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Side by side, for over a century, small idols of Ganesha have been worshipped by families during this festival not only in Maharashtra, but all over India too. Steamed modaks, sweets made from flour and stuffed with coconut and sugar, vegetables of the season as well as other festive dishes, are made for several days and shared by families and their guests. By the fifth day of the festival, idols of Gauri or Parvati are made in many homes for worship. Devotees lovingly make delicate jewellery and clothes for such idols and display them year after year. The Ganesha idols are then immersed on the second, fifth, seventh or 11th day. Ananta Chaturdashi, or the day preceding the full moon day ofBhadrapad, brings one phase of the Chaturmaas festive season to an end and in picturesque processions, amidst the rhythm of bells and drums, all Ganesha idols are immersed by midnight.
Two popular legends are associated with Ganesha. The first relates the story of Ganesh Chaturthi and the second is greatly relevant to modern life.
According to a myth, Ganesha was invited to a feast by Indra, the god of the skies. Mounting his vehicle, a mouse, the rotund Ganesha began his journey to the palace of Indra. But because the mouse could not carry his weight, he lost his balance and fell. The moon, shining in the night sky, laughed at him. Angered by this insult, Ganesha broke off his left tusk and thew it at the moon, causing a dent in its surface. Ganesha was left with only one tusk and is thus called Ekadanta or 'with one tooth'. Ganesha also spoke a curse on the moon - that whoever looked at it on the Ganesh Chaturthi night, would undergo privations, Consequently even today, devotees avoid looking at the moon on Ganesha's days.
The idols of Ganesha are made in various poses and colours for the festival. Communities of sculptors work for months to meet the vast demand. There are contests with rich prizes for the best decoration and housands of community organizations in Bombay, Pune and other Maharashtrian cities vie for the honours.
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