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An Act of Estimating Something as Worthless.

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Ganpati Boppa Moriya!


Ganpati Boppa Moriya!
. Early morning Ganesh Chaturti festivities in my room. వినాయక చవితి శుభాకాంక్షలు!

(And oh, తెలుగు వికిపీడియాకీ జై!)

posted by The Cydonian @ 9:13 am  

12 Comments:

  • At 12:23 pm, Blogger Harish Mallipeddi said…

    Nice! You guys actually did something unlike me who woke up at 12 and spent the next 30 mins searching for my glasses (without them I'm almost blind :)

     

  • At 2:32 pm, Blogger The Cydonian said…

    Heh.

    I was like that until 2002, when I did a rain-check on the things I miss the most from home. The Ganesh Chaturthi and its puja figured quite high on the list.

    Now the morning of Ganesh Chaturti is about the only time I really get religious.

     

  • At 5:38 pm, Blogger Khanh said…

    Happy Ganesh Chaturti! Not sure what the salutation is for this holiday, but I hope it was a good one for you. Actually, I don't even know why this festival is a big deal. Please explain when you get a chance.

    BTW, I think it is funny that you went all out in setting up your shrine with the coconut, bananas and marigolds but neglected to put a bedsheet on your mattress. What would your mother say!

     

  • At 7:22 pm, Blogger The Cydonian said…

    What would your mother say!

    HAHAHAHA!

    Since you asked, here's what she said:
    great!book shelf looks so neat and blessed! u seem to have new ganesha,how is the glass one doing?

    I guess she wasnt being observant enough. ;-)

     

  • At 8:16 pm, Blogger The Cydonian said…

    Oh wait, didnt notice your first para.

    Not sure what the salutation is for this holiday

    If you want to go Telugu about it, the proper way to greet is to say vinayaka chaviti subhaakaamkshalu. Or you could say, Ganpati Boppa Moriya in Marathi, as I've titled the pic. But if you can't pronounce either, Happy Ganesh Chaturti is fine! :-)

    Actually, I don't even know why this festival is a big deal. Please explain when you get a chance.

    Birthday, so to speak, of the elephant-trunk-ed God, Ganesh. Supposed to be unlucky to see the moon without doing the puja (ceremonial prayer) to Ganesh. You're supposed to immerse the idol and the flowers in a body of water (within) 11 days later.

    For a more detailed explanation.... well, I'll try to post on it soon! :-)

    BTW, I think it is funny that you went all out in setting up your shrine with the coconut, bananas and marigolds

    Shopped for an hour in Serangoon, of which 10 minutes was the haggling, and the rest was eating out. Spent some 15 minutes effectively setting the idol up. The flowers came during the puja; you're supposed to drop a flower after mentioning each one of Ganesha's 108 names. You break a coconut after the end of the puja, much like those guys we saw in that temple near Keong Siak Road. Except that I'm rather bad at it, and ended up striking a hammer against it, almost as if I was driving a nail into a wall. I'm rather good at that.

    Indeed, compared to "regular" Ganesh pandals (Indian English!) I was considerably minimalist; you're supposed to hang leaves on top of the Ganesha idol. Couldn't find a frame in time, and indeed, wouldn't have had enough time to actually set it all up either. Also, made it a point to get a clay idol and not one made of Plaster of Paris, which has become mainstream now; we not only tip our hats to religion and nostalgia on this day, but also to eco-friendliness. B-)

    The goal basically was to finish everything off and still reach work on time, which meant two hours to work with, with an hour's buffer. Was rather successful in that respect; but if you're a purist, you'd probably start looking at gaping holes. One of Ganesha's arms, for instance, is conspicious by its absence. :-)

    but neglected to put a bedsheet on your mattress.

    Hahah, oh the bedsheet's there alright, it's in chequered brown; it just got pulled back a little overnight for reasons I can't elaborate on. :-|

    (Had 10 minutes to take that pic before rushing to work, and it was important that I take the picture and upload/send it before the crowds woke up in India and the US)

     

  • At 2:20 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    your nice elaborate replies to khanh.. remind me.. of the stories you started .. I thought the titles especially the 'vindaloo' one was cool.. how far have they come..
    and ya, vinayaka chathurthi shubhakaankshalu.........
    all I did was eat 'undraalu' made by my friend..
    --Prasanna.

     

  • At 10:48 pm, Blogger The Cydonian said…

    Prasanna: Heh, sooon, really soon. Just need to be in the mode.


    Zae's Love Child, what can I say; I'm as surprised as you to find myself in Singapore. I don't know what I was thinking; must have taken a left turn at Alberqueque. [*]

    Thanks for dropping by though!

    [*] - Brownie points for anyone who gets the reference. :-|

     

  • At 5:35 am, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Look doc, I don't need 'em brownie points, but you just got yourself a bill for $50 for that copyright infringement. And Don't gimme none of that Singapore Dollars crap. We want American Greenbacks. Lots of em. Elmer and Porkie are on their way. I suggest staying away from the bunny suit.

    Sincerely,

    Bugs.

     

  • At 12:37 pm, Blogger The Cydonian said…

    Bugs: Ain't I a stinker?

    (Seriously, COOLEST COMMENT EVAR!!!! I bow to your superior comedic skills, O Anon, that was truly inspired.)

    Zae's LC: I'm legally-mandated to haunt Singapore for two more years, and even that's subject to extension. Singapore's worst nightmare (I litter AND cause grievious harm to plants!) won't end anytime soon. :-|

     

  • At 5:12 am, Blogger Govar said…

    LOL! Some name you've got. I last saw it in some GK book.

    Came in thro sambharmafia...

     

  • At 5:28 am, Blogger Metlin said…

    w00t!

     

  • At 8:59 am, Blogger The Cydonian said…

    Govar: Why yes, I am a trivia addict! Thanks for dropping by anyway.

    Metlin: Gracias.

     

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