Skip to main content

Featured Post

The Vaishnodevi Experience 2023

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.

One Last Ganpati Before Its Time to Bid Him Goodbye!

Tomorrow, we bid goodbye to Ganesha, and have to wait for one full year before he arrives again. I have taken you along as I visited Ganeshas all over Mumbai, and there is just enough time to share with you the last one for this year........

This one is the one in our colony - the Chedda Nagar Ganpati.



The decoration features the one person who is probably the most popular this year -  Anna Hazare!



It shows India being pulled down by our corrupt politicians, and Anna Hazare cutting the rope of corruption they use to pull the country down. Samhith wondered why they hadnt shown Anna Hazare blessing Anna so that all our problems would be solved immediately! If only it was so easy!

However, for Samhith, the major attraction was this... the entrance..... This is how it looked on the first day....



This is how it looked on the 9th day.....



and here is Samhith adding his words to it!


Enhanced by Zemanta

Comments

  1. That's a nice theme for Ganesh chaturthi...nice viewing your Ganesha pics from this lovely festival.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Interesting! I agree with Samhith! Your Ganpati series have been a real treat to watch, thanks for all the share! I am trying to put up one last one tomorrow too before the visarjans begin!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very cute on Samhith's part. He's already a responsible citizen, all thanks to you Anu.

    I liked the fact that you clicked the picture of wall on the 1st day also for comparison. Many times we forget to do so.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a wonderful post,especially loved the pic where Samhith is adding his mite to the wall :)

    Enjoyed his handiwork of Ganesh idol too which you had posted on Arti's blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks Arti! I would love to post a last one about the immersion, but its so crowded I tend to avoid stepping out on such days... lets see what He has in mind!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks so much, Nisha! I actually visited and took pics of the Ganesha on the very first day..... and then waited for the last day to take  a pic so i could post!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hope my pics and blog helped u instead of making you feel more homesick!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Very interesting.  Surely now the responsibilities shift to Samhit too and he is proving it. Cheddanagar is even otherwise famous for the unique temple.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Looks like you folks are having a good time and the lokwall seems to be very popular...Thomas

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks! I do hope he handles the responsibilities well when the time comes.. after all, that is what every parent really wants! and yes, chedda nagar's temple is famous... and the ganpati is getting to be, too!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Nice to see you here, Thomas, after so long! and guess the Lok Wall was popular more for the interaction it allowed with the ganpati!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I finally like the Chedda Nagar Ganpati! Wish I was there! Seriously missed all the Ganpati hungama this year. There is nothing close to samoohik about the Ganpati in Delhi :( Was reminded of our darshan trip couple of years ago. Did you and Samhith go this year too?

    ReplyDelete
  13. I thought u would have liked it! and yes, we went on the same round, and remembered u too... chembur and matunga both!

    ReplyDelete
  14. From now on chhedanagar would be famous for chhedanagar.com as well :)
    Still need to add data on contacts and a forum link on different topics. Would be ready completely in a weeks time.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks so much for stopping by. Please leave a comment for me so that I will know you have been here....

Popular posts from this blog

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.