The Lonesome Road

There was a plan last night to go for the Ganapati walk - but I had to back out. Actually, three out of the six people going backed out citing various reasons. Happens, I suppose.

Anyway, mom and I had some bank work today.My father had this brilliant idea that we should take the car, finish the bank work and then go see the Dagadu Seth Ganapati (DSG). As custom dictates, we follow my father’s orders. The work at the bank was done by one and then we set off for Laxmi Road where the DSG temple is located.

Now, the problem with Laxmi Road is that it’s a system of narrow one-ways. How narrow - well the road width is barely the width of two cars standing side-by-side. That’s the supposed length of the road. You have to subtract the frontage of the stalls that abound all over. The entire area is driving hell. Right from the condition of the road to the loony people who drive on them. One more problem is that the there are tons of intersections among these one ways. My sis had driven from the house to the bank. She refused to drive beyond that point stating that she’d had enough of my dad’s back seat driving. So I took over.

Let me tell you - it’s a painful drive. You have people who know they cannot squeeze past you on the road - but that will not dissuade them from trying. Pedestrians jaywalking - basically the works. Now when you come near the DSG, there is a municipal parking. It’s a 4 storeyed structure. Now, we come to the entrance, only to be told that we had to use the earlier one. This was a little daunting as I now had to take a U-turn on a small and extremely busy lane. Took me nearly 5 minutes to find a break in traffic and turn the car around.

Parking done, we went to see the God. The DSG is the richest, and supposedly the most powerful Ganapati in all of Pune. It was a mad rush to see the God. Crowds here, there, everywhere. We stood in line patiently. Fortunately, the organisers have placed the God on a stage. So, even as you join the line, the idol is clearly visible and as you move forward, more and more details become apparent. It’s a beautiful idol and radiates an amazing sense of peace. The thing is - once you see this one - all the others feel - for want of a better word - less.

We were really luck today. We entered the bank - and it started pouring. That was one. The second time, we stepped into the parking lot to leave for home - looked outside and once again it was pouring. Looks like someone’s watching over us

Anyway, that’s all for now. Later all….