Rediscovering the Indian festivals

India is a land of festivals, we've all known that since ages. But the realization that these festivals are celebrated differently in different regions of the country is a completely separate discovery, as I did in my recent stay at Mumbai. Some interesting aspects of this, would like to share with you all..

Janamashtami

During Janamashtami, the matkis setup everywhere in the city make for interesting viewing. Somehow I had never ever seen Janamashtami being celebrated before, so it was a new discovery for me anyways...Groups of matki-phods traverse the city in trucks, breaking matkis and pocketing the prize money. The earlier you start, the more matkis you can break and the more you earn:). Also during the day, the unconquered matkis are lowered as the day progresses so that breaking it becomes more achievable.

The speed with which the matkis are broken is surprising too, you blink and the matki would be gone. Just as a warning, during the day, be careful of the people throwing water from terraces, you might also get drenched along with the matki-phods.

Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi, the biggest festival of Maharashtra, and what a sight it is on the last day of the visarjan. The entire city taking their idols towards the sea, in trucks and carts, with families and kids all enjoying themselves. Loud music, lots of colour and enthusiasm, looks like a party on the road. All the roads are full (and blocked) though because of that!!!

Its sad though that nowadays, people consider it a nuisance, and even suggest you to not go and attend it. I of course loved it, just seeing the liveliness of people in colour on the road, enjoying themselves totally! Would have loved to join in on the dancing too:).

The immersion of the idols at the beaches is a big affair in itself. I saw it at the Girgaum Chowpaty. Hordes and hordes of people carrying the beautiful Ganesh idols and pulling them into the water; huge groups pulling the bigger Ganesh statues into the water. Its an experience you need to see and feel for yourself. Though I agree, the pollution of the sea, especially when you see all the statues being thrown back on shore in the morning is not a good sight, something that needs to be sorted out.

But the visarjan was definitely was a great sight to see and I loved it completely. It goes on till late in the morning have heard, and surprisingly was very very well managed by the police. Niiice.. Next time, maybe would want to be a bigger part of it...

Dussehra : Ramlila

This year I saw the Ramlila being performed in the Ramlila grounds in Delhi. And I was impressed. Its a great outing for families, everyone goes out, eats a lot, meets friends and neighbours and celebrates the festival all week. The performances in Ramlila were great too, I was surprised to see the level of professionalism in the preparation, am sure a lot of effort goes into it. The young kids playing the role of the vanar sena was the funniest part of the show though!

Also, such plays are a good learning for the kids, especially as they do not get to see the Ramayan every Sunday morning as we all saw during our childhood years.

I wondered when I was there, why are such community events dying nowadays? becoming 'uncool' ? Should'nt we all try to preserve such traditions for the future generations?

Dussehra : Dandiya

Dandiya, the week of dance and music for Mumbai; I went to two different dandiya events this year and was surprised to see the numbers of the crowds that came out. Its another one of these events which are not as 'cool' among many anymore, where you are suggested to not go and attend. Maybe that's why, I was so happy to see the huge crowds who had turned out.

It was quite fun actually, with people dancing in the grounds to dandiya music. People were actually practising the steps beforehand and then executing them to the 'wows' all around at the park. There were kids and college students and old ladies and families, all were there. Lights and music and food and fun.

One of the dandiyas I went to had Falguni Pathak as the singer. Her voice is soooo sweet and she has sooo much enthusiasm for the singing, now I know why she is so popular!

Diwali Lights

Also, during Dussehra and Diwali, the lanterns that are lit across houses in Mumbai, especially in all the chawls type of buildings, they are very pretty.. row after row of paper lanterns hung in front of the doors.. what a bright sight! I think these are specialities of Mumbai only, have never seen before..

Ever taken a evening flight during Diwali? Or even a day or two after Diwali? Believe me, its worth taking such a flight once; for the view you get of the city, fully lighted up, and with all the fireworks going off across the skyline. Its a completely different view you get from the top, especially while landing; of the fireworks coming from below and bursting, covering the whole area with lights.. Take such a flight once, and enjoy this view..

P.S. Sorry for the bad quality of photos, they were all taken with the phone camera.