Mumbaikars have fun every Ganesh Chaturthi, known as “Chakarmani” meaning born or ancestors in Konkan or Sindhudurg and migrated to Mumbai for work purpose. They basically come back to their roots during this season to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi.
This is the peak season and people book their train tickets well in advance.
An interesting Ganesha Story – One night Ganpati was traveling home. He had yummy modaks offered by his devotee. Bappa was full and Undir Mama’s aka Mouse – Ganesha’s Vaahan/Vehicle stumbled after a snake crossed their path. Ganesha’s stomach broke and the modaks fell apart. Chandra Dev or Moon God saw this havoc and started making fun of Lord Ganesha, infuriated by his actions Bappa put all the modaks inside and tied his stomach with the snake. He then cursed Moon for his actions. Anyone who sees the moon would face false accusations or bad news. Super scared by this curse, Moon plead for his mistake and all the God’s started worshiping Ganesha to calm the curse. He stated a clause, any day except for Bhadrapad or Ganesh Chaturthi one can see at the Moon.
Preparations in Sindhudurg for Ganesh Chaturthi
People decorate the verandah, people buy or make the eco-friendly decoration. Each Idol is made of Shadu Mati meaning natural clay. It is biodegradable. A wildflower, Harna and wild fruits like Kangala, Kavandala, Coconut, Cucumber, wooden toys famous from Sawantwadi. Maati is known as the ceiling part of the Ganpati Idol area. Rural people apply cow dung on the floor also known as Saarvan Karne in Marathi. Floral motifs are illustrated with the help of a naturally occurring white clay. Reva or red soil is applied to the walls and colored with motifs. Reva and cow-dung have to ability to kills pests. This is the pre-preparation. Every Village has an assigned Bhataji aka Pujari, they do the Pooja. Post preparations start with everyday Aarti followed late night bhajan.
Every year there are Ganpati for 5,7,9,11 days and at times 17 or 21 days Navsacha Ganpati. Each house has bhajan and everyone from a family visits every alternate house in Sindhudurg. Bhajan often reconnects people and village, people bond to have some fun. They eat green peas usal also known as vatane, vada pav, kanda bhaji, misal, pohe, ladu, tea. Post Aarti, everyone offers modak, fried cashews, cucumber, musk melon.
Read this post on Ganesh Chaturthi.
Every house in Sindhudurg is filled with positivity and strong beliefs 🙂 Garhane is famous in Sindhudurg, it is also called a special prayer followed by a common word “Hoy Maharaja”. Every idol is immersed in a lake or water body known as “Ganesh
Leave a Reply