|
|
| |
| Home » Ganesh Chaturthi |
| |
Ganesh Chaturthi |
|
|
Ganesh Chaturthi or Ganesh Festival is a day on which Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati, is believed to confer his presence on earth for all his devotees. The day is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi in Sanskrit, Tamil, Kannada and Telugu. The day is called Chathaa in Nepal. It is regarded as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. The festival is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadra, starting in this month on the shukla chaturthi that is, the fourth day of the period of mounting moon. Typically the day falls sometimes between August 20 and September 15.
|
The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Ananta Chaturdashi.Ganesha, is widely worshipped as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated all over India. But most elaborately in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and other areas which were part of the former states of the Maratha Empire. Outside India, it is celebrated by Newars in Nepal.
During the Ganesh Chaturthi, every household worships a statue of Shri Ganesha. The worship lasts for an odd number of days. It vary from 1 to 11 days,at times it is even 13 days. This festival starts with the installation of beautifully engraved Ganesh idols in colorfully decorated homes and pandals in every locality. The main sweet dish during the festival is the modak or modakam in South India. Today, Ganesh Chaturthi is no longer a festival in Maharashtra. It has become a very critical and important economic activity in Maharashtra. Many industries, artists and businesses survive on this mega-event.
In Pune, this festival is celebrated with huge pomp. There are five “Ganpati of Honour”. They are as follows: First Ganpati of Honour - Kasba Ganpati; Second Ganpati of Honour - Tambadi Jogeshwari; Third Ganpati of Honour - Guruji Talim; Fourth Ganpati of Honour - Tulsibaug Ganpati; and Fifth Ganpati of Honour - Kesariwada Ganpati. Ganesh Chaturthi is also celebrated outside India, in Ireland and Scandinavia. “Bhajans” and “Aartis” are frequent during the festival. They visit the homes of their friends and relatives who have worshipped Ganesh idols at their homes.
The Ganesha mantra is chanted, followed by a Ganesha prayer in the worship of Lord Ganesh. Ganesha is called by his 108 good names. In the last puja, the family or congregation gathers around and rice grains are placed on the head of the idol. Once the festival is over, just before the immersion of the Ganesha idol, the proceedings donate that includes gold and silver. Laddus are often auctioned.
The most serious impact of the Ganesh festival is on the natural environment. Due to the immersion of idols made of Plaster of Paris into lakes, rivers and the sea the acidity level of the water and the heavy flow increases. Traditionally, the Ganesh idol was sculpted out of earth taken from nearby one’s home. Divinity was worshipped in earth and then returned to earth by immersing it in a nearby waterbody. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
