My sister-in-law, who lives a short walk away from us, has a large Ganpatti at the end of her street every year. This year’s gorgeous statue is shown in the photo above.
Every year they hold a maha aarti (great ritual/prayer) in front of the statue, and distribute prasad (food that has been offered in worship to the God) to everyone. The prasad isn’t any ordinary prasad though. It’s maha prasad (great prasad) to feed the whole neighbourhood, and poor people as well. Even my in-laws travel from their home in Prabhadevi (central Mumbai) to attend the celebration.
As you can imagine, staging such an event is a huge undertaking. My sister-in-law told me she hadn’t slept for the last two nights. There was so much to organise. The execution of it today required just as much effort.
Serving the maha prasad.
There was a constant stream of people sitting and eating at the long rows of tables. And a similar constant stream of food. As soon as one person got up to leave, their chair was swiftly filled by another.
The delicious maha prasad.
The maha prasad itself was unbelievably tasty. There was an assortment of fresh papad, puri, bhaji, curry, rice, dhal, chutney, pakoda… and my favourite gulab jamin for desert! I was very glad that my plate was continually being refilled.
But the best thing about it? The food was all served by guys! The husbands and sons were responsible for distributing it to everyone, and even clearing the tables as well. They did such an excellent job, I think they should be put to such good use more often!
Since it was a special occasion, I made an effort to dress up in traditional Indian clothes. It pleases my in-laws immensely and I also enjoy it. So, here’s a photo of me looking like…well… a white Indian! I’m wearing sindoor too, but it’s hidden by my side part (and messy, sweaty hair as the photo was taken late in the day).
Me wearing traditional dress today.
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
ur looking lovely i must say and the blue suits u really well
Hey Sharell
Thats awesome.
“”The maha prasad itself was unbelievably tasty.”"
You know what, i am always amazed how Prasad always tastes so good.
“”But the best thing about it? The food was all served by guys!”"
Hahahaha….thats the TRADITION dear.
In home, women do the serving and cooking.
But for community purpose, serving and cleaning afterwards are done by men. Its same everywhere……haha and yes u can “”put to such good use more often! “” lol
By the way, u look absolutely gorgeous in that pic……very Indian.
Note: i am absolutely ashamed of some of my “colorful” comments in another post. i am holding my ears if u want. i really did not want to write those things in ur BEAUTIFUL BLOG.i am sorry
Usually in Indian ceremonies, regardless of the faith, it is the men who cook.
…. women just sit pretty and gossip. 
That sounds like so much fun! You look really pretty in your traditional garb, too.
Wow, this is a pleasant revelation about the men! I must go to more of these ceremonies and enjoy!!
Thanks for the lovely complements too.
As for you argumentative Indians (yes, you know who you are!
), all I keep thinking about is this book: The Argumentative Indian 
Even more so, this comment:
“According to Indian tradition, a dialogue can be of three types: ‘vaad’, or a discussion, which seeks to understand the opponent’s point of view and explain one’s own in order to reach the truth; ‘vivaad’ or an argument, which seeks to impose one’s own point of view over that of the other; and the third, ‘vitandavaad’, which merely seeks to demolish the other person’s views, without really offering any alternative system.”
(My gosh, it all comes down to Indian tradition!)
Anyway, shanti time for all of you now! (And apology accepted Ronny).
Talking about “dialogue”, a good example of dialogue with Indians in general and Indian polity & bureaucracy in particular is given in the book “Engaging India: Diplomacy, Democracy, and the Bomb” by Strobe Talbott….. although it does need a little understanding of geopolitics.
http://www.amazon.com/Engaging-India-Diplomacy-Democracy-Bomb/dp/0815783000/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
“Wow, this is a pleasant revelation about the men! I must go to more of these ceremonies and enjoy!! ”
Yeah please do.
And wear Indian Dresses complete with sindoor…..lol.
Yeah its “shanti time for all of you now”.
u must also know about a certain breed of Indians called “kaale angreez”…..u will know more about them at an appropriate time…lol
“And apology accepted Ronny”
Thanks.
Sharell,
You are looking very pretty! And the food looks really good too! Yummy….yummy!!! I wish I was there. On occasions like these, men often take the lead. Same goes with professional cooks…….if you have been to any wedding or other festivity, the cooks employed are all men.
“On occasions like these, men often take the lead. “……………..
Yep, women are almost “forbidden”. Its too public. The women’s sphere is in the home, not outside serving food to men that they do not know, but inside, confined to the men they do know.
However, India has no problem employing “labor class” women to carry heavy bricks on their heads. And yet these same women would be forbidden to serve maha-prasad at a holy function.
Who are these “labor class”?? …. typical view of a westerner when it comes to “caste” and “class” views.
….. deeper understanding is required than just reading op-eds in NY Times. 
You look fabulous! I’m glad the function went on well and I hope your sister in law can get some well deserved rest.
“Who are these “labor class”??”…..You tell me! I never heard the term until I went to India.
It was all Freudian slips, Ronny.
Goridevi wrote: ” “Who are these “labor class”??”…..You tell me! I never heard the term until I went to India.”
The angst I have with westerners is that their own kind don’t protest much when most priests in churches turn out to be men and women are sidelined from all religious activities yet they come over to India and start criticising whatever religious customs that are being followed……. bottom line there are things which are done in certain way in in India. One has the choice of following it if they choose so otherwise they can choose not to conform…
regarding “caste”/”class” talk….. In the Indian cultural context, it is considered “dharmic” to work for the advancement of one’s “extended family group”, and it is understood that such advancement would necessarily come at the expense of other groups because of a general scarcity of resources and opportunities.
In such a context, to impose the idea that one should not use one’s wealth and influence preferentially for the benefit of one’s extended family will be perceived as saying metaphorically, “reject your brother”. Individuals who abandon the idea of patronage will themselves be rejected by their own caste and extended family groups.
The Western notion of egalitarianism and meritocracy will never work if imposed in India because it derives from a socio-cultural context where extended family relationships have never carried the same weight as in India.
System was “I will favor my “brother” over someone else” but replacement to that system should not be IMHO “I will reject my “brother” and treat everyone the same”(A very western concept)…… Indians are still coming to terms with how to handle these differences … The answer is to build on institutions that already exist, expand the cultural understanding of “extended family = caste/class/regional/religious group” into a social contract that encompasses the entire nation….. I think we are already headed that way as a nation and it seems irreversible.
^ Flame war imminent.
Crikey, not again…
Yes, just to let people know, I won’t be allowing any flame related comments in this festival post. I’ve already blocked one. Please don’t spoil the Ganpatti festival.
I apologise if my post has offended anyone …. Sharell you can go ahead and delete my last post if you find it offensive.
It’s not often that you write so much PGB!
I don’t find it offensive at all…
“The angst I have with westerners is that their own kind don’t protest much when most priests in churches turn out to be men and women are sidelined from all religious activities “……………….
Really? I guess because we don’t protest that much is the reason why in the last 4 Christian Churches (Baptist, Presbytarian, Lutheren, Unity) I attended (even though I’m not Christian) the pastors/reverends were WOMEN.
There has been MUCH protest over sexism in religion and that is why things are changing rapidly in that regard here.
Thankyou.
Goridevi wrote: “Really? I guess because we don’t protest that much is the reason why in the last 4 Christian Churches (Baptist, Presbytarian, Lutheren, Unity) I attended (even though I’m not Christian) the pastors/reverends were WOMEN.”
… not just one or two but many.
Well great!! seems like you want a pi$$ing contest, you got one ….. come over to B’lore sometime ….. I will show you women priest
This “ethnocentric” outlook is something we don’t need anywhere, certainly not India…. I sure hope such people never set foot in India.
PGB, I have no idea what you mean by pi$$ing contest. I am fully aware that India has priestesses. You are the one that brought up religion/priesthood/yada-yada.
And you first accused me of being “classist” when the very term “labor class” I learned in India itself. Then when that is pointed out to you, you make some excuse for it. Why not get on the case of the Indians who use that term to the same extent you get on the case of the non-Indian who repeats it?
Just give up. Be at peace and enjoy life.
Goridevi: “You are the one that brought up religion/priesthood/yada-yada.”
I am not giving up ….no ma’am…. this is too much fun.
BTW for the record ….. I am not the one who started taking an “ethnocentric” (to put it mildly) view and started to belittle other religions….. I am not making any excuses…..I am just much more aware of ground realities than you are. I don’t object to the term “labor class” per se, but do object the condescending/ridiculing way you did WITHOUT being aware of complexities of caste/class. BTW my question of “class” was rhetorical, designed to elicit a particular (expected) response.
wow..thats a lovely post..beautiful ganesha..and delicious food…:)…
first time here and enjoying your blog!…keep it up…