Ganesha Chaturthi is the Hindu festival celebrated in the honour of god Ganesha. Ganesh Chaturthi
is one of the major festival celebrated in India with great enthusiasm and
devotion. The festival marks the birthday of Lord Ganesha; the Lord of
knowledge, wisdom and good fortune. The festival is also known as Vinayak
Chaturthi or Vinayak Chavithi. Vinayak Chaturthi is one of the most auspicious
in the Hindu religion and celebrated especially in the state of Maharashtra.
History-
Ganesh
Chaturthi is celebrated with great devotion all over India. People bring home Idols of Lord Ganesha and
celebrate the festival by worshiping the Lord in a special way for a day and depending
on the family tradition and commitment of each individual. On the last
day of worship i.e. Ganesh Chatuthi the idol is taken out in a colourful and
musical way to be immersed traditionally at a beach. This is one of
the most popular festivals in the India. There are several reasons for this.
Ganpati is a popular God and his blessings are invoked at most religious occasions
as He is the one who can remove all obstacles to success.
Celebration-
The celebrations start before around
ten days (from Bhadrapad Shudh Chaturthi to Ananta Chaturdashi). On the first
day a clay idol of Lord Ganesha is installed in homes. Homes are decorated with
flowers. Poojas are performed and bhajans are chanted. Often, families get together
to celebrate the festival. Localities organize and arrange for pandals and
install large idols of Lord Ganesha to celebrate the festival with friends and
family. On the final day of the celebrations, the idol of Lord Ganesha is taken
on the streets. People celebrate this day in the form of dancing and singing on
the streets along with the idol. The idol is finally immersed in the river or
sea. The day witnesses a large number of devotees expressing their happiness
and offering their prayers.
Festival
Dishes-
There are a large number of sweets offered to
Lord Ganesha during the pujan, but Modak is known to be the lord`s favourite
sweet including ladu, barfi and pede.
Wish you a very Happy and a Blessed Ganesh Chaturthi 2014!
Ganpati Bappa Morya!!