How We Celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi Festival At Home During COVID!

2020 is the year when Corona struck the world.

When travel got reduced to a meager mirage in the sandy deserts of time and space.

People from all over the world, this year, got forcefully locked in the confines of the 4 walls of their home because of the pandemic.

Not only people. But, also The Divine.

One of the most important festivals of India, Ganesh Chaturthi was a muted affair this year thanks to COVID-19. Ganpati Pandals that would otherwise dot every nook and cranny of a city like Mumbai were mostly absent from the scene.

There was a clear void when it came to welcoming Bappa on earth this year and the void was palpable.

For most, that is.

Mine however was a different story.

Bappa came home and blessed me personally this year. Like, literally.

While most people sit cursing 2020 as a terrible year - I feel immensely grateful for all the abundant bounties the year has held for me in its delicate folds.

For one, I tied the knot to a wonderful man and shifted to my new beautiful home.

Two, when there was no chance I could meet Ganesha, the birthday boy in the Ganpati Pandals by indulging in one of my favprite activities - Ganpati Pandal Hopping, the birthday boy decided to surprise me by paying a visit Himself!

So, no matter if it's the last day of the festival that I sit down to finally write this post (Ananth Chaturdashi - Ganesh Visarjan)  or how busy, lazy caught up I may be, settling in, basking in my new environs, soaking in the newness of it all - how could I not bring my Ganesha here to meet all of YOU!

So here's THE MAN and His homecoming  - Come along, check out the Ganpati decorations at home, the goodies we made, the joys shared and meet Him through a few pictures and videos clicked during the 1.5 days that He stayed at home.

Eco friendly Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations at home during COVID-19: 1.5 days Ganesha! (Dedh din ke Ganpati).

Drooling over the Goodies: Mava Modak, Besan Laddoo, Kachori!

What is Ganesh Chaturthi festival (or for that matter any Indian festival) if not for the sweets?! What made it even more special was that me and my MIL decided to make everything at home owing to the pandemic. So we made Mava modaks (His favorite!), besan (gram flour) ke laddoo and Kachori for bhog and prasad for the guests which everyone ate with great delight.

Making of the Modak: A Video!

Yummy Mava Modak Made at Home.

Khasta Kachori Deep Fried in Oil made by yours truly.

Ganpati decoration at home:

The murti or idol was an eco-friendly Ganesha and all the decorations including the lighting and the flowers were done at home, one day before the festival commenced. The murti was brought home one day before the main day i.e. before the sthapana day and kept covered.

He sat there, coyly hiding under the silky veil. A rhythmic stream of tiny lights twinkled in the dark, fostering a halo in the background. It all looked pretty surreal.

All Glitter and Glamour: His Throne.

The Pooja Paraphernalia Checklist:
Kapoor for arti, Moli threads to be tied on hands, Diya for Akhand Jyoti,
Roli and chawal to apply tilak on forehead, arti book, etc.

Ganesh Sthapana:

The festival commenced with a small puja in the morning infusing life in the deity. With loud chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya, the veil was lifted by the head of the family which was then followed by loud energetic singing of the arti by the family members and neighborhood kids alike. Suddenly, the entire house was wrapped in a festive cheer which was impossible to miss. 

Just before the Ganesh Sthapana.

Lord Krishna giving the Birthday Boy Company.

And, the first sighting... isn't He beautiful? Ganpati Bappa Morya!

Ganesh Arti:

Arti was performed three times a day for both the days. Once in the morning, one in the afternoon and one towards the evening. Amidst a throng of loud chants and claps, the first arti of Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva began. The singing picked up pace with other artis like 'Yei o Vitthhale' and 'Sukhkarta Dukhkarta' and reached peak with 'Ek Do Teen Chaar, Ganpati ki Jay Jay Kaar'. While singing the arti, everyone took turns to hold the lighted diya and offer their prayers to the Lord.

Undir Mama ki Jay!

Photo shoot with Bappa:

When Bappa was not busy accepting the obeisances and prayers, He was busy giving poses and pictures. No matter the amount of pictures taken, His luminescence beauty can never fit in the lens of a camera. Bappa's alluring charm is truly matchless and in the moments, you lock gaze with His eyes, you don't feel like the same person - such is His overall charisma!

Ganesh Visarjan:

The immersion of Ganesha was a humble affair - in a drum, on the terrace amid loud chants of 'Ganpati Gele Gavala Chain Padena Amhala' and Ganpati bhajans amd kirtans. Everyone spoke in His ears of their wishes and sought His blessings before bading Him Goodbye.

I kneeled down in front of him for one last time and as I gazed at Him...

in the glow of the diya lights,

I could see Him smiling,

so beautiful, so radiant,

so childlike...

In a matter of a few minutes, he left His temporary abode,

leaving only a small piece of His essence behind...

The essence which, till we meet again,

will soon blossom as bright precious flowers,

as in the balcony of our hearts,

upholding our fragile sentiments

with His unending reservoir of love and guidance.

|| Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudchya Varshi Lavkarya ||