Worshipping Lord Ganesha

September 17, 2004

Namaste Karen,

I do love this beautiful tradition of celebrating Lord Ganesha's

birthday. It would start with the worshippers purchasing a new clay

statue of Lord Ganesha with a sankalpa (vow) to worship for (1 to 10

days). Life would be established in the deity and then visarjan

(immersion) at the end of 10 days (return to the unmanifest).

The understanding was that our beloved deity was alive in that idol

and we would do everything to please Him. As He was no ordinary

visitor (!), there would be great deal of planning regarding the

prasad (food offerings) as well as the decorations and sweets. The

homes or community where He was established would be open to all who

came to take Blessings.

On the day of immersion there would be huge processions with people

carrying the idols on their heads, palanquins, or in open carts

leading to the river. (Roads were closed for any other vehicle to

pass through). As they walked, danced, rang bells or played drums

along the way....people would sing "Just as you have come this

year….please come back and bless us next year too!."

In the early days, as a young child, I could not quite understand the

concept of immersion. I would get so attached to the beautiful idol

that I was not willing to part with it. Needless to say....I

collected a lot of Ganesha idols over the years!! It's a good thing

my Mom had be buy the smallest size available.

So today we get out the cake and candles and sing Happy Birthday Lord

Ganesha!

Namaste,

Ruk

September 17, 2004

Namaste Ruk,

Ganesh's birthday celebration is so beautiful. So sweet. Even the

description that you so kindly offer creates joy! Do you think it

would be possible for me to adapt this celebration for a community of

two? Of course, this would be something for next year. However, I am

thinking of starting monthly files (hardcopy for easy reading) with

ways that I can adapt Indian celebrations to my western environment,

to my knowledge level, and to my very private abode. There's a lot

to learn so I would need to keep it simple. What do you think? Is

this do-able?

Pranams,

Karen

-

rmerani

Friday, September 17, 2004 12:27 PM

Worshipping Lord Ganesha

Namaste Karen,I do love this beautiful tradition of celebrating Lord

Ganesha's birthday. It would start with the worshippers purchasing a

new clay statue of Lord Ganesha with a sankalpa (vow) to worship for

(1 to 10 days). Life would be established in the deity and then

visarjan (immersion) at the end of 10 days (return to the

unmanifest). The understanding was that our beloved deity was alive

in that idol and we would do everything to please Him. As He was no

ordinary visitor (!), there would be great deal of planning regarding

the prasad (food offerings) as well as the decorations and sweets. The

homes or community where He was established would be open to all who

came to take Blessings. On the day of immersion there would be huge

processions with people carrying the idols on their heads,

palanquins, or in open carts leading to the river. (Roads were closed

for any other vehicle to pass through). As they walked, danced, rang

bells or played drums along the way....people would sing "Just as you

have come this year….please come back and bless us next year too!."

In the early days, as a young child, I could not quite understand the

concept of immersion. I would get so attached to the beautiful idol

that I was not willing to part with it. Needless to say....I

collected a lot of Ganesha idols over the years!! It's a good thing

my Mom had be buy the smallest size available.So today we get out the

cake and candles and sing Happy Birthday Lord Ganesha!Namaste,Ruk

September 17, 2004

For those of you who do not know Rukmani Merani (Ruk), I would like to tell you

a little about her. I was friends with her during the years that I spent time

at the Devi Mandir. She is a beautiful, radiant woman. What I remember most

about her was her joy in worship and satsang and her motherly qualities. She

has a lovely son named Sanjay. I had the pleasure of watching him grow up under

the sheltering wings of his mother. He also enjoyed satsang very much. It was

always a joy for me to see them and share in worship with them. I am so happy

that she is starting to share the stories of her religious life.

Love,

Ardis

rmerani <rukmanimerani

Sep 17, 2004 10:27 AM

Worshipping Lord Ganesha

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