Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Cart procession from our street temples of Ganesh

On the evening of Ganesh Chaturthi, there was couple of cart procession from our street temples.  There are two Ganesh Temples in our area and one was at the end of our street and other in the back street. Each year on the evening/night of Ganesh Chaturthi the temples out here come up with their own cart procession of decorated idols of Ganesha and prior to the festival an amount is collected from the residents by the organisers of the temples and the money is spent on the occasions for special rituals and cart procession.

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Cart from back street temple (click all pics for enlarge)
Since shifted to our native area 2 years back, we got to see both the processions again and the temple at the back street was familiar to us then and the temple was built upon the stone sculpture of Ganesha that was brought by my grandfather. The first cart came from the back street temple but due to loud band played in front of the cart I didn’t come out to check it and I really hate such loud bands and what they played was worst because it was a funeral beat. Playing such band for an auspicious event like Ganesh Chaturthi is quite senseless.

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Cart from our street end temple
The picture on the cart (first one) was shot by mom on the back street temple and she went out for few minutes of worship and she too hated the loud band. Usually Nadaswaram Melam or Thavil (the traditional instrumental of Tamil Nadu, played for special and auspicious occasions) takes place in front of the cart procession but what they did squirm the faces of residents and many didn’t come out to receive the Lord. But the cart from our street end temple was right opposite and made a peaceful entry into the streets playing my favourite Nadaswaram Melam.

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The cart procession by this temple went at leisure pace and I took many photos when it come closer and stop in front of our house. They did nice floral decoration for Ganesh and other two idols and the installed focus light helps capture decent photos. I also got interested shooting the players of Nadaswaram Melam sending beautiful notes to ears and the street was lit by tube lights on one side along with color flag poles. 

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Nadaswaram Melam or Thavil playing in front of the cart procession

10 comments:

Sandi said...

Is the gold real? That face is amazing!

Twilight Man said...

The religious processions looked lively and colourful. The garlands of flowers are so huge and impressive indeed. I always love the noisy bands with the trumpet, flutes and drums that makes it a merry occasion.

Sandhya said...

Beautiful pictures, Jeevan! We used to see these processions in our old house. Not here at Besant Nagar. I miss them. Yes, our traditional vaadhyam should be there for these processions.

Destination Infinity said...

The golden stations are nice, and the floral decoration is lovely :)

Destination Infinity
PS: At our place, we don't see any processions like this!

Nancy Chan said...

Sometimes the possession which started from a nearby temple will pass by my house before making its way back to the temple.

carol l mckenna said...

Lovely photos of the Cart Procession for Ganesh ~ thanks, ^_^

Here on Cape Ann MA ~ they have a similar event called St Peter's Fiesta ~ parading St Peter (patron saint of fishermen) ~ through the streets to an altar built new each year.

We are all similar yet different ~ and all connected ~ Happy Week to you ^_^

(A ShutterBug Explores)

Jeevan said...

Sandi - No, it is a brass metal coated in gold

eileeninmd said...

How wonderful to see these processions. The flowers and decoration are just gorgeous. I wish I could hear the band! Great post. Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!

L. D. said...

It is an interesting tradition with such a colorful background for the altar. The funeral march is a bad choice.

Rajesh said...

Beautiful shots. Wonderful coverage of the presentation.