Since I visited Bombay in the month of August, I participated in one of the India's major festival -Ganesh Chaturthi. In fact, the fun I had has really added to my memorabilia. It has made me richer by adding to my wealth of experiences- the only wealth I have been able to amass over the years. Today, I have very fond memories of the celebration and would like to once again visit the abode during this period. Not delving much into my own life and reverting to my sojourn in Mumbai, I would say that anyone desiring to travel to Mumbai, should plan it during the time of fairs and festivals. Festivals brighten up this already bright and lively city of Mumbai. Festivals are celebrated with fun and gaiety in Mumbai.

About Ganesha
Since I have been occasionally visiting Mumbai for last five years, I had many Indian friends and through them I came to know that Ganesh Chaturthi, the worship of the elephant-headed son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Ganesha, is widely worshiped as the munificent god of wisdom . As, Lord Ganesha is considered to be the common avatar of both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, both the Hindu sects, the Shaivites and the Vaishnavites, worship him.

The Initiation
Michalle, my friend, (She has been living in mumbai for last 10 years and now has become a part of Mumbai culture). She told me that the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi was initiated by the great Maratha ruler, Chhattrapati Shivaji, to disseminate culture and nationalism.(Michalle came to India to pursue a research on Indian mythology and got married to her professor 10 years back) She added that later, a new life was infused into it by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak to instill a sense of pride and unity among the Indians. The occasion was used to spread the message of freedom struggle and to defy the British who had banned public assemblies. The festival revived the patriotic spirit of Indians.

Preparations
In fact, I was quite impressed to see the preparations that involved during Ganesh chathurthi. Interestingly, the preparations for the festival start many days ahead. Artists can be seen busy making Ganapati idols from clay, plaster of Paris. These idols are of different shapes, sizes. Some are of palm size and some are so big 10 ft. I was really surprised to see so much of variety and innovation in the idols. Just few days before the start of festival, I saw huge Pandals or the stages erected everywhere I went in the city. When the festival started, Ganapati Idols were seated in these Pandals. Prayers were held everyday in the morning and in the evening. Devotional songs were are also played on Music systems.

Immersion Procession
Oh ! I had so much fun during the last few days of the fest. On the day of the Chaturthi, the last of the days dedicated to the elephant-headed god, thousands of processions from all over Mumbai occupied the city's already congested road system riding on and walking beside trucks bearing the Ganapatis. Loud speakers shrieked from the truck cabs and processionals banged drums and gongs while the orange-capped devotees on the back of the trucks showered themselves and everyone in their wake with red powder called Gulal. The processions which passed through various streets and roads finally converged on the beaches of Mumbai to immerse the holy idols in the sea. The immersion was accompanied by drumbeats, devotional songs and dancing.