Stress Nil Joy Full of Having Lord Ganesh At Our Home

 

Stress Nil Joy Full of Having Lord Ganesh At Our Home

 

Ganesh Chaturthi, a festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha as the Elephant Headed God as He is widely worshipped throughout India: the Swastika of rituals of all religious functions and worships. Our family like millions brought a raw grey clay idol of Lord Ganesh to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi at home, every day, till immersion. Every homes decides immersion - Visarjan – as popularly called, as per their own choice but final takes place eleven days after installation.

 

Before the Lord, duly wrapped in a red cloth and pious red yellow thread “Khamani”, stepped out of His cab, we were ready to receive Him in the traditional Punjabi style saying, “Jee Aaiyna Noo”, and with sprinkle of mustard oil on both sides of the first entry to our home - the main gate – a sign of honour among people in my state of Punjab. He was seated in our drawing room specially prepared for the occasion for Him. Since He came late at night, he slept as wrapped the whole night.

 

Next was the day of installation, it was to be done by all family members: seniors were on fast till He was installed. We prepared a special pedestal for Him about three feet plus high – Higher than anybody sitting on the floor or the sofa: and decorated it with the sacred “Chunnies” – ladies long scarfs, the family members had received on various religious occasions from the temples and Jagrats – whole night chanting of the name of the Goddess - all in red, pink, yellow and violet colours. Lord was seated on the pedestal, first “Khamani” was removed and then red cloth was removed: as soon as He appeared everybody greeted Him with folded hands and chanting the words. “Jai Ganesh”. He had beautiful attire in bluish green colour.  He was given a symbolic bath by sprinkling water, given clothes to wear by offering one “Jenoo” – the scared thread around his neck: given a make-up “Shingar” by a red forehead mark with “sindhoor” and fixing some rice grains thereon. A small bundle of fresh green grass was also placed on Him as He is harbinger of good, peace, growth, prosperity and development. He is also “Pratham Pujya”- to be worshipped first of all.  Pious Flame “Jayoti” and Dhoop was also lighted and a Satsvika with sindoor prepared in a pan, a betal leaf and an areca nut was also placed in the pan as religious offering. He was garlanded with marigold flowers necklace and rose petals were showered on Him. All present, were given Tilak-forehand mark with Sindoor and a pious thread was also tied to the wrist of all. Then all of us sung an Aarti and everybody had a wish to repeat silently to Him. Modaks-Laddoos made of milk solids and also of gram flour were offered to Him along with dry fruits and seasonal fruits. Full meal with the request to honour us by taking food was also placed before Him and He was prayed with folded hands to enjoy it. A portion of the meal offered to Him was mixed with meals prepared at home. We had fixed a person to take the full meal on behalf of the Lord. We also took our meals in His presence.

 

In the evening He was offered tea like any other person in our family as he had become part of it so was the process for dinner. Every time He is offered something a temple bell was rung as a signal that food or tea etc has been placed for Him. At 10.30 PM we sought His permission to sleep and one of us slept on the sofa or the carpet in front of His pedestal. Some water, fruits, Modaks - Laddoos of special shape, sweets and dry fruits were also placed before Him lest He feels hunger at night.

 

It was our endeavor not to leave Him alone at any time: this effort proved a blessing, after installation He had become a living Lord ready to listen prayers made. It  was for the person concerned how effectively he communicates with Him; senior were so happy to talk to Him, others offered Him tea, chocolate whatever they were eating, some were seeking his advice on any matter they liked as openly as we talk to each other. Our house had the fragrance of a temple, restraints of a religious place and so was the routine. It was quite pleasing and satisfying too. A living Deity at Home what a wonderful idea: possible in India only.

 

Presence of the Lord had a wonderful effect on the food being prepared in the home: no garlic, no onions, no non-veg: all satavic food full of Hing- Asafoetida, Zeera- Cumin seeds, tomatoes and pure desi ghee: much tastier than the usual one and that too without any stomach issues. This reduced toxin in the body.

 

Another wonder aspect of his presence was that my mother-in-law about ninety always complaining of some discomfort because of so many ailments she is suffering  from and also the biggest ailment of life the old age, remained healthy and happy without any complaints. She could walk from bed room to drawing room where Lord was sitting with His pump and show and recited Aarti every time it was sung. All members of the family remained so cool and healthy during his presence. In addition, everybody remained in positive mood without any bickering. Time was passing quick and fast, my self being the senior most called the Lord by His name Ganesha, every time something was to be done, so during His presence all things went the right and responsible way. He was invited for everything even for taking water and munching some savory snacks and also for lifting heavy luggage etc., simply because he was part and parcel of our family.

 

Anybody coming to our home was seeking His blessings first and Prasad also. There was a short duration Kirtan-chanting of songs in praise of the Lord next day of His installation that made many emotional. After Aarti, Prasad was offered to the Lord and thereafter distributed to all who were present, some quick snacks were also served because of Corona.

 

We had planned His stay at our home for four days and three night but it appeared He was too busy so, He forced us to reduce his stay to three days and two nights. So we had to prepone His Visarjan. It was to be done at home as already planned.

 

We started the rituals as we thought fit nothing exactly known to us from the scripture or from the priests and as if a person from the family is going for an outstation to come back after sometime. Lord was given a bath, a forehead mark and full meal: a prayer was recited in His honors; then taken from His throne; placed on the head of our grand-daughter and circulated in every nook and corner of the house so that He blesses everything and removes all the negativity. Before immersion water in big tub was purified with Ganga-Jal, Rose Petals and curd was rubbed on Lords body and then with all humility He was gently placed in the water filled tub, we remained sitting near Him till He was fully submerged in water and  we were chanting “Ganpati Bappa Maurya, Aagle Varse tu Jaldi Aa”. It was an emotional scene, made eyes of everybody moist.

 

Om Gan Ganapatay Namo Namah!

Shri Siddhivinayak Namo Namah!

Asta Vinayak Namo Namah!

Ganapati Bappa Moraiya!