Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in honor of Lord Ganesha, to mark His birthday. This is one of the most popular Hindu festivals, observed throughout India (mainly in states such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh etc.) and celebrated for ten days. Hindus celebrate this day across different countries of the world. Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the bright fortnight of Hindu lunar month Bhadrapada (August-September). This Year Ganesh Chaturthi is on September 15, 2007.

India is a nation where the 33 crore Hindu Gods and Goddesses are worshipped religiously. Amongst them, Lord Ganesha (the elephant-headed God) is considered to be most popular, copious and supreme. He is the God of knowledge and wisdom. He bestows bliss and happiness on everyone.

Lord Ganesha is the eldest son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. He represents Om, the main verse among the Hindus that is recited almost all the time. He is worshipped in the beginning of every puja or prayer. His holy name is invoked before starting any new work or worship. He is worshipped for Siddhi that means success in any undertaking.

There are various folklores attached to the amorous festival, Ganesh Chaturthi. It is said that Goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva, created Lord Ganesha. She created him with the dough she used for her bath, as she needed one doorkeeper while she took bath. She created a doll first and then breathed life into it. Hence, this day is known as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is also said that while Goddess Parvati was taking bath, Lord Shiva happened to come there and as Ganesha didn’t know Him, he didn’t allow him to enter the house. Consequently, Lord Shiva got angry and beheaded Ganesha. But after realizing the real fact, Lord Shiva ordered His servants to cut off and bring to Him the head of any creature that might be sleeping with his head facing north. The servants went on their mission and found only an elephant in that position. The sacrifice was thus made and the elephant’s head was brought before Lord Shiva. He then fixed the head of the elephant in place of Ganesha’s head and thus the appearance of Lord Ganesha with the head of an elephant happened.

He has unique appearance. Ganesha has the head of an elephant as mentioned above and rides on a mouse (one of the nature’s smallest creatures). This denotes that Ganesha is the Supreme Being and the creator of all creatures. He is usually depicted with four hands (Chatur Bhuja). One hand carries pasha (a rope), second carries ankusha (a spear like weapon), third one carries Modakao (a sweet) and the fourth one is raised in a blessing.
Another most important legend found in Skanda Purana says that Lord Ganesha was very fond of sweets. He went from house-to-house accepting sweets as offerings to the Lord on one of His birthdays. When He started to move on His mouse after having a hearty meal, suddenly the mouse tripped. This happened as the mouse saw a snake and hence became frightened. This made Lord Ganesha to also fall down. As He fell, His stomach burst and all the sweets came rolling out. But He stuffed them back into His stomach and tied the snake around His belly. On seeing this, the moon could not contain himself and started laughing. This enraged the Lord and cursed that no one should look at the moon on the Ganesh Chaturthi day. In case if anyone looks at it, he will earn an ill repute. But, if someone does happen to look at the moon unknowingly on this day, then he can be freed from the curse by listening to the story of how Lord Krishna cleared His character regarding the Syamantaka jewel. Another legend says that Ganesha on being annoyed with the moon cursed him to vanish from the universe. On the other hand, because of the moon’s disappearance, the whole world began to diminish. Hence the gods pleaded Lord Shiva to convince Ganesha to relent. The moon also then expressed regret for his misconduct. Lord Ganesha in turn modified the curse (on being persuaded by Lord Shiva) such that the moon would be invisible on only one day of a month and would be partially seen for the Ganesh Chaturthi most part.

Lord Ganesha was given the name “Vinayaka” which means remover of all impediments. He is also referred worshipped by the names such as “Vigneshwara” and “Vignaharta”. When he was given am elephant’s head, he got the name “Gajanana”, Gaj meaning ‘elephant’ and anan meaning ‘head’. Later when Lord Shiva made him the Lord of His army (called ganas), he came to be known as “Ganapati” and “Ganaadhish”. He is also known as “Ek Danta” as he has one tusk. This was because, according to folklore, he lost one of His tusks when He killed the demon Gana. Some other common names of Lord Ganesha are Skandapurvaja, Vakratunda, Siddhivinayaka, Sumukha, Gajakarnaka, Surpakarna and Ganadhyaksha.

The celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi are filled with fervor, devotion, love and benevolence. In some places, this day is also referred to as “Dagadi Chautha” (stone-throwing fourth day). This has said to be originated from the belief that if one fervently sees the moon on the night of Ganesh Chaturthi, one should throw stones on his neighbour’s roof to avert any upheaval arising from the curse as talked about earlier.

The great festival to mark Lord Ganesha’s Birthday begins with the ceremonial installation of His idol in the house that is considered to be very auspicious. The next ten days, from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to the Anantha Chaturdashi are spent praying to the God. Lord Ganesha’s presence is considered to be present in the idol in these propitious days. The family members either with the help of a pundit (Hindu priest) or themselves perform puja at home every morning and evening. It is said that the priest invokes life into the idol amidst chanting of mantras and hence this ritual is referred to as pranapratishhtha. The offerings in the forms of sweets (laddoos), flowers, rice, coconut, jaggery and coins are made in front of the image of Lord Ganesha. The idol is anointed with red unguent (rakta chandan).

According to the customs, 108 salutations to Lord Ganesha are made in the prayers that are carried out. Shlokas (verses) and the Ganesha Upanishad are recited. Hymns (Ganesh Bhajans) are sung while performing the aarti.

This aarti for Lord Ganesha is:
Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh deva
Mata jaki parvati, Pita Mahadeva.
Ek Dant dayavant, char bhuja dhari
Mathe sindur sohai, muse ki savari
Jai Ganesh…
Andhan ko ankh det, Kodhin ko kaya
Banjhan ko putra det, nirdhan ko maya,
Jai Ganesh…
Pan chadhe, phul chadhe, aur chadhe meva
Ladduan ka bhog lage, saht kare seva,
Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh deva
Mata jaki parvati, Pita Mahadeva.

This aarti means that
O Ganesha all salutations and grandeur to you! You are the son of Goddess Parvati and the great Lord Shiva.
O Lord of empathy, you have one tusk, vermilion on your forehead and mouse as a vehicle.
O Ganesha all salutations and grandeur to you! You provide eyes to the blind, chastened bodies to the leprous, sons to the barren women and wealth to the poor. Sweets and fruits are distributed to the guests and neighbors after the ceremony.
O Ganesha all salutations and glory to you! People offer you betel leaves, dry fruits and laddoos, while throngs of saints and seers attend you.
O Ganesha all salutations and glory to you!

The Ganesh utsav sees a lot of activities (mainly in Maharashtra) during the span of 10 days. The whole community comes to worship Ganesha in attractive tents and elaborate arrangements are made for lighting and decoration. One can also observe free medical check up camps, blood donation camps, charity, dramatic performances and devotional songs being organized during these days.

Sweets and fruits are distributed to the guests and neighbors after the ceremony. The most important part of this ceremony is that on the eleventh day, the image (idol) is taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing and singing. The holy idol is to be immersed in the river or the sea symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in His journey towards His abode in Kailash while taking away with him the misfortunes of all men. All join in this final procession chanting Ganapati Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Laukariya meaning “O father Ganesha, come again early next year”. After the final offering of coconuts, flowers and camphor is made, people carry the idol to the river to immerse it.

Lord Ganesha is depicted as chubby, smiling and a little mischievous. He bestows knowledge and wisdom to all human. Ganesh Chaturthi, the great festival to mark His birthday is a gifted occasion to repay His bounty by celebrating the ten days with all the zeal and enthusiasm. And, hence this great Hindu festival of one of the most popular deity, Lord Ganesha is looked forward by all.

Article by Pawandeep