Dear Readers,

Life is a cycle – we all live through our share of ups and downs. We are grateful for the ups and we hang on to hope when we are left scraping the underbelly of those downs. The universe has its reasons, or maybe not. Either way, when we find ourselves in the throes of those dreaded downs, the one thing that gets us through is hope, also known as prayer or optimism.

There’s hardly another Indian festival as impassioned, as elaborately celebrated or as steeped in hope, as Ganeshotsav. Celebrated across India with zealous pomp, enthusiasm and splendour, this 10-day fest, which commenced 7th September, marking the birth of Lord Ganesh, will culminate in the idol’s immersion in a water body, or Ganesh Visarjan, amidst grand processions and community celebrations, to represent the much-loved deity’s return to his celestial home.

Beyond its religious connotation, divinity, joy and grandeur, this festival fosters a sense of great hope in millions, as Lord Ganesh is known to alleviate life’s challenges by removing all obstacles (Vighnaharta), and propitiously blessing new beginnings. Having always been a community which not only extends great respect but also joins in the celebratory spirit of all festivals, us Parsis sweeten the proverbial milk some more, partaking of the excitement and fervour, alongside the delightful modaks and other delicacies.

And deep down, just like all the rest, and through this and every other auspicious occasion, we look forward to our hopes being answered, to being blessed with sunshine after the storm and laughter after the tears. We may not always have an easy life and many times, we will be rendered helpless in front of some of life’s challenges, but let us never underestimate the power of hope and prayer, to get us through it all, because as history has shown us, time and again, hope reigns supreme.

Have a good weekend!

– Anahita