My dear Kannas!

Ganesh Chaturthi, or Vinayaka Chaturthi as it is fondly called in South India, marks the beginning of the festive season. Arriving just before Navratri and Deepavali, it sets the tone for weeks of devotion, celebration, and togetherness.

 

When I first moved to the UK, I thought, “How will I celebrate without the thoranams hanging outside our house in Chennai?” But over the years, I realised Bappa doesn’t look for mango leaves or arugam pull, he looks for bhakti in our hearts. Still, we recreate the same spirit here with what we have, and my UK home feels just like Madras during these ten days.

 

Why We Celebrate

Lord Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, giver of wisdom, and guardian of beginnings. In Maharashtra, the streets resound with dhol-tasha and the aarti “Sukhakarta Dukhaharta.” In Andhra, families chant the Ganapati Atharvashirsha. In Karnataka, children grow up singing devotional songs like “Gajavadana Beduve.” And in Tamil homes, the verses of Avvaiyar’s Vinayagar Agaval are lovingly recited. Different songs, same devotion.

 

Pooja Essentials –

• Eco-friendly clay idol of Ganesha
• Kalash with mango leaves
• Durva grass (21 strands)
• Fresh flowers (hibiscus, jasmine, marigold)
• Coconut, betel leaves, fruits
• Turmeric, kumkum, akshata (rice)
• Modaks (sweet dumplings – steamed or fried)
• Sundal ingredients (chana, moong, or peas)
• Panchamrit (milk, curd, honey, ghee, sugar)

 

 

For my young friends: “Modak is basically the Indian cousin of dumplings, only sweeter, healthier, and blessed by Bappa. #OGdumpling”

 

Check out Aha Bazaar for the above-listed pooja essentials; they’ve got a wide variety of them available

 

Step-by-Step Rituals

• Ganapati Sthapana – Clean puja space, spread a red cloth, place the kalash and the idol.
• Pranapratishtha – Invite Ganesha with mantras.
• Offerings – Flowers, fruits, durva grass, Panchamrit, and sweets.
• Aarti – Sing regional aartis, Tamil, Marathi, Hindi, Kannada, whichever your family knows.
• Daily Puja – Light a diya, offer prasadam each day until visarjan.
• Visarjan – The farewell to Lord Ganesha usually takes place on the 10th day, known as Anant Chaturdashi, when the idol is immersed in water as a symbolic return to nature. While some families in the UK perform visarjan at home in water, others follow eco-friendly practices to respectfully complete the ritual.

 

Kitchen Magic – Regional Delights

Ganapati loves food, no? In South Indian homes, we prepare:

• Kozhukattai (like modak, with coconut-jaggery or spicy dal filling)
• Ellu urundai (sesame laddoo)
• Sundal – a protein-rich snack of boiled pulses with coconut

From Maharashtra: Puran Poli.

From Gujarat: Ladoo and Shrikhand.

From Karnataka: Kadubu.

For my young friends: “Festival thalis are the OG buffets, only here the VIP guest is divine. #BlessedBuffet”

Community Spirit

In India, you hear drums and processions. In the UK, we gather in Tamil Sangam halls, Kannada associations, or even at home with friends. Children dress up, sing bhajans, and we share prasadam. Once, my granddaughter recited a Marathi aarti while her

friend sang in Telugu, and we all clapped. That is Bappa’s magic, unity in diversity.

 Where to Shop

Running around for puja items in London or Birmingham can be stressful. But now we have Aha Bazaar — idols, flowers, modak moulds, even ready-made kozhukattai! Everything under one roof.

Remember, my dears, even if you just offer one coconut with devotion, Ganesha will smile. May he remove all thadangal (obstacles) and bring wisdom, health, and joy to your family.

Ganpati Bappa Morya! Vinayaka Chaturthi Vaazhthukkal!