This weekend has been a happy and rare co-incidence of Eid and Ganesh Chaturthi falling on Saturday. The festive spirit was evident all over the city. The Muslims were celebrating Eid on Saturday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, which involves rigorous fasting and prayer routines. The Hindus were celebrating the birth of the elephant God - Lord Ganesha, marking the beginning of a 10 day festival, during which Ganesha will be treated with the best of food and prayers, culminating in the immersion of the idols of the Lord in water bodies across the city.
I have always been a believer. Prayers in the morning at home, have been a part of my routine for ages now. I did, however, shun public places of worship for a period of almost 15 years after the Babri masjid was demolished by Hindu fundamentalists unleashing communal violence all over India. The boycott of public places was to underline the fact that one does not need such places of worship, as religion should be something which is very personal for every individual. Religion should not be used as a means of driving political agendas and causing irreparable damage to the secular fibre of the nation.
It struck me that this rare co-incidence of festivals of both the faiths falling on the same day might be a signal from up above, to us lesser mortals, that religion should be used to bring people together rather than divide them. Our floor was a good example of this on Saturday. After offering the prayers to Ganesha at home, we had lunch at Amiya and Farheen's place to celebrate Eid. The same 'kolam maavu' was used for making the rangoli outside our door as well as writing 'Happy Eid' outside our neighbours' door! In the evening, the Chaudhuris hosted all of us for dinner.
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| Ganesha @ Home |
Sunday was a busy day as well. Had lots of Ganesh Chaturthi darshan and Eid invitations. We went to Sameer Dave's home in the afternoon. Everything about the celebrations at his home was grand. A large idol of Ganesha and lots of relatives all over the place. Went to some of my colleagues' homes in the evening, with Arvind and Sagar. Meera's place for Ganesh darshan and then to Arshan Dawji's place to savour some Sheer Korma. By the way, this is the only downside to this rare occasion. The amount of sweets and rich food that is consumed; full of fats and calories, will take many many days in the gym to compensate for these two days now!
I wish all my friends a very Happy Eid-ul-Fitr and a very Happy Ganesha Chaturthi. I do sincerely think that this rare occasion was The Almighty's signal to us as a nation to be united, while celebrating our diversity. I hope many others do too!
Take care.
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