We were kindly invited to Mr and Mrs Varma's sisters house to celebrate the birthday of the Hindu God Ganesh with their family.
The story of Ganesh (if I remember correctly, please bare with me):
Parvati was the mother of Ganesh, and she wished to bathe in private. She told her son to keep watch while she bathed and to let no one in under any circumstances. Whilst bathing God Shiva returned from war and tried to enter the place where Parvati was bathing to see her. Ganesh forbade him entry from this place, and Shiva, famous for his short temper, became angry at this, so drew his sword and cut of Ganesh's head. When Parvati had finished bathing she found her son decapitated and flew into a rage. Upset at this Shiva promised to make things right. He saw the passing off an elephant nearby and so took its head and placed it on Ganesh's body. Ganesh now symbolises protection and new beginnings. (A special thanks here to Mr. Varma who kindly brought us to see him family, celebrate with him and for telling us this story).
Ganesh:
And so we went, me, Will and Lucy, on Thursday evening, to the house of Mrs. Varma's sister in Pitampura to celebrate with them. It turned out to be the best night of my trip so far. It was the most fantastic atmosphere and we were welcomed into their family as if we were their brother or sister. The house was decorated with ribbons and lights and hangings, and in their lounge was a large shrine to Ganesh, including a statue of the God, with lights and streamers and flowers. The local holy man had also come to say prayers and bless the family and food. He wrapped red and yellow string around our wrists, on the right wrist for girls if they were not married and left if they are, and for men on their right at all times. We then prayed to Ganesh, and held a silver plate upto the statue which held a red powder scattered over it with writing in Hindi written in the powder. This tray also held a small dish which had tablets in it which were set alight. You them moved this tray slowly in clckwise and counter clockwise motions whilst saying prayers to Ganesh. Those who have blessed Ganesh or who are waiting to do so clapped along to the music making the whole atmosphere lively. After this the holy man would offer Ganesh the food so Ganesh could bless the food before we could all eat. It is apparently usual in Indian households that the elders eat first. However we were told that guests are seen as almost messengers sent by the Gods and so, as I am sure you can imagine we were looked after incredibly well and were almost first to try the food. There was Dal, and Paneer and yoghurts and rice, nan bread and many more dishes to try, although at this very moment I am finding it hard to remember the names!
After food we were dragged out to the patio by the girls to dance to their favourite Indian music. All the girls were fantastic dancers, and they spent time telling us what the songs meant and how to dance to them, Indian style! ... I wasn't brilliant at this it has to be said, but they were patient and complimentary... though I wouldnt blame them in the slightest if they had a bit of a giggle behind out backs! ... even Will joined in a bit of Indian dancing being the only boy to do so. Eventually the elders did dance with us and took almost center stage straight away, including Mr and Mrs. Varma, showing how much complete respect was held for them. Most of the night was spent dancing, so the only real way I can explain to you the atmosphere is to show you some photos, but I won't be able to do this until I am home.
I have to give a special mention here to two life long friends we made this night, Aishwarya and Mihika. The two most beautiful and friendliest people I have ever met! I am just sorry that we didn't have long enough to meet up and go for a girls day in Delhi! If you read this Aishwarya I would just like to let you know I will hold you to your offer of staying with you again, and please know both of you, that you are more than welcome anytime to stay with me in England, my door is always open for you. Aishwarya also gave me a friendship bracelet to remember her, but would not accept my necklace! ... I may post it to her!
To finish on a funny note, I has spent the entire night telling their family that Will was a good singer. So at the end of the evening, around 1am, everyone retired to the living room and sat down to hear Will sing... I don't think he was best pleased with me!... least to say it was a very awkward moment, around 30 people still left over sat on the sofas and floor of the living room watching three westerners try and sing... very badly, and not really knowing all the lyrics to the song 'i'm yours' by Jason Mraz.... yes I can almost hear you cringing as you read this! ... but they sat and listened, and didn't laugh (although this could be because they also were too shocked for words)... and even filmed us for a bit! ...
We received a box of chocolates at the end of the night, which went down a storm for saying it's pretty hard to find chocolate around here! The next and final morning at Mr Varma's we gave gifts of Indian sweets we had picked up from the Bengali Sweet House and cards for the staff at Mr Varma's and his family for inviting us into their home the previous night. We tried to find the most suitable card there is, as they all tended to be a bit slushy, and thankyou cards are relatively scarce as it is... but we didn't think a card covered in words back and front such as 'thankyou....for just being you, for everything you do, for making me whole and for loving me true' ..was appropriate! ... I did find a nice card to send to my mum, but the hard part out here is posting it.. so it is still in my room, but just to let her know that I have one for her and I will post it later if I can (sorry mum!)
xxx
The story of Ganesh (if I remember correctly, please bare with me):
Parvati was the mother of Ganesh, and she wished to bathe in private. She told her son to keep watch while she bathed and to let no one in under any circumstances. Whilst bathing God Shiva returned from war and tried to enter the place where Parvati was bathing to see her. Ganesh forbade him entry from this place, and Shiva, famous for his short temper, became angry at this, so drew his sword and cut of Ganesh's head. When Parvati had finished bathing she found her son decapitated and flew into a rage. Upset at this Shiva promised to make things right. He saw the passing off an elephant nearby and so took its head and placed it on Ganesh's body. Ganesh now symbolises protection and new beginnings. (A special thanks here to Mr. Varma who kindly brought us to see him family, celebrate with him and for telling us this story).
Ganesh:
And so we went, me, Will and Lucy, on Thursday evening, to the house of Mrs. Varma's sister in Pitampura to celebrate with them. It turned out to be the best night of my trip so far. It was the most fantastic atmosphere and we were welcomed into their family as if we were their brother or sister. The house was decorated with ribbons and lights and hangings, and in their lounge was a large shrine to Ganesh, including a statue of the God, with lights and streamers and flowers. The local holy man had also come to say prayers and bless the family and food. He wrapped red and yellow string around our wrists, on the right wrist for girls if they were not married and left if they are, and for men on their right at all times. We then prayed to Ganesh, and held a silver plate upto the statue which held a red powder scattered over it with writing in Hindi written in the powder. This tray also held a small dish which had tablets in it which were set alight. You them moved this tray slowly in clckwise and counter clockwise motions whilst saying prayers to Ganesh. Those who have blessed Ganesh or who are waiting to do so clapped along to the music making the whole atmosphere lively. After this the holy man would offer Ganesh the food so Ganesh could bless the food before we could all eat. It is apparently usual in Indian households that the elders eat first. However we were told that guests are seen as almost messengers sent by the Gods and so, as I am sure you can imagine we were looked after incredibly well and were almost first to try the food. There was Dal, and Paneer and yoghurts and rice, nan bread and many more dishes to try, although at this very moment I am finding it hard to remember the names!
After food we were dragged out to the patio by the girls to dance to their favourite Indian music. All the girls were fantastic dancers, and they spent time telling us what the songs meant and how to dance to them, Indian style! ... I wasn't brilliant at this it has to be said, but they were patient and complimentary... though I wouldnt blame them in the slightest if they had a bit of a giggle behind out backs! ... even Will joined in a bit of Indian dancing being the only boy to do so. Eventually the elders did dance with us and took almost center stage straight away, including Mr and Mrs. Varma, showing how much complete respect was held for them. Most of the night was spent dancing, so the only real way I can explain to you the atmosphere is to show you some photos, but I won't be able to do this until I am home.
I have to give a special mention here to two life long friends we made this night, Aishwarya and Mihika. The two most beautiful and friendliest people I have ever met! I am just sorry that we didn't have long enough to meet up and go for a girls day in Delhi! If you read this Aishwarya I would just like to let you know I will hold you to your offer of staying with you again, and please know both of you, that you are more than welcome anytime to stay with me in England, my door is always open for you. Aishwarya also gave me a friendship bracelet to remember her, but would not accept my necklace! ... I may post it to her!
To finish on a funny note, I has spent the entire night telling their family that Will was a good singer. So at the end of the evening, around 1am, everyone retired to the living room and sat down to hear Will sing... I don't think he was best pleased with me!... least to say it was a very awkward moment, around 30 people still left over sat on the sofas and floor of the living room watching three westerners try and sing... very badly, and not really knowing all the lyrics to the song 'i'm yours' by Jason Mraz.... yes I can almost hear you cringing as you read this! ... but they sat and listened, and didn't laugh (although this could be because they also were too shocked for words)... and even filmed us for a bit! ...
We received a box of chocolates at the end of the night, which went down a storm for saying it's pretty hard to find chocolate around here! The next and final morning at Mr Varma's we gave gifts of Indian sweets we had picked up from the Bengali Sweet House and cards for the staff at Mr Varma's and his family for inviting us into their home the previous night. We tried to find the most suitable card there is, as they all tended to be a bit slushy, and thankyou cards are relatively scarce as it is... but we didn't think a card covered in words back and front such as 'thankyou....for just being you, for everything you do, for making me whole and for loving me true' ..was appropriate! ... I did find a nice card to send to my mum, but the hard part out here is posting it.. so it is still in my room, but just to let her know that I have one for her and I will post it later if I can (sorry mum!)
xxx
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