“We should book a Lamborghini next time,” he said to Krauncha, the mouse.
It is ok that he made Krauncha his vehicle on the day the mouse misbehaved in the court of Indra. But it did not absolutely mean that the Lord Ganesha could not ride any other vehicle. As soon as he set foot on Earth this time, he loved the yellow Lamborghini zooming past. He made it a mental note to book it in advance via the online app next year.
It was a very nice ride to the idol installation place. A cool breeze was blowing across his face, and he remembered why he had chosen this pleasant season for the huge festival. The decorations and Rangolis prepared for his arrival were so lively and colorful. It was delightful to see that he could be represented in just so many forms. Lord Ganesha really loved these 10 days of the year where he was celebrated with so much grandeur – he enjoyed the attention. Back at home, he was still the smallest kid of Shiva and Parvati.
As he strolled across the city, he found it adorned and people happy, all shouting “Ganpati Bappa Mourya”. The word Bappa means Father. “Ganpati Bappa Morya” is the slogan used by the devotees of Lord Ganesh to imply that they have become one with the Lord. It is believed that the prayer to the Lord is incomplete without taking Morya’s name.
He was feeling so hungry by the time the Pooja started.
“Why are there only durvas and flowers. Where are my Modaks.” He was eagerly waiting for them.
He remembered how Anusuya aunty, wife of Sage Atri, had made him taste the first Modak of his life. After eating all the food, kid Ganesha was still feeling hungry. It is then when aunty prepared a special sweet made with rice flour, coconut, jaggery, and ghee. After eating it, he felt really really full.
Till today, Modaks are prepared in the home of every Lord Ganesha devotee with Jagerry, coconut and flour. The Jagerry is first cooked with sugar and coconut for the filling. Then, the flour is made into a dough. Then comes the best part – the dough is made into small, flattened balls, and the filling is stuffed inside them. Then they are made into special shapes and steamed to prepare the modaks.
Back to present day – just after the Pooja, the devotees started bringing in the ladoos and the Modaks. “I am loving it,” Ganesha said.
The 10 days were a whirlwind – bhanjans, dances, aarti, and lots and lots of offerings or food.
One of the little kids visiting the temple with his mother asked, “Mom, why is Lord Ganesha one-tusked? Where is his other tusk”? Ganesha remembered – while fighting against the demon Ganasura, he had broken one of his tusks to use it as a sword. The kid’s mother explained this to him, also that the tusk is a metaphor of cutting through the distractions of life to concentrate on the wisdom, spiritual growth, and benevolence in our lives.
Another kid had gotten a huge birthday cake for himself as it was also supposed to be his birthday. He silently laughed, but enjoyed the soft and creamy cake. Kids are very smart these days, he thought.
He was very sad on the ninth day, but happy to be able to go back to Shiva and Parvati. However, he was yet to enjoy the dance of the idol immersion processions. But before his immersion, he blessed all his devotees who seek guidance with the wisdom to succeed in all their endeavors of life.
Ganpati Bappa Morya!
By Manjusha Dutta
Manjusha Dutta is a Senior Manager with a Software Insurance organization. A movie buff and an amateur dancer, she rocks in the videos that she creates for her YouTube channel. She can be reached at manjushadutta@gmail.com.
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