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.
.........is gold.
One of the richest Ganeshas in Mumbai, this is the GSB Ganpati at Wadala Ram Mandir.
As is common in most traditional Ganesha Pandals all over Mumbai, the Ganesha idol made for this Pandal is made the same way every year. Everything is a constant, from the size and the shape to the gold coverings. Of course, every year there are additions to the gold offered to the deity, which is why you can see necklaces hanging everywhere.Thousands flock to this temple during Ganesh Chaturthi to pray and make offerings. Various havans and pujas are conducted, and thousands are fed. They also perform a lot of social activities from the money collected.
There are two other GSB Ganeshas in Mumbai - one at the SNDT college and one at Kurla. While the SNDT one is as acclaimed as the Wadala one, they did not allow me to take photos this year. However, here is a pic of the Kurla one. This Ganesha is located in the Venkateswara temple in Kurla West, very near the station.
One of the richest Ganeshas in Mumbai, this is the GSB Ganpati at Wadala Ram Mandir.
As is common in most traditional Ganesha Pandals all over Mumbai, the Ganesha idol made for this Pandal is made the same way every year. Everything is a constant, from the size and the shape to the gold coverings. Of course, every year there are additions to the gold offered to the deity, which is why you can see necklaces hanging everywhere.Thousands flock to this temple during Ganesh Chaturthi to pray and make offerings. Various havans and pujas are conducted, and thousands are fed. They also perform a lot of social activities from the money collected.
There are two other GSB Ganeshas in Mumbai - one at the SNDT college and one at Kurla. While the SNDT one is as acclaimed as the Wadala one, they did not allow me to take photos this year. However, here is a pic of the Kurla one. This Ganesha is located in the Venkateswara temple in Kurla West, very near the station.
Wow, beautiful!! :))
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I too have been frequenting these Ganeshas as I used to be at Mumbai during that period. (Not this year)
ReplyDeleteRich Ganeshas!!! :-)
ReplyDeletequite informative
ReplyDeleteNice pictures Anu.
ReplyDeleteAnu... How are you doing?? I was waiting for this post from you?? Only two pics... ??
ReplyDeleteHope you had a fabulous celebration at home..
Wonderful!
ReplyDelete@Aarti: thanks a lot!
ReplyDelete@PN Subramanian:Ganesh chaturthi in bbay is unforgettable...i just wish i could visit more ganeshas as i used to, earlier...
@Chitra: absolutely!! and there are so many like ths now!
@budh.aah: thanks and welcome here...
@Mridula: thanks...
@Patty: thanks so much! guess you missed the earlier post where i had posted more pics.. take a look...
@Joy: thanks..