Sarang mazy dolyat patkan pani aale re hi post wachu. Kiti chan watale re he aikun ki aamchy Bappachi tumhi dar warshi wat baghta. I know your whole family is so artistic and still you are giving me the credit?? You are a very humble person. Thank you again for your kind words.
With your post, I have to pen down all the Bappa memories now :)
It all started in 2008. As a punekar, Ganapati Bappa is very close to my heart. As a kid I was in a small town near Pune where in Brahman Gallai this festival was celebrated on big scale as compared to other festivals. Khup lahan panich Atharvashirsha shiklo aie and Joshi baichya krupene and pratek ganapatich tyach pathan mothya group madhe karane mhanje 'Divine Experience'. After moving to Pune and when I was working, went to Dagdushet Ganapti with dear 'Nagarkar' aatya who used to save spot for me early morning at 5 :) ani amhi sobat 21 wela Aatharvashirshacha pathan karaycho.
Punchya Ganapati mhanje weglich baat, pratek Ganapatit koni na koni pahune yayche ani mag ratrabhar Ganpati baghat mailon mail chalaycha. Babancha awadta prakar mhanje lighting wale Ganapati jithe amhi thambun doble tibal ganyawarcha lighting cha dance baghaycho :)
Lahan pana pasun pratek Ganaptila Aie-Babachya mage lagycho, aaplya ghari ka nahi Bappa, aapan basavu na. Pan pratyek weli uttat ekch 'Nahi Basvu shakat, mothya ghari basavtat'
Lagna zalyawar kalala ki ekde ghari Ganapati basavtaat, khupch anand zala. Bhartaat astana nahi janavla pan ithe aalyawar ganaptichi maja miss karlya laglo, tevha tharavla ki ghari Bappa baswaycha :) I have a great support system, Shri was happy to do it too.
2008
Pan Bappa gharich karacha hota. When I first did the Bappa, I kept the small idol next to me to shape the clay. I called Bharati to support me, she did and gave the suggestions. It came out ok but we are going to celebrate Ganapti at our very home was a big deal for me. It was Pritis first year of Ganapti and she offered to make modak. Also we colored and decorated together. All the friends were excited to celebrate the festival at our home.
We also did very nice visarjan miravnuk by giving a ride to Bappa on Ram's truck. Ram was 2 years old when we started this. Sminkal's mom was very much enthusiastic :)
Rohina comes to Ganapati darshan every year, I remember one year she broke her ankle but she drove with her cousin to take darshan. She also makes sure to get enough fruit prashad for everyone.
2009
Second year Pooja was all enthusiastic about helping me to make food and decorations. She was with me for the whole day. Miss her on every Ganapati celebration.
2010
Third year, I was pregnant with Jai and Aie was leaving for India before that. She was so concerned about how I will manage and told all my friends to help me :) I am lucky enough to have good friends to come over and help me. That year also it went well. Also we started the new tradition of Atharvashirsha pathan 21 times. It was Rahul who agreed to join me and it is continued till this year. I miss him and Agraja since they moved to Florida couple years back. Now new members joined in Atharvashirsha pathan are Mukund. One year his parents were there who chants Atharvashirsha everyday 21 times during Ganapati. Whenever Aie is there She also joins the pathan.
2011
When we moved into Heritage drive, Jai was 5 months old still we could continue the tradition and made Bappa home since Aie and Baba were there to help us. I made the Bappa in one hour without much details and Shri colored it before sthapana
2012
Every Ganapati celebration has its own story and it makes it unique and memorable. 5th year, Sonali was our Ganapti Bappa :). Jai was 1 year old, She came and helped us in decoration, food, taking care of kids and what not. I always miss her on Ganapati. Priti and Sau gave the surprise visit and the joy was double since family could join us.
2013
6th year our neighbor Naveena's father in law rocked the celebration by singing south Indian bhajans. We remember him in every Ganapati. This year we started immersion of Bappa on 5th day instead of one and half day since we started feeling we don’t get enough time with Bappa.
2014
7th year the Bhajan maifil went on till late night. Ananya did a great job of singing marathi bhajans. Manali also comes every year and also sings nice bhajans.
2015
8thyear was special since Shruti came to our house to see how do I make Bappa and did a great job of making it just by observing me. That year Ram made Mindcraft Bappa and Richa also made acute little Bappa. Anu Ashwini joined us for first time and when family is there to share the joy, its more fun.
2016
9th year was special since Ram made the Bappa in workshop. I took him to workshop since I am not a good teacher :) and thought in group it will be nice experience. Seema and his kids joined too. We painted 5 Bappas at our home. This time all the family was there except Anu and Ashwini.
2017
10th year was, first time I made some theme. Chandrachya jhopalyawar jhulnare Bappa. My in-laws were there and had a great time.
2018
11th year and finally I could conduct the workshop because of Seema and Asha :) It was great fun to see all the kids making Bappas including our American neighbors kids. Vidya's mom was very much enthusiastic and put her all creativity in it. We made 11 Bappa this year, what a coincidence.
