Category Archives: Ganesh Festival in Bengaluru
Spiderman to Eega: Namma-style Ganeshas in Bangalore
As Ganesh Chaturthi draws closer, the markets are reverberating with the sounds of skilled idol makers giving the final, finishing touches to the lovable, elephant god which is visible on every alley and bylane, all through Vishveshpuram and a few other areas of Bangalore. We see tiny figurines to massive Ganesha idols measuring 25 feet high that are beautifully moulded in plaster of paris, decorated and depicted in various postures, colours and sizes.
Craftsmen who create Ganesha do not limit to only traditional idol making as they now take customised orders also. This year, eco-friendly Ganeshas are more in demand with the government and various NGOs spreading the need to switch over to images made from mud and natural dyes. Ganesha as Bala Gangadhar Tilak is the all time favourite of M Srinivas who has been selling Ganesha and Gowri idols on RV Road for the past 67 years. “It was Bal Gangadhar Tilak who popularised Ganesha festival during the freedom struggle. It is his day too and my favourite festival,” he says.
Although Ganesha idols comes out in different avatars every festival, this year’s flavour is Spiderman Ganesha and some have even depicted as Eega based on film star Sudeep’s hit movie. Apart from the traditional images, there are other types of Ganeshas dressed as Badagala (farmers surrounded by other farmers and cows). M Srinivas says, “Why should America only have a superhero. We want to show our heroes in the form of God. This time, we got an order to make Lord Ganesha as a Spiderman that hardly has a belly with short tusks.”
Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/spiderman-to-eega-nammastyle-ganeshas-in-bangalore/292775-62-132.html
For Mahouts & Kavadis, it’s business as usual on Ganesha Festival
By Kiran Kumar, Star of Mysore
Basavanna‘s ‘Work is worship’ philosophy is very much seen here among the tribals taking care of Dasara elephants camped in the City Palace premises ever since they arrived here on Aug. 8.
At a time when the entire city was celebrating Gowri-Ganesha festivities, the tribals comprising the Mahouts, Kavadis and their families were busy attending to elephants, caring and feeding them. These people are, however, humble enough to admit they are only the commonest of the people, doing their assigned duty. They also claim that they need not be seen only as children from the forests, as they too can understand everything going on around them.
When asked how they celebrated the festival, their answer was merely a laugh, while claiming that taking care of elephants was itself a big festival for them.
When further questioned whether they were happy only at this job, these children of the nature retorted saying that they prepared ‘Anna-Sambar’ and this itself was something special for them.
Vasantha, the mahout of Dasara elephant ‘Arjuna’, said that they celebrate Ganesha festival only if they were living in the forests. “We also bring Ganesha idols from nearby towns and carry the idol in a procession to our place, where the idol will be worshipped with devotion. The idol will be immersed in a river after 5-6 days and we always use colourless Ganapathi idols.”
However, Kavadi Manju points out that Ganapathi idols need not be necessarily brought from the town. Several tribal habitats (Haadis) themselves prepare clay Ganesha idols. These idols are not painted.
Mahout Vasanth and his wife Ambika say that they have been celebrating Ganesha festival since many years. But they can not celebrate it according to their traditions once they were out of the forest with the Dasara elephants. They visit the Ganapathi temple in the Palace premises for worshipping the Almighty along with their children Akash and Tarunya. As part of the festival, they buy new clothes for children, they say with a sense of fulfillment.
Although the couple do not prepare the trademark Obbattu and Payasa for the festival, they feel pretty satisfied making Uppittu and Kesari Baath, says Ambika.
The story is almost the same in other tribal households, when during the festival celebration, there will be a strict ban on consumption of alcohol and meat, she adds.
As for the children, work is worship for them also. The children take active part in giving oil bath to the elephants on festival day, besides grooming them.
They feed the elephants with sugarcane, jaggery, paddy, grass etc., much to the relish-ment of the pachyderms.
These children spend time involving themselves in clearing the dung, taking the jumbos for rehearsal etc. The festival day is not much different from other days, for which they have no regrets either, their only intention being the welfare of elephants.
The children also claim that unless the elephants are not looked after properly, there are chances of them attacking other elephants. As such, they cannot keep themselves away from the elephants for long, they say adding they cannot wear new clothes while taking care of elephants.
Pay Homage To Holy Ganesha At Bangalore’s One And Only Dodda Ganesha Temple
Quietly nestled in the picturesque environs of Basavanagudi lies one of Bangalores most venerated religious sites, the Dodda Ganesha Temple. Located next to the equally revered Dodda Basavana Gudi Bull Temple the shrine is also located close to famed Bugle Rock Park which features a water tank decorated with the motifs of prominent figures in Karnataka. Occupying a prime position on Bull Temple Road the Dodda Ganesha Temple is also one of the most popular landmarks in the Garden City of Bangalore.
Attracting visitors from far and wide the holy site was converted into the sprawling temple with a monumental idol by Kempegowda I who was incidentally the founding father of Bangalore. Local folklore states that the monarch was strolling in the area in ancient times when he encountered several rocks and a particular boulder which had the likeness of Lord Ganesha etched on its surface. Kempegowda I then instructed his sculptors to convert the boulder into a larger-than-life idol of the deity carved out of a single stone slab.
Renowned for its sheer size and scale the massive idol measures a whopping 18 feet in height with an equally impressive width of 16 feet. Lord Ganesha who is also known as Satya Ganapthi and Shakthi Ganapathi is believed to dwell in this venerated locale which is frequented by many a devotee in search of solace and blessings. Locals believe that the idol in the temple is expanding on its right side. Bedazzled in many a decoration due to various ceremonies throughout the week the statue is perhaps best known for being bathed in 100kg of butter (or Benne Alankara) during festival time. The butter coated idol is undoubtedly one of the most unique sights in Bangalore with a whopping 100kg of Benne or butter used in a single coating.
Pilgrims and visitors can visit the temple from 7 am to 12.30 in the afternoon while the temple reopens at 5.30pm before closing for the day at 8.30pm every day.
Ganesha festival celebrated with fervour in Karnataka
Bangalore: Prayers were offered in temples and at community pandals today as Ganesh festival was celebrated across Karnataka with religious gaiety and fervour. Devotees brought idols of the elephant-headed God to their homes and offered sweet delicacies ‘modak’ and ‘poli’. Resplendent rangolis adorned houses while several temples were decked up for the occasion. Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda along with his family members visited the Ganesha temple at Malleshwaram here early in the morning and offered prayers. Rains in Udupi did not deter devotees from celebrating the festival.
Rajajinagar Ganesh pandal: It’s an all-girl show here
Charan C S, TNN
BANGALORE: Ganesha pandals which crop up this time of year usually have young men in charge of the celebrations. But the one in Rajajinagar III Block 14th Main — Vidya Ganapa Gelatiyara Sangha — stands out, for it’s a rare girls-only group.
It’s been a decade since the Ganesha pandal has been going up on this road. The girls took over five years ago, after the original group split up.
Says Swathi B V, who along with Heer P Mehta decided to continue what the boys did till 2004: “My brother and his friends worshipped Ganesha till their group split, owning to relocation of its members. We thought of taking it forward, and now we are into our sixth year.”
And who’s their leader? Shruthi S M said: “Work is clearly demarcated. In a way, the group is led by everyone.” The Sangha has members right from LKG to II PU, who contribute their mite.
What started off in a garage with a modest budget of Rs 1,000 has now touched the five-digit mark. Nevertheless, the group is clear about spending what is in hand and not overshoot the budget. Many residents of their lane contribute cash in advance, while the girls seek donations when the festival is round the corner. Their relatives sponsor gifts and prizes.
The girls organize competitions for children in singing, dancing, musical chair and rangoli.
Boys join them only at the climax — to escort the group to Sankey Tank to immerse the idol. They go in a convoy of three cars and as many bikes to bid farewell to Ganapa.
LORD AND HIS LASSES: Heer P Mehta (BCom), Swathi B V (II PU), Shruthi S M and Deeksha P (I PU), Apoorva B S and Krupa K (Class 10), Sulekha R and Deepthi S M (Class 9), Amulya B S (Class 8), Varsha S M, Amulya S M, Parvathi M (Class 3) and Samhitha U S (LKG)
Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-31/bangalore/29949205_1_pandal-ganesha-girls
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They sculpt God here
Shrabonti Bagchi, TNN
BANGALORE: On the top floor of his small two-storey house in Pottery Town, 37-year-old Murali Boji sits on a low stool, a potter’s wheel in front of him. On the pedestal of the wheel is a small Ganesha idol that he is putting finishing touches to: pinching a bit of clay here to create an ornament, moulding a bit there to round off an already plump arm.
Murali and nine other members of his family, brothers, their wives and children live in this house. Almost all members of the family are involved in some way or the other in creating the Ganesha idols, and it shows. Ganeshas spill out of every available space in this tiny pink house. They have taken over the main hall, where an apprentice highlights the jewellery of the clay idols with a bright golden paint.
In a small room next door, Murali’s wife and sisters-in-law are busy painting others with deft, practised touches, barely stopping to look down at the brush and the clay as they answer questions briskly. The stairs are lined on both sides with Ganeshas ready to make their appearance on Thursday; other Ganeshas sit in front of a pedestal fan, airing themselves even as Murali sends up prayers that they dry fast enough for them to start the paint work.
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Namma Metro has date with Ganesha
Bengaluru: Namma Metro begins its first run in the city on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, on September 1, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) sources told Deccan Chronicle.
The Research Designs and Schedules Organisation submits its approval for Metro’s launch to BMRCL by end July, to be forwarded to the Commissioner for Railway Safety who will conduct an inspection and give his authorisation.
“Not much work remains to be done on Reach-1. The civil work is almost complete. RDSO’s report based on oscillation trials conducted in June is expected in a fortnight and we will then approach the CRS, who will not take more than 10 days for an inspection. We expect a safety certificate by the last week of August, and so September 1 is right for the launch. We will announce the date once everything is in place,” says a BMRCL officer.
M’lore: Ganapathy idols getting ready
With only 10 days to go for Vinayaka Chaturthi the Ganapathy idols are getting ready everywhere in the city. Two main points are in Car street and Mannagudda. Unlike Bangalore and Mysore, Mangalore does not have moulded Ganapathy idols, everything is handcrafted and families take up the task of making the idols.
According to Mr. Prabhakar Rao at Mannagudda, the demand for idols were increasing every year and this year he had an order for over 20 large Ganapathi idols for sarvajanika Ganapathy functions, while another 100 smaller Ganapathis have been ordered. All of them will have to be ready by 10th September in time for consecration.
At Car street Mr. Shenoy has a full establishment of Ganapathy making. He and his cousins take up construction of idols. “It takes not less than two days to construct one large idol fit for consecration. The painting takes not less than 5-6 hours per idol. But the problem has been getting the clay, nowadays the clay came at premium. All old suppliers have discontinued prospecting for clay and the existing suppliers are finding it difficult to find new clay deposits. The clay was also ever getting costlier” he added.
Mr. Rao whose family was into the third generation of Ganapathy builders however appear to be comfortable with the raw materials. There was always a problem with the clay but somehow we are getting the required raw material. “Over the years considering the environmental pollution we have also switched over to organic paints which has been appreciated by the district administration,” he said..
The cost of the Ganapthy idols have gone up considerably since last year. A large sarvajanika Ganapathy idol in sitting posture for 6 feet has gone upto Rs. 15,000 while the smaller ones command rates according to their size and composure. But clients do not worry about the cost.
In Mangalore alone there are over 100 Sarvajanika Ganapathis all over the city and neighbouring towns like Buntwal, Moodbidri, Surathkal and Ullal. Many people of Kasargod also take Ganapathies from Mangalore.
Don’t buy painted Ganesh idols, says Karnataka government
The State Government of Karnataka has appealed to the people to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in an eco-friendly way by opting for unpainted idols.
Fisheries, Ports and Inland Water Transport Minister J. Krishna Palemar, addressing presspersons here on Friday after meeting with the Bangalore Water Sanitary and Sewage Board, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike and Lake Development Authority officials here, said idols should be immersed in designated spots in the larger interests of the environment and to prevent water contamination.
The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has framed guidelines which will be distributed to the public. They include avoiding sale and worship of idols coloured with metal-based paints, providing impermeable lining for immersion tanks and spreading awareness through mass media, Kanwar Pal, Secretary, Department of Environment and Ecology, told The Hindu. The meeting discussed measures to stem increasing contamination of lakes, wells and groundwater such as demarcation and fencing of lake beds, intercepting and diverting sewage away from lakes, setting up sewage treatment plants, greening the lakes’ periphery and so on.
Polluted
Of 135 lakes under the BBMP’s purview and 35 under the BDA, 40 were polluted. The KSPCB had issued closure notices to 46 industrial units that did not comply with the environmental law, including the Water Act. It has filed 18 criminal cases against apartment owners also, besides filing criminal cases against the BWSBB, city municipal councils and town municipal councils for discharging untreated sewage into water bodies, Mr. Palemar said.
The Lake Development Authority has developed 16 lakes in the State, including Amani tank in Tumkur, Hombalamma and Gowramma tanks in Magadi and Kundawala Lake in Davangere district, he said.
Source: The Hindu
Groups campaign for green Ganeshas
Not all Bengalureans are leaving it to the government to popularise eco-friendly Ganeshas this festival. Several voluntary organisations have opened counters selling Ganeshas that are more environment friendly in shops and other places where they are sold, to give people an alternative to the more colourful, but also ecologically harmful idols on display.
Youth For Seva, for instance is running an e-campaign to encourage people to opt for lead-free Ganesha idols and make a difference to the environment at the individual level.
“We are also trying to convince the craftsmen to make colourless idols as the demand for them is rising with every passing year. You now find several such idols on display and on sale in Bengaluru,” says G. Shrinivas, coordinator of the Parisara Ganapthi programme run by Youth for Seva.
Several institutes are also planning to conduct surveys of lakes in the city this year to see how polluted they get after the idols are immersed in them. “These surveys could provide a fresh insight into the contamination of the water bodies due to immersion of idols,” says an environmental expert with a city firm. While welcoming the role that voluntary groups and organisations are beginning to play in making the Ganesha festival more eco-friendly, N. Shashidhara, principal advisor, National Referral Centre for Lead Poisoning of India, says more awareness needs to be created about lead poisoning to deter people from buying idols that are made with harmful paint.
He also thinks Karnataka could learn a thing or two from West Bengal, where the government gives away prizes for pandals that participate in the festival in an eco-friendly manner. “Eco-Durga is a new concept catching on in West
Bengal and it can be replicated in Karnataka,” he says.
Source: Deccan Chronicle
