good word to five more people. She said Sharmila Reddy and Rajini of Swathi

Apartments also conducted puja.

Similar calls came in from many anxious people who wanted to know if it was

true, and to say that they had lighted lamps in any case.

The SMS barrage was felt as far as Bihar. “My mother called me up from Patna and

asked me to light five diyas. Also, special instructions were issued to inform

five more people,” said Alok Bhushan, an obedient son.

“We have already lit five diyas,” said a newly-wed Shivani Arora, who did so on

being asked by her mother-in-law. “I feel this is just another way of Lord

Ganesha making people religious at a time when people are fast losing their

values,” she added.

“Even if I’m unavailable to please God, I am sure I’ll be able to please my

mother-in-law,” said Arora.

As the excitement over the five diyas grew, women were seen rushing to do the

needful. Alka Chura is a case in point. An excited buzz filled her household

in Preet Vihar, East Delhi. The news was brought home by her domestic help at

around 5.30 pm.

“My maid had come late to work on Wednesday evening. When I asked her for an

explanation, she said that she had heard that on lighting five diyas today, a

wish would come true,” Alka said.

Ganesha smiled in Mumbai

Mumbai: Mumbai was abuzz with rumours of Lord Ganesha smiling. Mumbaikars were

found discussing that the deity was proving his presence on the eve of Kartik

Ekadashi. People were not quite sure at which temple the deity was noticed

smiling. A trustee at Mumbai’s most respected Siddhivinayak temple at Worli

said they had not noticed the phenomenon.

http://www.deccan.com/headlines/lead4.shtml

 

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