Ganesh Chaturthi 2017: Your Cosmic Friend, Ganesha, is Born!

In 2017, Ganesh Chaturthi will be observed on 25th of August. This day is celebrated to memorialize the birth of Lord Ganesha. On this day, devotees appease Lord Ganesha in order to get their wishes fulfilled by him. According to the Hindu Calendar, it is observed on the 4th day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. Read on to know more...

Vinayagar Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Lord Ganesha is believed to be the auspicious symbol of wisdom, prosperity, and well-being. Hence, before starting any new venture, Lord Ganesha is worshiped. Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, Vinayagar Chaturthi and Ganesh Chauth.

Ganesh Chauth is a 10-day festival that is celebrated with a great pompous affair in the western part of the country, especially Maharashtra. Chaturthi means fourth day, therefore, it begins on the fourth day of the month of Bhadrapada. It ends on Anant Chaturdashi-the fourteenth day of the month or waxing moon phase.

Not only in India, Vinayaka Chavithi, is also celebrated in countries like Nepal, United States, Mauritius etc.

Now, let’s take a look at the legends associated with the day of Vinayagar Chaturthi.

Legends Behind Ganesh Chaturthi

Parvati Devi crafted out Lord Ganesha out of a sandalwood used by Parvati for bathing. Thus, the existence of Lord Ganesha came into being. One day, Parvati ordered him to guard the main doorway of house while she went to bathe. Since, Lord Shiva was not Ganesha’s biological father, it was hard for him to recognize Lord Shiva. He stopped Lord Shiva from entering inside, standing by the orders of his mother, Parvati. This enraged Lord Shiva.

Even after many trials, no one was able to compel Lord Ganesha to let Lord Shiva enter inside the house. Ultimately, Lord Shiva cut off Ganesha’s head. On knowing about the death of her son, Goddess Parvati threatened Lord Shiva that she would destroy the universe unless Lord Ganesha is brought to life again.

Lord Shiva went to the earth to seek a suitable human head for Ganesha, accompanied by Lord Vishnu. All they can find was the head of a dead elephant and returned to the heaven with it. Lord Shiva fixed the head of elephant onto the beheaded body of Ganesha and set life into it.

Celebration Of Vinayagar Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is approaching and to welcome Ganpati, you should know the exact way for celebrating it.

Let’s welcome Lord Ganesha with a prepared heart and warm emotions.

Preparations For The Day

Ganesh Chaturthi is a pompous festival, especially in the western and south-western parts of the country. On this day, Lord Ganesha is paid high regards to bring home protection and safeguard from all kinds of troubles. Let’s take a look at how the celebrations take place.

The preparation for Vinayaka Chavithi begins months before the actual date. Idols of Ganpati are sculpted out of clay and the artistic brilliance in each idol differs from the other idols. This has also become a festival for exhibiting the power of artists and craftsmen. It’s a great challenge for them to instill life into the clay idols of Lord Ganesha.

Temporary structure are created known as Mandaps and Lord Ganesha idols are installed in it. The Mandaps are glorified with garlands, artistic decorations etc. Theme Pujas have also gained immense popularity in the recent decades where Mandaps are crafted according to different thematic patterns.

Rituals To Do On This Day

The priest can be seen wearing Dhoti and Shawl while offering Puja to Lord Ganesha (Ganpati). The rituals starts with:

• Prana Pratistha: The priest chant Mantras during the phase of Prana Pratistha. The Lord Ganesha idol is referred to as a channel of energy which invokes his presence.
• Shodashopachara: This refers to 16 mannerisms of paying tribute to Vighnaharta. The idol is applied a paste of Kumkum and sandalwood. Among the Mantras, Ganesha Stotra and Ganesha Atharva Shirsha are mostly chanted.

Ganesh Chaturthi Vrat is also observed by the devotees who perform fasts to invoke the blessings of Ganpati or Vighnaharta. Observers prepare themselves for the fast by taking a bath in early morning. The ritual proceedings is then followed by a resolution acceptance stage (Prana Pratishtha), when the followers take resolutions. It is accompanied by the recital of the Mantra- "Om Sarva Karyasiddhi Siddhivinayak Pujanmaham Karishye".

There are two kinds of Vrat, one of them is Nirjal (abstaining from drinking water as well, in addition to other food), and the other is known as Phalahari (the devotees can consume fruits).

Hopefully, now you know the ritual and traditional process involved in Ganesh Chaturthi, that starts with the observance of the Vrat. Now, let’s take a look at Visarjan, which is considered to be the most mournful moment as the lord goes away.

Ganesh Visarjan

Ganesh Visarjan (the process of immersion) takes place on the fourteenth day of the Hindu month, Bhadrapada. It becomes a grandeur procession of people around the streets heading towards the immersion of Lord Ganesha idols during Ganesh Visarjan. The de-installed idols are taken to the water in trucks or other vehicles where they are finally immersed on the day of Ganesh Visarjan.

Accompanied by songs, dance and echoing sounds of Dhol or leather instrument, the whole environment becomes a holy farewell to the lord after ten days of celebrations. The event ends with chanting “Ganpati Bappa Maurya, Agle Baras Tu Jaldi Aa”.

The trend of celebrating Vinayaka Chaturthi is not contemporary and started a long way back. Let’s discuss the history of this day.

History Behind This Day

The first celebration is exactly not known, however some of its evidences date back to the reign of Maratha Empire ruled by Shivaji. It is said that the Peshwas (administrators of Maratha empire) started the celebrations of Vinayagar Chaturthi.

It was Lokmanya Tilak in the nineteenth century who took the celebrations to a public stage. The public occurrence of this day was mainly performed to eliminate the gap between Brahmin and non-Brahmin followers of the deity.

Gradually, plays & theatre performances became a part of the celebrations of Vinayaka Chaturthi. The festive celebration created the common stage for the integration of varied forms of castes and followers.

Delicacies Of The Day

• Modak: Ladoo or a sweet made of flour and dry fruits.
• Karanji: It is used mostly in Andhra Pradesh and has a semi-circular shape. It is similar to that of a Modak.

Ganesh Chaturthi is coming to welcome joy and happiness in your lives with the invoking presence of Lord Ganesha. People find hard to keep aside free time amidst the rapid competition in today’s world. This festival will fill your lives with prosperity and happiness.

You can add a flavour of festivity by tuning to songs. The best gift on this day can be, sharing warm notes to your acquaintances with images of Lord Ganpati.

You can almost reach the emotions of others with Ganesh Chaturthi messages or sms can give the exact flavour of the festival.

But, remember to make this day more enjoyable and enthusiastic than it was last year.

AstroCAMP wishes you a Happy Ganesh Chaturthi...!