MY THOUGHTS ON GANPATI

 

"Ganpati Bappa Morya,.....".

This is the cry that resounds in the bylanes and arterial roads of Goa every September. Along with the explosion of fireworks  and trance music played to rouse the dead to life!

Many Hindu households decorate their homes with pandals to welcome the Elephant God Ganesha. Who is Ganesha? Why do Hindus love him so much? And why do they throw him in the water after a few days? 

I am a Catholic but have lived amongst my Hindu brethren in Mumbai as a child and young adult before uprooting myself to come and live here in Goa. In Mumbai, we got to see the immersion ceremony only on television. So, when I came to Goa, I was in for a big surprise. Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations here are a BIG BANG! 

But before I explain what I mean, let me give you a brief history of the celebration of this great occasion which overshadows even the celebration of Deepavali. 

Why 10 days? 

There are great lessons to learn from the visit of Ganesha to homes that welcome him.

Why does the state of Maharashtra celebrate this festival in such grandeur?

WHAT PREPARATION DO THE HINDUS DO FOR THIS FESTIVAL?

https://mayoorschooljaipur.org/why-is-ganesh-chaturthi-celebrated-for-10-days

https://indianculture.gov.in/food-and-culture/food-festivals/ganesh-chaturthi-festival-hope-and-prosperity

And now to my comments on the BIG BANG that the Ganesh festival is. 

I live in a village called Bastora. Here, the Hindu community bring community idols of Ganesha as well as individual ones. Very few immerse their idols after a day and half which is minimum prescription for keeping it. Most keep for five days as it is quite expensive for keep for entire 10 days. If larger communities come together, they have a Sarvajanik idol and those are immersed on the eleventh day. In our village, I don't think we have Sarvajanik idols. 

Yesterday night, the idols made their way at around 2 am to the nearby waterhole which is about half a kilometre from where I stay. The music and the fireworks however were disappointing. Rather than create a prayerful atmosphere, they played trance music which is very disturbing for heart patients. At 2 am, a dignified procession would have been more appropriate. Loud bombs were lit, creating havoc for hours with the neighborhood dogs who were running for their lives and being attacked by other dogs if they encroached on their territory. Children were also wilfully throwing bombs in the direction of the dogs just for fun. I do believe Lord Ganesha, if he truly exists, would be horrified! He was a lover of animals, being half animal himself, and had a mouse for his 'vehicle'.  

There is a curfew in place on paper but the authorities seem to be deafened by the noise of the fireworks. For all we know, they too must be busy drinking 'bhang' and assisting in the big BANG! 

A true religion respects God and men alike. It cares for the environment and seeks to maintain peace and harmony. All those who practise this true religion therefore must adhere to the rules and regulations prescribed in their Holy Book. 

Where in the Bhagavad Gita or the Vedas do you find the prescription of fireworks and trance music? Instead, we see shlokas and bhajans advocated. The use of simple instruments like the dholak and cymbals are to be used, not high tech DJ instruments more suited to a hard rock concert. 

I particularly enjoy watching the women dancing behind the palki but at 2 am in the morning?? Where is the modesty in that? And why do the men walk on the streets with just a dhoti, showing off their hairy chests? It's embarrassing to say the least. 

I do pray that Lord Ganesha, if he exists, give people  enlightenment through the sacred scriptures to change and revert to the olden times. I'm sure even the late Lokmanya Tilak would be covering his ears these days. 

To end I would like to translate the famous slogan that rings out during the immersion procession:

Ganapati Bappa Morya 

Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya

In the chant "Ganpati Bappa Morya," the word Morya refers to the revered saint Morya Gosavi, an ardent devotee of Lord Ganesha whose life and legacy are deeply celebrated in Maharashtra and among Ganesh worshippers.

By chanting "Ganpati Bappa Morya," devotees call upon the blessings of both Lord Ganesha and commemorate the devotion of Morya Gosavi.

Who Was Morya Gosavi?

Morya Gosavi was a highly venerated Ganesh devotee and is regarded as the chief spiritual progenitor among the Ganapatya sect, which considers Ganesha as Supreme.

Legends say Morya moved from Morgaon to Chinchwad, where he established a famed Ganesha temple, and his legacy is still celebrated during Ganesh Chaturthi.

The whole chant is “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya” (Come soon next year!), linking the festival's spirit with both Lord Ganesha’s blessings and Morya Gosavi’s devotion.