About Ganesh Chaturthi and its rituals
What is Ganesh Chaturthi?
Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival of ten days that is dedicated in the honor of birthday of elephant headed God ‘Ganesha’. Lord Ganesh is the younger son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Ganesh Chaturthi is also known with the name ‘Vinayak Chaturthi’, it is one of the most important festival celebrated in the country. This deity is worshipped by one and all for seeking his blessings and receiving wisdom, knowledge, wealth and prosperity. The festival is celebrated on the fourth day of the first fortnight in the month of ‘Bhadra’. It starts on the ‘Shukla Chaturthi’ and ends on ‘Anant Chaturdashi’ as the festivities last for ten days.
What is the history of celebrating ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’?
According to the folklore, it is said that Goddess Parvati, in the absence of Lord Shiva, created a child with sandalwood paste and gave it life. She grew very fond of him. One day she told him to guard the door as she was taking a shower. After a while, Lord Shiva came to the door and saw the child. He told him to let himself inside as he was Goddess Parvati’s husband and could see her whenever he wanted. The child refused, infuriating Lord Shiva, who, in rage cut off his head. When Goddess came out, she became very angry and upset and incarnated into Goddess ‘Kali’ threatening to destroy the world. All the other deities got worried and requested Lord Shiva to solve this problem He then ordered his disciples to go to earth and get the head of the first unattended child they see. The disciples saw a baby elephant and to follow the orders got his head, which was then planted by lord Shiva on the dead child’s body. Lord Shiva gave him life again and also named him, Lord Ganesha. He also blessed Ganesha by giving him the boon that he will be prayed first among all the other deities. Seeing this Goddess Kali calmed down and they all lived happily thereafter.
What is the significance of Ganesh Chaturthi?
Ganesh Chaturthi is the festival that is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm throughout the country. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in the honor of Lord Ganesha’s birthday. Lord Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh are the two states of India that are well known for the celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi. Celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh are famous for its splendor and grandeur. Ten days of celebration takes place on Ganesh Chaturthi. On the last and final day of celebration, Devotees of Lord Ganesha observe a fast of whole day. A proper procession is also taken out in the city by the devotees in the honor of Lord Ganesha. On this period of ten days, devotees gather everyday for the celebration at Pandal or temple to worship Lord Ganesha. Devotees chant mantras and sing Ganesha bhajans. They dance on the tunes of drums and burst crackers to show their enthusiasm for Lord Ganesha.
What are the items required to perform Ganesh puja?
It is advised to do Ganesha Puja in noon of Ganesh Chaturthi. However, in Vedas, it is said that whole day is considered as an auspicious day to perform Puja. One can perform Ganesha Puja anytime in the whole day. Ganesha puja should be performed in the presence of all the members of the family. For performing Ganesh Puja, the required items are Idol of Lord Ganesha that is made of Clay, flowers, sweets, modaks, coconut, sandalwood paste, incense sticks, druva grass blades. First step of performing puja begins with establishing idol of Lord Ganesha on the platform. Idol should be bathe with Panchamrit. After this, Mantras of Ganesha should be recited by the devotees.
What rituals are to be followed while celebrating the ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’?
- Clay idols of Lord Ganesha varying in sizes from an inch to over 25 feet are made and placed on platforms in decorated ‘Pandals’.
- The priest on the first day do ‘Pranpratishtha’ to invoke life in the idols by chanting ‘mantras’.
- After this the ritual of ‘Shhodashopachara’ (16 ways of paying respect to the deity) is performed where coconut, jaggery, 21 ‘modaks’, 21 ‘durva’ and red flowers are offered to the lord. The idol is anointed with sandalwood paste.
- For 10 days, people gather to pray to the deity especially in the morning and evening time reciting Ganesh Aarti.
- On the 11th day, people take out the procession of the deity by gathering in huge numbers and chanting “Ganpati Bappa Mourya Purchya Varshi Laukariya” meaning, Lord Ganesha, please come soon next year.
The idols are then immersed in water bodies signifying that the Lord has taken the misfortunes of his devotees with him.
What rituals are to be followed at home while doing ‘Ganesh Chaturthi Pujan’?
One has to install a clay idol of Lord Ganesha at home on the first day. The idol is placed in the praying area, bathed with holy water and decorated. One should refrain from watching moon this day to avoid misfortune.
‘Diya’ is lit and mantra,“Om Gan Ganpataya Namah” is chanted several times during the ‘Pranpratishtha’ ritual to invoke life in the idol.
Lord Ganesha’s favorite ‘modaks’ are offered to the deity and finally ‘Ganesha Aarti’ is sung by all the family members present at home every day for the next ten days.
On the eleventh day after the rituals are completed, the family members take the idol to a nearby lake/pond and immerse the idol in water taking along all problems with him.
It is believed that Lord Ganesha visits houses of his devotees these ten days and bring prosperity and happiness in their lives.