As children, we would go around the colony with receipt books that were purchased from stationery shops- happy if got a rupee or two from uncles. Prasad would normally be made at home and sisters would help organise programmes that would a dance or a song. Most of us would cry on the day of 'Visarjan'- the beloved Lord would bid a goodbye until next year.
Things have changed.
Subscription sought has risen from Rs.1000/- last year to Rs.5000/- this year. "You can pay post-dated cheques", the Mitra Mandal volunteer offered. Tell me if any help is needed, I offered. No, he said, just money would do!
Brought Ganapati Bappa from Maharashtra Govt. Emporium today. From 800 idols last year (small ones), the helpful salesman was happy to expect sales rising to 1300 to 1500 this year. The number is small compared to an estimated population of around one lakh Marathi families in Delhi. It is unlikely that any Marathi would not celebrate Ganeshotsav. Yamuna banks in Delhi, usually decked up for the 'Chhat Puja' (remember Lalu as Railway Minister would make to newspapers every year with his wife performing Chhat?) would undergo no change for Ganesh immersion but there are quite a few big idols and I was thrilled to hear a North Indian family chanting "Agle Baras Tu Jaldi Aaa", as we reached the Yamuna last year!