The Lord Arrives

'The last few days'

The last few days leading into the festival are the ones that are the most hectic and also the most pleasing. Few hours from now the 10 day festivities will get underway and one of the most feverish and pompous celebrations begin. The incidents leading up to the festival are the most liberating and life changing.

'Dhoolpet=hyderabad'

Yesterday(22-08-09), was one of my first visits to 'Dhoolpet'. Dhoolpet is what essential defines 'Vinayak Chavati' and this is place is abuzz with people during this time of the year. The lanes and bylanes of this area are no more than 15 feet and you'll find a massive clog of people, automotives which include lorries, autos and even handcarts. Everybody buying an idol and taking it back home. The size varies largely starting from as small as 10 cm right up to 25 feet. But what you wont miss in this place is the fact that a large population of the working class in Dhoolpet are Islamic by religion and creating idols for a Hindu festival. The festival is something that brings together people from all sects and all classes.

'Hamara Ganesh'

We waited for 4 hours to get our 13 foot idol and place the lord onto an autorickshaw. The lord tested our strength in what was an epic 2 hour ride for a meagre 2 kilometres and took a good 15 well built youngsters. On the way we were tried and tested by all the conditions threw at us. Low hanging wires, trees with drooping branches and the odd potholes. Exasperated physically but a deep spiritual energy driving all of us and the adrenalin rush pushing us. We brought the lord to his home, our home. After safely placing him in his abode, most of us just crashed to the ground.

'Santosh Dhaba'

Half dead and with stomachs that were churning we entered one of the few places in Hyderabad that serve food after 12:00pm. Santosh Dhaba - Vegetarian and a paneer lovers delight. Most of us drooled over the plates and ate to our stomachs full and only to prepare ourselves for the day ahead.

Today, the idol that was a only an object till yesterday, turns into our Lord Ganesh through a cascade of poojas and rituals. The Lord that gives us the power to endure our days in the sun and enjoy our days in the rain.

JAI BOLO GANESH MAHARAJ KI...