With articles in the Deccan Chronicle about peace and harmony between Muslims and Hindi, the convergence of two big holidays: EID and Ganesha Puja went on last Saturday and both groups were in full partaaaaay mode. Now one of the things we learned about Ramzan (Ramadan for all the rest of the world) is that it is a joyous time as well as spiritual. The entire time during Ramzan was spent by the Muslim community, well, spending. If you can’t eat between sun up and sunset, you might as well spend money. And spend they did. People recommend not going down to the Charminar during Ramzan, for personal safety reasons but none for criminal reasons, except for what the vendors are charging. Wall-to-wall burqas, bangles and beads. Wright and Forrest, anyone? This whole fasting thing is punctuated by the sirens sounding at sunset so that everyone starts eating. This culminates at ID when you party till you puke. And that really takes a lot since there’s no alcohol. Now I know of two guys who actually went on the 11 day retreat where you fast and pray, pray and fast. But that seems like the minority.
Anyhow, Ganesh gets his due for the next 11 days after ID. The many temporary shrines pop up virtually overnight. The Ganeshes that populate these shrines are at various levels of detail, but the one at Hypercity, a local all-in-one store, was of particular interest being made entirely of biscuits and cookies. It is difficult to get through our neighborhood without stepping on someone’s Rangoli.
When we take a walk in the morning through our neighborhood (Deb and I, and the domestics, street sweepers, drivers, dogs, chickens, and school kids waiting for their bus) you will see someone from the household drawing on the driveways.
Some are simple white chalk outlines, others are multi-colored and quite large.
Well, it’s time to get in on the festivities.
And we celebrated by going to the Golconda fort and climbing to the top with a one-time Hyderabad homey who now teaches at Bowling Green State University who had never been to the fort. Stay tuned.
Anyhow, Ganesh gets his due for the next 11 days after ID. The many temporary shrines pop up virtually overnight. The Ganeshes that populate these shrines are at various levels of detail, but the one at Hypercity, a local all-in-one store, was of particular interest being made entirely of biscuits and cookies. It is difficult to get through our neighborhood without stepping on someone’s Rangoli.
When we take a walk in the morning through our neighborhood (Deb and I, and the domestics, street sweepers, drivers, dogs, chickens, and school kids waiting for their bus) you will see someone from the household drawing on the driveways. 
Some are simple white chalk outlines, others are multi-colored and quite large.
And we celebrated by going to the Golconda fort and climbing to the top with a one-time Hyderabad homey who now teaches at Bowling Green State University who had never been to the fort. Stay tuned.
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