Ganesh Festival
by Tejal Mewar
Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of Lord Ganesh to earth from Kailash Parvat with his mother Goddess Parvati/Gauri. It is a 10-day festival.
It is said that Goddess Parvati created Ganesha out of dirt off her body. Mother Parvati once asked this little boy (Ganpati) to stand by the door while she was bathing and not let anyone inside until she finished. Soon after, Lord Shankar arrived at the same place and tried to enter the restricted area where the little boy stood.
Furthermore, Lord Shankar’s (Husband of Godess Parvati) path was barred by the boy, which angered the former and resulted in him beheading the latter’s head. On knowing the incident, Mata Parvati was enraged and soon ordered Lord Shankar to bring back the boy to life. So, Lord Shiva immediately sent his Ganas to bring back the head of the first creature they would find on their way. However, the Ganas found the elephant head, which was then fixed to the child’s body. And this is how Lord Ganesha was brought back to life and was celebrated as the revival of his elephant head form.
Ganesh Chaturthi preparations commence from almost a month before the festival. The celebrations last for around ten days. On the first day a clay idol of Lord Ganesha is installed in homes. Homes are decorated with flowers. Temples witness the visit of large number of devotees. Poojas are performed. Localities organize and arrange for pandals and install large idols of Lord Ganesha to celebrate the festival with friends and family. On the final day of the celebrations, the idol of Lord Ganesha is taken on the streets. People exhibit their enthusiasm and joy in the form of dancing and singing on the streets along with the idol. The idol is finally immersed in the river or sea.
The ritual is done to signify the birth cycle of Lord Ganesha; just as he was created from clay/Earth, his symbolic statue is as well. The idol is immersed in water so that Ganesha may return to his home after his 'stay' at the devotees' home or temple where the Ganesha Chaturthi rituals are conducted. This is the time when Lord Ganesha is seen off with heavy hearts. It is believed that when the idol of the Ganesha is taken out for immersion, it also takes away with it the various obstacles of the house and these obstacles are destroyed along with the visarjan.
Ganesh statues are worshiped for 10 days and then it is immersed in water. It is liking sending a family member away from us and that makes people emotional.
My name is Tejal Mewar. I am primarily a textile merchandiser engaged into international sales of fabrics, living in Gujarat, India. I started photography as a hobby in 2014. I am a self-taught photographer. Observing good photographs on various photography related forums and publications has helped me a lot develop my own style. Every day I am learning something new.
I like capturing candid moments on streets of the people and their life. For me, anything I find unique or amazing for my vision can make me stop and click.
Photography has brought quite a lot of changes in my life. My attitude towards life has changed. It has brought lot of positivity in my life. My self-confidence has increased a lot. I have become more patient. And more over I have also realized that, all the people in this world are good, only they have different points of view.
I really love photography. It is keeping me happy from inside and taking me away from every worry of my life. It takes me somewhere that I have never been to. It helps me preserve these beautiful moments of life. All I want to say is: Camera is a wondrous tool that you may freeze beautiful moments of life with. And I am so glad I learned this.
