Ganesh Chaturthi 2020: Amid the Pandemic

It's another festive time in India. It's the grand and the all-time favorite Ganesh Chaturthi here. Ganesh/Vinayaka Chaturthi is a 10-day Hindu festival celebrated on account of the birth of the elephant-headed deity: Lord Ganesha. The celebrations involve installation of Ganesh idols at homes and pandals, which is followed by worships and timely Artis (prayers) and eventually the immersion of the deity. The observance begins on the fourth day of the month Bhadrapada (August-September) according to the Hindu Calendar. This year, it's being observed today i.e. 22 August 2020 (Saturday). 

HISTORY

The Hindu folklore recounts that Lord Ganesha was created by Goddess Parvati with the use of sandalwood paste. Once he was requested by her to guard the entrance whilst she was in the bath. However, when Lord Shiva desired to enter the premises, Ganesha stopped him. This infuriated Lord Shiva and he sundered Ganesha's head. When Goddess Parvati got here to understand this fact, she was completely heartbroken. Lord Shiva promised and convinced her to bring Ganesha back to life. He thus instructed his followers to search for the head of the first living creature that they find as they ought to replace it on Ganesha's body. His followers came back with the head of an infant elephant and that's how Lord Ganesha was resuscitated. That's why in India we celebrate this auspicious happening as the "Ganesh Chaturthi". We welcome Vighnaharta (remover of obstacles) Ganesh into our lives with complete delight and celebrate his presence. 

How's the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi different this year?

With this Covid19 pandemic going on, it's quite unprecedented times for the devotees of Lord Ganesha. This year's Chaturthi will be without the passionate crowds and idols installation and immersion parades. Due to social distancing, it will definitely be saddening for all of us as we are going to miss our visits to the near by pandals, the participation in the Artis and the receiving of those delicious Prasad. We are indeed going to miss that all. However, this is time for the "New Normal". I feel our very notorious Lord Ganesha has given us a challenge to look how we celebrate this time's Chaturthi. And we must say: challenge accepted!

How do we celebrate this year?

As we are asked to stay at our homes, we are obviously forbidden to visit the pandals this year. However, there will be virtual streaming of pandals on the internet, where we can definitely have Darshan of the few magnificent Ganesh idols. Moreover, I think it's a given time for all of us to be with our families. And we must embrace it heartily. It's a good opportunity for all of us to celebrate this Ganesh Chaturthi with our family members. We may install a hand-made Ganesh idols at our homes and perform our rituals. 

It will be more fun to have some delicious food cooked at home such as home-made Modaks, Pooran Poolis, Kheer-Poori, etc. and enjoying them together. We will never get a moment like this one where we are able share blissfulness and delight with our family members. And particularly in these tough times, moments like these will surely cherish and make us move forward.

Conclusion

I wish a very joyous and blessed Ganesh Chaturthi to all of you. Let us embrace the blessings from Lord Ganesh (the remover of obstacles) and let us adapt to what's next. This too shall pass.