Re: [nukkad] Ganesh Chaturthi.

[Harshal Chhaya <>]

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Even though Vishwas sent the original email, here are my answers:


> Q 1. Was there no Chaturthi before Tillak? I thought the belief is as old as
> Hind.

Ganesh Chaturthi was always celebrated. Tilak popularised the concept of
'sarvajanik' or public celebrations. This created a sense of community.
This probably also brought the festival into the mainstream.


> Q 2. Is it only Maharashtrian, this day, or celebrated nationwide?

I am sure it is celebrated nationwide. However, the celebration
is more public and grandiose in Maharashtra due to the Tilak influence.


> Q 3. 100 crore rupees transacted. Sounds like business rather than worship.

This is true of any public celebration. Who knows how many crores
exchange hands during Diwali or Christmas?


> Q 4. Major economical even?. Boy, that's lack of candor, thank you.

Not sure what you mean here.


> Q 5. "VISARJAN PROCESSION". Why do they drown the god?

I don't know. 
Does anyone know the history/mythology behind the
visarjan? The Durga idols are also immersed after Durga puja. Any
information on this?


> Q 6. God of Wisdom. Honestly, does this mean the people or he?

Again, I don't know what you mean by your question. According to the
mythology, Ganesh was granted many boons by his father, Shiva to console
Parvati. One of them was wisdom. One of the others was to be considered the
one who wards off evil - 'dukh harta'.
I think this is different that destroying evil.


> Q 7. Kill all the evil in the world? Would have to kill almost all 6 billion
> residents..

Such dark pessimissim does not become you, Arya.


> By the way, which is right version:
> 
> Ganapati bappa moraya, Mangalmoorti moraya, or
> Ganapati bappa moriya, ursha varshi dhokariya.

They are not either/or. And the second phrase in the second line is
'pudhchya varshi luvkarya' which means 'come back soon next year'.
The first line is generally used when the idols are brought home
and installed and the second line (in conjunction with the
first) when is used on the way to immersion.

Hope this helps,
- 'shal


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