Celebrating Ganesh Festival in your Apartment Community

Ganesh Festival is one of the popular festivals celebrated in India. Ganesh Festival is also known as Ganapati, Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayak Chaturthi. It is the birthday of Lord Ganesh, the God of power, wisdom, prosperity and auspiciousness. It is celebrated with pomp and spirit all over India. It is observed during the Hindu month of Bhadra i.e., between mid-August to mid-September.  Ganesh Festival in 2015 is on September 17th.

Ganesh, the elephant God, is believed to be the God of power and wisdom. He is assumed to be very auspicious and people pray to him  before starting any auspicious work. During Ganesh Festival, shops or local markets will fill with Ganesh idols of various sizes, shapes and on different themes. Two or three weeks prior to the festival, clay idols of Ganesh of different sizes and colours are made by artisans; people buy idols depending on their choices and budget.

Ganesh Festival in Apartment

The essence of any festival is to take a break from the daily monotonous routine and make it interesting. In apartment communities, celebration of Ganesh Festival takes place with great enthusiasm and devotion. You can make this Ganesh festival a memorable day or event for you and residents of your apartment. Ganesh festival is an auspicious day celebrated with many entertainment activities, with the active participation of all apartment owners, children and residents. If you are planning an event or activity for Ganesh Festival in your apartment, following are some useful tips.

• Installation of idol: The Ganesh festival begins with the installation of the Ganesh idol. Apartment Owners Association can collect money from residents and on Ganesh festival day buy a Ganesh idol and install it on a high rise platform on a center stage where all the residents can conduct their rituals. The event then starts with spiritual music and bhajans by the residents of the apartment. The pundit does all the festive rituals and residents are offered sweets/prasad after the festival. Green Ganesha or eco-friendly Ganesha has gained in prominence in recent times due to the increased awareness towards conservation of out environment. Hence, you should ensure that you are buying a Ganesha idol made of clay and which is not painted with any hazardous chemicals.

• Rangoli: Rangoli is a traditional Indian folk floor-art which is considered auspicious. It is one of the most beautiful and most pleasing art forms of India. It is considered as the symbol or custom of welcoming God into your home. The stage and the other pathways of the apartment can be decorated with Rangoli. Adults and kids of the apartment can take part in the Rangoli or floral decoration that is prepared during Ganesha.

• Prasad Preparation: The most common offerings of prasad to Lord Ganesh are modaks, pedhas and coconut. In apartment communities, Ganesh Festival is an opportunity for women in apartments to come together and present homemade delicious recipes or prasad for Lord Ganesh. Women who are accustomed to making particular sweets can take responsibility to make them. In this way the work will be distributed among the residents and there will be enough prasad for all residents.

• Decoration: The front projected balcony or stage can be decorated using paper decoration. Kids can decorate using paper cuttings and colorful decorations. Flowers and climbers can be used to decorate the railings, stairs, and balconies.

• Entertainment: Arrange some entertainment activities for kids and other residents of the apartment. The festival should be enjoyed with great enthusiasm and pomp. Stage shows, plays related to God’s life or story-telling for children related to Lord Ganesh, music and dance shows are some of the entertainment activities that can be conducted in the apartment.

• Competition: Various competitions can be held in the apartment to keep the festive mood alive. Competitions like Fancy dress, Ek Minute, Musical Chair, Antakshari, Singing and dance competitions can be held.  For kids, drawing and painting competitions are more ideal.

• Prize Distribution: The best participants in each competition can be awarded prizes. Attractive prizes will prompt more kids and adults to participate in competitions. Consolation prize can also be announced to homemakers to encourage them to participate in games and events. Take snaps and pictures of events and make it a memorable festival before taking the idol for immersion.

• Ganesh immersion: Ganesh festival ends with Ganesh immersion. As per tradition, Ganesh immersion is performed on Anant Chathurthi Day but some people perform Ganesh immersion on the 2nd or 3rd day, 7th day, 10th day or 15 th day.

Ensure that this Ganesh Festival is environmental friendly and plan well for waste management of the offerings in the apartment. Left over flowers and materials can be compost in a community built compost pit. May this Ganesh Festival bring lots of happiness and prosperity to you and all residents in the apartment.