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Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu Festival which celebrates the birth day of Lord Ganesha. It is a festival totally dedicated to Lord Ganesha and his heavenly achievements. Lord Ganesha is the son of Shiva (hindu god) and Parvati (hindu goddess). Ganesha is one of the 5 prime Hindu deities which include Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Durga. Lord Ganesha has a unique form; he has a head of an Elephant and body of a Human and rides on a mouse. He is also the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. This is the reason why prayers in the praise of Lord Ganesha are recited before starting any new work. He is known by many names, amongst most famous are Ganesa, Ganapati, Vinayaka and Pillaiyar (tamil). Ganesh Chaturthi is observed during the Hindu calendar month of Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September) starting on the shukla chaturthi (4th day of the waxing moon period or moons bright fortnight). Vinayaka chavithi date usually falls between 20 August and 22 September. The festival mostly lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi (14th day of the waxing moon period). In other regions it may last for 5, 6, 7 or even 21 days. The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is most popular in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Other states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and some other states also celebrate this festival as well.
Lord Ganesha’s Birth
There are varied tales regarding the material from which Lord Ganesha originated. While in some literature it is mentioned that he was created from dough which Paravati used for bathing, others mention a sandalwood paste or the dirt of her body. As per Hindu holy books, Shiva was away from his abode. His wife was preparing to take a bath but wanted someone to keep an eye on any intruder whilst having a bath. So she created an entity from certain material. She gave life to it and assigned him the task of guarding the entrance to her bathroom. She specifically told him not to let anybody enter until she came out. When Shiva returned he was stopped by ganesh. Ganesh did not know who Shiva was and warned of serious consequences, if he dared to enter. Shiva was enraged at the offensive behaviour of a young boy. Still insisting to guard, ganesh stood his ground. In rage of anger, shiva cut off Ganesha's head by his trident. The news of ganesh’s death made Parvati distraught and she broke down in utter grief. To soothe her, Shiva sent out his group of followers (gana) to fetch the head of any sleeping being who was facing the north. Shiva's followers came across a sleeping elephant and brought back its severed head, which was then attached to the body of the boy. Shiva restored its life and made him the leader (pati) of his troops. Hence, his name 'Ganapati' (Lord of all Ganas). Shiva also bestowed a boon that people would worship him and invoke his name before undertaking any venture.
Origin of Ganesh Chaturthi
As per Skanda Purana (hindu religious text) accounts, once Ganesha was invited for a feast in Chandralok. He ate many Ladoos (round sweet). After the meal when he got up to walk, he could not balance himself, because of his huge stomach, and slipped. His stomach burst and all the laddoos came rolling out. Witnessing this event, the moon could not control himself and started laughing. Ganesha got angry and cursed the moon that it will vanish from the universe.
With the absence of moon, the whole world began to wane. The gods asked Lord Shiva to persuade ganesh to take back his curse. Even the moon apologized for his misbehaviour. Finally, Ganesha modified his curse saying that the moon would be invisible on only one day of a month and would be partially seen on Ganesha Chaturthi. He also added that anyone who watches moon on Ganesha Chaturthi would face a false accusation. This is the reason why, even today, it is considered inauspicious to look at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi.
History of Celebrations
According to Historical records Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations were initiated by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja in Maharashtra. Shivaji was a great Maratha ruler who wanted to promote culture and nationalism through the festival. However, the grand celebrations for which the birthday is known, were introduced by Lokmanya Tilak, Indian freedom fighter and social reformer. It was in 1893, that he transformed this festival into a large, well-organized public event. During those times, india was under the british colonial rule and various strata of society stood divided especially the ‘Brahmins and 'Non-Brahmins'. Tilak wanted to unite Indians and generate nationalistic fervour amongst the masses. The festival acted as a platform for not only celebrations but also for intellectual discourses, poetry recitals, performances of plays, musical concerts, and folk dances. The festival became a meeting ground for people of all castes and communities in times when the bristih colonial rule despised it. Tilak declared it as a National Festival. He also encouraged installation of large public images of Ganesh in pavilions. He also established the much famous practice of submerging public images of the deity in rivers, sea and other water bodies on the 10th day after Ganesh Chaturthi.
Traditions, Activities and Events
Idol Making and its’ installation – Ganesh idols made up of clay and or other material are created 2-3 months before the event. Skilled artisans prepare clay models of Ganesh in various poses. These are beautifully decorated and generally have a height of 3/4 of an inch to over 25 feet. These idols are then installed at specially erected temporary structures known as Mandapas or Pandals. Thus begins the festival of Ganesh. The panadals are decorated with flowers, garlands, lights and depict religious themes. People decorate their houses especially for this occasion and also place statutes of ganesh in their homes. During these ten days, the devotees gather together for the celebration every day at the temporarily arranged Pandal to worship their deity. They also sing songs, burst crackers and dance to the tune of traditional drums in order to express their gaiety.
Vinayaka Chavithi Pooja – Ganesh puja is generally performed at noon, though many perform the pooja whenever all the members of your family are present.
Vinayaka Pooja require certain materials, which include :
The Pooja begins with the establishment of idol on a higher platform and giving it a bathe with Panchamrit. Pranapratishhtha is the ceremony in which a priest, usually clad in red silk dhoti and shawl, symbolically invokes life into the statue by chanting mantras. These are supposed to invoke Lord Ganesha and bring life in the idol. The mantra is written in Rig Veda and is part of Ganesh Suktha. After invoking life in the idol, lamps and incense sticks are lit, in order to please Lord Ganesha. After this, a person needs to perform the ‘Shhodashopachara’, which are 16 forms of paying tribute to Ganesha. For this one needs to offer 21 blades of druva grass, 21 modakas, and flowers to Lord Ganesha. One has to apply a tilak using red Sandalwood paste to idol and keep the coconut along with the idol. After this one has to offer the possible prasada to the Lord and the 108 salutations dedicated to Lord Ganesha. All the family members then bow down to Ganesha and seek his blessings. The puja is performed in a similar way even if it is a community festival. In Tamil Nadu these special prayers are known as Vinayaka Chavithi Pooja Vidhanam.
Vinayaka Chavithi Dishes – Favourite dishes of the deity are prepared on these days which are offered to Ganesh. Some of the Andhra dishes prepared are Kudumulu, Undrallu & Garelu (Vadas) and Modagam or Modakam (modak). Undrallu is mainly prepared from rice flour by steaming them. These dishes are known as Naivedyam / Prasadam or Vinayaka Chavithi Prasadam in Tamil Nadu.
Ganesh Visarjan - On the final day of the festival, the devotees of Ganesha observe a whole day fast and take out a long procession of the Lord in the city. The statues are then carried on decorated floats to be immersed in the sea. Thousands of processions converge on the beaches to immerse the holy idols in the sea. This procession and immersion is accompanied by drum- beats, devotional songs and dancing. The festival ends with pleas to Ganesha to return the next year with chants of "Ganpati bappa morya, pudcha varshi laukar ya" (Hail Lord Ganesh, return again soon next year.
Outside India, it is celebrated widely in Nepal, United States, Canada, Mauritius and Fiji.
Alternate Names - Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesha Chaturthi, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Vinayaka Chavithi, Ganesh Jayanti, Ganesh Utsav, Festival of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Holiday Status – It is a Restricted Holiday.
