After a few days respite in Goa and Kumta, we returned home for the Ganesh Chaturthi Utsav (festival). Over the next few days, our extended family home transformed into a festive temple. Resident cooks arrived and made traditional Konkani snacks (chivda, mando, shankar paLLan, masala shaenga, chuklee, etc). Siblings and cousins descended on our home. Professional flower stringers decorated our main hall in elaborate arrangements of plump marigolds. Humongous pots and pans, giant oil lamps and other puja accompaniments were retrieved from storage and polished to a high gleam.
The day before, jackfruit leaves were washed and pinned to make the pocket KhoTo idli. Torans of mango leaves decorated our doors, and officially, Ganesh Chaturthi was underway. While the women folk strung their favorite ‘garlands’ and traded gossip, we boys went to Nana Chowk to pick up our Ganesh murthys – we keep two in our extended family.
As we waited to collect our murthy, I toured the warehouse and took pics of murthys inside. Here is a sample of Ganapati figurines at: Shubhada Kala Mandir, 311 Javji Dadaji Marg, Nana Chowk, Mumbai 400 007; Ph: 91-22-2385 48 96
Above, a popular innovation incorporated silk in Ganapati’s attire; nicely done. Below, the majestic one!
Figurines replicating Dagdu Shet, Pune are ever popular.
Ganapati emulating Sri Nathji (Krishna) with the flute!
Another: Venu-Ganapati.
Traditional Ganapati with Shiva Parvati.
With Shiva as back-drop.
For fun, a dandya-playing Ganapati.
A pearl-covered Ganapati.
Waiting to be collected.
When each group received their murthy, the Ganapati’s head was covered with a light fabric and the murthy carried off to shouts of “Ganapati Bappa, Morya!
And the next five days will be a blur!
Earlier Ganesh Chaturthi Posts:
Arun Shanbhag 
can i still order the book Prathan from the address in Mass Thanks
Thank you for your interest in Prarthana!
And yes, the address and details are current.
http://www.arunsprarthana.com/
Thanks for the pics, Arun…they’re beautiful! I always miss Mumbai more during Ganpati…fun times at my uncle’s place and annual visit to Wadala mutt…good times!
Thank you Supriya –
On this visit, we got darshan at Wadala as well; will post pics in the next few days.
May the blessings of Ganapati be with you always.
ARun
this brings back nostalgic memories Arun. Bunch of us would gather outside IITB, grab a cup of chai and vada pav not to mention the best seats in the Dhaba and watch the visargen procession towards powai lake. This would go on for hours. I have to admit though that it always made me sad to think that such beautuful, majestic ganeshas are immersed in water 😦 Hope you are having a good time with M and m. Hugs to little m.
Nice that you could get a vantage point to see the procession!
In our home, the night after the visarjan is sad to see the place where the Ganapati was kept – all empty. Even Meera was puzzled. She kept pointing to the table and babbling something in a questioning tone! poor girl! But she had a great time.
Always more hugs for li’l m!
Hope the summer has been good for you!
Arun
And I hear the circus G20/8 is coming to town! :-O
yes, it is sad to consign these works of art to the water;
perhaps to teach us that everything is temporary – even a masterpiece. Thus to make the most of our limited time here!
Hi Arun,
My fondest childhood memories about Ganesh Chaturthi is around your place where I’d spend time watching those artisans and sculptors creating these wonderful Ganesh murtis from plain clay.
Happy Ganesh Chatturthi all.
Thank you Vishu!
We were just reminscing about those artists just the other day! It was amazing to see the transformation from the ordinary clay to a spiritual masterpiece.
And thank you for visiting and meeting you and N. Congratulations on the beautiful house too!
Perhaps we should meet here sometime.
Regards to all.
Arun
fun, eh?
absolutely!
Arun,
Wish you and your family a great visit to India and Happy Ganesh Chaturthi.
Steve
THank you Steve:
Great to hear from you; Hope the kids are doing well.
If your travels bring you to Boston, lets meet.
Best Wishes,
Arun
WOW, arun, these are so very colorful!! and creativity knows no bounds, with so many different ganesh. i’d love to see this someday – thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you Jessie – the Ganesh festival is one of the best times to visit Mumbai – the festival is not as popular in other parts of the country;
During this time, the entire city is gripped by Ganesh fervor and many other activities grind to a halt.
Traveller that you are – go for it! Go! :-))
Hi Arun,
Was at the same time in Mumbai.. We have our family ganapathi at my uncle’s place. Normally we attend the first day pooja there and then visit to Kurla balaji mandir, GSB ganapthi @ King’s circle and Wadala mutt. Love the festive environment in Mumbai
Ujjwal – you should have let me know! We too went to the Seva mandal Ganapati at King Circle and Wadala Muth! You could have met M and Meera!
Hope you had a good time; I’ll be posting pics from those Ganapatis soon.
You are back in Shanghai now? Best Wishes.
Oh… Sorry.. next time we shud surely plan it..BTW do you know Taj mahal has been shifted from Carstreet..I just happened to visit once during my recent trip.. I remembered you 🙂
Thank you Ujwal;
did not know about Taj Mahal moving from Car Street;thanks.
I hope the family is ok; will see what my folks know.
Best
Wish you and your family (Belated!) Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!!!
Here Ganesh idols are so adorable! how have u been Arun?
Thanks Sonu – Still recovering from Jet-lag! But had a great visit and M & m are both doing great!