Birthday celebration for Hindu deity, Ganesha (Ganesh Cha Thurthi)

Out of pure curiosity I had gone to the nearest Hindu temple I knew of to see what it was like. I didn't see anyone around and decided to explore by myself. However, I was frightened at the sight of a statue and I quickly ran. Picture the scene where Snow White is alone in the forest and begins to see things and runs frantically about only instead of falling to the ground, I safely got into my car. Not one to admit defeat I returned...two months later, but I returned. I parked and saw nobody around but I knew there must be people inside the temple. I walked around and didn't see anyone. I walked to the place where I had seen the statue; I wanted to face what frightened me. It was Shiva staring at me from a glass window! I had seen him in pictures while studying mythology before. Just then I heard a "Hey!" behind me. I was glad to see a live human when I turned around. Had I seen another statue I would've sworn the place off! He was an aide and he kindly informed me that the temple was closed that day but to come back next week because they were holding an event. I told him thank you and said I would come to it.

True to my word I came back the day he informed me it would take place. I finally saw people there, which made me so happy. I followed where everyone was going and discovered I was mistaken. The temple was an entirely different building on the opposite side of the one I was exploring. On the side of the temple there was a collection of shoes, which must be removed before entering. I quickly obliged to the custom.

I then set my eyes on the stairway before me. It was illuminated all the way up by rainbow colored lights. On the top I saw a great big bell that was being rung by all the people going in. Laughter caught my attention to my lower left side where I saw little kids washing their feet. There was a small golden faucet that was opened whenever feet needed to be cleaned before stepping on the stairs that lead to the temple. I made my way up and was greeted with a smile from everyone making his or her way inside. Others were ringing the bell as I entered the temple. Everything inside was very luminous. To my right, women were seated together on the floor with their legs crossed and the men were seated a few steps back. Later I learned this is done due to different energies. The children were sitting to my right side with plates and clay. They were making the deity, Ganesha, out of clay. If the parents were sitting with them they would help on. All of their plates contained leaves.

A woman began to sing and a bare chested man, which I assumed correctly was the priest, began to speak. The priest would demonstrate how to make the head and his aide would go around and show them the demonstration. The children were ecstatic! They were told they could put rose petals on the plate and after this was done they prayed to the clay image.

My eyes then started to notice the clothing worn by the attendees. The women wore saris of different colors, all were adorned beautifully with jewels, their hair would accentuate their already lit up faces full of joy. The men wore sherwanis and looked quite handsome. Not all were wearing saris or sherwanis, comfortable wear was acceptable and they still looked tidy. I finally looked around the room; it was filled with lights, many colors were used that made the room look vibrant. There were twelve tents with jars. Fruit and leaves adorned them and the red, purple, and gold colors accented them.

The priest asked for silence and they sang a song to Ganesha. He then asked if the children were ready, with clay image, to pray. They replied with an enthusiastic yes. He instructed them to put the yellow rice that was before them, in their right hand. A lady aide went to all children and put a red dot on them one by one. Now the children offer (pour) the rice to Ganesha. They offer a spoonful of water and the priest begins to chant. They again offer the yellow rice, which I am told means food. After a chant that follows they offer red powder, which means sacred. The children are given leaves and instructed to dip them in water. Yellow rice is offered a third time and a chant is repeated four times. Dark yellow powder is then thrown over the clay Ganesha as well as red powder. The chant said was, Samar Payani. The chant means to offer to drink or an offering with devotion.

Looking around I can see that all images are decorated with flower necklaces and have a variety of flowers at their feet. I notice Shiva and Parvati in the center have lights on them. All of them look beautiful.

The lady aide begins to say blessings as she lights a lamp. Everyone starts to clap in unison and a beat drums off in the distance with a symbol sounding off almost like a whisper. The priest aides begin to distribute bananas to the children. The kids instinctively offer it to Ganesha and the beat of the drums and clapping continues. The beat of the drums is a loud one and much faster. A unison singing commences making the atmosphere very undeniably cheerful. Next to me two children hug each other and smile. The last offering the children do is sprinkle water on the banana and place it on the plate for Ganesha. The priest says a prayer and the whole community repeats. The aids come out from the back and give each child a gift as a song sounds off beginning slowly then quickly gaining momentum. With enthused children the singing becomes louder. The priest demands attention and tells everyone to repeat after him. The lady aide lights candles and waves them. Everyone prays in unison with the priest. The aids bring in a statue of Ganesha sitting on top of red and gold pillows, everyone sings happy birthday to him. The priest suggests singing louder which the community happily obliges to. Everyone claps at the end of the song and the priest thanks the attendees for coming.

Making our way out of the temple, much to everyone's delight, a double rainbow appeared! I heard a man telling his son that Ganesha was happy. Everyone within earshot agreed.

I was much delighted in how the community was welcoming. All smiled at me or helped me get around. I had a magnificent time learning about a new culture with incredibly cheerful people.

With Love,

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