Ganesh Chaturthi
Introduction
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a major Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, the beloved elephant-headed deity of wisdom, prosperity, and auspicious beginnings. Revered as Vighnaharta (remover of obstacles) and honored as the first deity to be worshipped before any sacred undertaking, Lord Ganesha holds a unique place in Hindu devotion. The festival is celebrated with extraordinary grandeur, especially in Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, where elaborate clay idols are installed in homes and public pandals for up to ten days.
When It Is Celebrated
Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the Chaturthi (fourth day) of Shukla Paksha in Bhadrapada month of the Hindu calendar, corresponding to August or September in the Gregorian calendar. The celebrations begin on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi and continue for ten days until Anant Chaturdashi (Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi). While some families perform visarjan (immersion) after one and a half days, three days, five days, or seven days, the grandest immersion processions take place on the tenth day, Anant Chaturdashi.
Mythological Story
According to the Shiva Purana, Goddess Parvati created a boy from the sandalwood paste of her body and breathed life into him. She stationed him at the door as her guardian while she bathed. When Lord Shiva returned, the boy refused him entry, not knowing he was Parvati’s consort. Enraged, Shiva severed the boy’s head. When Parvati was grief-stricken, Shiva sent his attendants to bring the head of the first living being they found facing north. They returned with an elephant’s head, which Shiva placed on the boy’s body and restored him to life. He named him Ganesha, lord of his celestial attendants (ganas), and all the gods blessed him with the boon of being worshipped first before any auspicious endeavor.
Rituals and Celebrations
On Ganesh Chaturthi, a clay idol of Lord Ganesha is installed at an auspicious time through the Prana Pratishtha ceremony, invoking divine energy into the idol. The Shodashopachara Puja (sixteen-step worship) is performed, including invocation, offering a seat, washing the feet, sacred bath, clothing, sacred thread, sandalwood paste, flowers, incense, lamp, food offerings, betel leaves, dakshina, aarti, and circumambulation. Modak (sweet dumplings) are the preferred offering, as they are considered Ganesha’s favorite. Durva grass, red flowers, and sindoor are also offered. The Ganapati Atharvashirsha and Ganesh Stotras are recited daily. On the final day, grand processions carry the idol to water bodies for visarjan (immersion), with devotees chanting “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Purchya Varshi Lavkar Ya” (Hail Lord Ganesha, come again soon next year).
Significance
Ganesh Chaturthi holds deep spiritual and cultural significance. Lord Ganesha as Vighnaharta represents the power to overcome all obstacles in life. His form is rich with symbolism: the large head signifies wisdom and intellect, the big ears represent the importance of listening, the small eyes denote concentration, and the trunk symbolizes adaptability and efficiency. The festival also carries historical importance, as Lokmanya Tilak transformed it into a public celebration during the Indian independence movement to unite people across caste and class divisions. Today, Ganesh Chaturthi serves as a powerful platform for community bonding, cultural expression, and collective devotion.