Today was Gowri Habba, i.e. the day Goddess Gowri aka Parvati, is worshipped. Here’s the wiki page for the festival. Gowri is the mother of Lord Ganesha, and the festivals of Gowri and Ganesha are celebrated on consecutive days. Ganesh Chuturthi or Ganesha Habba (habba in Kannada means festival) is celebrated across the length and breadth of India (and by expats abroad!), while Gowri habba is more prevalent in the southern part of India.

Gowri festival is observed by both married and unmarried women; while unmarried women observe it to pray for a good husband, married women seek blessings for their husbands. Barring the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi when I was in Pune, I’ve never celebrated any festival, while away from my parents, until now. This year though, Shruti and I celebrated our first festival together, by observing Gowri Habba at home, right here in Linköping.

Prayers were offered to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, and his mother, Goddess Parvati aka Gowri. Fruits, flowers, and the coconut were presented as symbolic offerings to the gods, and the prayers included reciting the 108 names of Goddess Gowri. Tomorrow is Ganesh Chaturthi, so stay tuned for more!

The offerings of flowers, fruits, and a coconut, to Goddess Gowri and Lord Ganesha.