Ganesha Chaturthi 2017

Ganesha Chaturthi: Is one of the most important Hindu festivals which is celebrated throughout India but would like to say that it is celebrated now days globally wherever Indian’s are. Let me underline the importance of this festival which I have witnessed in Maharashtra from last 8 years. This festival is not only welcomed by Hindu’s but all the religions whether they are Sikh, Muslim, Christian, etc. with great devotion. 

Lord Ganesha is the symbol of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. There are numerous name of Lord Ganesha and each name depict the uniqueness; I do remember around 30 names which I could chant in a single breathe.

The word “Ganesha” pronounced as (Ganeśa) which consist of Sanskrit word “Gan” means Group and “Eśa” means Lord or Master. As per Hindu mythology – Lord Ganesha is governing the entire universe because universe consists of group of atoms and the behavior of each atom is different. To control and manage all the atoms in a group – Ganesha has taken that accountability.

Origin of Ganesha: Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. The birth of Ganesha happened for a reason. One day, Parvathi was planning to go for bath and she didn’t want to be disturbed during her bath since Nandi was not at Mt. Kailash to keep guard the door. She took turmeric from her body and made an idol (in a form of boy) and given life into him. 

She introduced him with all gods and also requested to bless her son. However Shani (Saturn) was also there and hesitating to look at the baby because Shani was cursed with the gaze of destruction. Parvathi insisted him to look at her baby and he did. The period of 7 ½ years immediately started when Shani (Saturn) looked at the Ganesha & later that was also the cause of head fell off.

During the birth of Ganesha - Lord Shiva was not in Kailash. Parvathi instructed Ganesha to guard the door and not allow anyone to enter till she finished her bath. Ganesha promised her mother that he would do the same. Subsequently, Lord Shiva came to Kailash and found that strange body guarding the door and obstructing him to enter. Shiva didn’t like the behavior of Ganesha even though he mentioned that he is Parvathi’s husband. But still Ganesha didn’t allow him to enter then finally Lord Shiva decided to fight with that boy. During the fight, he beheaded him with his Trishul. This incident was a forecasted event as a part of curse given by Rishis Kashyap (Father of Sun) to Shiva when Shiva had killed Lord Sun. Rishis Kashyap cursed Shiva that he would lose his son’s head one day. After the death of Lord Sun, Shiva realized that the entire creation would be impacted if Sun would absent. Therefore he restored the life to the dead body but the curse given by Rishis Kashyap couldn’t be taken back.

When goddess Parvathi got to know about his son was beheaded by his own father then she didn’t control her anger and decided to destroy the entire creation. It was very hard time for Trimurti [Lord Brahma the creator, Lord Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer / re-generator] to control Goddess Parvathi. Goddess Parvathi had put two conditions in the front of all the lords – 

(a). Restore the life of her dead son as it is 
(b). Her son should be worshiped first among all the gods then she wouldn’t destroy the entire creation. 

Lord Shiva was bounded with some principal; he could restore the life again but could not join the same head. He sent his Shiva-dutas out with orders to bring back the head of the first creature that is lying dead with its head facing North. The Shiva-dutas soon returned with the head of a strong and powerful elephant which Lord Brahma placed onto boy's body. Breathing new life into him, he was declared as Gajanana and gave him the status of being foremost among the gods, and leader of all the Ganas (classes of beings), Ganapati.

All the Lords and Goddess had given one portion of their power to Ganapati and added responsibilities to take care of the universe. 

One day Parashurama (an avatar of Vishnu) wanted to visit Kailash to meet Lord Shiva but his way was blocked by Ganapati. Parashurama hurled himself at Ganesha with his axe and Ganesha (knowing that this axe was given to him by Shiva) allowed himself out of respect to be struck and lost his tusk as a result. That’s why Ganpati also named as Ekdanth.

The famous epic “Mahabharata” (The Kuruksetra War between Pandava and Kaurava princes) was narrated by Poet Vyasa and written by Ganesha from his broken tusk. 

Ganesha Symbolism:

 P.C – Taken from Google and Appreciating the efforts of author for explaining the things nicely.

Ganesha Chaturthi is a ten-day festival which mainly happens during the month of August and September where people are celebrating the Birthday of Ganesha. People across the India and globally install the idol of Ganesha at their home, public places (on temporary stage called as Pandal). Maharashtra is the hub where you can find lot of devotees coming from different states to get the blessing of Ganesha (mainly Mumbai - Lalbaugcha Raja Charan or Mukh Darshan, Siddhivinayak Temple; Pune – Dagduseth Temple and many more places). I started installing the idol of Ganesh @ home in Pune from last year; previously I was doing during school days. I visit Mumbai every year to get the glimpse of Ganesha and within Pune. 

Here are the glimpses of Ganesha Chaturthi (2017) which I captured through my lens in spite of facing the huge crowd of devotees.

Title: Ganesha Chaturthi 2017
Year: 2017
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrPnVaHcU3s

GANAPATI BAPPA MORYA AGLE BARAS TU LAUKARIYA… 

QA Lunchbox

QA Lunchbox: This title is definitely used from an Indian film – The Lunchbox (2013) but I wanted to use this word to articulate the recent QA team event which we did last Friday dated – 01/09/2017. Prior to start penning down the stuff about our recent event – Let me refresh the old memories of our childhood.

During school days, we all were carrying our lunchbox with us which holds a sweet treasure within it. An effort of our mother who starts their morning by making tasty and healthy food for us, day after day, for about 17+ years. Hats Off To You Mom!!!

Having lunch during recess time was a normal trend but if we break all the rules and try to maintain the decorum of having at least one bite of our lunch box during lecture time that gives us a pleasant feeling.
I would like to highlight the person who took the maximum benefit among all – Back Benchers!

Lunchtime “Tiffin time” also teaches us a valuable life lesson – The joy of sharing which make us a better human being.

Let’s compare the old days with current IT days – Today we also carry our lunch box but that doesn’t give us that feeling. We eat at our desk; sometime alone or sometime in a group – Just to calm down our hungry stomach… nothing else.

Recently QA team has come with an idea of having lunch together in office. To progress on this idea – Varsha has sent a voting email about Friday Team Lunch and most of the responses were YES because people were in assumption that she is giving us a treat. Later, it turned as T.T.M.M. We requested all not to carry your lunch box on Friday because we would be having a “Common Food”

Next challenging task was to decide the Common Food for all. Neha has made everyone’s task easier. She took the snapshot of menu one day prior so that we should decide the items properly and finalize it. The items which were finalized for all – As usual Corporate Panner, Jira Link (Jeera) Rice, RAG Status Amber Fried Dal, Best Execution (Butter) Naan & Aloo (Mifid) Matar.  

On Friday, Neha has ordered the stuffs with agreed quantity and also informed all that our things would be in place by 12:30 PM IST. Team started in and went through their basic email check & today’s task.

At 12:30 -12:45 PM IST; we started moving towards canteen where few volunteers have blocked the entire row for 29 people. We had a tasty food together with joy of sharing the plates & foods – Reminded me the old days of our school life. One thing I would like to mention here – During the lunch, not a single person talked about their project and all. Well we all are part of a family now so would like to quote here:

Families that eat together, stay together!!

Post lunch, we had Malai Kulfi, Lime Water & Butter Milk – That added sweet taste at the end & support digestion :)