It was a nice unpleasant walk.
Sandwiched between people I trudged along to sea.
Sea, the final destination.
All the while I perspired, making my shirt heavy.
Stifling crowds.

Ganesha had no Aquaphobia.
Why would he ?
He didn't mind drowning in the lead waters, his Plaster of Paris (Sounds glamorous doesn't it ?) becoming one with the heavy metals.

"If you don't have a voice, you're bound to get abused", I always say.

So it happens. Crowds gather, crowds celebrate, crowds rejoice.

All for the drowning of their Lord.

But, to get to the sea I had to traverse the distance. And so it passed.

All along the road I was assaulted by reality. And delusions.

It was dizzying to watch the men, women and children.

Why was it dizzying ? Because, for the first time in a very long time, I could see human faces. Not stones, not machines. Not people sifting through other people to get to work on time.
Humans.

The loud music blared. Trucks filled to the brim with devout revelers and a tiny idol.

Stands set up by the roadside, all generous.

The Versova Sindhi Association was bestowing samosa.
The Parle Agro Company was dispensing LMN.
The Lions Club Of Oyster was donating biscuits.
The Lumiere Housing Society was showering sweets.
The Quarter Deck Housing Society (Rivals to Lumiere Housing Society) was awarding better sweets.

All along the long winding road, a four course meal was arranged.

They stood in lines. Long winding lines.
Shuffling feet, crying babies.
There are no free meals they say. I agree.
The hunger quenches impatience.
At the end of the line was good food. And some LMN.

For me, it was nostalgic. Reminded me of the time I saw a glossy picture of 'Bread Lines' in a Time Life book. Ah ! Sweet memories of growing up with the sick history of the world.

The Government does not look after the impoverished.
At least their Lord does, on a few good benevolent days.
And the Rich finally give back, if not for Humanity sake.
No wonder He has such a good reputation.

I follow the paper plates to the sea.

At the shore I see a multitude.
People, with their Savior.

I break away from the ceremonies and farewells, to follow the deserted shoreline.

Two boys brush past, their flashlights paving the way.
There was ample light I figured, but they were on the lookout for a glint.
Dropped wallets, washed up 100 Rupee note necklaces, the Lord's adornments.
Anything.

A little more deeper into the darkness.
A happy couple.
Two 15 year old kids, by the look of it.
With a red heart-shaped balloon tossing in the wind.
The Lord provided them with an excuse to sneak out at night.
Indeed, Remover Of Obstacles.
But, for their own sake, I hoped the rubber would not break that night.
Some obstacles are best left untouched.

So it came to pass.

I stood at a distance, watching the lights. Watching people let go.
If only they did it more often.
If only I did it more often.

And everyone was smug.

The Atheist smug,
"Look at those fools !"

The Theist smug,
"Faith is still alive ! Praise the Lord !"

The Capitalist smug,
"Advertising in full gear. LMN everywhere ! Excellent."

His posh sedan parting the sea of consumers.
Present day Moses anyone ?

The Communist smug,
"Like He said. Opium of the Masses"

And then the crowd. The voiceless.
Happy.
One auspicious day of the year.

Free food, free music, free dance.

An Impecunious Carnival.

All For The Drowning Of Their Lord.

This piece borrowed from : http://100-percent-irony-free.blogspot.com/2009/09/impecunious-carnival.html