Ramesh Soparawala
India Post News Service
CHICAGO: Devon Ka Raja – Ganpati Bappa – came to Devon in September as promised. He came, met his devotees and won their hearts promising to come back again next year around this time.
It was a joyous fortnight from mid September at Ganesh Temple on Devon Avenue with scores of people flocking to have Darshan of Devon Ka Raja every day. It was a sight to watch on the last day of his stay – September 23 – when hundreds gathered with devotion and heart full of joy to bid him adieu for the time being as they were assured by the Raja that he will be back again in their midst next year.
The farewell festivities known as Visarjan ceremony started early in the morning at 11 with an Aarti participated by hundreds of devotees flocking to the temple to be part of the program and seek his blessings. The Aarti was followed by distributing of Prasad by volunteers who did a remarkably good job
The main Visarjan program commenced at 3 pm with a big Aarti again and that was also participated by more devotes than the morning assembly. The Aarti being over there was again Prasad and then started the Immersion Procession with hundreds of devotees participating with a free play of colors and chanting Ganpati Bappa Moriya. There was an entertainment program by local artists to lend a holiday treat to the festivities and that was enjoyed again by hundreds.
Many waited till the final immersion was done and then departed with a heavy heart. They all thanked the temple management headed by Nirmal-Gurbachan Kaur-Neelam-Kajal- Meeta- Rahul, the priests Devender and Nagendra Rao and many volunteers. The Police had kept a good Bundobast and everything went peacefully and in a holiday spirit. Devotees had come not only from Chicago but also from a number of suburbs and neighboring States.
