The smell of incense, anticipating steaming hot modaks at a meal, rhythmic aartis set to simple tunes, new clothes, going to friends at their homes in the neighbourhood for darshan – these are only a few things Aucklanders remember if you ask them of the Ganesh Chaturthi of their memories when living in India.
In India, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in each and every state. In Maharashtra’s festive calendar, over 10 days, (ending with Anant Chaturdashi and idol immersion), elaborate public celebrations are attended by tens of thousands. From public squares to housing complexes, Ganesha is revered with affection – people begin preparations months in advance. In homes, Ganesha is treated as an honoured guest.
Historically, this festival has played a significant role in forging closer bonds between divergent parts of communities in India. In 1893, the celebration was re-imagined by freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak as a large, well-organized public event. Ganesha’s wide appeal as the ‘deity for everybody’ resonated with people and a public festival gave context to building grass-roots unity between people. This social cohesion certainly came handy in India’s budding Independence movement.
The many places where Ganesha lives
Aspects of tradition have continued but today also take many forms in the global Indian diaspora. In Auckland, community associations including the Auckland Marathi Association celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi collectively. Aside of that, it is interpreted in diverse ways in homes. Tradition is re-interpreted and the celebration plays out in ways that is most meaningful to individuals.
Ganesha and a family of friends
As new singletons in New Zealand, 8 flatmates decided to bring Ganesha to their shared home in Auckland.
“We wanted to feel a sense of togetherness and retain a sense of connection with our Indian-ness and culture in some way. We decided 5 days would be just right, incorporated ideas from every person’s celebration memories and had a no-fuss, flexible approach,” says Manasee Joshi.
“We took turns cooking, played aartis on youtube and everyone made an effort to be at home for the pujas. We invited people over on the fifth day. I guess, more than the rigid rituals we improvised; got creative and inclusive – the intention behind the celebration trumped everything else. The immersion of the idol was also symbolic of letting go of grudges and fights.”
Ganesha and a helping of modaks
Ganesh chaturthi would be incomplete without making modaks as per a family recipe passed down through generations.
“I never knew how to make modaks until I married and moved from my mother’s home to live with my husband and in-laws,” says 60-year-old Manik S. Ahinave. “My mother-in-law passed on the recipe to me. I learnt to make that well. Then when we moved to Pune, I started trying other versions. I continued the tradition when I moved to Auckland with my son and his family.”
Ganesha and the devotees
The festival of Ganesha weaves together tradition, devotion and a progressive attitude for families.
“We’re 8 families bound by our shared following of Guru Dr Anirudha Joshi and every year one family hosts the celebration in their home. All of us help out. The idol is special – it’s eco friendly and made out of paper mache. Not ordinary paper either; there is a tradition of writing down chants amongst followers of Guru Anirudha Joshi in little notebooks. This idol is made out of those notebooks – it’s a beautiful way of tying together tradition, devotion and a progressive attitude,” says Vrunda Chinchankar.
“At our home, we went all out with the celebration. All of us wore Maharashtrian nine-yard sarees, invited over 130 people for an evening for a grand aarti and a meal of Prasad. It was a beautiful, auspicious event.”
Ganesha and an artistic interpretation
An Auckland based artist picked ten names of Ganesha as a theme for her very first exhibition.
“Ganesha is said to be a remover of obstacles and invoked at the beginning of any new venture. For my first exhibition, there was no better choice. Ganesha has many names and each one describes him and his unique qualities. I picked ten names and painted Ganesha as I imagine him,” says artist Smita Upadhye. “I found the experience extremely fulfilling. I am never surprised to learn that Ganesha is a favourite amongst gods. I’ll be picking ten other names for another series of paintings soon.”
Join Auckland Marathi Association in celebrating the festival of Ganesha
Enjoy a community celebration with traditional aarti, food and music.
Date: 7 September 2014 (Sunday)
Time: 5 pm onwards
Venue: Freemans Bay Community Hall,
Entry: Free for members. A guest fee of $15.00 per person for non-members. This fee includes full dinner, served after the program.
For more information contact Rushi on 0273242542, Vrunda on 0212555500 or Prasad on 0211451136
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