GANESH
CHATURTHI
INTRODUCTION
Ganesh Chaturthi is widely celebrated in India, especially
in Maharashtra. Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular
of Hindu festivals. This is the birthday of Lord Ganesha
and is known as the day most sacred to Lord Ganesha. Ganesh
or Vinayaka Chaturthi is dedicated to Lord Ganesh (son of
Shiva), the elephant -headed god of all good beginnings
and success.
Lord Ganesh is believed to be the Lord of Wisdom, prosperity
and good fortune. Mumbai being the commercial capital of
India, Lord Ganesh holds a special position amidst the Mumbaikars.
Ganesh festival is observed throughout India; however, the
festival is most elaborate in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka
and Andhra Pradesh.
LEGEND BEHIND THE CELEBRATIONS
Ganpati an important deity of the Hindus and has different
names and manifestations. He is the god of knowledge, wisdom
and the 'remover of Obstacles' ('Vignaharta') hence called
'Vigneswar'. He is invoked at the beginning of every major
venture. Ganpati is the god of learning. He is addressed
as the "Remover of Obstacles" ("Vignaharta").
His devotees believe that no enterprise will succeed unless
he is invoked. The picture of Ganpati is often found on
the doors of houses and printed on wedding cards.
Ganesh Chaturthi is the period when it is believed that
Lord Ganesh, son of Shiva and Parvati comes down on the
earth to bless the humanity. Also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi
in Sanskrit, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu, Ganesh Chaturthi
typically falls sometime between 20th August and 15th September.
The ten days festival culminates on Ananta Chaturdashi.
DESCRIPTION
Preparations for the celebrations of Lord Ganesh begin
2-3 months prior to the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. On the
occasion of the Ganapati festival, a large number of images
are made of clay or metal in all possible sizes sometimes
even up to twenty feet. People buy them and install them
in their houses and worship for one and a half, five, seven,
or ten days (Ananda Chaturdashi), after which the images
are taken out ceremoniously, carried in a procession
through the streets of the town (especially in Maharashtra)
and thrown into the river, sea or well for immersion or
'Visarjan'. People chant 'Ganpati bappa Morya, Agle baras
to jaldi aa' ('Father Ganpati, Come again soon next year')
while immersing. The idol should not be kept after this
day, as it is considered inauspicious. The sea front at
Mumbai, packed with people, is a spectacular sight.
Aaarthis are performed everyday and kumkum thrown over the
seated Ganesh idol when it is kept at home. It is customary
to make 'Naivedya' or offerings of twenty one blades
of grass Kewra (pandanus buds) a lotus flower, fruits and
sweets, specially twenty one pieces of modaks made of rice
flour and filled with jaggery; before him. After the ritual
worship it is distributed as 'Prasad' (sacred food) to everyone
present.
Although Ganesh worship was performed from time immemorial
it was Lok Manya Bal Gangadhar Tilak who was responsible
for making Ganesh utsav into a public celebration. A cultural
feast is held to coincide with Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra
especially at Pune. Classical dance, music performances,
poetry recitations, folk dances, theatre and film festival
are the main features of this festival.
A cultural feast is held to coincide with Ganesh Chaturthi
in Maharashtra especially at Pune. Classical dance, music
performances, poetry recitations, folk dances, theatre and
film festival are the main features of this festival.
Mumbai celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi with great religious
and social fervor when other than invoking Lord Ganesha,
there are several social service centers on the roll which
include free medical checkup, blood donation camps, charity
for the poor, dramatic performances, films, devotional songs,
etc. that make the whole celebration worthwhile.
TIME TO CELEBRATE
According to the Hindu calendar, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated
on the Shukla Chaturthi which is usually between 20 August
and 15 September. The festival lasts for almost 10 days.
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