The
ideal time to travel to Mumbai is during the time of fairs and
festivals. Festivals brighten up this already bright and lively city of
Mumbai. Some of the major festivals celebrated with fun and gaiety in
Mumbai are Ganesh Chaturthi (late August-early September), Navratri
(October-November), Gokul Ashtami (mid-August) Holi (mid-March), Diwali,
Christmas, and Id-ul-Zuha & Id-Ul-Fitr. Mumbai travel during the
festivals of Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi can turn out to be a bright and
colourful experience. The festival of lights - Diwali, is a great time to travel to Mumbai. The moonless night is turned into the brightest night of the year. The Marine Drive shines bright in the light of the innumerable firecrackers. In the Banganga tank of Mumbai on the auspicious occasion of Diwali is celebrated in a traditional manner. The earthen lamps are floated in the waters. The shimmering flames on the water create a picturesque sight.
 |
 |
Ganesh Chaturthi, the worship of the elephant-headed son of Lord Shiva and Parvati, is widely celebrated in Mumbai. As Lord Ganesha is considered to be the common avatar of both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, both the Hindu sects, the Shaivites and the Vaishnavites, worship him.
Ganesh
Chaturthi was initiated by the great Maratha ruler, Chhattrapati
Shivaji, to dissemniate culture and nationalism. Later, it was given a
new impetus by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak to spread the message of
freedom struggle and to defy the British who had banned public
assemblies. The festival infused the Indians with a sense of unity and
revived their patriotic spirit. The event is now a colossal celebration
and perhaps the world's largest religion-inspired beach party.
Processions from all over Mumbai commandeer the city's already congested
road system riding on and walking beside trucks bearing the Ganapatis.
Loud speakers shriek from the truck cabs and processionals bang drums
and gongs while the orange-capped devotees on the back of the trucks
shower themselves and everyone in their wake with red powder called
gulal. On the day of the Chaturthi, the last of the days dedicated to
the elephant-headed god, thousands of processions converge on the
beaches of Mumbai to immerse the holy idols in the sea. This immersion
is accompanied by drumbeats, devotional songs and dancing. The Mumbai International Film Festival, held once in every two year, is an occasion not to be missed. Held during the month of February, the festival screens the best of short, documentary and animation films at the Nehru Auditorium. Around the same time of the year the artists can have a gala time at the four-day long festival at the Elephanta Island. The annual event has the cream of artists perform Indian classical music and dance.
|
|
