VITHALDAS HEGDE
vhegde3@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Happy faces, rush all over the markets was witnessed across the State as the year-long wait for the most favourite Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated from Saturday.
The elephant-headed idols of lord Ganesh will be brought and installed in Hindu households and public pandals across and State and will be worshipped for one-and-half day, three days, five days and for 11 days mostly at Sarvajanik places, after offering prayers and performing aartis and pujas.
Markets were bustling with activity as it filled up with ‘Matoli’ items on the eve of Chaturthi. 'Matoli,' a wooden mandap will be decorated with wildflowers, herbs, and fruits. People were seen making brisk purchases in the market being dry day even as the rain threat looms over the festival. Yet hectic preparations and unique Chaturthi celebrations will be witnessed in the State for the next few days.
People were also seen leaving for natives places to celebrate the festival. The Konkan Railway ran special trains to clear the extra rush of passengers while, the State-owned KTC Ltd also operated extra buses in the neighbouring States during the Ganesh festival. The Goa police have appealed to the people leaving to their natives places by closing their homes, to inform the nearest police stations.
Meanwhile, the artistes were seen giving final touches to the clay Ganesh idols even as the authorities have appealed to the people to purchase clay idols and celebrated the festival in eco-friendly manner. The Goa Handicrafts has also appealed to the people not to buy plaster of paris idols as it becomes difficult to get dissolve quickly in water bodies after immersion and causes water pollution.
Also lifesavers and volunteers will be deployed at 57 locations including 45 beaches and 12 other immersions sites across the State so as to ensure public safety during immersion. Lifesavers will also assist immersion groups to ferry the idol into the water at locations which witness rough currents.
Guv, CM, Cardinal, Auxiliary Bishop extend Ganesh Chaturthi greetings
PANJIM: Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao and Auxiliary Bishop Simião Fernandes have extended his greetings to the people of Goa on the festive occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Governor Pillai in his message stated that, Ganesh Chaturthi is one of important festivals in our country which is widely celebrated with joy and enthusiasm by all citizens irrespective of religion, caste or creed.
“Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in his message highlighted the significance of the festival. He said, “Ganpati Bappa is the most beloved deity of the people of Goa and thus the arrival of Ganesh Murti brings new hope and immense joy to our homes.”
“Ganesh festival is sacred for us all. It brings families and relatives together to worship Lord Ganesh and celebrate the festive occasion with traditional rituals and culture.
On this auspicious day of Ganesh Chaturthi, His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao along with Auxiliary Bishop Simião Fernandes and all the Catholic faithful of the Goa and Daman Archdiocese, stated that this festival calls for removal of obstacles, growth in wisdom and respect for all, creating thereby a peaceful environment for enjoying prosperity, dignity and for promoting socio-cultural integrity.