This past weekend there was a national holiday here in India. The holiday was called Ganesha Chaturthi. Ganesha Chaturthi is the Hindu festival celebrated in honor of the god Ganesha, who is the hindu elephant-head god. The modern festival involves installing clay images of Ganesha in temporary shrines, which are worshipped for ten days. These are immersed at the end of the festival in a body of water such as a lake, along with the idol. Some Hindus also install the clay images of Ganesha in their homes.
A traditional legend about Ganesha's birth is that Parvati, Shiva's wife (woman on the right of the picture), created Ganesha out of dirt off her body while having a bath and breathed life into the figure. She then set him the task of guarding her door while she bathed. Shiva (blue man on left), who had gone out, returned and as Ganesha didn't know him, didn't allow him to enter. After the combat between Ganesha and Shiva, finally angry Shiva severed the head of the child. Parvati seeing this became enraged and Shiva then promised that her son will be alive again. Sheva searched for the head of a dead person facing North, but they found only the head of an elephant. They brought the head of the elephant and Shiva fixed it on the child's body and brought him back to life.
Most expats take advantge of the long holiday to travel. We were no exception.
A traditional legend about Ganesha's birth is that Parvati, Shiva's wife (woman on the right of the picture), created Ganesha out of dirt off her body while having a bath and breathed life into the figure. She then set him the task of guarding her door while she bathed. Shiva (blue man on left), who had gone out, returned and as Ganesha didn't know him, didn't allow him to enter. After the combat between Ganesha and Shiva, finally angry Shiva severed the head of the child. Parvati seeing this became enraged and Shiva then promised that her son will be alive again. Sheva searched for the head of a dead person facing North, but they found only the head of an elephant. They brought the head of the elephant and Shiva fixed it on the child's body and brought him back to life.
Ganesha is widely revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences and the deva (devine being) of intellect and wisdom. As the god of beginnings, he is honoured at the start of rituals and ceremonies.
(I got all this info online as I myself have a hard time understanding...)
So. . .with all that tid bit of info - the holiday started this past Thursday (September 17) and ended this Sunday (I think) - with the immersion of his statue in a body of water.
Most expats take advantge of the long holiday to travel. We were no exception.
Several months ago we had a chat witht he girls on our lives in India. We have all decided and agreeed that we will have travel birthdays and or India experieinces for birthdays. For the next two years - gone are birthday presents. We still celebrate the joy of their birthday, but now we travel. Olivia has always been an 'old soul' and took this news as 'well Duh - that just make sense!' Paz was hesitant but she played 'will we buy stuff where ever we go?' card. This is how the trip to Hong Kong came about.
Olivia - smart child that she is - took the time to do her research and discovered that there are Disneylands on this side of the world.
Disneyland Tokyo
Disneyland Hong Kong - DONE
Disneyland Paris - this summer
Disneyland Shanghai - opening in Spring 2016
Well played Olivia. . .Well played.
This trip, we went to Hong Kong to specifically fulfull their birthday travel of Disneyland Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is such a beautiful country. It is green and mountainous. We stayed in an area called Discovery Bay on the Island of Lantau. In this part, cars are not allowed. The only means of transport is a public bus, ferry or golf cart.. It was actually a great way to live for the few days while we were there. The county and buses are so clean that it would embarrass the City of Chicago and put their public transportation system to shame.
Disney was magical!
This also was a side celebration to the end of 'BUSY SEASON'. Most that know us are aware how busy the hubby's busy season can be. It is a yearly 'tradition' and something that I know no different. It has been going on since my marriage. This year was especially rough - hubby had to go back to the States to get things done that were not getting done. So to say that we have not seen each other is an understatement. BUT. . I am not the complaining wife. I know two months out of the year are rough. The girls and I know it and we just ride out the two months. . .
This also was a side celebration to the end of 'BUSY SEASON'. Most that know us are aware how busy the hubby's busy season can be. It is a yearly 'tradition' and something that I know no different. It has been going on since my marriage. This year was especially rough - hubby had to go back to the States to get things done that were not getting done. So to say that we have not seen each other is an understatement. BUT. . I am not the complaining wife. I know two months out of the year are rough. The girls and I know it and we just ride out the two months. . .
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The following day we decided to spend the day with the Big Buddha.
Who is the Big Buddha? He's my buddy. :)
Per Wikipedia:
Big Buddha, is a large bronze statue of a Sakyamuni Buddha, completed in 1993, and located at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island, in Hong Kong. The statue is sited near Po Lin Monastery and symbolises the harmonious relationship between man and nature, people and faith. It is a major centre of Buddhism in Hong Kong, and is also a popular tourist attraction.
The statue is 112 ft tall, weighs over 250 metric tons (280 short tons), and was constructed from 202 bronze pieces. In addition to the exterior components, there is a strong steel framework inside to support the heavy load. Reputedly the figure can be seen across the bay from as far away as Macau on a clear day. Visitors have to climb 268 steps to reach the Buddha, though the site also features a small winding road for vehicles to accommodate the handicapped. The Buddha's right hand is raised, representing the removal of affliction, while the left rests open on his lap in a gesture of generosity. He faces north, which is unique among the great Buddha statues, as all others face south.
OK. . . So we made a day of it. Sounds easy? NO WAY!! There are really two ways to get to the Buddha. . .by cable car and bus. We REALLY wanted to do the cable car. . .but wouldn't you know it. .it was shut down for maintenance. ugh. So bus was our option. After waiting in line for 2 1/2 hours, children melting, daddy getting crabby and momma just trying to hold it together. . .we FINALLY made the bus.
Was it worth it? Yes. I am not sure when we would have gotten the opportunity to do it again.
Our last day was a beach day. The water babies love the beach and it was a much needed relaxing day!
Honk Kong. . .you were so lovely!
