MUMBAI, INDIA, September 6, 2005: The 10-day Ganpati festival that falls on September 7 is only weeks after this city was battered by a series of disasters shows why Mumbai is called irrepressible. It marks Lord Ganesha’s birthday on the fourth day (chaturthi) of the Bhadrapada month of the Hindu calendar. The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, a body of the 10,000 registered mandals or festival committees in the town has, decided to tone down the festivities this year and spend the money on charity instead. The decision comes in the wake of the July 26 floods that washed away more than 800 people in the state, including over 450 in Mumbai alone. This was followed by waterborne epidemics that took more than 170 lives. The past week has also seen dozens of people being killed in the city after three old buildings collapsed here. The Samiti has decided to spend less on decorations and do more for the affected people. However, the irrepressible city is evidently gearing up for the festival with most households installing small Ganesha idols while pandals are getting decorated for the big day. Millions of people, many from outside Mumbai take part in the Ganpati festival that according to a survey conducted by the US-based Ford Foundation, remains the biggest public celebration in the world with more than 11 million people participating in it directly or indirectly.
A daily summary of world news for Hindus and non-Hindus alike