Ganesha Chaturthi, the great Ganesha festival, also known as ‘Vinayak Chaturthi’ or ‘Vinayaka Chavithi’ is celebrated by Hindus around the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is observed during the Hindu month of Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September). While celebrated all over India, the celebrations are the most elaborated and the grandest in Maharashtra, Telangana and Karnataka. Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad are some of the most significant cities to watch and enjoy Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations.
Ganesha Chaturthi is also known as Siddhi Vinayaka Chaturthi and Ganesha Chauth. It is considered the most important day to worship Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is considered the God of wisdom and remover of all obstacles. He is worshipped first among all Gods and before starting any Puja or ritual.
Ganesha Chaturthi Origin | Significance
Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha. Although there are contradictory views on the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha, most people celebrate it on Shukla Chaturthi during Bhadrapada lunar month and the day is popularly known as Ganesha Chaturthi.
As per Ganesha Purana and Skanda Purana, Lord Ganesha was born on Shukla Chaturthi during Bhadrapada month. However, as per Shiva Dharma Lord Ganesha was born on Krishna Chaturthi during Magha month.
In North India, Magha Krishna Chaturthi is observed as Sakat Chauth. Although, Sakat Chauth is not observed as birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha, it is considered a significant day to worship Lord Ganesha. In Maharashtra and Konkan regions, Shukla Chaturthi during Magha month is observed as Ganesha Jayanti and it is celebrated as birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha apart from Ganesha Chaturthi. The reason to observe Ganesha Jayanti during Shukla Paksha and not during Krishna Paksha as mentioned in Shiva Dharma is not clear.
The Grand Celebration
A life-like clay model of Lord Ganesha is made 2-3 months prior to the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. The size of this idol may vary from 3/4th of an inch to over 25 feet.
On the day of the festival, it is placed on raised platforms in homes or in elaborately decorated outdoor tents for people to view and pay their homage. The priest, usually clad in red silk dhoti and shawl, then invokes life into the idol amidst the chanting of mantras. This ritual is called ‘pranapratishhtha’. After this the ‘shhodashopachara’ (16 ways of paying tribute) follows. Coconut, jaggery, 21 ‘modakas’ (rice flour preparation), 21 ‘durva’ (trefoil) blades and red flowers are offered. The idol is anointed with red unguent or sandal paste (rakta chandan). Throughout the ceremony, Vedic hymns from the Rig Veda and Ganapati Atharva Shirsha Upanishad, and Ganesha stotra from the Narada Purana are chanted.
For 10 days, from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to the Ananta Chaturdashi, Ganesha is worshipped. On the 11th day, the image is taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in his journey towards his abode in Kailash while taking away with him the misfortunes of all man. All join in this final procession shouting “Ganapathi Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya” (O father Ganesha, come again early next year). After the final offering of coconuts, flowers and camphor is made, people carry the idol to the river to immerse it.
The whole community comes to worship Ganesha in beautifully done tents. These also serve as the venue for free medical checkup, blood donation camps, charity for the poor, dramatic performances, films, devotional songs, etc. during the days of the festival.
On the Ganesh Chaturthi day, meditate on the stories connected with Lord Ganesha early in the morning, during the Brahmamuhurta period. Then, after taking a bath, go to the temple and do the prayers of Lord Ganesha. Offer Him some coconut and sweet pudding. Pray with faith and devotion that He may remove all the obstacles that you experience on the spiritual path. Worship Him at home, too. You can get the assistance of a pundit. Have an image of Lord Ganesha in your house. Feel His Presence in it.
Don’t forget not to look at the moon on that day; remember that it behaved unbecomingly towards the Lord. This really means avoid the company of all those who have no faith in God, and who deride God, your Guru and religion, from this very day.
Take fresh spiritual resolves and pray to Lord Ganesha for inner spiritual strength to attain success in all your undertakings.
May the blessings of Sri Ganesha be upon you all! May He remove all the obstacles that stand in your spiritual path! May He bestow on you all material prosperity as well as liberation!
~ Swami Sivananda
