Media Release

Muscat, Sep 26: Lord Ganesha is a symbol of magnificence, the god of wisdom, the remover of vighnas and the leader of the people. Ganesh Chaturthi, a metaphorical festival of devotion and fervour, is organised in a traditional and eco-friendly way at Muscat Shiva Temple Hall from September 19 to 21 by Shree Ganeshotsava Samiti Tulu Koota, Muscat.

The 39th year of celebration of this grand festival of devotion and joy was attended by thousands of devotees not only Indian diaspora but also from Nepal, Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka to seek the blessings of Lord Vinayaka with great fervour. Many devotees from neighbouring countries like Dubai, Bahrain, Kuwait also were present.

The morning of the first day featured the Prathisthapana, Panchamrita Abhisheka and Gana Homa ceremony performed by the main Archaka Shri Shankar Narayan Adiga who was ably assisted by Shri Gurudas Pejathaya and a team of Archakas. The three days of this magnificent festival were intermingled with various devotional ceremonies like Punyahavachana Gana Homa, Maha Pooja, Ranga Pooja and Pushparchane.

Devotees sought the blessings of Lord Ganesha and paid homage to the deity while making offerings such as 108 Coconuts, Modaka, Laddu seva, a variety of sweets, fruits and flowers.
Om Shree Ganesha Vrinda organised Bhajans & array of Cultural sessions of various devoted performers. During the three days' festivities from early morning till late night the temple hall reverberated with Vedic Chants, devotional songs, bhajans, Veena recitals, devotional dances like Odissi, ballets, bharatanatyam etc. Devotees witnessed a feast of cultural and devotional extravaganza.

Loads of fresh flowers of different varieties and colours were flown in from India. The entrance and the temple hall was decorated with banana plants, mango leaves, sugarcane, clusters of tender coconuts, date bunches and flowers. Garlands of fresh flowers framed the walls of the hall in alternating patterns of light and dark hues. The beautifully crafted clay Ganesh idol was adorned with a gold crown, gold chains, and scented garlands of flowers like the Mangalore mallige, rose, jasmine, lotus and marigold among others. A team of enthusiastic and creative volunteers came together to give the hall the festive and traditional aesthetic ambience.

Lord Ganesha was artistically depicted in the form of a rangoli in front of the mandap. The rangoli design is decorated with religious symbolism and bejewelled with glittering artificial stones. Rangoli was created by the talented Paru Negandhi.

The three-day celebration concluded with the ceremonial visarjan of the clay moorthi of Ganesha on Vinayaka Chaturthi. One of the most popular explanations for this revered tradition is – in Sanatana Dharma, the Absolute and Supreme reality manifests in different forms. One amongst the millions of his forms is that of Ganesha. It is time to accept the eternal cosmic law- that which took form has to become formless again through Vigraha Visarjan. Following this tradition amidst the repeated and befitting choral chants of “Ganpati Bappa Moreya Mangala Moorti Moreya” the immersion of the idol of Lord Ganesha was carried out on the night of September 21.

Laddu Prasad was served to all devotees throughout the celebrations. Traditional Mangalorean cuisine was served as mahaprasad on all three days and featured a sumptuous variety of foods such as Moode, Mensu Kai, Kosambari, Banana Podi, Chitranna, Mosaranna, Puliogare, Payasa, Holige, Koddhel, Saar, Sambar, Chatni, Happala was served. It was catered by, Udupi Home Restaurant, Annapoorna Restaurant, Hotel Oman Express and Gokul Alkuwair Restaurant.

The ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman Amit Narang, many prominent dignitaries from the business community like Sheikh Anil Khimji, Ashwin Bhai Dharamsey & family, Bakul Bhai Mehta and others also attended the grand celebrations.

Sculpture artist Sadashiva Kamath has meticulously made eco-friendly, reverent and beautiful Ganapati Moorthi. The committee members along with a number of volunteers contributed to the proceedings of the three-day festival with immense dedication. Due to the unstinted and selfless efforts put in by the members of Shree Ganesh Festival Committee with a feeling of oneness, Muscat devotees have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to celebrate Ganesh festivals for all these years and the efforts are going on with one voice ‘Ganapati Bappa Morya’.

Under the able guidance of convener Shri S K Poojary, the Muscat Shree Ganeshotsava Samiti comprising of Shashidhar Shetty Mallar, Umesh Bantwal, Nagesh Shetty Kinnigoli, Dr CK Anchan, Dr Ravi Kanchan, Gurudas Pejathaya, Devanand Amin, Sukumar Anchan, Sachin Kamath, and a number of volunteers coordinated their efforts to ensure the success of the three day long festival. Senior committee members from back home, Karunakar Rao Kadri, Ramanand Kunder graced the occasion. The whole event was live telecasted in various media channels.