Ganesh Festival 2007

Ganesh Ustav in Korea 2007 On Saturday (15th September) it was raining outside which was best time to sleep, it was difficult to conduct the Ganesh festival due to worst weather conditions. However Volunteers started preparations due to their strong devotion. The decoration team was putting efforts to making it excellent. When the stage decoration was finished we forgot that we are in Korea. The Rangoli by some of our enthusiastic lady volunteers, the flowers and decoration around the Ganesh idol was worth praising. The backdrop of the stage was prepared so nicely that words were not enough for praising the volunteers who did it. On the music system the nice collection of Ganesha songs started playing and that was the last requirement to make entire atmosphere for Ganeshamay.

Due to bad weather it was expected that very few devotees will attend Pratisthapana (Installation) of Lord Ganesha. However, the true devotees of Lord Ganesha started gathering and by the time of pooja about 100 devotees were present.

During the pooja especially the Pujari was very impressive, wearing very nice clothing and Matra chanting without refereeing to any pages. Laddoo and Modaka which is the real prasadam for Lord ganesha was made available by some of the volunteers. Really Lord Ganesha might have helped all the volunteers to make it available all the materials required for pooja which difficult get in Korea. After pooja Volunteers started planning about tomorrows plans. All the requirements were clearly noted down and work was distributed and volunteers were decided for each and every task.

The Last night efforts brought the great morning on the day of Ganesh festival on 16th September. The venue was shining because of nice weather which was surrounded by mountains. This became really a holy place. All the Ganesha devotees were welcomed by putting tilak on their forehead. The venue was nicely organized all various spiritual organization have put up their presentation and spiritual materials to interact with Indian and Korean community.

Program started with Ganesh Puja, Ganesh stotra by Korean Kids and the opening introduction speech about importance of Ganesh festival in Indian culture. The dean of Seoul National University gave encouraging speech about Intellectual and social Interaction among Indian and Korean Community. Then various other programs which includes presentation of Indian culture by Indian kids, Gita discourse by Patanjali Muni Das of ISCKON, Regional Language Bhajan in Marathi and Bengali, Bhajan in Hindi and regional by Swamiji from Anand Marga Swamiji, Nepali group program, Bhajan by Korean people, Experience of India by two koreans in Hindi, Bharatnatyam program, Introduction about Sudarshan kriya by Art of living group and Introduction about Brhmakumaries.

The Bhajans by Korean kids were surprised Indians which could help to bridge gap of prejudice both for Indian and Korean Community. The Bhajans by Anand Marg swamiji were so impressive that organizers have to arrange similar program three times. The Bharatnatyam program was also excellent and the artist traveled from other city for the program. By the time of Mahaaprasadam about 500 Indian, about 100 Korean and few other nationals gathered together to celebrate great Indian festival. Devotees enjoyed the mahaaprasadm in spite drizzling. Even though it was drizzling the program were so amazing that people stayed till evening enjoying various flavors of the programs. Devotees also interacted with the people from various parts of India. They also enjoyed the company of fellow Indians in the country where they rarely meet any Indians in their work place.

Finally the program concluded by Ganesh Visarjan Pooja and Volunteers danced on the Indian bits which was reflecting the joy of conducting the program successful.

Report By : Ganesh Ustav Korea Committee 2007. (16th sep 2007)