Ganesh Chaturthi – Time for New Beginnings in a Troubled World
You Are Invited to Birthday Celebrations
Did you know the very first blog I wrote on Lassi with Lavina was all about Ganesha? Forget consultants, coaches, influencers and critics – He’s the one to invoke when you start something new!
What better way to start something new in life than with Ganesha, the Lord of New Beginnings? Give him whichever name you choose – He is that consciousness that is within us and around us and in the very breath we take.
I’ve never been able to discard a Ganesha image, be it on a wedding card or a flyer. There He is, dancing, playing a lute, eating a sweet. All these playful Ganesha images lie wedged in between my books and my papers, hopefully merging into the pages, increasing my knowledge, making me a better writer and removing obstacles!
He already has a mouse and is suited perfectly to Cyberspace! He is also the Lord of Wisdom – a passionate scribe who broke off his own tusk to use as a pen when transcribing the epic tale of Mahabharata for the sage Vyasa. What greater inspiration for a writer?
Since then, I have seen Ganesha in literature, art and dance, even in a Broadway play ‘The Perfect Ganesha’. Ganesha is all around us in real life, adding calmness to chaos, strength to grief, understanding to despair.
So now for the next ten days is the time to connect and get acquainted. Visit Him in several area temples though the Hindu Temple Society in Flushing, Queens is the beauty – built in the defining South Indian style and to which devotees flock. On the last day of the festival Ganesh enthroned on His silver Rath is taken all around the Flushing community. Thousands turn up for blessings, there Is the beat of drums and joyous music. Everyone comes in their glittering best; after all it is a birthday party like no other. So come enjoy the festive food, get the rest of your year in gear – and maybe even stop to take some takeaway home from the wonderful Ganesh Canteen in the basement!
I went yesterday to the Ganesha temple in Flushing on the second day of the festival – the deity was covered in Vibhuti or ashes – each day He has a different aura. So come share the good vibes!
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Meet Ganesha, The Lord Of New Beginnings
