Bengaluru: Bringing home the first god of the pantheon

Bengaluru: The city has begun buzzing with preparations for the upcoming Gauri Ganesha festival which will begin on Wednesday. In an encouraging trend that began a few years ago, more people are moving towards purchasing Gauri and Ganesha idols including green Ganesha, eco Ganesha, vegetable paint Ganesha and plain clay Ganesha.

Shopkeepers selling the idols say the demand for eco-friendly Ganesha idols has increased tremendously, as people are turning away from idols made out of plaster of paris and polluting bright colors. Clay idols are also getting more inquiries as they are the most environment friendly.

Responding to the demand, the Karnataka Pollution Control Board has released a list of eco friendly idol sellers of the city with their contact numbers to enable the devotees to buy them
easily. Not to be left behind, online stores are also offering eco friendly Ganesha idols.

Celebrations: The two days festival celebrations will start on Wednesday with the Gauri Pooja in homes followed by the installation of Ganesha idols in homes on Thursday. "Gauri Pooja is performed by women and they also invite each other home for taking part in the festivities. Ganesha Chaturthi celebration includes pooja or homa in homes. Idol will be immersed in the evening after pooja,' says Mr. Balachandra Bhat, a priest.

According to him, a lot of changes have made their way into the celebrations. "Because of the increasing awareness every one is opting for clay idols, which is not available in all the places. Adding to it, demand for artificially painted idols is decreased. We can find such idols only in public places," he said.

Price rise no impact: Even though increasing prices are decreasing the scale of the celebrations, it is not hampering the enthusiasm of the people to celebrate the Gauri Ganesha festival. "Even a bunch of mango leaves costs Rs 10. But celebration is important as children, relatives all gather at home. Price rise is the common issue. Middle class families cannot afford sugar cane which is one of the important ingredients. Still it is the last festival of the month of Shravana," says Mrs. Saraswati Sharma, a resident of Girinagar.

Vishwakarma Jayanthi on Thursday

This year, Vishwakarma Jayanthi will also be also celebrated on Thursday. Celebrated by artisans and crafts persons, it is observed to honour Vishwakarma, who is considered to the symbol of representation for industry, the craft community as well as agriculture.

Concerts from September 17

Bengaluru Ganesha Utsav is the most awaited event during Ganesha Pooja. This is the 53th Utsav that the city is going to witness starting from September 17 till 27. S M Nandish, one of the organizers of the event says, "The 11 day extravaganza is expecting a million footfalls. The highlights of the cultural line up are performances by Shreya Ghoshal, Kunal Ganjewala, classical jugalbandi between Vishwa Mohan Bhat and Mysuru Nagaraj and Manjunath. Performances by P Susheela, Vani Jayaram and Vijay Prakash will also be held." He further adds, "The mantap this time will be a major attraction as it is influenced by architecture of Dharmasthala Temple and Guruvayur Krishna temple. Then there will 1,000 diyas lit all the time." A performance by Raghu Dixit is also on the cards.

Why is Ganesha Chathurthi celebrated?

Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha, son of Lord Shankar and Goddess Parvathi. This festival is celebrated for 10 days throughout India. This festival comes on the 4th day of Bhadrapada Shukla-paksh of Hindu calendar. There are various stories attached to the cause of celebration of Chaturthi. Legend has it that the day Gowri returned from here parental home with her son Ganapathi upon the request of Lord Shiva is celebrated as Chaturthi. In Bengaluru city Gauris Ganesha festival will be celebrated on Wednesday day and Thursday. Most of the devotees immerse the idols on Thursday itself. But few devotees perform puja for ten days and immerse on tenth day.

Bescom to keep a watch on Ganesha pandals

Ganesha pandal, a tradition of installing Ganesh idols on the street by the local residents sustains despite Bescom checking on illegal power connections. Bescom Assistant Executive Engineers of all the subdivisions have been instructed by the Managing Director to go on random checks and book cases under Electricity Act 2003 if found anyone is found to be drawing power illegally. Under the act, any such violations would amount to 3 years imprisonment or fine or both.