I Want To Thank Lord Ganesha For Everything

He is the one who has kept me going

I have always felt a special connection with Lord Ganesha. At an age, where my mom was trying to teach me some prayers of Lord Srinathji, a Hindu god worshipped by the people from the Northern part of India. I always had an inclination towards Ganeshji.

As I grew up, I found myself visiting lots of Ganesh pandals that exhibited different forms of Ganeshji during the auspicious festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. During this 10-day festival, people across India build special Pandals where they exhibit Ganesha’s statues and worship them for a fixed number of days. People come from distant places to visit these pandals and pay their gratitude to the lord.

I never understood the concept of spirituality back then, but from what my mom explained, it meant connecting with the creator. She explained learning prayers was important as it reached god faster than any other means of communication.

I was according to my religion, not allowed to worship any other god except lord Srinathji, a practice that I never liked. Despite the restrictions, I visited the pandals and ate the special offerings by the priests, called ‘prasad’, and hid this from everyone.

Until 2019, when I got a statue of Lord Ganesha in my house which is the cover picture for this story. Since the day he has come to my house, I feel I have got a friend for life. I could never see God as a friend until I saw the movie ‘My friend Ganesha’ many years back.

My relationship with Lord Ganesh

I talk to Ganeshji all the time. I share all the good news I have, I share when funny things happen, I shower him with random flying kisses, and I hug his idol when my heart feels overloaded with grief and I can't take it anymore.

It is my belief, that he listens to what I say and understands me very well. I believe in him and his plans for me. I feel safe and protected under his supervision. I know my family disapproves of this but I will choose to follow what my heart believes is right.

I want to thank Gannuji as I call him fondly, for coming into my house and gracing my life. For accepting me the way I am, for not judging me when I don't sing prayers like others do, for not hating me for the stupid mistakes I make every day, and for troubling him every time I dust his space.

You are my bestest buddy and I will never let anyone take you away from me. You are very special to me and I love you with all my heart.

Thank you, Lord Ganesha, for giving me this beautiful life and taking care of me. I hope you shower your blessings on all of us, and especially those who are struggling with a difficult time right now.

Bhavna Narula, 2021. All rights are reserved by the author.