The Pen Pal of the Divine: Why Thousands Write Letters to Ganpati Bappa Every Day

 Explore the fascinating and heartwarming tradition of writing letters to Ganpati Bappa. Despite the slow pace of postal services, the ‘King of Manauti’ receives a deluge of letters at a Ganesh pandal in Lucknow, fueling hopes and dreams for thousands.

Introduction

In an age dominated by tweets, text messages, and quick emails, one might think the art of letter-writing is long dead. But hold your horses! For thousands of devotees in Lucknow, a pen and paper are more than just relics—they’re conduits to the divine. Postal services may be dragging their feet these days, but the ‘King of Manauti,’ Ganpati Bappa, is swimming in sacks of letters at a Ganesh pandal in Lucknow. So, what’s cooking? Why are folks, young and old, jotting down their wishes to Lord Ganesha? Read on, my curious friends, read on!

The Genesis of the Tradition

The Manautiyan Raja Pandal: The Epicenter

At Jhulelal Park in Lucknow, the Manautiyan Raja Pandal serves as the beating heart of this unique tradition. Devotees don’t just bow and leave; they sit down, grab a pen, and get writing.

Gujarat’s Dhank Temple: The Original Inspiration

Interestingly, the roots of this practice can be traced back to the Dhank temple in Gujarat. Like a wildfire, it spread to Lucknow, giving birth to a local phenomenon that’s both intriguing and oddly comforting.

The Ritual: More than Just Writing

The Power of Mantra

Before you go scribbling away, there’s a prerequisite. You need to pen down the mantra ‘Om Gan Ganpataye Namah’ 108 times. Bharat Bhushan, a member of the Managing Committee, explains, “It’s Lord Ganesha’s favorite mantra.”

From Heart to Paper: Unleashing Your Wishes

After the mantra, the real business begins—writing down what your heart truly desires. Whether it’s landing that elusive job, passing exams with flying colors, or finding your life partner, the sky’s the limit!

Volume Speaks: The Numbers are Staggering!

Bharat Bhushan reveals, “We receive around 60,000-65,000 letters annually.” That’s a lot of dreams, hopes, and thank-you notes, right?

The Grand Finale: Bhoo-Visarjan

What happens to these letters, you ask? The letters are carefully preserved and then buried along with the idol during the bhoo-visarjan, symbolizing the union of earthly wishes with divine will.

FAQs

• How many letters are received every year?
  • Around 60,000 to 65,000.
• Do I need to follow any specific ritual while writing the letter?
  • Yes, you first need to write ‘Om Gan Ganpataye Namah’ 108 times.
• What happens to the letters after the festival?
  • They are buried along with the Ganesh idol during bhoo-visarjan.
• Is this practice unique to Lucknow?
  • While it has become a major tradition in Lucknow, the inspiration comes from Gujarat’s Dhank Temple.

Conclusion

With the rush of life keeping us on our toes, this endearing tradition serves as a humbling reminder of the power of simplicity, faith, and old-fashioned letter-writing. So if you find yourself in Lucknow, why not pen a note to the ‘King of Manauti?’ After all, thousands of devotees write letters to Ganpati Bappa every day, and if their words are any indication, miracles are just a postage stamp away!