Whenever we hear ‘Ganapati Bappa Morya’ on a busy Mumbai or Pune street in the months of August or September, we quickly realize that Ganapati Puja is being done somewhere nearby. And as the old story goes, Lord Ganesha should be worshipped before worshipping any other deity. Thus, Ganesh Chaturthi marks the beginning of the festive season. And rightly so, festive was the atmosphere inside Woodstock Ambience on 1st and 2nd Sept, 2011, since the Ganapati Puja in Woodstock Ambience was celebrated for only one and a half days. Two idols, one small and a slightly larger idol, were brought to the TT room. Preparations started two days prior to the beginning of the Puja. The TT room was beautifully decorated and all other arrangements were completed by 31st August.
It was Chaturthi of Shukla paksha of the month of Bhadra. And Anant Chaturdashi started off at Woodstock right in the first prahar. Welingkarites, along with other residents of Woodstock Ambience were chanting hymns while the Puja was being done. The pandit started chanting the mantras and everyone started praying as soon as the Puja began. He then did the aarti. After the pandit did the aarti, he asked whether there was any married couple amongst us. After realizing the fact that most of the residents of Woodstock are bachelors, he called a Welingkarite (the guy) and a TCS employee (the lady) to do the aarti. The morning Puja ended with the aarti, after which, the prasada was distributed to everyone present there except to the ones who were fasting. They would eat only after the evening Puja. As far as the ‘rules’ for the devotees were concerned, they were supposed to eat only vegetarian dishes and they would not consume liquor during those eleven days, that is, from Chaturthi to Chaturdashi. After prasada distribution, about ten people would sit and chant hymns. It is mandatory that when the Ganapati idol is present, at least someone should be present in the hall or marquee.
The evening Puja began with singing of the devotional songs by the residents followed by the evening aarti. After the Puja, the prasada was distributed. This time the prasada was Lord Ganesha’s favourite sweet – the modaks. We decided that everyone should be given a modak each. But some lucky ones got two and more modaks. As usual, about ten people stayed back and started chanting hymns. It was decided that the next morning Puja would start at 7:30 am sharp.
As decided, the second and the last morning Puja started at 7:30. People started to join the penultimate Puja slowly as everyone had college. After the morning Puja, almost everyone left for college. Many students had presentations that very day along with other important classes too. But Ganapati was more important. So, some students did not attend the second half and came back to hostel. In the meantime, Prof. AKN Prasad and Prof. Sowmya Chakraborty also visited the TT room. Four Welingkarites went to the dead end of Manipal County Road in the scorching September afternoon to rent a cart that was to be used to carry the Ganesha idol to Singasandra Lake. The cart was decorated ‘innovatively’ by the BD students.
At about 5 pm, the pandit came and started with the chanting of the mantras. People who were present there were singing devotional songs. The entire hall lit up with the august presence of our very own Dean, Dr. Anil Rao sir and his family and Anuradha Ma’am. The final Puja ended and the sweets (prasada) were distributed. Now it was time to say farewell to Lord Ekdanta. The Ganesha idols were meticulously placed on the cart. Meanwhile, the professional folk drummers from Mumbai had also come. The level of enjoyment spiked with each drumbeat. The cart was taken to Singasandra Lake. About 100 Welingkarites danced all the way from Woodstock to the Lake and played with gulal at the same time. Everyone on Hosur Road was watching us having a good time. Many people were shouting ‘Ganapati Bappa Morya, Mangalmoorti Morya!’ while going to the lake. After reaching the lake, a final aarti was done. Then, the larger idol taken to the water and subsequently immersed followed by the immersion of the second idol. We had bhog after we reached the TT room. This time the atmosphere was absolutely different. The void thus created could only be filled after waiting for one more year.
Ganesh Chaturthi is the flagship festival of Maharashtra. But it is celebrated in other parts of the country as well. It was really nice to see that students from every part of the country joined hands to make Ganesh Puja in Woodstock a grand success. After all, it is only a mere smile, and not money, that is the root of envy.
It was Chaturthi of Shukla paksha of the month of Bhadra. And Anant Chaturdashi started off at Woodstock right in the first prahar. Welingkarites, along with other residents of Woodstock Ambience were chanting hymns while the Puja was being done. The pandit started chanting the mantras and everyone started praying as soon as the Puja began. He then did the aarti. After the pandit did the aarti, he asked whether there was any married couple amongst us. After realizing the fact that most of the residents of Woodstock are bachelors, he called a Welingkarite (the guy) and a TCS employee (the lady) to do the aarti. The morning Puja ended with the aarti, after which, the prasada was distributed to everyone present there except to the ones who were fasting. They would eat only after the evening Puja. As far as the ‘rules’ for the devotees were concerned, they were supposed to eat only vegetarian dishes and they would not consume liquor during those eleven days, that is, from Chaturthi to Chaturdashi. After prasada distribution, about ten people would sit and chant hymns. It is mandatory that when the Ganapati idol is present, at least someone should be present in the hall or marquee.
The evening Puja began with singing of the devotional songs by the residents followed by the evening aarti. After the Puja, the prasada was distributed. This time the prasada was Lord Ganesha’s favourite sweet – the modaks. We decided that everyone should be given a modak each. But some lucky ones got two and more modaks. As usual, about ten people stayed back and started chanting hymns. It was decided that the next morning Puja would start at 7:30 am sharp.
As decided, the second and the last morning Puja started at 7:30. People started to join the penultimate Puja slowly as everyone had college. After the morning Puja, almost everyone left for college. Many students had presentations that very day along with other important classes too. But Ganapati was more important. So, some students did not attend the second half and came back to hostel. In the meantime, Prof. AKN Prasad and Prof. Sowmya Chakraborty also visited the TT room. Four Welingkarites went to the dead end of Manipal County Road in the scorching September afternoon to rent a cart that was to be used to carry the Ganesha idol to Singasandra Lake. The cart was decorated ‘innovatively’ by the BD students.
At about 5 pm, the pandit came and started with the chanting of the mantras. People who were present there were singing devotional songs. The entire hall lit up with the august presence of our very own Dean, Dr. Anil Rao sir and his family and Anuradha Ma’am. The final Puja ended and the sweets (prasada) were distributed. Now it was time to say farewell to Lord Ekdanta. The Ganesha idols were meticulously placed on the cart. Meanwhile, the professional folk drummers from Mumbai had also come. The level of enjoyment spiked with each drumbeat. The cart was taken to Singasandra Lake. About 100 Welingkarites danced all the way from Woodstock to the Lake and played with gulal at the same time. Everyone on Hosur Road was watching us having a good time. Many people were shouting ‘Ganapati Bappa Morya, Mangalmoorti Morya!’ while going to the lake. After reaching the lake, a final aarti was done. Then, the larger idol taken to the water and subsequently immersed followed by the immersion of the second idol. We had bhog after we reached the TT room. This time the atmosphere was absolutely different. The void thus created could only be filled after waiting for one more year.
Ganesh Chaturthi is the flagship festival of Maharashtra. But it is celebrated in other parts of the country as well. It was really nice to see that students from every part of the country joined hands to make Ganesh Puja in Woodstock a grand success. After all, it is only a mere smile, and not money, that is the root of envy.
