Ganesh Chaturthi - Mumbai will not have many artificial lakes for Ganesh Visarjan this year. BMC is not in a mood to create 19 artificial lakes as it had announced earlier as BMC didn’t get enough response from devotees. Last year  eco-friendly immersions had got good response though.

The civic body had asked the citizens’ groups to inform them if they wanted to have an artificial lake in their locality. Also the eco-friendly immersion was suggested to people by the BMC with financial assistance. But people did not show interest.

So, the BMC has cancelled its plan to have additional lakes and will reduce the number from that of last year from 25 to 17. With the result there will be no artificial lakes in Bandra, Dharavi and Girgaum. It costs almost Rs 3 lakh on one lake. Though the citizens’ groups promoting the eco friendly immersions are not happy with the BMC’s move.

This Ganesh Visarjan choose the eco-friendly methods to avoid adding to the traffic congestion and water and noise pollution on immersion days.

7 things we can do to make this an Eco-friendly Ganpati - Ganesh Utsav

Modak - Ganapati’s favourite Sweet




Ganesh Utsav - The Ganpati festival is just round the corner and preparations have begun in full swing. Ganesh, the son of Shiva, is worshipped the world over for his wisdom and he bestows prosperity and happiness on all who worship him. He is also known as ‘vighnahartaa’ or the remover of obstacles.

Ganesh has to be worshipped at the beginning of every puja or ritual. He is an endower of prosperity and wisdom. Although the Ganesh pandaals are a bit too noisy during this time of the year, it is nevertheless good to watch so many people so devotedly offering prayers and gifts to the deity.

The saddest part is, however, when on visarjan day, the large statues are immersed in the seas. So much hard work just goes down the drain. I don’t know about you, but I feel that the Ganesh idols should not be immersed. But on second thought, the immersion reminds us that all things have an end, whether good or bad and that life is all about flux.

Ganesh, in mythology, was a good son to his parents. There is one story I particularly like. It goes like this.

Once Ganesh and his brother Karikeya were asked to go around the world by their parents, Shiva and Parvati, and the fastest one would win. While Kartikeya started off on a world trip, Ganesh only encircled his parents, denoting that they meant the world to him. This story stresses the importance of thinking and application for human development. It also highlights the importance of values, morals and ethics.

Ganesh is the lord of the ‘buddhi’ and good thought always precede good actions. Hence, one must worship Ganesh for a sharp mind and a keen intellect.

Neha Singh

Modak Recipe - Ganapati’s favourite Sweet

Ganesh Utsav is the biggest festival of Maharashtra. This Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated in memoris of lord ganesha he is popularly known as the lord of wisdom and power. people make and decorate big idol of lord ganesha and then they offer them pooja and prasad etc.

At last people make big procession to nearest water source like river or sea. people ennjoy this procession with dance, music and colours.

All over Mumbai the preparations for Ganesh Chaturthi have started. Sculptors across the city have started preparations for the coming of the Lord of New Beginnings. Celebrations for the 10-day festival will begin August 23 on Ganesh Chaturthi.

Modak - Ganapati’s favourite Sweet



Festival Time in Bandra

Bandra says Ganapati Bappa Morya …….  Here are some photos :

Ganesh Utsav - The biggest Festival of Maharashtra

Ganapati’s favourite sweet: MODAK

There are hardly any days left for Ganesh Chaturthi. Ganesh Chaturthi falls on 3^rd September this year. This year try your hands on preparing Ganapati’s most favourite sweet – MODAK (for strangers to the concept these can be called – “steamed rice dumplings with sweet filling”)

It is customary to make Modaks on the very first day of Ganesh Utsav. Modaks are so tasty, delicate and tender and like they say “you cant eat just one…”

Ingredients:

For the Cover

· 1 Cup rice flour

· 1 tsp ghee

· 1 cup water

· ½ tsp oil

· A pinch of salt

For the Filling

· 2 cups shredded fresh coconut

· 1/2 tsp. cardamom powder

· 1 tsp. roasted poppy seeds

· 1 tsp. rice flour

· 1 cup Jaggery (Gur) or Sugar

Preparation:

For the Filling

• To make the filling, combine and cook coconut and jaggery together on medium heat. Stir continuously until they are mixed properly. Do not overcook.
• Add cardamom powder, roasted poppy seeds and 1 teaspoon rice flour to it and cook for some time. The filling is ready now. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool.

For the Cover

• Boil 1 cup of water. When it has reached a steady boil, add ghee, salt and oil.
• Now immediately add the rice flour and stir quickly so as to remove all lumps. Cover with a lid for some time. Remove the lid & stir again & again, cover again. Note: This has to be done very carefully. The dough should be neither too sticky nor too dry.
• Now remove pan from the heat. Take off all the mixture on a flat plate. Knead it thoroughly while hot. Make soft dough.
• Divide this dough into small balls.

To make the modaks

• Note:It is best to make the modaks when the dough is slightly warm.
• Grease the palms of your hands well. Take a ball of dough. Flatten the dough to form a cup shape.  Place about 3/4^th teaspoon coconut filling into this cup. Dip thumb & index finger in the oil & make 5-6 small pinches side by side on the outside edges of the cup. Bring them together on top and join to form a peak. Your modak is complete. This should look like a whole garlic pod.
• Like this, prepare all modaks. Spread a damp cloth onto a flat round sifter and arrange all the modaks onto it. Place the sifter in a steamer and cover. Steam for about 15 minutes. Use a big size saucepan or pressure cooker if you don’t have a steamer. Do not put the whistle if you use the pressure cooker.

Serve with ghee and tell us if you were able to stop after eating just one.

Leena

Also check ,

Ganesh Utsav - The biggest festival of Maharashtra

Eco Friendly Ganesh Utsav