Festival: GANESH VISARJAN 2010

Lalbaugcha Raja

Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya varshi laukar ya! So goes the chant as Lord Ganesha is given a royal send off with music, dance, fireworks and aarti. The above is the picture of the most famous Ganesh Idol at Lalbaug that must have seen hundreds of thousands of devotees this year.

Pudhchya varshi laukar ya!

I have brought to you a few scenes of the revelry at Sion as Ganesh idols were immersed in the Talao (pond) at Chunabhatti. This is to the west of the Sion-Panvel highway and diagonally opposite where I live.

Here is the video that captures the atmosphere. I had created this thanks to my sister Lakshmi's request. I was going to be satisfied with posting photos but it was she who wanted to hear the music and see the dancers. This is my first attempt at video. Hope you all like it as much as I enjoyed shooting it. My son Vigneshkumar did the editing out of lengthy footage that I had taken on my camera.

Vada-pav stall

The vada-pav stall is being run by Keru, the office boy at Venkat's office. He does a roaring business every year during the festival.

Vendors selling their wares

The vendors sell wares that attract the attention of tiny tots. They also make a packet during the fest.

Drinking water

 Drinking water was being supplied to the thirsty hordes. I sincerely pray to Ganeshji that it was clean.

Venkat with some acquaintances

 The couple of policemen who knew Venkat were mighty thrilled to pose for the photo along with another acquaintance.

Crowds at the Talao

There was quite a crowd at the Chunabhatti Talao to say Goodbye to the elephant headed God.

Police Traffic Booth

 The police were directing the traffic from their vantage point way above. 

Going, going, gone!

Lord Ganesh being immersed at the Chunabhatti Talao close to Sion. See you soon, Mooshik Vahana!