When A Celestial King Used To Descend On Earth!

Since the past eight years, on every eve of Ganesh Chaturthi, especially in the evening, my spirit sinks. Ever since I shifted to Hyderabad, I haven't seen or participated in the home-coming ceremony of Ganesha. I haven't listened to the Dhol - Tasha. I haven't seen people dancing passionately on the streets, regardless of the heavy rains. I haven't seen random people joining the crowd, bowing to the majestic idol with a Namaste and start dancing with the group. 

If I were in Dombivli now, I would be waiting patiently in my balcony. Waiting for the arrival of Bappa. Looking back, if I made a list of Happiest Moments Of Life, welcoming Ganesha would make it to the top.

After marriage, I had shifted to a new home in Dombivli. The flat was on the third floor and the balcony overlooked a busy road. From my house, we could see entire processions of Ganpati Bappa's homecoming. The music and beats would resonate on the road, and I would dance in my house! I have always loved the Dhol-Tasha that accompanies Ganpati Bappa. It is overwhelming to see the Lord welcomed so majestically with drums and beats that could give a tough competition to the celestial musicians. 

As I watched the musicians beat the gigantic drum continuously for hours, I realized that they were the true recipients of the Lord's grace. They stood for hours, not letting their hands go off the drums and not minding the heavy rainfall. 

The chant of 'Ganpati Bappa, Morya', the idol held up on the person's head with reverence and devotion, the person walking barefoot on the road, his family singing, dancing and chanting Bappa's name... I am getting goosebumps even as I write this! The smaller the idol, the more impact it made on the heart.

Bappa has many means of transport to reach home. There are carts which people from the same building or area use to collectively bring the idols of each home together. Sometimes Bappa gets a ride in the car. Sometimes it's just a small cart, but with a large group of people dancing and singing with enthusiasm. Be it any transport, the level of devotion and dedication is always, always high! The place where I used to live in Dombivli is blessed, for many large idols of Bappa pass through that route. And just in front of the building where I stayed, the procession would stop and I would get to see the beautiful idols. The people in the procession would dance with unparalleled enthusiasm. The beats, oh the beats! How I miss the music of the Dhol! It actually produces a physical ache when I think about it! Another thing that always touched the heart - Whenever it rained during the procession, the idol would be immediately draped and protected with plastic covering. But the people in the procession? They would brave the heavy rains and still continue beating the Dhol and dancing, and giving a grand welcome to Bappa. There hasn't been a year when I didn't wish to be a part of the procession.

Ganesh Chaturthi in Hyderabad is celebrated differently. Nonetheless, the idols are grand and perfect. Beautiful eyes, rotund belly, gracefully sculpted fingers blessing the devotees.... And the size of the idols is indeed huge. 

In my first year in Hyderabad, I got a pleasant surprise when I saw a Ganesh- Pandal erected right outside the apartment where I lived. The daily Aarti, people coming to see the Lord and take His blessings and the songs that would keep playing - these brightened some rainy and gloomy days.

And yet, I could never see the idol being brought to the pandal. In Hyderabad, the people bring it in secret by draping a cloth around the idol to not to show a glimpse until the idol is installed after proper worship. Without much fun-fare or ado, the idol is brought in during the late hours of the night and installed in the morning. 

Bappa brings happiness to the whole world. And yet, something seems missing when I compare the celebration in Hyderabad with the celebration of Dombivli. This time of the year, I specially miss Dombivli. I miss seeing the majestic welcome of Bappa, I miss seeing the dance and listening to the Dhol. 

Bappa, I felt Your presence more in Dombivli! Have you arrived there? Are You waiting outside my building in the lavishly-decorated truck, gently smiling and watching Your people welcome You in the grandest of ways? In the third floor of the building to Your right, You will find a part of myself that I left behind in Dombivli, leaning eagerly from the balcony, with folded hands, and wishing like I always do, that I too was a part of the procession welcoming You.

May be someday, I will be able to, with Your grace. In the meanwhile, I watch Ganesh garjana videos in YouTube and try to get the feel of Welcoming Bappa In Dombivli.

It's close enough, although I am far!

(Happy Ganesh Chaturthi, friends! I miss Maharashtra specially at this time of the year. Here is wishing and praying that Lord Ganesha brings in auspiciousness, prosperity and joy in your life!