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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Minnesotan Ganesh Chaturthi....


I was overtaken by a huge wave of 'festive nostalgia' as I posted a photograph of our last years eco-friendly Ganesha on Facebook this morning. Instead of basking in it too long I decided to celebrate my favorite God and festival the Minnesotan way!

Rummaging through drawers I found a small packet of sandalwood powder tablets that I seem to have brought from India along with few incense sticks.

Thus in the late afternoon today in my kitchen I decided to mould my dear Ganesha with fragrant sandalwood powder, turmeric and water and captured the process to share with all of you.


The paste took form gradually...

...and a pebble forms His throne.


Peppercorns and cloves...

Vibrant colours enhance the features...

I 'paint my prayers' on a pebble and offer it to the Lord.


In the absence of my favorite Frangipanis I offer Him flora from here, a few pine cones, acorns and grass from my front yard.

Wishing all of you a very Happy Ganesh Chaturthi from Minnesota! May Lord Ganesha remove all your obstacles and shower his blessings on all of you!

P.S. The readers who entered in the Artnlight Blog Anniversary Giveaway, do stay tuned as Vineeta Nair announces the winner on 19th September, 2012.

(Images by Arch)
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38 comments:

  1. healthyforbetterSeptember 18, 2012 at 2:02 PM

    Wow thats such a innovative and cute looking Ganesha. Happy Ganesha Chathurthi!

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  2. AmtripsSeptember 18, 2012 at 2:04 PM

    this is just mind boggling...! i am amazed with this creativity...! simply speechless..! May lord ganesha shower his blessings on you and your folks..
    Amen.

    Amtrips

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  3. PapillonSeptember 18, 2012 at 2:08 PM

    Archana I'm an avid follower of your blog and love the way you portray the simple things of life. Ganesh Chaturthi has a very special place in my heart and I was sooo happy to see the cute little Ganesha you created.. Hats off to you. I love life- interiors, cooking, blogging, travel and photography and try to pin down my experience about these in my blog.
    Do visit me when you have some time at my blog .

    Welcome to the US Archana and look forward to such simple powerful creations from you.

    Have a blessed Ganesh Chathurthi

    Cheers,
    Swapna

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  4. AmtripsSeptember 18, 2012 at 2:14 PM

    My my... this is simply awesome.. You are so creative archana..! innovative, traditional.. this post made me speechless.. seeing your lovely post, I will be off to bed... May lord Ganesha shower all his blessings on you and your folks.

    Amen
    Amtrips

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  5. PritiSeptember 18, 2012 at 2:33 PM

    Happy Ganesh Chaturthi Archana, yet again another creative piece of work, may god shower blessings on you and your family.

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  6. My Dream CanvasSeptember 18, 2012 at 2:34 PM

    Beautiful Archana.

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  7. about meSeptember 18, 2012 at 2:56 PM

    Happy Ganeshana Habba Archana!!
    Ganeshji looked adorable, absolutely loved this post and the pictures. Somehow wasn't too happy seeing the acorns and the pinecones next to him!!

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  8. Archana Srinivas PotterySeptember 18, 2012 at 3:04 PM

    Jayashree Rao~ I completely believe that what ever offered with love is accepted by Him:-)
    Frangipanis or Acorns!

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  9. HemaSeptember 18, 2012 at 3:27 PM

    Lovely Archana! Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to you :) Hema

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  10. International DecorSeptember 18, 2012 at 3:37 PM

    amazing ideas wow :)

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  11. Sangita PillaiSeptember 18, 2012 at 4:19 PM

    Very Creative, Archana. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to you too!

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  12. KaminiSeptember 18, 2012 at 5:29 PM

    I love it. I bet Ganesha never thought he'd be sitting amidst acorns and pine cones....a change from frangipani and marigolds :-)
    Pic # 3 is mind bloggingly beautiful!

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  13. UnknownSeptember 18, 2012 at 5:58 PM

    Love the yellow ganesha and the arrangements that you have made...lovely set of pictures!! Happy ganesha habba to you and your family :)

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  14. AnonymousSeptember 18, 2012 at 8:48 PM

    Archana,

    Simply wonderful..

    May Bappa bring you happiness galore...

    Pachhai

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  15. SudhaSeptember 18, 2012 at 9:01 PM

    lack of things around makes us reinvent stuff...loved your manjal and chandanam pillyaar :)...god bless and have a great year ahead

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  16. VidsSeptember 18, 2012 at 9:10 PM

    lovely.....seasons greetings and best wishes..

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  17. VineetaSeptember 18, 2012 at 9:15 PM

    LOVED this post!!! This is brilliant living and blogging and one cannot happen without the other.

    I think this is my all time favourite post from Rangdecor.

    I loved. each. and. every. frame. in this post. You are so good at this!!

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  18. UnknownSeptember 18, 2012 at 10:42 PM

    You cease to amaze me Archana! It's amazing how you find beauty around you and see it in a whole new perspective. My daily dose of inspiration you are :)

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  19. WoodoozSeptember 19, 2012 at 1:11 AM

    Very beautifully done. It is so amazing how you have created this idol in quick time using whatever you used.

    Thanks for sharing this post and a happy Ganesha Chathurthy to you.

    Cheers,

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  20. Priya SebastianSeptember 19, 2012 at 1:35 AM

    What an absolutely stunning, unique and delightful Ganesha Archana. Love it!
    Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to you and your family.

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  21. notyet100September 19, 2012 at 1:44 AM

    Happy festival,...Ganesha looks so cute

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  22. tinuSeptember 19, 2012 at 1:57 AM

    Beautiful... at first I thought it was idli n chutney.... lol...too cute...

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  23. DitaSeptember 19, 2012 at 1:58 AM

    That is the best set of Ganesh Chaturthi pictures I have seen so far...so innovative!...simply awesome!

    (and my friends thought I was innovative because I offered Pumpkin Soup to Lord Ganesha...what would they have thought of this I wonder!!!)

    Dita
    www.meetDita.blogspot.com

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  24. NamrataSeptember 19, 2012 at 7:33 AM

    Absolutely Brilliant!

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  25. lovelifeunderthesunSeptember 19, 2012 at 8:33 AM

    Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to you and your family,Archana!What an amazing post this is!Loved going through it and Ganeshji looks real cute!

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  26. A Sunny Yellow WindowSeptember 19, 2012 at 10:14 AM

    Sheer poetry Archana! What lovely photographs and the simple idea behind it all.

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  27. Bong MomSeptember 19, 2012 at 10:21 AM

    That is the cutest Ganesha I have ever seen. Wish you a very Happy Ganesh Chaturthi, shall I say a "Minnesotan" one ?

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  28. Color ResonanceSeptember 19, 2012 at 10:56 AM

    Absolute delight to watch the making of your very creative Ganesh idol.

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  29. AarthiSeptember 19, 2012 at 1:15 PM

    completely blown away by your ingenuity..Happy Ganesh Chathurthi to you too

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  30. My bIRDING TRAILSSeptember 19, 2012 at 9:12 PM

    Simply beautiful...Wishing you and your family a very Happy Ganesh Chaturthi .

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  31. Sia | Monsoon SpiceSeptember 20, 2012 at 2:37 AM

    I am amazed at your creativity, Archana! Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to you and your loved ones.

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  32. DeepaSeptember 20, 2012 at 7:17 AM

    So beautiful! Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!

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  33. FL MomSeptember 20, 2012 at 7:57 AM

    Hello Archana

    I really like the KOLAM paint on the pebble. would you mind sharing the way you paint? The accessories you use?

    I did do a little bit Home Work. Browsed through and found the stones with Krishnar Legs. You did mention somewhere that you used Acrylic Paint (hopefully Iam correct).

    I would really apppreciate if you can share the specifics. I went to Michaels & had no clue of what to buy. Thanks

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  34. AnonymousSeptember 23, 2012 at 3:01 AM

    Fall in love with your little little beautiful Ganesha..:-) u r such true inspiration...

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  35. AnithaSeptember 25, 2012 at 4:54 AM

    Archana, This is the cutest Ganesha i have ever seen :)
    Hope you had fun and contentment:)

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  36. Madhu GopalanSeptember 28, 2012 at 9:54 PM

    You are an amazing person, you really are! I can't think of anybody better to learn positivity from. !

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  37. ShrutiOctober 1, 2012 at 2:14 AM

    Nice post. Really glad to see your designs and witness the creativity involved in it. Each of idols that you made of Ganesha was really creative and mind blowing. Your innovation is worth appreciation. Keep up the good work. Good luck!

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  38. Jassica HarrikNovember 7, 2012 at 4:43 AM

    Really awesome! Your ideas helping me for creating new designs. Thanks a lot for sharing.

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