Ganesh Chaturthi 2012

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).

When is Ganesh Chaturthi in 2012?

Ganesh Chaturthi in 2012 is on Wednesday, the 19th of September.

Ganesh Chaturthi is also named as Vinayaka Chaurthi.

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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.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2012

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.

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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.

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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.

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