Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a ten-day-long Hindu religious festival celebrated all over India. The festival celebrates the birth of God Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Lord Shiva and Parvathi Devi.
Lord Ganesha is termed as the God of knowledge, wealth, wisdom, and prosperity. He is also considered the Lord of success and luck. That's why the devotees of Ganesha remember and prays to him before starting anything new. Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of this widely worshiped God, who is known by more than 108 names.
The ten-day-long festival is celebrated on the Bhadra month of the Hindu calendar, which falls between August to September of the Gregorian calendar. Ganesh Chaturthi 2021 celebration will start on 10th September, Friday.
History
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of Ganesha, who was born as the younger son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Various stories are told, regarding Ganesha's birth', where two of them are most popular.
The first story says that Ganesha was formed by Parvathi, to accompany and guard her in Kailash in the absence of Shiva. Parvathi tells Ganesha to guard the entrance while she takes a bath, and Ganesha happily agrees. In the meantime, Shiva returns, and Ganesha, not knowing who he is, stops him and doesn't let him in. A very angry Shiva snaps and cuts off Ganesha's head, not knowing he is his son. When Parvati knows this, she is angry and shattered and explains to Shiva about everything. A guilty shiva promises to give Ganesha's life back. He sets off devas to find ahead to replace Ganesha's head, but all they could get was an elephant head, which was then fixed in the child's body by Shiva. And thus, the elephant-headed God of luck, Ganesha, was born.
Another story says Ganesha was created by Shiva and Parvathi as per the request of devas to help defeat asuras. That's why he is known as Vighneshwar, the averter of obstacles.
Why is it celebrated?
It is said that people who sincerely pray to Lord Ganesha will be set free from their sins and, is cleansed from within, leading them to a path of wisdom and knowledge. It's also believed that worshiping Ganesha will help people fulfill their wishes.
How is it celebrated?
Vinayaka Chaturthi is celebrated all over India with great joy and devotion. The den days of celebration consist of four main rituals. They are, Pranapratishhtha, Shhodashopachara, Uttarpuja, and Ganpati Visarjan.
The excitement for Ganesh Chaturthi begins long before the festival. People start their preparation to enjoy Ganesh Chaturthi. And the clay idols of Ganesh, of different poses and sizes, are prepared and bought by the people.
The clay idols are positioned and perfectly decorated in houses and temples by the devotees. The ritual of Pran Pratishtha takes place where a pandit chants mantras to invoke life in the deity.
In the ritual of Shodashopachara, Prayers are offered to the idol in 16 different ways.
This is followed by the Uttar puja ritual, where farewell is given to Ganesha with utmost devotion and respect. Then Ganesh visarjan takes place, where the clay idols are carried with chants and mantras towards rivers or sea, where it is immersed in water.
Ganesh Chaturthi is sure a festival of devotion and spirituality, but it also is a celebration of hope and new beginnings. It sure is one of the most vibrant festivals in India.
I wish all of you a safe and prosperous Ganesh Chaturthi for 2021.
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