My Prayer Was Answered!

My preparations had started just four days ago. Brass vessels, silver coins, gold coins, had to be polished and kept aside. I was constantly checking if all the puja items were in stock like kumkum, chandan, kesar, haldi, etc.. Luckily, they were all neatly arranged in small “dibbis” (cans) in the temple drawer. I love flowers and have to go to the flower market but just a day before the puja. For some strange reasons, bosses start making you feel you are the owner of the company and have to live and die in office only during occasions, festivals etc… 5.30 p.m. and my heart would go pulsating, hope he does not hold “Jaspal Bhatti Meetings”. Bosses get lots of curses, abuses and suddenly he seems to be a monster to everyone. My boss is aware that I am religious and Ganesha is my favourite God. Though he would say, he is not going to stop me in the evening – he would like to have court cases of the workers to be discussed, administration issues, some “bhatti” notices he wants me to display! The rules made by him are broken conveniently by him before the notice goes on the display board! He He..

Thread and needle for making haar (garland), fruits better to buy them – the rates are sky rocketing, what I should cook on that day! Who cares what the boss is talking about!

Rushing home is like rushing to a marriage hall with the shehnai on the background and the mantras of the pandit echoing parallel to Lataji’s song “Ud Ud ke teri Zulfein…” of Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. My Ganesha is coming home, his mother is worried about his health. She is discussing with Shiva, “Hope his devotees feed him properly, this small boy just rushes at one call and comes back hungry”. Lord Ganesha you need not worry, though I am not a queen of modak making, I will see to it that your stomach is full and I will take good care of you.

Now only 3 days to go, I rushed to the market and bought vegetables and fruits. I like things to be done in advance, the last minute rush panics me! Fresh fruits and Vegetables from “More” of Aditya Birla Group reaches my home through my wallet. A run to my local grocer, who smiled, “What Madam, now days you are not coming!” I give a guilt smile and ask him for coconuts. I do not have much time in hand; I need to cook my supper too.

2 more days to go, my coconut scrapper gives way! I am in a dilemma, what to do! I was in no mood to go to D’Mart a large shopping mall (to know more about it go to IL Directory – Navi Mumbai). The queues are serpentine; I cannot devote so much time for a coconut scrapper! My work at office is of least importance now, I need to go to the South Indian Shop and buy sweets, pori, etc… Luckily, I leave office in time and manage to locate a steel utensil vendor and pick a Coconut Scrapper, rush to the South Indian Store for Pori etc.

The corner of my living room looks more like a display corner, the items are spread far and wide, I quickly polish my brass and silver vessels and keep them under cover. Now I have everything in row and I am set to fly!

Today is Harthalika, the streets and highways are already crowded, the rate of flowers have shot up, the garland sold for 10 rupees 3 days ago, is 40. I pick up two garlands, lots of loose flowers, tulsi, behl patra for my Shivji, bought mogra ladis (moyams) for Lakshmi, Durga Ma. I was totally satisfied with my shopping.

Tomorrow, yes, tomorrow is Ganesh Chaturthi, I am eagerly waiting for the dawn! I have taken down recipe from our website for Modak (Chits my ever helping friend – thank you). I am set to wake up at 3 and perform puja in Brahma Muhurat.

A tuck in my stomach, stiffness in my back, pull of nerves in my legs made me run to the calendar! OOOOOHHHH 28^th day is tomorrow and Mals - will you or won’t you! The 3 days curse for a woman was waiting to embrace me! I stood in my living room and it was like a kalyana madap full of puja items. I have been constantly checking and rechecking if everything is in order!

Oh My Friend Ganesha, thu rehna saath hamesha! Not tomorrow morning, Ganesha, not tomorrow morning, please re Ganesha! I want to perform the Puja, I want to Ganesha, it comes only once in a year and for the past 10 years I have been doing it without missing! Please Ganesha, my petition was placed at his feet.

I could not sleep, tossing to glory, I spent one hour on bed. A divine message came to me, “you will be given time, you can proceed with the puja, but keep elaborate prasadams away, you have very little time, go ahead with the puja and small Prasad will do”. I was thrilled, slept for 2 hours peacefully. Woke up at 3.30 and got going with the puja formalities. Again thanks to Chitvish for guiding me through the procedures and making it simple for me. Completed my puja, chanted Ganesha Ashtotarra Namavali, made simple pori, sugarcane etc. mixed prasadam, payasam and the sweets that I had bought from the South Indian Shop and concluded the puja. It was me and my Ganesha! A small get-together!

Later cooked a elaborate lunch for my 2 friends who had dropped in. Tired Mals but happy!

Attached is the picture of my Ganesha after Puja!


Ganapati Bappya Morya! Morya Re Bappa Morya Re!

woww...Malspie

Jai bolo ganesh bhagvaan ki ....Jaiiiii

Felt very very nice to read the pre preparations for pooja....you did sound mostly like us..the way we run around and hurry things and ask my husband to get stuff and we make arrangements....etc...really glad to know that you were able to cross that 3 days hurdle and were able to do pooja successfully..

may god grant your wishes!!

Mals,

Ganesha looks very divine. I love that pearl colored modaks. Happy Ganesh chaturti.

Hey malu darling......
happy to know that you performed your puja without any hinderance....and the decor and prasad looks divine.
Thanks for sharing.
Love.

Dear Mals,

Enjoyed reading your words. I am very happy for you !!! Good to see your Sweet Ganapathi in his charming attire.
Enjoy your day dear !! It is for you and our dear Ganeshji.

Thanks a lot dear...

Dear Sweet Pie !!!

Very nice to see the get together of you and Ganesha, enjoyed your writing as usual ... Though Im a Devotee of Melmaruvathur Aathiparasakthi, Lord Ganesh has been always a Special GOd in my life...particluarly in my mariage, I got a wonderful DH because of the blessings of Ganesha only , My DH name is also Ganesh

Admist of your heavy works, you hve done a great pooja nd Nievadiyam...Great Dear !!!

Thanks for sharing those wonderful Pics!!! Happy Vinayagar Chathurthi To You !!!

Saahithya,

The post was like a thanksgiving to the LORD! It was like waiting for a result! Imagine after complete preparations, you have to STAY AWAY!

God blessed me! Thanks for being the first one to step in!

Hi Samayal,

The idol you see in the puja sits in my temple everday! He has got "Chaitanya" and has started demanding things from me! He has granted boons to many people around! Slowly he will move to a big temple one day, hope my wishes come true.

Thanks dearie!

Dear Meetu,

The decor was very simple - all the way, I had a secret worry, the fire of postive vibrations made me go ahead with the preparations. This year I kept the decor very simple.

I wanted to thank God through this post, for being my true friend.

Bye!

Dear Gowri,

After the puja aarti, I jumped high to THANK GOD! How can I miss it! My heart would have been very heavy, if I had to miss the puja. In the last 10 years, the only year I abstained from it was the year I was mourning for my mother!

Thanks Gowri, enjoyed the day, also note, I slept like a DEAD FISH! DRAGGED MYSELF TO OFFICE TODAY.