Spectacular Celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi at Shirdi Sai Jalaram Mandir

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HOUSTON: A large group of families together celebrated what is called “Saamoohika Ganesh Chaturthi”, a community celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi last Sunday, September 8 at Shirdi Sai Jalaram Mandir, West Belfort location.  The program had an auspicious start in the morning with Ganesh homam – an elaborate process invoking Lord Ganesh.  Ganapathi homam is typically performed to beget happiness, prosperity and good health.  The homam was performed to benefit all the devotees to remove any obstacles in any of their family, work and /or business situations.

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In a packed hall of people with families and children, the priest Suresh ji led very methodically an hour and half long ceremony.  Ganesh Chathurthi puja is never complete without mention to the mythological stories behind Ganesh’s birth and how he continues to takes the role of removing the hurdles in devotee’s lives.

One of the highlights of the event was the inspiration and drive from one long term devotee and volunteer, who continues to motivate several other volunteers each year to celebrate the Ganesh Chathurthi function in a grand manner.  He developed a special module to create idols of Ganesha with clay.  Using his procedure and with the help of several tireless volunteers, each family was given a personalized idol during the puja.  Volunteers at the temple made excellent arrangements to provide the entire paraphernalia, required to conduct the puja.

Some volunteers commented that “it cannot be any better than having such a special occasion at your own home”.  The organizers were also pleased that the response was overwhelming, given that several other temples in the Greater Houston were celebrating Ganesh Chathurthi at the same time.  Talking to some devotes on this mentioned, “the location of the venue and the spirit with which the organizers perform events at Shirdi Sai Mandir makes us come here again and again”.  Over 800 devotees took the blessings of the Lord Ganesh throughout the day at the temple.

The event finished was a sumptuous lunch prasad.