This was on the Sunday, 3 days after Independence day, at Chinchpokli, a central Mumbai suburb, from where various Ganpatibappas were making their way to their festival homes. This festival, besides being celebrated in individual homes, is celebrated in a combined way by communities, with folks volunteering for all the activities, like, managing arrivals, controlling crowds of worshippers at the venue, and en route, the daily worship ritual, the prasad distribution, overall law and order , etc etc.
The Lord , on his way to Dongri (another suburb). Possibly keeping an eye on the condition of the road. This year the municipal authorities have been unable to guarantee pothole free roads.
En route.....
The volunteers from Dongri, celebrating 75 years of celebrating the Lords festival.
You have to be extra careful, navigating the narrow lanes , that lead out of the workshops. So many clicking , trying to capture His Immense Presence.
Some folks clearly have the best view of the Lord....
Learning from a young age ......
He keeps an eye on us all .....
Ganpati Bappa Morya ! and the procession continues.....
With the traditional Bhikbali ear ornament......
The Grant road ( South Mumbai ) Ganpati bappa escorted by a peacock.
The Lord was also a child once......
Baby Ganpati Bappa on a shell. Blowing of a shell is an auspicious event in the worship ritual.
Even the trains stopped to watch the Lord !! A view from the station before we left.....
