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I was lucky enough to travel to Bombay( as I still ike to call it, despite Mumbai is the new name since 1994 ,outdating the old name originally given by the Portuguese some centuries ago, meaning good bay or harbour for ships), during the Ganesh festival, the famous 9 days celebration of the God Ganesh.
It is a very important venue for locals, as they believe Ganesh is the God of prosperity and good luck,
born from Shiva and killed by mistake by some of his servants, which were then forced to go out and find the head of the first living creature they could find.
Beeing this an elephant, Ganesh resulted in a human beeing with an elephant head, giving way to this old tradition.
After nine days and nights of dancing in the streets, carrying around Ganesh statues in all shapes and sizes, beating drums all the time, probably chewing betel nut to keep the good times rolling, people will throw the statues in the sea with a final giant celebration and this way leaving the God free to go back to his heaven place.
Another one of those big contraddictions of this wonderful country, how people has no food for themselves but always find the way toi bring offers to the gods, including food and money.
I met a very kind taxi driver called Moshin, you can find him at the Taj Palace gates all day, 79 y.o. and still working, extremely gentle and patient, takes you around town all day for petty money and showes you plenty of places to see and visit.
Thanks to him I saw many Ganesh statues in different parts of Bombay, off the tourist beaten track, of course.
Ganesh festival is on from 18 till 28 september this year, but every year is on a different date, so check it out before you leave.
Namaste ! Leave a Comment Address: Too many to listDirections: All over Bombay
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