Ganesh Chaturthi:

Ganesh Chaturthi is the festival of birth anniversary of Lord Ganesh. Especially during Ganesh Chaturthi, Lord Ganesh is worshiped as the deity of knowledge, wealth as well as fortune. Puranic texts of Hindu mythology also state that Lord Ganesh was born in Bhadrapada of Shukla Paksha. Ganesh Chaturthi in the English calendar comes in the month of  7th September now. Ten days later, on Ananta Chaturdashi, also known as Ganesh Visarjan Divas, the Ganesh Chaturthi festival comes to an end. Ananta Chaturdashi, after a grand procession, devotees immerse the idol of Lord Ganesha in water.

Mahurat of Ganesh Chaturthi:

The 10-day festival begins on the chaturdashi or 4th day of Bhadrapada in the Hindu month which generally falls between August and September in the Gregorian calendar. In 2024, festivals and associated rituals begin at 03:01 p.m. Ends Friday 16th September at 05:37 pm. on Tuesday, September 17. The date for Ganesh immersion is fixed for Tuesday, September 17. The most auspicious Madhyam Ganesh pooja muhurat  starts at 11:03 AM and ends at 01:34PM.

What is Ganesh Chaturthi?

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesha was born as the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. But it is the story of his birth that attracts the most interest. According to the scripture, the goddess felt lonely on Lord Shiva’s remote Kailash mountain. She gave birth to Ganesh with the impurities of her own body because she really wanted a child and was overcome by strong maternal emotions. He breathed life into this image, bringing Ganesha to life. She was happy to have her in his life and showered her with love.

Once the goddess arranged for Shiva to come home. Ganesh was assigned to guard the door of her apartment and keep people out. Unaware of Ganesha’s presence, Shiva went back and tried to find his wife, but Ganesha suddenly stopped. Struck by Shiva, he cuts off his head.Seeing Goddess Parvati falling down in deep sorrow, Lord Shiva promised to resurrect Lord Ganesha. The gods were sent to take the head of the child facing north, but all they saw was the head of an elephantLord Shiva took the head of an elephant and glued it on the deformed body of Ganesha and Ganesha was reborn.

People who celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesha with great love show great devotion towards the deity. Every year they eagerly await his arrival in their homes, as they do when a family member visits. The festival, therefore, reflects the deep love and devotion felt by the followers of Vinayaka.

Ganapati Sthapana:

Since people think that Lord Ganesh was born during Madhyahna Kala, devotees prefer to perform Ganesh Puja during Madhyahna. The Hindu division of the day is called Madhyahna Kala, or midday.

According to Hindu timekeeping, the period between sunrise and sunset is divided into five equal parts. We know these five parts as Pratahkala, Sangava, Madhyahna, Aparahna, and Sayankal. During the Madhyahna part of the day on Ganesha Chaturthi, we perform Ganapati Sthapana and Ganapati Puja. Vedic astrology considers this period the most appropriate time for Ganesha Puja. During midday, Ganesha devotees perform a detailed ritualistic Ganesha Puja, which is known as Shodashopachara Ganapati Puja.

Overview of the ten-day festival:

1st day:

Embracing Ganesha with clay creations with devotion: With the arrival of Ganesha Chaturthi, houses and temporary pandals have been decorated with an idol of Lord Ganesha. Worshipers offer heartfelt prayers as the market is filled with clay figurines, each carefully selected to suit their desired habitat

2nd day:

The essence of the festival: The entire festival revolves around the second day, aptly named “Chaturthi”.

3rd day :

A special blanket of Prayers and Aarti to Lord Ganesha: On this third day, devotees shower their reverence to Lord Ganesha by devoting themselves to specific prayers and performing ritual Aarti.

4th day:

Celebrated with devotional aartis and sweet offerings: Day four is filled with joyful prayers, aarti rituals and sweet sweets to Ganesha as a mark of devotion .

5th Day:

Join Shodashopachar Pooja for Lord Ganesha : The fifth day was dedicated to the complex ritual “Shodashopachara Pooja”, which honors Lord Ganesha by incorporating the 16 aspects of the puja.

6th Day :

Prayers at home: As the sixth day or “Saashti” approaches, heartfelt aartis and unusual prayers fill the homes of devotees.

7th day:

Holy Pilgrimage: With special prayers and on the seventh day, also known as “Saptapadi”, it includes taking seven holy steps and offering heartfelt prayers to Lord Ganesha.

8th day:

Divyashtami: Known as “Ashtami”, the eighth day is celebrated with intense prayers, aartis and sweet offerings to Lord Ganesha.

9th day:

Daily offerings to the nine planets: The ninth day is called “Navapatrika Puja” a loving offering made by worshiping nine different plants.

10th Day:

Ganesh visarjan:  Ganesh visarjan or “Vijayadashami” brings the festival to a close. The grand procession of the glowing idol of Lord Ganesha ends with a dip in the nearby water tank or river known as visarjan.

Ganesh Chaturthi Sweets

Devotees present a variety of prasad or bhog daily to please Lord Ganesha throughout the 11 days of Ganesh Chaturthi. They cook popular foods like Samosa, Thalipeeth, Gur Nariyal Wadi, Rajgira Laddoo, Puranpoli, Modak, and Patholi. Sweet stores display these mouthwatering varieties of sweets on rows of counters. Devotees primarily make modak on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi. They prepare it as a dumpling composed of flour with a filling made from a fresh mixture of coconut, jaggery, and dry fruits.

Moon Sighting Is Prohibited on Ganesha Chaturthi:

Ganesh Chaturthi is considered to be a day when one should avoid seeing the moon. On Ganesh Chaturthi, the sighting of the moon causes Mithya Dosham, also known as Mithya Kalank (कलंक), which is the false charge of stealing.Puranic stories state that people wrongly charged Lord Krishna with stealing the valuable diamond Syamantaka. Following his observation of Lord Krishna’s suffering, Sage Narada revealed that Lord Krishna saw the moon on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, and as a result, the curse of Mithya Dosha befell him.

Furthermore, Sage Narada told Lord Krishna that Lord Ganesha had cursed God Chandra, saying that anyone who saw the moon on Shukla Chaturthi during Bhadrapada month would be plagued with Mithya Dosha, degraded and disliked in society. Lord Krishna followed the Ganesha Chaturthi fast to cleanse himself of Mithya Dosha, as advised by the sage Narada.

To remove the curse, say the following mantra if you get to see the moon on Ganesha Chaturthi.

सिंहः प्रसेनमवधीत्सिंहो जाम्बवता हतः।

सुकुमारक मारोदीस्तव ह्येष स्यमन्तकः॥

Simhah Prasenamavadhitsimho Jambavata Hatah।

Sukumara Marodistava Hyesha Syamantakah॥