This little Ganesh was given to me as I was leaving India back in 2009. A Ganesh should always face you right when you enter into a room. Also, if the Ganesh breaks or becomes harmed in any way, he should be immersed at the next Ganpati Festival.
I’m in India right now, but I scheduled this post to coincide with my trip–especially since I will be wearing my Ganesha necklace all week long. I often keep saying I’ll tell the story about this Ganesh that I wear but then always forget to. But now, that my Hindu God has a proper chain, and I’m wearing it more frequently, I’ll detail the long story about this precious treasure that I wear around my neck. I’ll try to be concise, but be forewarned it’s a multi layered story.
Living in India, and in Bombay in particular, it was bound to happen that Lord Ganesha became our Hindu God. He is ever present in this city; in fact the neighborhood in which we lived included us in his annual submersion each year called Ganesh Ganpati. Oh, what a festival! We learned to chant Ganpati Bappa Moriya (gun potty bappa more eee ah) in true Hindi form right alongside all the other Mumbaikars out in Juhu Beach where we lived.
You’re actually not suppose to buy your own Ganesh; it should be given to you. Kevin and the kids gave me this one. He had a garland of marigolds around him most the time.
Back to the bauble…first, I introduce Aloise. She’s one of those classy ladies that also has a tremendous amount of spunk. I have always appreciated Aloise’s style anticipating her outfits because they are always fabulous! She wore the most solidly, beautiful Ganesh around her neck–that was one constant to her fantastic ensembles. It was so beautiful (Kevin taught Aloise’s kids) that Kevin inquired about how he too could get this pendant to give to me as well. The Ganesh is actually from Sri Lanka, so Kevin put in an order for the next time Aloise would be going to her home there. The next birthday (I can’t remember which year) I received the gorgeous solid gold Ganesh. Oh, I wore it too. I remember arriving home one summer, and my mom said, And so where is Jesus now? She perhaps thought we had completed converted from Catholicism to Hinduism, so the following summer I loaded up my chain with all the my precious pieces that bring me comfort and help me to feel safe. Yes, I am very auspicious about my jewellery!
We made an exception here and bought this Ganesh. It’s actually a door panel.
I had that Ganesh charm for a good five years or so. Stupidly on one trip I wore it, and the chain was not nearly strong enough. We had less than a 12 hour lay over in Ho Chi Minh City. In the morning we would continue to the beach, so it was a very quick stopover in this city. when we arrived to the hotel, we simply needed to venture out for a a quick bite to eat. We were out for less than 30 minutes because with in the first five minutes right outside of the hotel, walking along a very large yet vacant boulevard, a man walking past me, reached out, and tore my necklace right off my neck! I was so shocked. The kids’ hands were in mine, but then I dropped them instantly and began chasing after the man. I was so shocked it took me a moment to realize he had just torn my necklace off. I was no match for him. He ran up ahead and hopped on the back of a cycle. They were a duo team–they must have spotted me and scoped me out instantly. Meanwhile I had left the kids. They were crying, I began crying, and we were all just stunned. No, we did not eat dinner that night.
This was a big lesson for me: I’m such an innocent, trusting traveller, and while I don’t want to be cautious of people when I travel, I do have more of a sharp eye now. I think ahead about what I will wear in given circumstances. Later when we were in our hotel room, we read the fine print of the Lonely Planet guide book warning us of the “urban cowboy.” They definitely got us! We ended up having a nice time on the trip through Vietnam, but I would be lying if I didn’t say we were stunned and saddened by that experience. I missed my precious pendant a great deal feeling saddened that I had lost it and in such an awful way.
Fast forward to my 40th….It was an amazing month with a thoughtful little gift each day, an amazing party, but an even more monumental gift: my sister surprised me for the party! Then, to increase the sure joy of this birthday, Kevin regifted me the Ganesha! I couldn’t believe it. I can remember that simple meal sitting around the table. It had been such an amazing month and birthday weekend. I did not expect to receive any more gifts. When I opened the small jewellery box and peered inside to see a new Ganesha, I broke down crying.
My second, very precious gold Ganesh
This second pendant travelled a bit just to get to me too, so it is worth mentioning. Kevin contacted Aloise again in Singapore–in plenty of time ahead. She had it made once again–interestingly enough it is not exactly the same. There are couple of minor difference, and I have found out that an artist would not make to Ganeshas in the same way. (At least I was told that.) Aloise picked up the Ganesh and brought it to Singapore where she lives. Our good friend Debbie picked it up from her in Singapore. Kevin knew we’d be seeing Debbie that February in Boracay for Chinese New Year. In Boracay Kevin was having trouble connecting with Debbie, so Debbie passed it on to Geraldine whose hotel was closer to ours. Kevin finally picked it up from Geraldine, and I’m not sure how Debbie got the money to then pass on to Aloise. Regardless, the Ganesh made it into the hands of Kevin, and I was clueless to all of this. I was so stunned to receive it on that Sunday, February 21, 2012!
Now, there’s one last litle bit: I’ve had this new Ganesh now for three years, yet I never wear it. I was scared to. I haven’t had a real solid chain to carry it. That’s fixed now because Kevin gave a beautiful, solid, strong chain for my 43rd birthday, and now I’m frequently wearing my Ganesha!
And that’s the multi-layered story of my Ganesh! Ganesha is the Lord of Protections, so I’m very happy to be able to wear him again.
*I know I used Ganesh and Ganesha interchangeably. I can’t explain why other than he has always had these two names for me. A third name would be Lord Ganesha. I’ll research this fact….and now I have found out that basically there are two names for him. Another spelling that I hadn’t seen was Ganesa.
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