Ganesh Chaturthi is 10-day festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha. He is known as Vighnaharta, the remover of difficulties in life. Read this article to know more about Ganesh Chaturthi celebration, significance and history.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as Vinayak Chaturthi. It is one of the most important festivals of Hindus. It is 10-day festival celebrated the birth of Lord Ganesha (elephant-headed deity). Ganesha is known as the remover of obstacles and God of prosperity and wisdom is Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the fourth day (chaturthi) of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September) and ends on Anant Chaturdashi according to the Hindu lunar calendar. It is specially celebrated in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, and Tamil Nadu.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Ganesha was created by Parvati with the Sandalwood paste and was given Life by her. Once while guarding his mother’s bath, he stopped Lord Shiva from entering. Lord Ganesha was following her mother’s instruction not to allow anyone inside. In anger, Lord Shiva beheaded the boy. This event moved Goddess Parvati, who insisted that Ganesha would be brought back to life. To bring him back to life, Lord Brahma fixed the head of an elephant onto his body. Thus giving rise to the unique and divine form of Ganesha.
The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi begin with the installation of beautifully clay idols of Lord Ganesha at homes, temples and public places in a pandal. The Ganesh puja starts with Pran Pratishtha, it is a beautiful ritual to evoke life in the idols, followed by shodashopachara, 16-way to pay tribute to Lord Ganesha. The priest chants the Vedic mantras, offers God Ganesha red Sandalwood paste and yellow and red flowers, coconut, jaggery and 21 modaks (sweet dumplings), which is the favourite food of Ganesha. Devotees performed daily aarti to the Lord.
Every day, devotees gather for bhajan (devotional song), storytelling, and cultural events on the last day of Ganesh Chaturthi Puja (Anant Chaturdashi), the idol is taken in Grand processions through the streets and immersed in local rivers, lakes or seas This ritual is called Ganesh Visarjan.
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FAQs
When is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated?
The festival is celebrated on fourth day (chaturthi) of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September) and ends on Anant Chaturdashi.
How many days is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated?
The festival is celebrated for 10 days in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, and Tamil Nadu.