Media Release
Muscat, Sep 12: Lord Ganesha is a symbol of magnificence, the god of wisdom, the remover of vighnas, and the leader of the people. Ganesh Chaturthi, a metaphorical festival of devotion and fervor, was organized in a traditional and eco-friendly manner at Muscat Shiva Temple Hall from September 7 to 9 by the Oman Maha Ganeshotsava Samiti Tulu Koota Muscat.
The 40th year of celebration of this grand festival of devotion and joy was attended by thousands of devotees, not only from the Indian diaspora but also from Nepal, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, all seeking the blessings of Lord Vinayaka with great fervor. Many devotees from neighboring countries like Dubai, Bahrain, and Kuwait were also present.
The morning of the first day featured the Prathisthapana, Panchamrita Abhisheka, and Gana Homa ceremony performed by the main Archaka, Shri Shankar Narayan Adiga, who was ably assisted by Shri Gurudas Pejathaya and a team of Archakas. The three days of this magnificent festival were intermingled with various devotional ceremonies such as Punyahavachana, Gana Homa, Maha Pooja, Ranga Pooja, and Pushparchane.
Devotees sought the blessings of Lord Ganesha and paid homage to the deity while making offerings such as 108 coconuts, Modaka, Laddu seva, a variety of sweets, fruits, and flowers.
Om Shree Ganesha Vrinda organized bhajans and an array of cultural sessions featuring various devoted performers. During the three-day festivities, from early morning until late at night, the temple hall reverberated with Vedic chants, devotional songs, bhajans, Veena recitals, and devotional dances such as Odissi, ballets, and Bharatanatyam. Devotees witnessed a feast of cultural and devotional extravaganza.
Loads of fresh flowers of different varieties and colors were flown in from India. The entrance and the temple hall were decorated with banana plants, mango leaves, sugarcane, clusters of tender coconuts, date bunches, and flowers. Garlands of fresh flowers framed the walls of the hall in alternating patterns of light and dark hues. The beautifully crafted clay Ganesh idol was adorned with a gold crown, gold chains, and scented garlands of flowers like Mangalore mallige, rose, jasmine, lotus, and marigold, among others. A team of enthusiastic and creative volunteers came together to give the hall a festive and traditional aesthetic ambiance.
Lord Ganesha was artistically depicted in the form of a rangoli in front of the mandap. The rangoli design, decorated with religious symbolism, was bejeweled with glittering artificial stones. The rangoli was created by the talented Paru Negandhi & Pragna Shah.
The three-day celebration concluded with the ceremonial visarjan of the clay moorthi of Ganesha on Chaturthi. One of the most popular explanations for this revered tradition is that, in Sanatana Dharma, the Absolute and Supreme reality manifests in different forms. One among the millions of his forms is Ganesha. It is time to accept the eternal cosmic law—that which took form must become formless again through Vigraha Visarjan. Following this tradition, amidst the repeated and fitting choral chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya Mangala Moorti Morya,” the immersion of the idol of Lord Ganesha was carried out on the night of September 9.
Laddu Prasad was served to all devotees throughout the celebrations. Traditional Mangalorean cuisine was served as mahaprasad on all three days and featured a sumptuous variety of foods such as Moode, Mensu Kai, Kosambari, Banana Podi, Chitranna, Mosaranna, Puliogare, Payasa, Holige, Koddhel, Saar, Sambar, Chatni, and Happala. The mahaprasad was provided by Udupi Home Restaurant, Annapoorna Restaurant, Hotel Oman Express, and Gokul Alkuwair Restaurant.
The Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman, Amit Narang, along with many prominent dignitaries from the business community, including HE Sheikh Anil Khimji, Ashwin Bhai Dharamsey & family, and Bakul Bhai Mehta, also attended the grand celebrations.
Sculpture artist Sadashiva Kamath meticulously created the eco-friendly, reverent, and beautiful Ganapati moorthi. The committee members, along with numerous volunteers, contributed to the success of the three-day festival with immense dedication. Due to the unstinting and selfless efforts of the members of the Shree Ganesh Festival Committee, Muscat devotees have been fortunate to celebrate Ganesh festivals for all these years. The efforts continue with one voice: 'Ganapati Bappa Morya'.
Under the able guidance of convener S K Poojary, the Oman Maha Ganeshotsava Samiti, comprising Umesh Bantwal, Shashidhar Shetty Mallar, Nagesh Shetty Kinnigoly, Dr C K Anchan, Ravi Kanchan, Gurudas Pejathaya, Devanand Amin, Sukumar Anchan, Sachin Kamath, and several volunteers, coordinated their efforts to ensure the success of the three-day festival. Senior committee members from back home also contributed. The entire event was live telecast on various media channels.
To commensurate 40Th year of the Ganheshotsava celebration, a grand Sangeeta Sandhya by Vidushi Nadinii Rao & troupe is planned on September 20 at Shri Krishna temple hall Darsait. The event is open to all and starts at 5.30 PM.