Byculla Parsi family’s unflinching faith in Ganpati Bappa
A Parsi family from Rustom Baug at Byculla have been installing the Ganesh idol at their home for the last 12 years since they believe that the Bappa makes everything possible for them.
Delzan Chhoi (33), his wife Shahnaz, who works with the Tata Consultancy Service as sales and distribution consultant, and their 7-year-old son Rehan have unflinching faith in the Lord of wisdom and remover of all obstacles.
When the Free Press Journal visited their home, Delzan was engrossed in performing the Ganesh arti chanting “Morya re, Bappa Morya re” aloud.
“Earlier I used to bring the mandir murti at my grandmother’s place at Marine Lines because I liked decorating the house and it used to enhance my creativity and kept my passion alive. Over the years, my faith in the Lord grew stronger since many wishes got fulfilled. Earlier, we would not do the immersion of the murti but for the past seven years since I am staying separately with my wife and son, I have been performing the immersion every year. Unfortunately, my grandmother fell down and has been hospitalized, so she could not join us for the celebration this year,” Delzan said
The Ganesh idol installed at the residence of the Chhois is a replica of the Sheesh Mahal. “I have been visiting Lalbaugcha Raja every year and I try to take some ideas from there for my home idol. This 2.25-feet idol which will be immersed on the 12th day of visarjan is partly a creation of the Lalbaugcha Raja,” Delzan said.
The idol is made of plaster of paris while the backdrop is made of wooden sticks and decorated with golden paper. “I like the natural look of Bappa’s eyes. So, we bring the idol from one fixed artisan from Lower Parel. Earlier, we used to drape the Lord in velvet cloth. But this time, we had ordered for a special set of clothes for Him,” Shahnaz complimented.
On their faith in the Bappa, Shahnaz said, “We had experienced miracles twice. One was when after the visarjan, the sand sticking to the patla (wooden stool) on which the idol was taken had the shape of Ganpati. The other one was when the modak which is placed on the left hand of the idol had taken the shape of the Lord.”
The Chhois performed Satyanarayan pooja on September 2. For the Chhois, it is like a family get-together since relatives, including from Surat to their neighbouring areas, flock to their residence for the pooja. They usually perform three poojas — first on the day the idol is kept on the pandal, a Satyanarayan pooja and a last one before bidding farewell to Bappa. The Chhois said they will celebrate Ganpati as long as they can.
“Since, eco-friendly murtis are difficult to carry in hand while bringing it home or taking it for visarjan, I bring idols of plaster of paris only,” Delzan said.
Earlier, the Chhois had kept only one-fourth of the room for Ganpati. Now, a full-fledged room has been reserved only for the Ganpati idol. Since it is believed that Bappa should not be left alone at home, Delzan keeps himself awake in Bappa’s room throughout the twelve nights of celebration. It takes a month’s time to decorate the entire room. Ganpati aartis are played on the music system kept in the room and the house is decorated with lights.
“Whether it is family matter, personal or career growth, the Lord has blessed me and my family. I am blessed with a good wife and a son. I have been getting better and better with time and that has increased my faith in the Lord,” Delzan added.