Faithfuls on a Tuesday!

If you happen to be on the Mumbai roads - somewhere between Dadar and Worli to be precise - during the wee hours of Tuesday, something very singular will attract you.
The steady flow of people, headed towards a common destination. The unearthly hours and the consequent absence of public transport is hardly a hindrance. They are all happy enjoying their padyatra on a divine night.

I see groups of boys and girls, some in shorts and T-shirts, others in track pants legging it to Prabhadevi. I could as well have mistaken them for early bird fitness freaks or would-be doctors from the nearby medical colleges out for a morning trot.
Then there are families comprising father, mother, sons, daughters; the ladies dressed in garish sarees, salwars, a matching bindi, glass bangles, lips painted crimson, eyes coated with black liner (where do they get the time), the men relatively sober in printed shirts and matching trousers.

When I come to know it's mission "Appease Lord Ganesha", I am perplexed.
To forgo a night's sleep and legging it all the way to Prabhadevi from their homes (some do that and Mumbai is not shrinking) was truly amazing.

But why do I see girls and boys in shorts and track pants. Probably they thought they could make it a two-in-one. An early morning walk coupled with a darshan of their favourite God on his favourite day. What a holy exercise!
But, I wondered how Lord Ganesha felt when he saw these boys and girls? Would he cringe at the sight of girls shamelessly flaunting their well-toned brown legs, or would he be too shy to even sneak a look. By now, he would probably be accustomed to such sights. After all if people can change, why couldn't the Gods?
If girls could discard sarees and salwars kameez for the comforts of jeans, skirts, shorts, I am sure Ganesha would readily discard these archaic, conservative, feminist notions of propriety. He would definitely understand. And then consider their sacrifice. Wasn't it enough they had forsaken their sleep and overworked their poor legs.

And then the Siddhivinayak temple was always known for its tolerance. Isn't that the reason even faithful Christians and Muslims flock to this place without the fear of being shunned. Yes, Ganpatiji tolerates them, though the followers of his faith can't stand them. (I wonder if they can even stand each other).

For that I would thank god for the Christians and Muslims. At least the Hindus are united in disliking them. In this united mission, they at least tolerate (if not like) each other.
Especially, when a certain Bal Thackeray is busy churning out new enemies for the Marathi manoos.
Earlier, it was the South Indians stealing the coveted government jobs. Then it was the Muslims, making bomb blasts at will. And now the North Indians.
But then who can blame them for hating the North Indians. I could make a whole list of their crimes. They do think the roads are a big, public spittoon, where they can release their pan-mixed saliva at will. Why roads, buses, elevators, footpaths, staircases, public walls, building walls, walls where it is clearly written ithe thunko naka!
Then they shamelessly grope Mumbai. Yes, they almost rape her. I wish their overactive loins would behave themselves.
So, why blame the poor Maharashtrians for hating them. And these non-Maharashtrians, always stealing their jobs. So, Balasaheb has a point.
I always thought Mumbai is human because of her Maharashtrians. Simple, austere, God-fearing. They are a disciplined lot. So accommodating. A whole family of six wouldn't mind wriggling it out in a one-room flat. And then they eat non-veg only on Wednesdays and Sundays. Good way to economise as I see it. Of course, they are religious. So they even avoid killing mice, because Lord Ganesha likes them. Most make it to Siddhivinayak without fail every Tuesday and if not they ensure their presence in any of the numerous Ganesha temples in their vicinity.

I have been to Siddhivinayak just thrice to be precise in the 25 years I have been in Mumbai. Blame it on my indolence, or my inability to tolerate huge crowds. When I pray, I need a peaceful ambience. Only the occasional clonk of the bells should break my monologue with God. Nothing else. I do not want to be manhandled, pushed and jostled, when all I want is a glimpse of my God and feel his smiling, benevolent eyes on me.
But I still envy the faithful, who without fail keep their appointment with God every Tuesday, while I lazily make excuses of corruption, omnipresence, peace.
Well, if God is everywhere, why do I need to go to temple to see him, or talk to him. Wouldn't the numerous pictures I have at home suffice to appeal to his magnanimity.
Yes, you can avoid the serpentine queues and get a speed Darshan if you pay Rs 50.
But wouldn't that be exploiting people's faith?
And would this God even want to see me, if I pay money to see him quickly?
Or would he like me more because I shelled out extra to get his darshan?
Yes, and I also happen to know the guard at the temple. So if I really want he will allow me in for free that too without breaking a sweat. So would my God love me more because I happened to know the guard. Then what about those who had waited for almost three hours to get a darshan?
of course, they wouldn't know what I did, but then how would I refrain from cursing myself for the ungodly act.
So, I would rather sit at home and admire and envy those, who make it every Tuesday without fail. Or catch a fleeting glimpse of the faithfuls plodding along as I trundle past in my office transport.