During my recent trip to Uttarakhand , I was faced with a problem I had never encountered before. We were passing through Delhi, but we had hardly any time in the city. On earlier visits when I have had to change trains/flights at Delhi, I have always arrived in the morning and left again at night, visiting relatives in between. This time, I was arriving in the city at night, and leaving again early in the morning. There was hardly any time to visit people. I would only have a couple of hours with them before I’d have to leave again. For the first time, we considered booking a hotel, but there again, we were hesitant about the actual hotels, the costs involved, and the logistics of getting from the airport to the railway station and then back again from the station to the airport. That’s when we remembered reading something about a corporate-managed lounge at Delhi station. We soon figured out that we could book online and pay by the hour. Besides, we also learnt that there wasn’t ju
Matunga is a place closely associated with South Indians living in Mumbai. I remember braving the train crowds as a child, visiting Matunga to see the Ganpatis, and especially the serial lights strung up all along the roads. I was then brought here by my uncle. Later, as I studied at Ruia College, I no longer needed anyone to accompany me. The ten days of the festival used to be busy ones for me, as I explored every lane looking for some interesting Ganeshas or at least some interesting decorations. Time has moved swiftly since then, and now, I take Samhith along to show him the Ganeshas I have enjoyed watching for so many years!
We headed towards Matunga yesterday evening, and over 4 hours, managed to see quite a few. Some were simple, some elaborate, but we enjoyed watching all of them. Even the fact that we spent almost 2 of those 4 hours in a bus, stuck in traffic did not deter us in our enjoyment! Come along with me as I re-live the Matunga Ganpati experience.....
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Our favourite - the flower market Ganesha |
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This one wasnt the main idol, but the smaller one used for the puja. We loved it though! |
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The Pramanik Ganesha was celebrating 50 Years! |
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Once called commonly the 'Varadarajan Ganpati', the story got Samhith interested in this simple idol! (For those who dont know , this Ganpati was started by a local don!) |
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The main ganesha was simple, but surrounded by such beautiful specimens in brass! |
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The Ganpati outside Ruia.... with its message below.. |
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The common man's trials and tribulations from Pre-Independence to now! |
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Another depiction of Samarth Ramdas and Shivaji |
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Finally, one of the richest Ganpatis in Mumbai - GSB Wadala And yes, all that glitters is gold here!! |
Lovely .. It must have been a wonderful sight..!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, it was! the ganpatis are the same every year, but we still love to go and see them!
ReplyDeleteWonderful celebrations ...
ReplyDeletebeautiful pics
ReplyDeleteWow, what grand decorations.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of our Durga Puja, visiting many pandals.
ReplyDeleteGreat glimpses. :)
There is a lot to be see and enjoy here during the festival season Anu. Your enthusiasm in capturing the events braving the crowd and rain etc. is great. Love all Ganeshas thanks.
ReplyDeleteOh Yes, Team G Square!! we really look forward to this one!
ReplyDeleteThanks sm!
ReplyDeleteThey are always very elaborate, Pradeepa! the decorations change from year to year... earlier, the flower market ganpati used to be entirely made of flowers, but the result used to be different every time!
ReplyDeleteYes, Indrani! I guess its our equivalent of the Durga Puja!
ReplyDeleteChitra, this is probably the biggest festival celebrated here, rich and poor alike... in spite of getting commercialized, its still a wonderful experience!
ReplyDeleteI reached your blog while surfing through the net and enjoyed reading the posts. I used to live near Matunga before I moved post marriage and this post brought back so many memories. Thanks for all the pictures. I always miss Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Mumbai and although late, this post made me miss my Mumbai that bit less
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! glad i could bring the festival closer to you...... and hope you keep coming back here for more :)
ReplyDeletehi
ReplyDeletenext time please visit Anmol Group Ganeash Utsav, its in Shankar Mattham Lane
Sure, Chirag... i guess I would have seen it sometime... just havent noticed the name!
ReplyDelete