Mangalore/Udupi: Preparations for Ganesh Chaturthi in Full Swing
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM)
Mangalore, Sep 18: Preparations are on to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in full swing across the city.
The surrounding areas of Central Market and other places have been drenched in a riot of colours with vendors busy trading a variety of colourful flowers and vegetables.
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, the birthday of lord Ganesha is celebrated with great devotion across the country. People bring home idols of lord Ganesh and worship them.
Hence, it is a busy time for artisans too as they spend days and nights carving beautiful idols of lord Ganesha.
The festival is usually observed during the month of Bhadra as per the Hindu calendar.
In the city, the festival is celebrated with much joy and fanfare, with devotees seeking blessings of lord Ganesha and then taking out a procession to immerse the idol in the nearby river.
Various cultural activities, competitions are organized by associations in honour of Lord Ganesha. Drawing competitions on Lord Ganesha is the main competition conducted everywhere.
Udupi
300 Years' History of Ganesh Chaturthi Festivities at Bhandarkars Family
Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (VM)
Udupi, Sep 18: The GSB community in Kidiyoor on behalf of Bhandarkars' family has been celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi festival every year in a grand manner.
Despite being a family function, locals gather in large numbers to seek blessings of lord Ganesha.
Interestingly, the festival is being celebrated by the family from past six generations, that is, about 300 years now.
Presently Gopal Krishna Bhandarkar is incharge of the festivities.
The idol of the Lord Ganesha is carved by family members themselves every year. The work on the 5-foot tall idol begins on Nagara Panchami. Suresh Bhandarkar, a family member has been carving such idols for the past 32 years.
The family members offer various items of jewellery worth several lacs of rupees to the idol and a beautiful platform made out of wood is also placed.
A trust named Bhandarkar Family trust was established by the family in 1995, which takes care of the celebrations. Sri Ganesh Sabha Bhavan, a hall, has also been constructed to conduct various activities.
The family comprises as many as 200 members who come together for this festival without fail.
V S Acharya Family Celebrates Ganesh Festival for Five Days
The family of the late Dr V S Acharya has been celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi for five consecutive days for the past 52 years.
All family members join in on this auspicious occasion. As many as 20 women of the family celebrate Gowri Vratha with utmost devotion and tradition.
The five-day celebration consists of various programmes like Ranga Pooja, Deeparadhane, Flower Pooja, Bhajan, Ganahoma and various others.
Locals gather in large numbers to witness this celebration along with the family members. The festivities will be held from September 19 to September 23.
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