One of the great joys of living in a multicultural country such as Malaysia is the shear number and range of religious festivities which occur throughout the year. Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of Ganesh to earth (this year on 22nd August). The festival ends on the tenth day when the idol (Ganesh) is carried in a public procession with music and chanting, and I’m told this is a bit like the Chinese Chingay festival here in Johor Bahru. But while these extensive celebrations still continue in Mumbai, they are held on a much smaller scale here in Malaysia.
There are special foods associated with this festival and it is clear that Lord Ganesh has a very sweet tooth! The principal food is modal which looks like a dumpling filled with freshly grated coconut and jaggery (cane sugar). I didn’t spot any of these today but I did enjoy a very tasty vegetarian meal. I also learnt that eating off a banana leaf would lead to a long life. Thankfully my hosts found me a plastic spoon and fork to use as I still haven’t got into the habit of eating with my fingers. Everyone insists that food tastes better eaten using your hand (right hand only of course).
Today I accompanied Lekha Nandey to the JB Seva Center in Taman Tun Aminah. I have visited this area before with the Malaysian Red Crescent ; it is one of the older public housing estates here in Johor Bahru. Many of the households are struggling and often the children are left unattended as both parents need to go out to work. Earlier this year, a local group got together to set up an activity centre; somewhere where the children could get together in safety while their parents work. Here they are fed, given some activities to fill their time, and once a week they get a religious lesson to help them understand the cultural activities such as Ganesh Chaturthi today. Currently there are 35 children in this centre and they certainly seemed very happy to be there today.
When we arrived, the children were receiving presents and a speech from the priest, Siva Sri K.M. Eswara Sivacharariyar, who is a founder of the Johor Hindu Priest Association. And then it was time to eat, but not until everyone had washed their hands!
After lunch, it was time for today’s lesson from YB Tuan Dr. S. Ramakrishnan who is a member of the Johor State Government. It was fascinating talking to Dr. Ramakrishnan and Siva Sri K.M. Eswara Sivacharariyar about the status of Indians in Malaysia today, but that conversation will remain private.
The other stars today were Caren (below left with her young daughter) and her friend Neeta (I hope I’ve got her name correct) with the priest. If you would like to help out in anyway, please contact Caren at 01111405575.
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