Fortcha Ichchapurti Ganesha, Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Mumbai.

Sometimes, there are moments in life, when we long for someone who would listen to us without judging… someone who would understand our weird, almost crazy, may be even ostensibly wrong notions that swirl in our heads and yet they still accept us and love us for who we are; someone who celebrates our flaws just as they are and appreciates our goodness as well; someone who sees our worth in being a human and not in the baggage of our degress, ranks or positions that we tend to accumulate and carry...

Have you ever longed for someone like that, who would, just be ... by your side and allow you the comfort of just being as well, so then the world looked a little more beautiful and merry?

Then, you have just arrived at the right place! Though Bappa forever shines in our hearts, 24*7, 365 days a year, but it is during the 11 day annual festival of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated with great pomp and fervour in India, that it becomes a tad bit easier to spend time in His company. All we need to do is just look around, in our societies, localities or homes and there are very bright chances that He might be there, waiting for you – with that twinkle in his eyes and modak (sweet) in his hand smiling with the most charming of smiles you may have ever seen!

Yeah, He is just a step away and there is no better way to actually experience this than visit some colorful and artistic pandals that spring up with the advent of the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi! A friend, a confidante, someone we have been longing to speak and spend our time with, pour our hearts out... let’s meet Fortcha Ichchapurti Ganesha (again after our first visit in 2015) who is in the house, gracing the humble abode of My Yatra Diary… just to hear us all out and converse with our hearts. Let's go!

Mumbai Ganesh Pandal Hopping - A Photo Story: Fortcha Ichchapurti Ganesha (Sarvajanik Vibhag Ganesh Mandal, Fort.)

Let's climb the stairs of the Sarvajanik Ganpati Pandal in Fort,Mumbai

to meet Fortcha Ichchapurti Ganesha or the wish fulfilling Ganesha

The interiors are grand and majestic with artisans
from as far as Rajasthan called over to design His home.
The hall resonates with the devotional hum
and chit chatter of the devouts while Bappa looks on... 

The intricate detailing of the set including the frescoes
and the marble effect on the columns is eye catching and awe inspiring;
the fact that is made of reusable fibre makes it stand out even more.

A big fat incense stick glows in front of the altar all through the day,
it's vapours waft in the air blurring all ideas of past or future,
leaving only the here and now...

Here and Now...
With our beloved, Bappa...
seated on the golden throne, decked in his yellow colored robe
and precious jewels and pearls,
 flanked by two peacocks on his side.

He is the King,

ruler of hearts

remover of all obstacles,

the ever smiling and benevolent...

... Bend down to whisper …

some words unspoken,

a few dreams cherished,

a prayer, conversations of the heart

In His eyes,

love is never absent

In His court,

no one is ever alone or forgotten ~

A friend listens without judging

A friend does not care about how you look

Or where you come from

A friend allows you to be exactly who you are

And love you as well.

~ Cindy Grundsten.

|| Ganpati Bappa Morya ||

PS: If you would like to check all the posts on the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi 2017, you can follow this link here or you may go through all the previous posts on the festival here