September 2nd was a national holiday in Mauritius--
Ganesha Chaturthi (Hindi: गणेश चतुर्थी). According to Wikipedia, Ganesha is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune and traditionally invoked at the beginning of any new life venture or at the start of travel. For us--new venturers and people starting travel--it seemed auspicious to take part in the celebration. Shelly and I went to one of the main celebration sites in Mauritius, Grand Bassin, where there are statues depicting several Hindu deities surrounding a sacred lake. The ceremonies, following ten days of prayer, are a special ritual involving water, fruit, coconut, flowers, incense, and chanting. Each family group arriving for the ceremonies brought with them a family set of a metal tray and goblet, flowers, coconut, fruit, and a hand-made Ganesh statue. The family would find a place at one of a series of pedestals surrounding the sacred lake, and perform a similar ritual of prayer, lighting incense, slowly pouring the cup of water into the lake, and setting adrift small leaves with lit offerings onto the lake. It was elaborate and beautiful. Shelly and I were impressed by the emphasis on family in the ceremony and the celebration. Everyone, whether young or old, had a role in the ritual, a role they relished performing. It was particularly touching to observe every family member reaching out to lay a hand on the arm of the relative pouring the water; generations linked physically and spiritually. Initially trying to be inconspicuous observers, we were greeted warmly by the celebrants who smiled, offered us food, and even invited us into their family photo op! The day was rich with color, sound, fragrance, and the beauty of human devotion.
September 2nd was a national holiday in Mauritius--Ganesha Chaturthi (Hindi: गणेश चतुर्थी). According to Wikipedia, Ganesha is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune and traditionally invoked at the beginning of any new life venture or at the start of travel. For us--new venturers and people starting travel--it seemed auspicious to take part in the celebration. Shelly and I went to one of the main celebration sites in Mauritius, Grand Bassin, where there are statues depicting several Hindu deities surrounding a sacred lake. The ceremonies, following ten days of prayer, are a special ritual involving water, fruit, coconut, flowers, incense, and chanting. Each family group arriving for the ceremonies brought with them a family set of a metal tray and goblet, flowers, coconut, fruit, and a hand-made Ganesh statue. The family would find a place at one of a series of pedestals surrounding the sacred lake, and perform a similar ritual of prayer, lighting incense, slowly pouring the cup of water into the lake, and setting adrift small leaves with lit offerings onto the lake. It was elaborate and beautiful. Shelly and I were impressed by the emphasis on family in the ceremony and the celebration. Everyone, whether young or old, had a role in the ritual, a role they relished performing. It was particularly touching to observe every family member reaching out to lay a hand on the arm of the relative pouring the water; generations linked physically and spiritually. Initially trying to be inconspicuous observers, we were greeted warmly by the celebrants who smiled, offered us food, and even invited us into their family photo op! The day was rich with color, sound, fragrance, and the beauty of human devotion.
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