Legend, Celebration, Rituals of Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Chauth is one of the most important festival of Sanatan Dharma and celebrated with great zeal and devotion throughout the India and entire world where Indian community settled down. Shukla Chaturthi of Bhadrapada month is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesh, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and general fall in August or September month as per Gregorian calendar. Lord Ganesh is famous as various names like Vigna Harta –hurdle remover or Ganapathi or Gajanan or Lambodar or Vakratund or Vigneshwar is the symbol of intelligence, wisdom, prosperity, worthy fortune and worshipped first in every new start. Even every fourth day of Shukla Paksha of each month is observed as Chaturthi of Lord Ganesha and worshipped with true devotion.

History behind birth and superpower of Lord Ganesh

There are lot of tales behind the birth of Lord Ganesh, one of the key and legend is, Goddess Parvati required personal assistance to watch after her residence. Thus from the sandalwood paste, she prepared a statue and transform it into kid and asked him to guard at the entrance. Unfortunately Lord Shiva sent Nandigan to call Goddess Parvati but Lord Ganesha – Kid did not allowed and defeated them in fight. Then Lord Shiva himself reached at entrance and wanted to enter, but again Baal Ganesha would not allow to enter. Thus angered Lord Shiva cut off the child’s head.

After seeing this, Goddess Parvati was overwhelmed, heartbroken and requested Lord Shiva to give life back to Ganesh. Lord Shiva assured to bring baby Ganesha back to life. Lord Shiva sent his Gana to search for the head of the first living creature which could be replace on Ganesha’s body. Ganas find a baby elephant’s head and then Lord Shiva placed head of an elephant and revived Lord Ganesh. Then Lord Shiva declared Ganesha to be his son and gave the status of being foremost among the Gods and leader of all the Ganas, thus Lord Ganesha famous as Ganapati. Then after Lord Ganesha is worshipped first in start of new activity and requested to remove all the hurdles.

Legend, Celebration and Rituals of Ganesh Chaturthi

Celebration of this festival varies from one day to eleven day Based on the culture, tradition, region and faith. The preparation and excitement of 10 days festival begins a month before of Ganesh Chaturthi. Devotee installed the idol of Lord Ganesh at homes with chanting of Mantras, ritual of Pran Pratishtha and offer Modak – Laddu, Motichur Laddu and other sweet, favourite of Lord Ganesh. Along with home, devotee set up the Pandal where idol of Lord Ganesh is placed and worshiped during the festivity. Also in temples, these days are celebrated with great joy and devotion.

On the last day of the festival 14th day of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month famous as - Anant Chaturthi, the idol of Lord Ganesh is carried out, placed in chariot with musical procession and submerge in water – known as Ganapati Visarjan. Slogan are chanted “ Ganpati Bappa Moriya, Agle Baras to Jaldi Aa”.

It is unknown from when and how the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi was started but Chhatrapati Shivaji had started celebration of this festival publicly near Pune. During the British Raj, public celebration was lost but again the great freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak had initiated this celebration to unite all Indians together.

Now as days idol of Ganesha are made from corn, vegetable powder and organically-coloured with substances such as turmeric, chandan and geru that can easily dissolve in water protect the aquatic biodiversity. Originally, Ganesh Chaturthi is mainly celebrated in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, but now devotees celebrating in other parts of the country with same fervour as Maharashtra.

As per the legend, Lord Moon- Chandra was the first who observe the 'vrat' of Ganesh Chaturthi was Chandra. Once Lord Ganesh was travelling through the heavens and passed Chandra. Lord Chandra proud on his attractive features and insulted Ganeshji's peculiar form. Thus Lord Ganeshji cursed him and even person who see Chandra will also cursed too. Lord Chandra understand his mistake and requested for forgiveness. Then Lord Ganeshji advised to observe the Ganesh Chaturthi vrat and thus Lord Moon was freed from the curse.

Lord Shree Krishna also observed this vrat as when Shri Krishna was falsely accused of stealing the Syamantak Mani. After the Vrat of Ganesh Chatirthi, Lord Shree Krishna was freed from the false charge.

Legend behind the Marriage – Vivah of Lord Ganapati

Interesting story behind the marriage of Lord Ganesha is mentioned in our sacred scripture – Puran. Once Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati decided to get married their sons, Kartikeya and Ganesh. Lot of discussion was take place for whom to married first and finally reached to conclusion that who travel the whole earth first would be married first. Lord Subrahmanya - Kartikeya flew off on his vehicle – peacock with high speed to cover the earth. And Lord Ganeshji found the simpler and quicker way and circumambulating his parents. Lord Ganesha took the reference of Vedas that circumnavigation around parents seven times is same beneficial as the circumnavigation earth or even Universe. Lord Shiv and Mata Parvati agree with logic of son Ganesh and arrange the marriage of Lord Ganesha first with two daughter Riddhi and Siddhi of king Prajapati. Lord Ganesha blessed with two sons -Sabha and Laabh.

Various name and resemblance of Lord Ganesh

Lord Ganesh is well known with lot of meaningful names like Ekadant, one-toothed which explain that to accept the incompleteness within, Lambodar - from the long - 'lambo', tummy - 'udar' which explain that to digest each positive and negative things. Gajkarna - from the large elephant 'Gaja' ears - 'karna' which explain that to hear everything carefully. Vighneshwar - obstacles - 'vignas' remover, Large forehead explain to develop intelligence and thought, short legs explains depicts patience, long trunk – resembles deep scriptural wisdom and realize the things in surroundings. Four arms of Lord Ganesh hold, Ankush' - symbol for control over the mind and indriyas, 'Ladu' - for happiness and unite, ‘Ashirvad Mudra' - blessings for the well being of humanity and Lotus resembles to be stay like lotus even in surrounding of negative energy.

Wish you a Happy and a Blessed Ganesh Chaturthi !!!

Ganpati Bappa Morya !!