8 Things to Shop for this Ganesh Chathurthi

Ganesh Chathurthi is one of the most enthusiastically celebrated festivals in India, overtaken in merriment perhaps only by Diwali! It is celebrated to mark the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the elephant headed deity. The festivities last for 11 days, with the grand finale being a spectacular event, with lots of music and colors.

But the fun part of the festival goes well beyond these 11 days, with preparations beginning as much as two months in advance. Special markets are set up, colorful goods are displayed and there is a buzz in the air. Amidst all this, it is easy to get lost and confused, wondering what to buy. So knowing how busy you are, we’ve created a list of 8 must haves to shop for this Ganesh Chathurthi. Here we go!

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1. Decorations – No festival in India is complete without the right decorations. Get torans, streamers and garlands in traditional colors of red, orange and yellow. If you want to go the eco friendly route, opt for torans made of mango, coconut or plantain leaves. For more bling, choose garlands made of artificial flowers, glitter, beads and satin ribbon. For good deals, visit wholesale markets.

2. Ganesha Idol – To be on the safe side, most people book their idols a couple of months in advance, in which case you can ask for customizations. Else, ready made idols are easily available; you can even buy them online! Be aware of the material the idol is made of. They are available in plastic, rubber and plaster of Paris, but if you care for the environment, clay idols are the way to go.

3. Accessories for the Idol – The Ganesha idol is the central point of this celebration and needs to be decorated too. It’s best to buy the accessories after you’ve bought the idol, so that they are in proportion. The idol is usually seated on a pedestal, so get one that fits. Get beautiful decorative ribbons, colorful scarves or dupattas and flowers. You can also get jewelry for your idol in shades of gold or silver. Don’t forget the headgear; you can either choose a crown or mukut, or opt for a turban.

4. Prayer Supplies – If you’re conducting the prayer from home, you’re going to need all the relevant supplies. Stock up on incense sticks, camphor, sandalwood paste – plain and red, turmeric, betel nuts, saffron, ghee and coconuts. Shortly before the actual ceremony, buy mango leaves, betel leaves, milk, fruit and flowers. You are likely to find everything at a single store that sells prayer supplies.

5. Lights and Lamps – This is one area where you can mix and match the modern and the traditional. Lanterns and diyas are quite popular, along with fairy lights. A tray to hold the smaller lamps is useful. Take care to check all your electrical settings in advance, so that your fancy lights don’t literally give you a shock on the main day!

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6. Sweets – Many homes make their own sweets for Ganesh Chathurthi, but if you’re not, place orders in advance to avoid the last minute rush. Popular sweets for Ganesh Chathurthi are besan laddoos, motichoor laddoos, modaks and barfi. There are now modern variations like dry fruit and
chocolate modaks, so do your research before buying.

7.  Groceries – You can’t just eat sweets the whole time, so you need to prepare for other meals as well! Stock up on staples like oil, grains and sugar. Check your festival menu and buy jaggery, lentils, beans, potatoes and vegetables. Make sure you keep in mind the number of guests, if any.

8. Clothes – Probably the favorite item on the list for many! Make the most of the End-Of-Season-Sales and online deals; they offer good discounts on clothes for the entire family. This is also a good time to buy clothes for the extended family and gifts for friends and relatives that you don’t see that often. A great opportunity for everyone to flaunt their traditional wear!

This list should cover your basics for the festive season. Now that we’ve taken the stress out of shopping, you can go ahead and enjoy this time to the fullest. Happy Ganesh Chathurthi!