celebration of ganesh chaturthi

Worshipped foremost among all the Gods, Lord Ganesha is known as the god of wisdom, knowledge and peace. Also known as Vighnaharta, Ganesha is believed to take all the hardships with him while going. Worshipping him accomplishes every desire of a devotee. It is alleged that Sri Ganesha was fond of the date Chaturthi (fourth), and that is the reason the fast on Ganesh Chaturthi is practiced on this date. Its also said that the moon on the Chaturthi is not considered good. The person observing the fast on this festival shouldnt at all see this inauspicious moon till the fast is in effect. One, who has kept the fast, should worship the moon without looking at it on this day.

Once upon a time, Goddess Parvati while taking bath created a boy from the dough that she used for her own bath, and infused life into it. Thus Ganesha was born. She asked him to be on the entrance of the house to keep a guard. She told him not to permit anyone to enter the house while she was taking bath. After sometime, Lord Shiva who was very thirsty came there but was stopped on the gate by Ganesha. After a little argument, Lord Shiva asked him to let him go inside but Ganesha refused and said that mother has asked to safeguard the house. Lord Shiva tried to explain that he was the husband of Goddess Parvati and had a right to enter the house without anyones permission, but Ganesha did not allow him to get inside.This made Lord Shiva very angry and he cut off the head of Ganesha with his trident as he did not know that Ganesha was his son. When Parvati came out after hearing the noise, she saw that her son lay dead. She told the story to Lord Shiva and in her anger, told Lord Shiva that she will destroy the complete world. Afterwards, Lord Brahma went to Goddess Parvati seeking for mercy to protect the world from destruction. Then, she agreed on two conditions one that her son should get back her life and the next he will be worshipped before all the gods and goddesses.Furthermore, she asked Lord Shiva to fix the head of her son. He then told that whichever living being he will see in the first sight its head will be taken to fix it on the body of Ganesha.

Then he, with Lord Vishnu, came on the earth and at first he saw a small elephant. Hence, Lord Shiva cut off the head of the elephant and fixed it on the body of Lord Ganesha, thereby bringing him back to life. Lord Shiva apologized for his misbehaviour and arrogance and announced that Lord Ganesha will be honoured by everyone as the first god and will be worshipped before all the god and goddesses. He will be known as Ganesha, the chief of the Ganas and Vigneshwara, Lord of all obstacles and Vighnaharta, demolisher of all obstacles. Also, Lord Ganesha is denoted as the god of good luck, wisdom, knowledge, and kindness. In addition to this, Lord Ganesha is worshipped before starting any good work including studies, marriage, business, etc.

According to the Hindu mythology and religious beliefs Lord Ganesha symbolises good luck and wisdom. This is why he is worshipped first before starting any good work. On the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, people bring the idols of Lord Ganesha home to take the blessings in the form of good luck, intelligence, prosperity and good health. They perform the pooja, observe fast and say thanks by paying homage and celebrating Lord Ganesha coming to their place. People eagerly wait for this occasion the whole year so that they can be present at the service of Lord Ganesha and apologise for the mistakes which they have committed. They also make promises to follow the path of honesty and kindness and to serve the mankind. There are various legends related to the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi and people have great belief on these religious stories.

According to the Hindu religion, there is a myth which tells that anyone who sees the moon on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi will be accused of doing something wrong. If by mistake a person sees the moon then there is only one solution to keep the troubles away and that is, by reciting or listening to the story of the syamantaka jewel which is there in the Puranas. In the very famous legend related to Lord Ganesha, the basis of this myth has been mentioned and explained. Lord Ganesha, the God of good fortune, wisdom, intelligence and prosperity, on one of his birthdays, ate large amount of 21 types of sweets including laddus, modaks and sweet porridge made by his mother, Goddess Parvati. He, after eating, went for a nightly round on his vehicle rat but suddenly a snake came in front of the rat and was scared to see it. After this, the rat stumbled and Lord Ganesha fell down and all the sweets came out from his potbelly as it burst. Then quickly Lord Ganesha put all the sweets inside his belly and tied that snake around his belly as a belt. At that time, he heard the voice of laughing and when he looked up, he saw that the moon was mocking at him. Seeing this, he became very angry and broke off one of his tusks and threw it at the moon. Also, he cursed the moon saying, that whoever will see the moon on the festive occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, will be blamed of a wrong doing. Even today the myth has survived and people avoid looking at the moon on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

Ganesh Chaturthi, the major Ganesha festival also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Hindus. This festival is not only rejoiced greatly in India but is also celebrated in the foreign countries in pure Indian manner. Ganesh Chaturthi falls in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, usually in between the months of August and September, according to the Gregorian calendar.

This grand festive occasion lasts for ten days with the grandest celebrations held in Maharashtra, Goa and Andhra Pradesh. These states in particular are popularly known for the exclusive splendour with which the festival comes to life. During the ten days of festival, people sing Ganesha songs, dance, burst crackers, perform traditional rituals, observe fasts, wear new clothes and decorate their houses. However, its the Pooja (ritualistic worshiop) which is the most important aspect of the festival. People perform this special pooja of Ganesh Chaturthi with proper rituals and pure heart and mind. Read to know how to perform Ganesh Chaturthi Pooja in a complete and traditional manner.