Evolving "Vighnaharta"!

    09/09/2022 i.e., yesterday began with chants of "Ganpati Bappa Morya, pudcha Varshi lavkar ya." it was accompanied by huge crowds, Dhol Tasha and lot more. It was a day of deep emotions, celebrations and hopes. The day of departure of beloved Bappa, the end of 10 days long and auspicious Ganesh festival. A video went viral of small kids crying so hard and won't let the bappa go,it makes us think how deeply we are connected with this event and how and why was it started? 

   When we think of our country India which is an abode of cultures, festivals and celebrations. worshipping 'God' and celebrating festivals are eternal part of our tradition but it is not just tradition. It has many aspects and influences. One such festival is Ganesh festival which can be referred to as the longest Indian festival which lasts for 10 days, followed by Navratri.

    Since the evolution of humans God has been a symbol of Unity in people which made them share a common belief. It began by worshiping different aspects of nature until it took solid form of various deities, a common creator as it is referred. Ganesh festival celebration can be dated back to 17th century during the reign of Shivaji Maharaj it was celebrated publicly. Same goes with 18 century during Peshwa. It was only during colonial period that it lost its public status and become a festival celebrated privately. It was then brought up again as Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav by leaders like Babasaheb Rangari and Lokmanya Tilak to Oppose the British antipublic legislation in 1892, which ban Hindu gathering. It was also popularised through newspapers like Kesari. Tilak also believe that it bridged the gaps between brahmins and non brahmins. Hence, more than a festival it was seen as an anti colonial movement which brought people together.

   In India with so many beliefs, so many religions, sects and so many deities Lord Ganesha is seen as a uniting force who is worshipped by all religions, all age groups: from children to seniors. It is the God who is connected with everyone's emotions this is because Ganesha is seen to be a very liberal god, we have seen him right from cartoons, sculptures represeing various professions and so many forms. Moreover Ganesha is referred as 'Vighnahartha' the one who solves everyone's problems. He is also a symbol of wisdom and intelligence. That may be the reason Ganesh festival was chosen as a symbol of unity.

   

   The celebration begins on occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi with installation of Ganesh idols at home and various mandals in public places but the preparation actually begins months prior it accompanies an economic rise for the artist who get a chance to present their skills in different forms for making the idols and making of huge and elaborative pandals.It helps the to enrich their businesses. These days the pandles also try to depict various themes ranging from world heritage sites, Indian culture to social issues. The public Ganeshas are usually funded by many devotees, also many businessmen sponsor these pandals. This period shows improved trade and increase in the business of artists, event managers, the decorators, caterers, orchestra, musicians, garland makers, public transportation etc. It increases the liquidity in the market.

     

    The festival has a great social impact as it is celebrated by all religion, sects, people from all the groups with equal joy and excitement and it bridges religious gaps. Like every other Indian festival, it unites families and friends. Even various

political events are organised by different parties. several ministers like Chief Minister of Maharashtra, are seen visiting various pandals. It can be seen as a way of connecting with people's emotions.

    

   The administration plays a very crucial and critical role in the Hustle and bustle. With many pandals in the chowks and along roads in the city specially follows lot of traffic jams, the traffic police are seen rigorously working at every corner during

these days. Also with the crowds at various places increases the risk of thefts and crimes. Right from giving various permissions to security and management, the administrition is at its busiest state of work when rest of the population celebrates holidays.

   

   Thus, since its beginning as a movement and ritual till today we can see the evolving and changing nature of Ganesh festival in economic, social, political, administrative, religious and regional spheres.. There flashed news in local daily about virtual Darshan for patients in few hospitals. Be it the famous Ganesha like

Lalbaugcha Raja or The manache Ganpatis of Pune the festivals has become a business on large scale. The Lalbaugcha Raja alone earned around 4,200 kg of gold, 80 kg of silver and a total of Rs 6.05 crore in cash this year from sponsorers, funds and grands.

    

   Finally the festival ends with dissolution of Ganesha on Anant Chaturthi in water bodies with equal Hustle and bustle and chantings with the urge to the beloved Ganesha to return back soon next year. The immersion of Ganesha in water

bodies has a large scale impact on the environment as the water bodies get polluted due to the chemical and synthetic colours of which the idols are made. Also the crackers and loudspeakers cause air pollution and sound pollution. Many majors are being taken to celebrate eco-friendly Ganesh festival like in

states like Goa there has been acomplete ban on the synthetically made Ganesh idols. While the use of Eco Friendly Ganesha made up of clay is encouraged. Public awareness in this regards is immensely important. Celebrities and media can play huge role in this, a good example is a video posted on social media by Rithesh Deshmukh of his family making Ganesha out of newspaper and cardboards this may greatly influence people.

 

    Thus with the changing world all our cultures and practices are getting influenced and evolved. With this, it is necessary for us to understand that not just Ganesh festival but most of our traditions and practices are bagged by one or many scientific, socio-economical, political and geographical reasons. Thus, we must understand the core essence of them and bring it into practice in a way which would be harmless to the environment, economically effective, enhancing ethics and morals, reducing social disparities and discrimination and would make the young generation aware about rich Heritage and Culture rather than making it a mere display of business and political. Reforms like 'eco friendly Ganesha', 'Ek Gaon Ek Ganpati' and similar initiatives can be very effective.

    Let the positive energy and will power brought up by Bappa persists because faith in positive energy and spirituality is good unless it turns out to be blind faith. Even the Bappa symbolises that you are what you are today and what you would be in future because of your present and past deeds.