A joyous ten-day pageant of Ganeshotsav got here to a detailed on Anant Chaturdashi, and I may really feel the air crackling with palpable power. The streets of Mumbai got here alive with a vibrant tapestry of urchins and multimillionaires dancing on streets to chants and rhythmic drums, confetti, majestic plumes and streamer bits flying into the clouds. The ambiance pulsates with the fervor of Ganpati aarti as preparations for the Ganpati visarjan, or immersion ceremony, start in earnest. This was my first up-close participation – an expertise that reverberated throughout every cell with a sense indescribable past definition.
Poignant farewell with the Jains
At my expensive good friend Nina’s household gathering, her in-laws to be, I’m aware about Rima and Manoj Jain’s puja and aarti at their residence, after which ‘Bappa’, resplendent in his finery, was raised by the younger males of the household lending all their power to the three-foot-high deity to position it in a pandal downstairs.
Ahead of our procession of the household congregation, (with me awe-struck by the complete pageantry) the band of drummers, cymbal gamers and musicians with conventional pipes in gear and the attribute Maharashtrian topi twirled and danced excessive into the air, forward of the procession clearing Bappa’s Visarjan, filling the air with their infectious beats, whereas actor Aadar Jain, fiancé Alex, his twin Armaan Jain, Jihaan Advani, Junior GVK Keshav Reddy with spouse Vee Reddy who flew down specifically for the visarjan – collectively throng the streets dancing crying out in passionate accented reverence, “Ganpati Bappa Moriya, Pudchya Varshi Laukar ya!” (Lord Ganesha, return to us quickly subsequent yr!).
We walked a long way – as per our endurance – after which in twos and threes took seats within the convoy of empty vehicles that had been following. In the automobile, it struck dwelling to me that I felt a twinge of poignance at our beloved deity, in all the enjoyment and enthusiasm, was to enter the ocean at Chowpatty seaside.
The scene was an impressive panorama with Rima Jain providing a very shifting send-off.
She is the daughter of legendary Raj Kapoor and my mom reminisces concerning the occasions she had witnessed Raj Kapoor’s Ganpati as they used to go to Shivaji Park seaside for the visarjan – the lord was positioned at RK Studios for all to do the darshan.
The Ganpati visarjan marks the bittersweet conclusion of this auspicious pageant. As we bid farewell to the elephant-headed god, we symbolically launch Him again to His celestial abode. This act embodies the everlasting cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution that governs all existence. The ritual is infused with profound devotion and heartfelt gratitude as worshippers specific thanks for Ganesha’s blessings.
While there’s a contact of unhappiness on this parting, it’s balanced by an unwavering religion that Ganesha will grace us with His presence once more subsequent yr. Tradition holds that the visarjan ceremony amplifies non secular efficiency and ushers in a wave of constructive power, paving the way in which for pleasure, abundance, and triumph in our lives.
Some information I picked up in passing about gifted actor Aadar Jain together with his wealthy cinematic legacy and flexibility as an actor – he’s additionally going to be seen on the silver display screen in a difficult position and can also be going the OTT approach and we’ll get to see him quickly once more!
He acquired accolades for his comedian timing in ‘Hello Charlie’ and if his dancing right here is something to go by – we’ve received one other uber-talented Raj Kapoor grandson who will make feminine followers swoon and the field workplace ring!
Special celebration with Mukesh Family
My Ganpati celebrations are by no means full with no darshan on the gathering hosted by Neil Nitin Mukesh and Rukmini Neil Mukesh. It is a heat, welcoming, and historically genuine magnificent spectacle. The decor round is laboriously detailed splendour, befitting the magnificent Ganesha, bejewelled and clad in grand finery and flower garlands that immerse you right into a meditative obeisance. (We had been the one folks, we are able to’t stretch the reality, simply don’t point out non-existent non-facts.)
With a pujari put in to dispense prasad and bless every comer with auspicious mantras.
This yr’s celebration holds additional significance, with two upcoming mentionable occasions. An upcoming marriage ceremony within the household, about which in a bit, and my very own excited anticipation at being knowledgeable that the immensely gifted Neil Nitin Mukesh returns to what he does greatest – after a hiatus, he returns to the display screen charming audiences because the very good good-looking actor that he’s, mixing depth with easy, sinewy attractiveness.
The different high-point is the oncoming nuptials of the youthful scion, Naman Nitin Mukesh quickly – it’s nonetheless very very hush-hush, however I’m planning my very own high fashion at the same time as I’m sharing this secret with my readers, earlier than the tabloids splash it.
Nishi Nitin Mukesh, Nitin Mukesh, and Rukmini stand out for his or her love, care, and all-encompassing affection in direction of the multitudes of buddies that go to every day. Their heat and generosity have all the time made me really feel like an extension of their very own household, and I make it some extent to even fly again to India for this darshan if I’m abroad.
Sound therapeutic with Rini
After the high-octane celebrations, my week involves a closure with a most calming night. I attend Rini Bhansali’s mellifluous two-hour “Sound-Healing” and meditation session, calming because it most absolutely is, it additionally disseminates therapeutic in direction of current with a backdrop of cymbals, drums, wind chimes, and all sounds of birds and the ocean and nature created with some magical wind devices and bamboos!
