Why and How the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival is Celebrated?

Lord Ganesha in Hinduism is considered to be the most important almighty, who removes any obstacle in our daily life. Therefore, it has been a practise to worship lord Ganesha first, before, we start any new suspicious activity. It is believed that without the blessings of lord Ganesha, no action can bear its desired fruits.

It is also believed that he is the lord of arts, science and the almighty for wisdom. Hence, this is one of the main reasons why Hindus would start any worship by paying their reverence to lord Ganesha.

In fact, this forms the basis to celebrate lord Ganesha on the Chaturthi tithi (4th day), of Shukla paksha in the month of Bhadrapada as per Hindu, Luni-Solar Calendar. Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-day festival which will end on the same month.

Read: 2018 Ganesh Chaturthi Date and Puja Timings

Even then Why is Ganesha Chaturthi Festival is Celebrated?

To answer this question, one should travel in time to understand the mythological story on Lord Ganesha. There are two versions of story in the Hindu text. Following are the two versions of the story.

The first version is like follows:

One has it that Goddess Parvati created Ganesha out of dirt off her body while having a bath and set him to guard her door while she finishes her bath. Lord Shiva who had gone out then, returned around that time, but as Ganesha didn't know of him, stopped him from entering the abode. Despite repeated efforts, Lord Shiva could not convince Ganesha about his relationship with Goddess Parvathy. An angry Lord Shiva severed the head of Ganesha after a combat between the two.

On this, Goddess Parvati was taken aback. She was enraged and to pacify her remorse and anger Lord Shiva promised that he would give lord Ganesha Life again. Lord Shiva instructed his trusted Confident Nandikeshwar who lead the devas in search of a head facing north direction. As a team they could only manage the head of an elephant and brought his head to lord Shiva. Then Lord Shiva fixed the elephant's head on the child and thus brought Lord Ganesha back to life.

The second version.

The other legend has it as Lord Ganesha was created by Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on request of the Devas. Since the Devas wanted a vighnakartaa (obstacle-creator) in the path of rakshasas (demonic beings), and a vighnahartaa (obstacle-averter) to help the Devas.

Thus, both the above version is accepted in India and it is believed that the sequence of events that occurred happened on the tithi of Chaturthi of Bhadrapada month as per Hindu Calendar. Therefore, to pay homage to the divine incarnation who would play the role of Vighnahartaa in human life, Ganesha Chaturthi festival is celebrated.

Accordingly, this year, the date of the festival would start on 13th September and shall end on 23rd September 2018. The end of the 10th day should fall on the tithi of Chaturdashi which is the 14th day of the Fortnight. This day is also known as Ananta Chaturdashi.

Read: जानिए क्‍यों किया जाता है गणेश विसर्जन और क्‍या है इसका महत्‍व

How is Ganesha Chaturthi Festival celebrated?

Though the celebration various across India, but much of the high and pompous is seen in the state of Maharashtra. Where the celebrations are not only celebrated at home, but even taken to the streets. Many of the celebrations are carried out with the compounds of a housing society, a community or even at temples at times. During the celebration, an Idol of Lord Ganesha is bought and worshiped for 10 days. Finally, on the 11th house the Idol is immersed in the water. This practise is common to all; However, the following are some of the few important ways in which the festival is celebrated.

There are four main rituals during the festival

1. Pranapratishhtha: It is a process of infusing the deity into a murti or idol. So, when the idol is bought and erected at home or to the designated place, several mantras are chanted. By this, it is believed that the idol has been brought to life in the form of lord Ganesha.

2. Shhodashopachara: The Pranapratishhtha is followed by 16 different forms of paying tribute to Lord Ganesha. Hence, Shhodashopachara if performed. This is practised on a daily basis as it is believed that lord Ganesha would be present in the idol until immersion.

3. Uttarpuja: Then Uttarpuja is done after which the idol, which is requesting lord Ganesha to take back his original position by shifting away from the idol of worship. This puja is performed on the last day of Ganesha Chaturthi celebration.

4. Ganpati Visarjan (immersion): This is carried out on the last day, which will be Ananta Chaturdashi. The Idol is then immersed in to the sea or a flowing water body.

Thus, the festival would come to an end. To know more about Ganesha Chaturthi or any Rituals, readers can write to us at mail@futurepointindia.com or visit us at www.futurepointindia.com. We at Future Point are a team of expert astrologers for the past three decades. Our team of astrologers can also provide you more special details based on one to one consultation.