Every year at IIM Bodh Gaya, Ganesh Chaturthi transforms our campus into a vibrant celebration of art, music, devotion, and tradition. But this year, it was different bigger, better, and more heartfelt than ever. For me, it was more than just a festival; it was an experience that etched itself deep into my heart.
From the moment preparations began months ago, the excitement kept building. Finally, on 27th August 2025, it all came to life. The anticipation on my face was unmistakable I was beaming. The day began with setting up the pandal where Bappa would stay for the next five days. The air was filled with energy. As the sounds of dhols and music echoed across campus, hundreds of us gathered to welcome him with open arms, colours, and joy. At that moment, the very sight of Bappa arriving gave me hope, calm, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
It was my first Ganesh Chaturthi away from home, and also the first time I led the organization of the pooja. As the sun set, the energy only grew. The first evening aarti was pure bliss. The entire college showed up to catch a glimpse of Bappa, to share their worries, dreams, and prayers. The synergy during the aarti felt like a perfectly orchestrated concert. The divine energy in the air was palpable. That night, we ended with a soulful bhajan-keertan that left me feeling deeply connected and grounded.
The second day began with the morning aarti, but what made it extra special was seeing our security guards and housekeeping staff the silent caretakers of our daily lives get the honour of performing the first aarti. Watching their joy and reverence was incredibly moving.
That evening, right after the aarti, a moment I’ll never forget unfolded. I got a notification on my phone: I had been shortlisted for the HSBC interview process. The rush of emotions was intense. In that instant, I turned to Him and poured out a prayer from the depths of my soul. The night was long; I had to report by 7:30 AM the next day.
The third day was special in a different way it was the first aarti I missed. Even though I wasn’t physically there, I carried Bappa’s blessings with me. The interview process was intense and draining. But when I returned that evening, tired yet hopeful, I was blessed with the incredible opportunity of performing the aarti myself. That night, our spirits were lifted with games, laughter, and celebration.
The fourth day brought a moment I had only dreamt of: I received the news that I had been selected by HSBC. Tears welled up in my eyes as gratitude flooded me. It felt like Bappa had gifted me something I had long prayed for. That night was Cultural Night, the grandest of all. Performances filled the air with dances, poems, music all dedicated to Bappa. And then came DJ Night, where we danced our hearts out in joy and celebration.
And then came the fifth day, the saddest of them all. It was time to say goodbye. The one who had brought us so much happiness, strength, and light was about to leave. But we couldn’t let him go with heavy hearts. So, we sent him off with even more love, energy, and joy than we welcomed him with. Dhol, tasha, colors we gave it our all. The farewell was so wholesome, so beautiful, I didn’t want it to end.
But Bappa had to go, so that he could return next year bigger, brighter, and with more blessings to share.
