Ganeshas...... and more.....

My first trip to Vaishnodevi was unimpressive. Climbing was hard, and it only served to highlight how badly out of shape I was, while my in-laws managed to cope so much better. Further, I hadn’t quite realized that the cave experience wouldn’t be the same as I had imagined, since the original cave was only opened at certain times a year, and that we only entered a newly created tunnel, one far easier to access, and hence more manageable with the crowds that thronged the mountain shrine. The resulting experience at the shrine, for barely a fraction of a second, hardly compared to what I had expected / imagined / heard about. So, for me, Vaishnodevi was like any other temple, nothing to write home about, something that was reflected (though not explicitly mentioned) in the blog post I wrote then.

Ganeshas...... and more.....

Here’s another installment of the Ganeshotsav celebrations in Bombay. Yes, there has been quite a long gap, and sheer laziness has been the cause… just didn’t feel like going out, you see…

However, yesterday, I felt a sudden bout of energy and decided to go along with my sister to Crawford market in search for a few things for Navaratri… thinking ahead, you see… and then we saw these beautiful Ganeshas there, so I found something to write about today….

The first Ganesha was right at the entrance to the crowded lanes known for their wholesale shops selling every kind of goods under the sun, located (of all places) in the parking lot! Take a look….

The Ganesha looks great, doesn’t he, but what’s more impressive is that the idol is 15 feet tall! Surely the tallest Ganesha I have seen this year….. (of course, there are others even taller, but I haven’t seen them yet!!!)

Just outside was this small, but beautiful idol…..

As we wound our way among the crowded lanes, we saw more Ganpati pandals…… all of them blaring out songs…….the crowd halting to pay their respects and causing even more traffic jams……..

This one is the main Ganesh at a pandal….

And these are part of the decoration…..

These represent the story of Ganesha destroying the demon Analasura by swallowing him. The demon’s heat proved to be too much for him, and all attempts to cool him proved futile until the rishis showered Dhurva grass on him. This story is cited as the reason for Dhurva grass being considered the favourite offering for lord Ganesh.

Oh, this post isn’t only about Ganeshotsav……. Our work took us towards my favourite area of Bombay – a place which I visited often during my college days, a place which still beckons to me after all these years – Nariman Point….. let me share some pics with you…..

And here’s my sister… incidentally, this is the first time we came here together….. And she posed for a few snaps…..just like all the tourists……

Finally, we turned our back and wove our way back in the growing traffic back home…..

On the way.........

A glimpse of VT station (I just can’t get used to calling it CST!!!!) ………

We passed via Lalbaug where the people were queuing up all over the place, past all the other beautiful mandals on the road, but had no time to stop, nor the inclination to stand in one of those long queues……….

And another Ganesha at Matunga……

Meanwhile, the flower decoration had changed for the Flower Market Ganesha……

We were back home just in time for Samhith's return from school.

And today is Onam……all around me, there are beautiful kolams (rangolis) made of flowers. Here is my neighbour’s.

Wishing everyone a very happy Onam!!!!

And hoping to be back soon with the last part of the Ganeshotsav……. Bidding goodbye to the lord.

Gokarna Part II – The Five Lingams

We continued our Gokarna trip by visiting four other Shiva temples in the vicinity, all connected to the same story of Gokarna. The story of Gokarna mentions the Mahabaleshwara Lingam as the one brought from Kailas by Ravana, and kept at this place on the ground by Ganesha. (See my earlier post- Gokarna – Pilgrimage and Pleasure). However, the story does not end here. It is believed that, in his anger, Ravana flung aside the materials which covered the lingam- the casket, its lid, the string around the lingam, and the cloth covering it. All these items became lingams as soon as they touched the ground. These four lingams, along with the main Mahabaleshwara lingam are collectively called the ‘ Panchalingams’ . These are: Mahabaleshwara – the main lingam Sajjeshwar – the casket carrying the lingam. This temple is about 35 Kms from Karwar, and is a 2 hour drive from Gokarna. Dhareshwar – the string covering the lingam. This temple is on NH17, about 45 Kms south of Gokarna. Gunavanteshw

The Power of 8 - The Ashta Dikpalas and Ashta Vasus at Khajuraho

The four cardinal directions form the axis on which a temple is built, and are thus the basis of temple architecture. Leading from them are the eight directions, which are believed to be guarded by the eight guardians, or Ashta Dikpalas . In the temples of Khajuraho, great care has been taken by the sculptors to carve the Ashta Dikpalas on the walls, both inside and outside. They not only guard the temple, but also look over us as we circumambulate the shrine, protecting us by their presence. They are augmented by the Ashta Vasus , celestial beings which represent natural phenomena. Together, they enhance the idea of the temple as cosmos, enfolding within it, all the aspects of nature, both, on earth, as well in space.

Rama Temple, Gokarna

To my right , the waves rush to the shore, eager to merge with the sand. To my left, the same waves crash against the rocks, their spray diverting my reverie as I ponder over the beauty of nature, and wonder what first brought people here. Was it this beauty that encouraged them to build a temple here, or was it the fresh, sweet spring water flowing from the hill here that made this place special? No matter what the reason, I am glad my auto driver brought me here. We are at the Rama temple in Gokarna, just a few minutes away from the Mahabaleshwara Temple, yet offering so different a perspective.

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