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As millions of Hindu devotees across Gujarat and Maharashtra are marking the birthday of Lord Ganesha through the Ganesha Chaturthi festival today, Muslims too have joined in the celebrations. In Vadodara, a group of Muslim artisans are giving a special touch to the 10-day long festival. They are preparing miniature temples and chariots on which idols of the Lord Ganehsa will be seated during the ceremony. Setting an inspirational example of communal harmony for one and all, the Muslim artists say that they have been doing this for many years, and admit to having a large clientele. This year, the Pathan family is making a jazzy chariot for a Maharashtrian family. "We are artists. We understand and appreciate the spirit of the festival. Most of my customers are Hindus," said Siraj Pathan, the Muslim artist. "We celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi with much fun and fervor in Maharashtra. To lend a different look to idol of Lord Ganesha, we decided to bring it in a colorful chariot. We placed an order as we have full confidence on Sirajbhai," said Jayesh, the customer. For the Pathan family, the sentiments of Hindu devotees have a special place in their hearts. "We made chariots and canopies for Ganesha Chaturthi. The exuberance of the people in Gujarat and Maharashtra remain at its peak during this period. People order to make items to embellish arches and domes of temples. We go outside as well to cater to demands of clients," " We started preparing such items in advance. We made advance preparations for the Ganesh festival almost two to three months prior to the grand occasion. We don't feel any difference between Hindu and Muslims. Though I am a Muslim, I enjoy making items for Ganesha Chaturthi," said Siraj Khan. "If there a some issues between the two communities, they have been created politically not just in Gujarat, but also in other places. There should not be any differences based on religion," Pathan added. However, for millions of people living in Gujarat and Maharashtra, it is a time when almost all Lord Ganesha devotees can be easily found involved taking part in the most-awaited annual festival, also one of the biggest festivals of all Hindus. Beginning today on Sunday, the Ganesha festival would continue for the next 10 days. It concludes only when Ganesha idols that are carried in huge processions of devotees on the last day and immersed in the sea water. The festival is also very popular in western and southern parts of the country. Legend has it that Hindu Goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva, one of the three most powerful Gods in the Hindu pantheon, had created Ganesha from a perfumed putty-like substance, which she used to remove sandal paste from her body. Parvati had created Ganesha to sit as a guard outside her bathing place. But unaware about the motive of that child, Shiva felt outraged to find the little boy near the bath and beheaded him. Later on, Shiva came to know about the mistake he had committed in a fit of anger. On realisation of his mistake, Shiva brought him back to life by slaying an elephant and giving the beheaded body of the child that elephant's head. Thus, the Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada month of Hindu calendar. Interestingly, the festival was not celebrated in a grand fashion, until Lokamanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak used to unite Hindus against British colonial rule. The festivities include fund-raising, making various types of Ganesha idols in different moods, organising public performances of music and dance and organising feasts.
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