Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi
On this day, Lord Shiva declared his son Ganesha as superior to all the gods, barring Vishnu, Lakshmi, Shiva, and Parvati. Lord Ganesha is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity, knowledge, and good fortune traditionally invoked at the beginning of any new work or at the start of travel. Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 august is celebrated by Hindus around the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesh. This auspicious festival is celebrated in the most elaborate way in Maharashtra that lasts for 10 days here.
It is highly believed that Lord Ganesha bestows his presence on earth for all his devotees during the festival of Ganesha Chaturthi. Ganesh Utsav is celebrated every year in the Bhadrapada month according to the Hindu calendar of the fourth day that is a bright fortnight. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturthi 2024 (fourteenth day of the waxing moon period). Ganesha Chaturthi is considered as the birthday of Lord Ganesha.
History of Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi was being celebrated as an important public event in Pune since the times of Shivaji (1630–1680), the founder of the Maratha Empire. The Peshwas, the de facto hereditary administrators of the Empire from 1749 to 1818, encouraged the celebrations in their administrative seat Pune as Lord Ganesha was their family deity (Kuladevata). In 1893, the Lokmanya Tilak transformed this annual domestic festival into a large, well-organized public event. Tilak recognized the wide appeal of the deity Lord Ganesha as "the supreme god for everybody", Tilak was the first to introduce large public images of Ganesh in pavilions, and also established the practice of submerging in rivers, sea.
It is served as a meeting ground for all the natives of all castes and communities, in order to exercise control over the population, the British discouraged social and political gatherings. After this, the day is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati. Lord Ganesha is worshipped all over India by the Hindus as the Lord of wisdom, prosperity and, success.
Determination of Date
This festival of Ganpati Sthapana is mainly celebrated in Maharashtra. It is celebrated on Bhadrapad Shukla Chaturthi falling during Madhyahana (mid-day). If on the first day Chaturthi falls on part of Madhyahana (mid-day) and on the second day covers the whole duration of Madhyahana (mid-day) then only it would be celebrated on the second day. Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 date in India calendar is 7th September 2024, and Anant Chaturthi 2024 will be on the 17th of September.
How to Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi
- You can begin the rituals by getting a clay idol of Ganesh Ji, in order to worship in the morning and the evening.
- The entire house is should be cleaned before getting the idol home and the entire family is gathered to welcome the Lord. The idol is then worshiped by offerings flowers, Modaks, and karanji.
- Decorate your doorway with flowers and mango leaves. Artificial hangings can also be used for decoration.
- Draw beautiful rangolis or geometric patterns in front of the doorway with raw rice flour.
- It is a symbol of auspiciousness. It helps attract positive Vibes into the house.
- Install an eco-friendly clay model of Ganesha and keep him in your prayer altar or in any sanctified place.
- One should offer him a garland of Durva grass and flowers like jasmine, lotus, milkweed, etc. Red sandal paste should adorn his forehead.
- Lamps or Diya should be lit using ghee or clarified butter. Light incense sticks to fill the air with a good fragrance.
Mantras
Recitation of mantras is called, “Prana Pratishta” in Sanskrit, which means breathing of prana or life current into the image, making it fit for worship. Mantras give life to the form. Sacred mantras should be chanted like “Om Gam Ganapathaye” to invoke his blessings of success in all undertakings and destruction of all obstacles to well being.
Chanting of Ganesh Sahastranaam and following Mantra helps in overcoming all obstacles.
सिंह प्रसेनमवधीत् , सिंहों जाम्बवता हैः।
सुकुमारक मा रोदीस्तव, ह्येष स्यमन्तकः।।
Method of performing the Puja
On Narada’s suggestion, Krishna performed the fast of Ganesh Chaturthi (also known as Vinayagar Chaturthi) and got rid of the curse. Hence, the one who worships Lord Ganesha and fasts on this day gets rid of all the allegations.
Food
Tasty Food offerings should be made to him like Modaks (Laddus), coconut, cooked channa, jaggery, semolina laddus, besan laddus, kheer and different types of fruits. However, his favorite food is Modak. The food offered to Ganesha is called Prasad and it should be distributed after the pooja.
Arti
Once food offering is done, then Arti along with the ringing of bells should be done to him to attain his blessings.
Friends and family
Friends, neighbors, and relatives can be called over to share the festive spirit and enjoy a meal with the people. Food prepared at home should be shared with others as it brings in good merit.
Final ceremony
By the evening, the immersion of the idol in a water body is conducted on the last day of the festival. It is accompanied by a procession of people chanting bhajans and shlokas and songs.after some prayers, he should be carried to a sea or some water body for immersion. This ceremony is called a Ganesh Visarjan 2024 in Hindi.
GANESH ARTI in English
Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva
Mata Jakii Parvati, Pitaa Mahaadeva
Eka Danta Dayavanta, Char Bhuja Dhaarii
Mathe Sinduura Sohai, Muuse Kii Savari
Jai Ganesh...
Andhana Ko Aankha Deta Korhina Ko Kaayaa
Banjhana Ko Putra Deta Nirdhana Ko Maaya
Jai Ganesh...
Haar Charhe, Phool Charhe Aura Charhe Meva
Ladduan Ko Bhoga Lage Sant Karen Seva
Jai Ganesha...
Dinan Ki Laaj Rakho Shambhu Putra Vaari
Manorath Ko Pura Karo Jai Balihaari
Jai Ganesha…
Ganesh Arti in Hindi
जय गणेश जय गणेश जय गणेश देवा।
माता जाकी पार्वती पिता महादेवा
एकदन्त दयावन्त चारभुजाधारी
माथे पर तिलक सोहे,
मूसे की सवारी
पान चढ़े फूल चढ़े और चढ़े मेवा लड्डुअन का भोग लगे सन्त करे सेवा
जय गणेश जय गणेश जय गणेश देवा। माता जाकी पार्वती पिता महादेवा
अँधे को आँख देत कोढ़िन को काया बाँझन को पुत्र देत निर्धन को माया
सूर श्याम शरण आए सफल कीजे सेवा माता जाकी पार्वती पिता महादेवा
जय गणेश जय गणेश जय गणेश देवा। माता जाकी पार्वती पिता महादेवा
माता जाकी पार्वती पिता महादेवा माता जाकी पार्वती पिता महादेवा..
This year we hope everyone will get immense blessings of Lord Ganesha that will bring prosperity and peace to your life.