Worshipping Ganesha, the most endearing form of all Hindu deities, is the most important aspect of Hindus daily Pooja. Unquestionably, His birthday, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated grandly with devotion and delight all over the world. It is a social event that spreads goodwill among people. People celebrate the festival with pomp and gaiety in India, especially in Maharashtra. It has been celebrated for 10 days from 4[SUP]th[/SUP] day of the bright half of Bhadrapad Shukla, birth date of Lord Ganesha to Anantha chaturdasi, the final 10[SUP]th[/SUP] day of his immersion. Ganesh Chaturthi marks the start of the Indian festive season of that year.
History of the Worship of Lord Ganesha
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations have a long history. Since the days of the Satavahana, Chalukya, and Rashtrakuta rulers, Ganesh Chaturthi has been celebrated. In Maharashtra, the festival had become most popular and celebrated with a lot of fun and enthusiasm in Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja’s period. Later, Peshwas followed the tradition as Lord Ganesha was their family deity. The festival lost its glamour with the end of Peshwa regime and remained a family affair.
It was Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak who revived Ganesh festival into a grand public celebration. He used the celebration as a source of political awakening against the British regime at a time when political gatherings were not allowed by the British. Since then Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in a grand manner in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and other parts of India and has become the most colourful and joyful event in the religious, social and cultural life of India.
The Grand Celebration:
The preparations for the grand festival are starting 2 to 3 months prior and clay models of Lord Ganesha are made in various sizes ranging from 3/4th of an inch to over 25 feet. A week before the actual festival starts, Marquees are erected and decorated at every nook and corner for installing idols. Idols are placed on a decorated tents and for 10 days, Ganesh is worshipped there with great zeal and enthusiasm. On the 11[SUP]th[/SUP] day, Lord Ganesh idols are taken in a procession accompanied with the devotional songs, dances and drum beats to be immersed in a river or the sea chanting “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudchya Varshi Laukar Ya.” which means “O father Ganesha, come again early next year”. The idols are immersed with loud chants of “Ganesh Maharaj Ki Jai!” With the plea to the Lord to return next year, the festival comes to an end. The duration of the stay varies from place to place. People visit as many pandals as possible to get dharshan of the deity.
In Karnataka, along with Lord Ganesh, prayers are offered to Goddess Gauri, the mother of Lord Ganesh. Married women pray Goddess Gauri for long lasting married life. In Rajasthan, idols of Ganesh are placed right outside the homes along with a thali containing haldi and kumkum for the visiting people. In Tamilnadu also Ganesh Chathurti is celebrated with great pomp and show.
Rituals of Ganesh Chaturthi Pooja:
Large number of people observe Ganesha Chaturthi poojas at home. On the day of Vinayak Chaturthi, after taking ritual bath, devotees wear new cloth and perform Pooja. The beautiful clay idol is placed on the makhar and is adorned with fresh flower garlands. Then kalasha pooja followed by Pranapratishtha are done. This ritual is done to invoke life into the idol. It is followed by Shhodashopachara i.e. 16 ways of worship. The main items required for this pooja are coconut, 21 modaks, betel leaf and betel nut, 21 blades of dhruva grass, incense sticks, sandalwood paste, sindur, camphor, cotton wicks, fresh flowers. After performing Shhodashopachara, 108 names of Lord Ganesha and the Ganesh Chaturthi Katha is recited. With Ganesh Aarti, the Pooja comes to an end. Then prasadams are distributed.
May the Lord Ganesha Remove All Obstacles and Shower You with Bounties! Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!
History of the Worship of Lord Ganesha
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations have a long history. Since the days of the Satavahana, Chalukya, and Rashtrakuta rulers, Ganesh Chaturthi has been celebrated. In Maharashtra, the festival had become most popular and celebrated with a lot of fun and enthusiasm in Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja’s period. Later, Peshwas followed the tradition as Lord Ganesha was their family deity. The festival lost its glamour with the end of Peshwa regime and remained a family affair.
It was Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak who revived Ganesh festival into a grand public celebration. He used the celebration as a source of political awakening against the British regime at a time when political gatherings were not allowed by the British. Since then Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in a grand manner in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and other parts of India and has become the most colourful and joyful event in the religious, social and cultural life of India.
The Grand Celebration:
The preparations for the grand festival are starting 2 to 3 months prior and clay models of Lord Ganesha are made in various sizes ranging from 3/4th of an inch to over 25 feet. A week before the actual festival starts, Marquees are erected and decorated at every nook and corner for installing idols. Idols are placed on a decorated tents and for 10 days, Ganesh is worshipped there with great zeal and enthusiasm. On the 11[SUP]th[/SUP] day, Lord Ganesh idols are taken in a procession accompanied with the devotional songs, dances and drum beats to be immersed in a river or the sea chanting “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudchya Varshi Laukar Ya.” which means “O father Ganesha, come again early next year”. The idols are immersed with loud chants of “Ganesh Maharaj Ki Jai!” With the plea to the Lord to return next year, the festival comes to an end. The duration of the stay varies from place to place. People visit as many pandals as possible to get dharshan of the deity.
In Karnataka, along with Lord Ganesh, prayers are offered to Goddess Gauri, the mother of Lord Ganesh. Married women pray Goddess Gauri for long lasting married life. In Rajasthan, idols of Ganesh are placed right outside the homes along with a thali containing haldi and kumkum for the visiting people. In Tamilnadu also Ganesh Chathurti is celebrated with great pomp and show.
Rituals of Ganesh Chaturthi Pooja:
Large number of people observe Ganesha Chaturthi poojas at home. On the day of Vinayak Chaturthi, after taking ritual bath, devotees wear new cloth and perform Pooja. The beautiful clay idol is placed on the makhar and is adorned with fresh flower garlands. Then kalasha pooja followed by Pranapratishtha are done. This ritual is done to invoke life into the idol. It is followed by Shhodashopachara i.e. 16 ways of worship. The main items required for this pooja are coconut, 21 modaks, betel leaf and betel nut, 21 blades of dhruva grass, incense sticks, sandalwood paste, sindur, camphor, cotton wicks, fresh flowers. After performing Shhodashopachara, 108 names of Lord Ganesha and the Ganesh Chaturthi Katha is recited. With Ganesh Aarti, the Pooja comes to an end. Then prasadams are distributed.
May the Lord Ganesha Remove All Obstacles and Shower You with Bounties! Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!