Ganpati 2020

                                                                   Ganesh Chaturthi 2020

"Ganpati Bappa Morya, Mangal Murti Morya"

Since the past few months we have seen a major change in our living. The pandemic has clearly affected our lifestyle. So has, Ganesh Chaturthi been affected.  Being a Mumbaikar, I have never seen such a silent festive season. No dancing on Nashik dhol, no bursting of crackers or anything that used to happen.

Every year, a week before Ganesh Chaturthi, we could see ganesh mandals all around. The streets were all illuminated with different colors of lights. All houses were busy with cleaning and decorating. Invitation to visit the houses were all sent out. We all friends used to sit together and plan to whose house should we visit first. Going around huge Ganapati Mandals and sneaking into their decoration was so much fun. On the day of Ganapati there were lot of activities going around in the whole building, street, city, everywhere......... Ganapati was brought late at night with loud music and fantastic dance. There was not even a single day that passed without watching the live telecast of Lal Bagcha Raja.

But this year we have a whole different story. It was a silent Ganapati. No going around houses or visiting Ganesh Mandals. No live telecasts. There was no late night music or dance. The pandemic has highly effected the celebrations, and we all surely miss the fun that we used to have every year. But next year let us double the fun, that we all missed out this year. But I have to say this is probably one of the most green Ganapati seasons and let us maintain that. And pray to Bappa for better health and obviously for the vaccine.