Time for my friend Ganesha's Birthday again!!

I hear people always say "I am God fearing..." instead I go up the level and say differently "I am God loving". Both statement might seems to give a sense of the samething at the end for many but they are not. They have big difference. When you love something you feel comfortable to share and talk anything like a friend. But if you fear, obviously you don't or won't be able to go close to loving or liking them. Thats normal human tendency.

I have many friends but two of them been sticking with me since the day I came to know of them from my childhood. They were introduced by my mom. They are Pillayar(Ganesha) & Murugan(karthikeyan). They been with me in every ups and downs so far. They gave me wisdom and encouraged me in every step of my way. They blessed me for prosperity. They travelled with me to all places and stayed with me all along. I never gone anywhere without them or without their blessings. I fought with them and played at times too.

You might wonder, am I wierd person?! I don't know but I sure do know if you can be friends with unknown virtual person in this blogdom, why can't you be friend with GOD who you we see all the time in all different ways. I bet you can and I do.

Every year, I celebrate my Friend's birthday in a grand way. Especially Pillayar birthday in a special traditional way at my home. Its the tradition which I carry over from my grandpa.

When I was a kid, the vinayaka chathurti day(Ganesha Birthday which is 4th day moons bright fortnight) is an activity packed one. It starts with by getting a new Pillayar idol freshly made in clay. We always get a different style compared to other normal idols, I guess it our traditional one for our family. Somewhat looks like the one below but in full clay about one foot with kundumani eyes which has red & black colors in them.

Once we get the idol, I place them carefuly in the pooja room for it to dry a bit. After that, I join my grandma to out and purchase small umberalla made in paper for him. Its so cute with color strips on the side. Then she buys special fruits for him like pears, barikai, berries etc., Also get some abhishakam(bathing) items for the evening special pooja. During all these time, my mom and aunts(we had combined family at that time) were busy making special sweets for like (Sorry, I know only tamil names) kozhukattai, sundal, ellurandai, vellaundai and much more.

After lunch, I set out on a hunting trip with my friends to go and gather some varied type flowers just special to him like Thumbaipoo (tiny white flower which can found in sides roadst), Arrali flowers and then finally get some Arugampul(a special type of grass). It takes the first half of the afternoon to search and find the flower since its a demand of the day.

By evening, everything is all set for the ceremony. We all gather in the pooja room around 6pm or so. My Grandpa who is the eldest of the family gets himself ready to do the pooja. Lamps(Kuthuvelaku) gets lighted up, incense sticks smell starts to freshen-up the room to create spiritual mood.

First he starts by giving him oil and sheyakai bath then continues with different types bath in items like milk, yogurt, turmeric, vuputhi

I continue the same tradition at my home wi do this pooja and celebrate my friend Ganesha Birthday. Here is the picture of the Pillayar idol which I made out of fresh clay(I am not an artist so bear with me) for last year ceremony after his bath and decorated with beautiful flowers from our garden.

Pillayar made of Fibreglass decorated by Arugampul garland

Big feast served for my Pillayar friend

I am hoping to celebrate with the same spirit this year. Wishing you all

Happy Vinayagar Chaturthi all of you!!!

Tamil Pillayar Song

Pillayar Pillayar
Perumai Valthe Pillayar (2times)

Atangarai Nirilay Aresamara Nilaliley
Vitirekum Pillayar Vinaigal Tirkum Pillayar

Yanai Mugam Kondever Ainthe Karangal Udayaver
Panir Vayir Padaitever Bakter Kureiyai Tirpevar

Manililay Seiyanum Manjalaley Seiyanum
Ainthelethe Manthiratai Nenjil Natrum Pilayar

Om Nama Sivaya Endre Ainthelethe Manthiratai
Nenjil Natrum Pillayar

Aremuga Velaneke Ananane Pillayar
Nerum Thunbam Yavayum Nikiveikum Pillayar

Kaliyugathin Vinthaiyei Kaneh Vendhi Anithinam
Yehliyin Mithi Yehriya Istem Pole Suthuvar

Pillayar Pillayar
Perumai Valthe Pillayar (2times)

(Source:http://www.minvarthagam.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=372&whichpage=1)

Do check the funny blog from my Kutti Pillayar friend,

URGENT MAIL FROM GANESHA!!- A cute Kutti one