A festival always brings with it a sense of excitement, which hangs in the air during its preparation and celebration. This weekend, the city is in for a jamboree with the coming together of two festivals - St Mary’s Feast and Ganesh Chaturthi.
To add to the spirit of the season, the Gowri festival, celebrated prior to Ganesha Chaturthi, falls on the same day as the Blessed Virgin Mary’s feast on Sunday.
On September 8, lakhs of devotees throng to participate in the annual St Mary’s Feast, which is witnessed in complete grandeur every year. On the day of the feast, there will be masses held all day at the St Mary’s Basilica in Shivajinagar.
This will progress into a procession in the evening.
“The shrine of mother Mary has always been a centre of attraction for all believers. People gather here every year, irrespective of caste or creed, and come from far and near to venerate our Lady of health,” says Jeromiah V, a devotee of Mother Mary.
“Many believers have received blessings and have also experienced miracles here, “ he added. Most in the city are familiar with the traditional, vibrant saffron clothes that the devotees are clad in every year. “These saffron clothes are a mark of respect and preparation period for the feast,” said a devotee.
Eagerly awaited
After the city winds up its celebration of St Mary’s feast on Sunday, it’s on to more festivities in the name of Ganesha on Monday. Ganesh Chaturthi is the most eagerly awaited festival by Hindus in Karnataka, and is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Ganesha. The festival delights include modaka, kadubu, paanaka, kajjaya and karjikai.
“Shopping for clothes and other gifts had already begun 10 days ago. Now on Monday, we will enjoy the festival with our families,” said Vidhya R, an IT professional.
Although celebrations are in order, this year round, people are more conscious to celebrate the festival with an intent to save the environment.
“We have put up boards around Sankey Tank asking people not to pollute the lake. Ganesha idols scaling more than five feet will be strictly prohibited. This time, we have eight gates at the lake to monitor the rush. We have also made posters to develop awareness about rain water harvesting,” said Shivaprasad MS, BBMP member.
