Aagaz

Lines of triangular bunting in coral, magenta, cream, sage and orange ran out from a single fabric wrapped pole into the banyan's aerial roots, turning the canopy into a ceiling. Brass and terracotta lattice bells and strings of rose and mogra hung down through it at head height, and painted low stools and bolster seating were set out on the ground below.

The ritual table was laid at petal level. Low inlaid tables sat on a bed of pink rose petals, beside a copper urli filled with the same petals and a float of white blooms at its centre. A brass pot and cup rested on a chased tray with a strand of beads, gypsophila stood in a small painted pot, and the first card was written there by hand.

The Ganesh sthapana was set in front of that urli: a silver idol garlanded in red and pearl beads, seated on yellow cloth and banked with roses, bougainvillea and gypsophila.

The ceremony carried through to a stone courtyard, where the banyan trunk was wrapped in a red and orange cloth, a mogra garland canopy was strung over the shrine, and rows of coconut shell bowls filled with pink and white petals were laid out across the floor.