On 2nd September, 2016 the students of PP Orion celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi at a special assembly. The assembly was organised to familiarize students with the story of this festival.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten-day Hindu festival celebrated to honour the elephant-headed God Ganesha'. Ganesha is known by 108 different names, the most popular amongst being tGanapati or Vinayaka. He is referred to as the Lord of the arts and sciences. It is also considered auspicious to worship Ganesha at the start of any important occasion. He is therefore, regarded as the God of beginnings too.

At the assembly, PP Orion enacted the story where Ganesha demonstrates his wit and unconditional love for his parents, Lord Shiva and Parvati. Arnav Gupta as Ganesha, Hridhan Basnotra as Lord Shiva, Khank Arora as Goddess Parvati and Aarav Sethi as Naradmuni stole hearts with their act!

During the festival, devotees revel in devotional songs and dance. One form of dance performed by them is the Lezim. After the enactment, our young 'devotees also presented the lezim, followed by the Ganpati Vandana. Finally, towards the end, all the participants assembled on stage loudly chanting Ganapati Bappa Moraya, Agle Baras tu Jaldi Aa. These are traditional chants during the ceremonial immersion of the idol of Lord Ganapati where devotees entreat Him to return the next year.

Our children enjoyed watching and participating in the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi on stage. It introduced them to the festival not usually celebrated in this part of India. It was therefore, both entertaining and educative.

Ms. Priya Kulkarni and Ms. Shweta Hans.