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.
It's that time of the year when the Lord turns up, at almost every house in the vicinity - small and big alike. He may be tiny or huge, pot bellied or traditional, or in a modern avatar, but his presence is visible at every corner. Since the past few years, we have made our own clay idol of Lord Ganesha at home, a task I really missed this year. However, my mother gave me the opportunity today, and here is the idol I made for her....
He is a tiny chap, small and cute (I think!!), and he would have been a simple Lord, had it not been for my aunt, who brought out these tiny little pieces of jewelry, which we then used to decorate Him. Tonight, he sits peacefully on a betel leaf, waiting for the prayers to begin tomorrow.
He is the Lord of new beginnings, the remover of obstacles. Technically, we aren't supposed to celebrate any festivals in a house of mourning, but it is in times like these that we need Him the most. I pray to Him to bestow His grace upon us all.....
Ganpati Bappa Morya!!!!
Aww...
ReplyDeleteHe looks so chweeet!!!
Thanks so much, Satya!
DeleteHe is cute and on the first glance, appears to be made-up of sweets
ReplyDeleteRegards :)
Our new post is
http://india-wildlife-tour.blogspot.in/2013/09/an-insight-inside-dudhwa-national-park.html
Thank you!!! that was the response I recd from many people. the dark brown colour probably reminds u of chocolate!!!
DeleteVery cute Ganapathi. Do u have Navaratri this year ? Am waiting to see ur preparations n celebrations .. Even we keep gombe/dolls for Navaratri n need some tips from u as we r still beginners .. Ur blog is just wonderful n we enjoy going through it. Its Awesome
ReplyDeleteThanks Sowmya. no, we dont have navaratri this year, but i will be happy to help you out!
Delete