Deccan Chronicle
NEW DELHI/HYDERABAD, INDIA, November 5, 2003: In an Indian version of a chain letter, rumors sent thousands of people rushing to Ganesha icons to light lamps and make wishes on Wednesday. The word was: “Light five diyas before Lord Ganesha and your wish will come true.” Phones were ringing in homes across the country and the SMS message that was circulated read: “Pls lite 5 diyas 2day n make a wish smthing auspicious 2day hope ur wish comes true.” Housewives in the city had this variation: Lighting five lamps and five incense sticks and offering jaggery would protect the menfolk. The jaggery should be distributed among five married women, and the news should be spread to five more women. Then all their wishes would come true. “We have already lit five diyas,” said a newly-wed Shivani Arora, who did so on being asked by her mother-in-law. “I feel this is just another way of Lord Ganesha making people religious at a time when people are fast losing their values,” she said. In September, 1996, Ganesha was observed drinking milk. Millions of families throughout the country offered milk to icons at temples and homes at that time, and the milk disappeared upon being offered, according to many witnesses. This time, however, there were no reports of any miracles as a result.