In my explanation of Ganesh Chaturthi a week ago, I wrote this:
Ganesha is worshipped for 10 days. Coconut, sweets, special grass and red flowers are offered.
The offering of a coconut is symbolic. The breaking of the coconut represents the breaking of the ego, giving room to a purified ‘inside’ (the coconut fluid representing the spirit and mind).
Well, there were plenty of coconuts to be seen. And lots of people about to offer them. Thus creating endless queues and big crowds!
See for yourself:
They sell coconuts:
Ganesha is worshipped for 10 days. Coconut, sweets, special grass and red flowers are offered.
The offering of a coconut is symbolic. The breaking of the coconut represents the breaking of the ego, giving room to a purified ‘inside’ (the coconut fluid representing the spirit and mind).
Well, there were plenty of coconuts to be seen. And lots of people about to offer them. Thus creating endless queues and big crowds!
See for yourself:
They sell coconuts:
And they bought them and are queueing to offer them to Ganesha:
Hm, they are also queueing…..
Them as well…..
Oops, the queue goes on….
…and on…!!!!
There are more ways of worship, like e.g. prayer and chanting. An unbelievable example was shown on the night that in front of this replica 21.000 women were praying and chanting in a group-worship. We were not there, but the newspaper showed us the pictures:
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| Apparently this is done since some years, but the number this year was higher then ever. |
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| Incredible! |
With such crowds gathered, one can imagine that there are several health and safety hazards to pay attention to.
More about that tomorrow. Have a nice day!
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