Happy Gowri-Ganesha Festival

Image via WikipediaToday is Ganesha Chathurthi, a festival during which Hindus across the world pray to Lord Ganesha the lord of wisdom, knowledge, and learning. Like all other Hindu festivals this was also a very closed door family event till the time of Bal Gangadhar Tilak. He thought that one way to unite the fragmented Hindu community was by bringing these festivals to the open. He initiated performance of Ganesha festivals in public in Maharashtra. Over time it has become a national phenomenon.

In India, especially in the states of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, the Ganesha festival is celebrated on a very grand scale. Every street has its own Ganesh Pandal (tent) and everyone in the community get together to celebrate the event and pray to the lord for wisdom, learning and removal of obstacles in their path to success.

Unfortunately this kind of public festivities are not possible in America. So Hindus get together at homes or in the temple and celebrate the event.

Ganesha Chathurthi Celebrations

Today Hindus living in America celebrated the festival of Ganesha Chathurthi. We performed simple worship at home with offerings of Modaks, fruits, and flowers. Then we proceeded to the Plano Ganesha temple where hundreds of Hindus were participating in the ceremonial worship of Lord.
Later in the afternoon we visited Taj Mahal Imports which in my opinion is the largest Indian store in the metroplex. The store had an array of Ganesha idols for sale which were being eagerly bought by devotees of the Lord of Wisdom.
Evening we participated in the exuberant celebrations at the University of Texas at Dallas. A group of Hindu students from India had got together and staged the festival in a simple but very devout fashion. I particularly liked the initiative of few students who had compiled a collection of songs in Marathi, Sanskrit and Hindu in praise of Lord Ganesha. Hymns in praise of Ganesha rent the air around the apartments and it was great to be part of this celebrations. This is a small saving grace for my life in the US.
Of course it is not necessary to mention that during these occasions the pain of separation from India, parents and family and the community with which I would celebrate the occasion, gets heightened. I guess it will continue to be there as long as I am here.

Happy Ganesha Chathurthi

Image by rosemanios via Flickr

The Hindu Festival of Ganesha Chathurthi during which we worship Lord Ganesha the elephant god who is the deity of knowledge, wisdom, and remover of obstacles is on August 23, 2009. Like every other festival I used to celebrate in India, Ganesha Chathurthi is also the second time in the US. Last year my parents were here and hence the occasion was celebrated much similar like in India. This year it will not be possible. The closest thing to do would be to visit the Ganesha temple in Plano or any other Hindu temple where this occasion is being observed and participate in the festivities.
I hope Lord Ganesha will give me the gift of wisdom, knowledge, and remove obstacles that stand between me and my goals. My prayer to god on this occasion is to give me the strength, courage, presence of mind, and humility to reach my goals.