GANESHA MURTI MAKING WORKSHOP
Hind Swayamsevak Sangh, Auckland 1st September 2019
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh NZ Inc. conducted Ganesha Murti (Idol) making workshop on Sunday, 1st of September 2019 at Lynnfield Youth & Leisure Centre, Lynnfield and Glenfield Community Centre in Auckland.
Excited at the prospect of making a Murti (idol) of Lord Ganesh, the children were all chatter with a galore of creative ideas. Added to this were parents and caregivers, happy to experience the uncomplicated pleasures of childhood again.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the fourth day of the Bhadrapada, which usually is between late August to early September. Bhagvan Ganesh is believed to be a remover of obstacles and bestows upon wisdom and prosperity. The festival is celebrated across India, and even among many other countries in the world. The history of Ganesh Chaturthi goes back thousands of years but was popularised by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 17th Century and Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilakji’s efforts to make it Public festival gave widespread prominence during India’s Independence movement.
The workshop in Auckland was organised by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh NZ Inc., which is a non-profit organisation operating in New Zealand since 1996. HSS runs on the foundation of Sanskar (Practising the values), Seva (selfless service) and Sangathan (the spirit of coming together) and conducts weekly meetings to provide a platform to all Hindus to practice and promote universal peace, Hindu dharma and Hindu culture. HSS has 4 Shakhas (Branches) in Auckland & 11 across New Zealand.
On the day of activity, it started with Dhwajaropan & a brief introduction about HSS. Followed by that, the step by step process of Ganesha making was explained. All the participants were divided into smaller groups which was a mix of Adults, Teenagers and young children. Workstations were ready with plastic sheets, newspapers, some water containers. To mould the idol all participants were given water and a generous lump of wet clay, which was completely organic and environment friendly. In each group there were 1 or 2 Swayamsevaks or sevikas facilitating in the making.
The making of Murtis went on for next one hour. We saw different versions of the most cute and lovable Ganesha, and all along participants sharing their stories about Bhagvan Ganesh and his favourite food. After finishing the workshop everyone placed their own Ganesha Murtis on the table and the Shakha ended with Prarthana. At the end of the workshop, the super thrilled participants got to take home the Ganesha they made. Many families put up the Ganesha on their prayer altar for the next day’s Ganesh Chaturthi Puja. Almost 30-35 families and around 100+ people participated in this activity. The age group spanned from 5 to 65. Almost 100 Ganesha Murtis were made using clay.
At the end of the day happy faces of the participating children & adults was the best outcome of the event. Everyone enjoyed the process thoroughly and had the feeling of creating something worthwhile which they’ll cherish for long time.