Ganpati

Well, that time of year has arrived. In Maharashtra, it's time for festivities and colour. People are happy and cheerful, and atmosphere is electric. Mandals and Jhankis can be seen all around, and one can't help but admire.

It's my fifth year in this state, and it's only plain that this deity and festival holds a special place for the people over here. Festival or no festival, Ganpati is all pervading, omnipresent. He is in the homes, shops, even aboard the vehicles and of course, in the temples. Temples of other deities are there, but extremely rare.

The belief is very strong and rampant in the whole society. Similar overwhelming popularity can be seen for Krishna, in Mathura, Vrindavan, Brij and the whole adjoining area( Hathras, Agra, Aligarh etc) in western Uttar Pradesh.

Same is true for Ram in Awadh region. Scores of temples can be found in every town and village of Ayodhya, Faizabad, Lucknow (etc) region. But perhaps, they don't match the level of celebration during Ganpati. Durga Puja by the Bengalis can be considered of similar intensity.

The reason behind Ganpati's such popularity is that he is not considered merely as God over here. He is a friend, philosopher and guide for the people. No event takes place without him. And I must say that - encroachment, noise, and extortion not withstanding, I quite enjoy the spirit of the event. Jai Ganpati!