Lakshmi Iyer
India Post News Service
SAN JOSE, CA: Radio Zindagi hosted their annual Ganeshotsav festival at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in south San Jose, California near Tully Road on September 15 and 16. The festivities resembled the community Ganeshotsav celebrations in Maharashtra, India where giant idols of the elephant headed Hindu deity adorn giant makeshift altars (‘pandals’). Many of these displays feature themes of social and historical importance or legends from Indian mythological tales. The daily festivities usually include dance and other cultural activities and after ten days, the idol is carried to a water body such as the sea or a lake for immersion with great pomp.
Here, too, a giant Ganesha idol was seated on the stage on a lotus, His four arms holding weapons and blessing devotees. The backdrop had a digital kaleidoscopic display that lit up brilliantly with patterns, and the image of a burning fire. The fair had food and clothing booths along with other businesses. Creative displays of garlands of fake marigolds, tulle-like fabric over ladders, colorful crates and cutouts of adorable child Ganesha made for attractive photo booths where attendees posed for pictures with their families and friends.
Colorful lanterns and garlands adorned trees as well, giving a very festive look. A traditional Lezim dance performance was held on the grounds. In the evenings around 8:30 to 9:00 pm, a grand ‘Maha aarti’ (offering) was held while traditional devotional ‘aarti’ songs and chants were played on the music system.
Sponsors and exhibitors were invited to join the organizers on the stage during this ceremony.
On Sunday, September 16, after the grand ‘Maha Aarti’, a procession with a smaller idol of Ganesha was announced. This would be the idol that would be immersed. As the emcee said, concern for the environment prevents them from immersing the very large “Bappa” – Ganesha. The emcee led chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morayya” and “Ek Do Teen Chaar – Ganpati ki Jay Jaykaar”.
Before the procession, children from Gurus of Dance – an Aditya Patel Dance Company performed a lively dance to the beat of a medley of popular Bollywood songs. The celebrations came to a fitting close with a grand display of fireworks.
