Pandal hopping during Ganesh Chaturthi!

The festival season has set in!

Last week, on September 17, we celebrated the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi in honor of Lord Ganesh, the dispeller of all obstacles. This famous festival is celebrated with great fervor, especially in the states of Goa and Maharashtra.

Lord Ganesha's puja at my place


At many places, ‘Sarvajanik Ganesh murtis (idols) are placed, which are beautifully decorated by highly artistic and creative enthusiasts!

Every year during this festival I love to visit these places, ‘pandal’ hopping. Pandal is the place where the Sarvajanik Ganesh idol is placed and the premises (sometimes temple premises) are decorated beautifully too. 

Ganesh puja at my parents place

Lord Ganesha is worshipped in many households and pandals, either for 1.5 days or 3 days or 5 days or 21 days. During this festival season, it inevitably rains in Goa. Once the Lord is immersed in the waters (Visarjan) it marks the end of the rainy season in Goa.

Here is a glimpse of the famous Ganesh pandals in Margao, in the state of Goa.

The majestic Lord Ganesh at Pipalkatta temple, Margao

Lord Vinayaka being worshipped at the Municipal Garden, Margoa

Bhagwan Vakratunda's abode at Police station premises in Margao

Aarti for the Lord, at Vidyanagar

I especially love visiting the pandal at Aquem, as they always have a theme based animated display of a legendary story. This time they have depicted Sant Gorakumbhar, a potter by trade who was a devotee of  Lord Vithal. As per the legend whilst, Sant Gorakumbhar was making clay pots, Lord Vithoba appeared before him and helped him by making many clay pots. In this setting, upon dropping a coin in the box, the door to the temple of Lord Vithal opens and the many clay pots surface up….

 

The radiant 'Lord Vakratund' at Aquem

Sant Gorakumbhar making clay pots

The doors of the temple open...

The 'Lord Vithal' appears before the devotee...

May the Lord Ganesha shower his blessings on all!