Ganesh Chaturthi

Religion in India is still a living force and Indians appreciate and cultivate the festival spirit even in this age of industrialisation and political upheavals. May be Ganesh festivals bring people together and make the nation move forward and grow. Ganesh Festival is very popular in our country.

The birth of Lord Ganesh is on the 4th day of the bright half of Bhadrapad Shukla (August/September). This festival is celebrated for 10 days from Ganesh Chaturthi - birth -date-to Anant Chaturdashi - the final 10th day of his immersion. Everyone loves this deity with his curving trunk, potbelly and big flat ears. He is the benevolent protector of the innocent, yet the ruthless destroyer of evil. His mount is a rat.

In several states of India, but especially in Maharashtra clay idols of Ganesh in varying sizes are made and sold. The idols are purchased and brought home the day previous to Ganesh Chaturthi, which is the day of Hartalik when women keep fast and invoke the blessings of goddess Parvati, who is Ganesh's mother.

ganesha.jpgIn several states of India, but especially in Maharashtra clay idols of Ganesh in varying sizes are made and sold. The idols are purchased and brought home the day previous to Ganesh Chaturthi, which is the day of Hartalik when women keep fast and invoke the blessings of goddess Parvati, who is Ganesh's mother.

In streets and commercial establishments community worship is offered to a life-size or even a bigger image, installed on an erected platform. This Lord Ganesh is very fond of sweets and hence khir, panchamrit, fruits and sweets and specially modaks are placed before him as "Naivedya" or "Bhog". After the ritual worship this "Bhog" is distributed as "Prasad".

On the day of immersion, which is either on 3rd, 5th, 7th or 10th day after performing of "Puja", the idol is taken out in a procession by people who dance and sing. On the 10th day - the Anant Chaturdashi day the sea fronts are packed with surging mass of humanity as the idols of Ganesh are carried towards their watery rest among shouts of "Ganapati Bappa Moriya, Pudhachya varshi lavkar ya" (Return early next year, Oh Victorious Lord Ganesh).

Many interesting legends about the birth and the greatness of Lord Ganesh are found in old ancient religious texts. He is considered to be the god of wisdom, prudence and prosperity. The worship of this god is coming down to us right from the Vedic times. Every religious ceremony is completed even today with invoking his blessings at the very beginning with the solemn recitation of "Om Ganeshaya Namaha" (I bow to Thee Lord Ganesh). It is believed that Lord Ganesh put down on paper the slokas of our great epic Mahabharat as Maharshi Ved Vyas dictated them to him. Sant Gyaneshwar's Gyaneshwari starts with praise of Lord Ganesh.

Since the days of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj the founder of the Maratha Empire this Ganesh Festival was celebrated on a grand scale in Pune and later on the Peshwas themselves participated in this festival, as Ganesh was their family deity. Today this festival is the most colourful and happy event in the religious, social and cultural life of India specially that of Pune. With the end of the Peshwa regime this festival lost its glamour and came to be observed privately in households only. Thus many years passed.

Origin of Ganesh Festival
Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the Father of Indian Unrest, mobilised people through public Ganesh Utsav which was until then confined to the homes of the people and palaces of Maharajas. Hindus came together for the festival which became a source of political awakening against the British regime.

At the crucial juncture of India's history when the nation indeed was under the yoke of slavery of the British, Lokmanya Tilak, who proclaimed "Swarajya is my birth-right and I'll have it" realising the importance of the massive popularity of this festival initiated its nationwide celebrations in 1893. Then it became a platform for political awakening and uprising among people to gain freedom from British imperialism. Ganesh Festival thus played a very important role in our Freedom Struggle.

Castes and creeds were forgotten as people organised the festivals with great enthusiasm. Mandals or organisations of people in every locality came into being to organise the annual event with fanfare. After Independence in 1947, these Mandals continued to celebrate the festival with vigour and devotion. Political overtones of pre-Independence era were replaced by activities for social good. Pune Mandals, some of them established way back in the last decade of the 19th century, continued to remain in the forefront in their social outlook. Mandals in Mumbai and other towns of Maharashtra have kept the spirit of festivity and sense of commitment to the society. They do organise daily events during the ten days of Ganesh Festival.

History of Ganesh Festival

In the good old days Ganesh festival was a purely family affair. According to the eminent historian Shri Rajwade, records reveal that it was celebrated even during the reigns of Satwahana, Rashtrakuta and Chalukya. There are also references in historical records to similar celebrations during Peshwa times, Lord Ganapati being the family deity of the Peshwas. The celebration would commence on the first day of the month of Bhadrapada and would go on for ten days. Years later it became a practice to end the festivities on 'Anant Chaturdashi' with the immersion of the Ganapati idol in water. The celebrations were universally popular with rich and poor alike. The poor were given sweets and clothes. Upper caste Brahmins were fed on delicious meals. On the concluding day, the idol of Lord Ganesh was carried in a beautifully decorated palanquin in a ceremonial procession and taken to the river for immersion.

The last of the Ganesh festivals during the Peshwa regime was celebrated in the year 1815 when Bajirao II held the power. The year 1818 saw the end of Peshwa rule with Union Jack being unfurled on the great Shaniwar-Wada. Among the valuables the Britishers took away was a 'ruby' eyed Ganesh idol made in pure gold studded with diamonds and rubies. It was reportedly valued at £ 50000 in those days. After the end of Peshwa rule, from 1818 to 1892 Ganesh Festival remained a family affair in Maharashtra.

Legend of Ganesh Chaturthi

The mythological basis of the celebration is found in the Puranas. Parvati, while taking a bath, wanted somebody to guard from outside. She got the idea of making an idol out of the dirt that came from her body. She placed the idol outside. The idol did not even let her husband enter. Shankar became furious and instantly severed the head of the idol.

Parvati finished her bath and came out. She explained to her husband the reason for placing the idol before the door. The idol was her creation. In fact the idol was her son ("manas putra"), and consequently also Shankar's son.

Shankar felt sorry for what he had done. His servant Gan was standing nearby. Shankar ordered him to go and bring the head of the first living being he would meet. The servant saw an elephant, and he at once cut his head and took it to Shankar. Shankar joined the elephant's head to the body of Parvati's son. "Gaj" means elephant and "anan" means head, so Parvati's son became known as "Gajanan". Shankar made him the deity of his armies and thus his name became Ganesh.

"Gan" = army, "Ish" = god or Ganpati, which means "The Lord of Hosts".

Celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in most parts of the country with great fervor especially in Maharashtra and some parts of South India.

To appreciate this occasion, one must go to Mumbai where preparations begin months in advance. Images of Ganesha are installed within homes as well as in public places. Elaborate arrangements are made for lighting and decoration and Ganesha is fervently worshipped for about 7-10 days.

On the day of the Chaturthi, the last of the ten days dedicated to the elephant-headed god, thousands of processions converge on the beaches of Mumbai to immerse the holy idols in the sea. This immersion is accompanied by drumbeats, devotional songs and dancing. Every year, the largest Ganesh idol is installed at Khairatabad in Hyderabad, which is more than 30 ft tall. The Ganapati Mahotsav or the Grand Festival of Ganesha is the main festival in Mumbai, the financial capital of India. In Mumbai, factories commission the largest of the 6000 or so Ganeshas collectively.

Each of these idols can be up to 10 metres in height and are paraded on lorries decorated with multi-coloured lights. At the other end of the scale, little Ganeshas are placed in nukkads or street corners and in homes, and pujas are performed daily. The festival was started by Shivaji, the great Maratha ruler, to promote culture and a feeling of nationalism amongst his subjects who were fighting against the Mughals.

After his death the festival was celebrated but on a smaller scale. In 1894 when the British banned public assemblies Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak who felt that this was way of spreading the freedom message through a legitimate religious festival revived the festival.

On full moon day every idol is taken down to the Chowpatty beach accompanied by hordes of people singing and dancing and is immersed in the Arabian Sea.

Ganpati is the god of learning. He is addressed as the "Remover of Obstacles" ("Vignaharta"). His devotees believe that no enterprise will succeed unless he is invoked. The picture of Ganpati is often found on the doors of houses and printed on wedding cards. On the occasion of the Ganpati festival a large number of images are made of all possible sizes, and people buy them to keep in their houses as a divine guest for one and a half, five, seven, or ten days, after which the image is taken out ceremoniously and thrown into the river, sea or well for immersion or "visarjan". When he is immersed in the water, people sing,

"GANPATI BAPPA MORYA, AGLE BARAS TO JALDI AA,"

("father Ganpati, next year come again.")

Eco Friendly Celebrations

Ganesha is considered to be the Lord of wisdom and every year the festival of Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated with great zeal.

This festival symbolizes togetherness as thousands of people come together to celebrate this festival on a grandiose scale. These days this festival is raising the burning issue of Environmental Pollution.

The immersion of gigantic Ganpati idols in the natural water bodies is adversely affecting the aquatic life as well as harmful chemicals from idol are contaminating water.

The material used for idols like POP is mainly the compound of gypsum, sulphur, phosphorus and magnesium. Chemical paints comprise of mercury, cadmium. lead and carbon.

Immersion of idols with such poisonous and toxic elements raises the level of acidity, solid matter, organic matter and heavy metals in water bodies.

It’s high time now, seeing the alarming rate of environmental pollution many institutions have come forward with a campaign of GREEN GANESHA or ECO FRIENDLY GANESHA FESTIVAL. The National Green Corps campaign involving school children to promote the use of clay idols has picked up steam in different areas.

A popular idol making company nearby Mumbai has also started its manufacturing by clay rather than Plaster of Paris. Running campaigns is still not the remedy as, solution remains within all of us.

All devotees should take a step forward in this direction, just by altering the ways of celebrating this auspicious occasion.

Now days, craze of Green Ganesha is growing means people are getting aware of the fact and turning towards the idols made of Clay or Paper Mache.

Unpainted idols are also in use, which are without the harmful elements of paints. Even the alternatives are to use the idols made of brass or stone which can be reused in coming years.

Immersion of idol in water tank rather than lakes, river and sea is also practiced. These practices will surely lead to eco-friendly Gnesha Festival.

Gauri Pooja
Ganesha Festival is one of its kinds when mother and son both are worshipped together.

The other name for Goddess Parvati, the mother of Ganesha is Gauri while in some areas like Pune, Goddess Gauri is considered as sister of Ganesha but the Goddess is worshipped with full devotion and welcomed home a day before Ganesha Chathurthi.

Devotees believe that bringing home Goddess Gauri will bring them wealth and prosperity. Some regions consider Gauri Pooja as upasana of Goddess Lakshmi.

Goddess Gauri is kept and worshipped for three days – first day is the avahana, next day it is Satyanarayan puja and on the third day Gauri is immersed in water.

The preparations for Gauri pooja are made in the same way as Ganpati, women mark foot steps of Goddess by using Rangoli (colorful powder) and then the idol of Goddess Gauri is brought home.

Then at mahurat (auspicious timings), Naivedya (offering) is presented before Goddess and the ritual is followed by singing aarti (holy song) and praying to Goddess for health, wealth, success and prosperity.

108 names of Ganesh

1. Akhurath One who has mouse as his charioteer
2. Alampata Ever eternal lord
3. Amit Incomparable lord
4. Anantachidrupamayam Infinite and consciousness personified
5. Avaneesh Lord of the whole world
6. Avighna Remover of obstacles
7. Balaganapati Beloved and lovable child
8. Bhalchandra Moon-crested lord
9. Bheema Huge and Gigantic
10. Bhupati Lord of the gods
11. Bhuvanpati God of the gods
12. Buddhinath God of wisdom
13. Budhipriya Knowledge bestower
14. Bhudhividhata God of knowledge
15. Chaturbhuj One who has four arms
16. Devadeva Lord of all lords
17. Devantakanashakarin Destroyer of evils and asuras
18. Devarata One who accepts all gods
19. Devendrashika Protector of all gods
20. Dharmik One who gives charity
21. Dhoomravarna Smoke-Hued lord
22. Durja Invincible lord
23. Dvaimatura One who has two mothers
24. Ekaakshara He of the single syllable
25. Ekadanta Single-Tusked lord
26. Ekadrishta Single-Tusked lord
27. Eshanputra Lord Shiva’s son
28. Gadadhara One who has the mace as his weapon
29. Gajakarna One who has eyes like an elephant
30. Gajanana Elephant-Faced lord
31. Gajananeti Elephant-Faced lord
32. Gajavakra Trunk of the elephant
33. Gajavaktra One who has mouth like an elephant
34. Ganadhakshya Lord of all Ganas (Gods)
35. Ganadhyakshina Leader of all the celestial bodies
36. Ganapati Lord of all Ganas (Gods)
37. Gaurisuta The son of Gauri (Parvati)
38. Gunina One who is the master of all virtues
39. Haridra One who is golden colored
40. Heramba Mother’s Beloved son
41. Kapila Yellowish-Brown coloured
42. Kaveesha Master of poets
43. Krti Lord of music
44. Kripalu Merciful lord
45. Krishapingaksha Yellowish-Brown eyed
46. Kshamakaram The place of forgiveness
47. Kshipra One who is easy to appease
48. Lambakarna Large-Eared lords
49. Lambodara The huge bellied lord
50. Mahabala Enormously strong lord
51. Mahaganpati Omnipotent and supreme lord
52. Maheshwaram Lord of the universe
53. Mangalamurti All auspicious lord
54. Manomay Winner of hearts
55. Mrityunjaya Conqueror of death
56. Mundakarama Abode of happiness
57. Muktidaya Bestower of eternal bliss
58. Mushikvahana One who has mouse as charioteer
59. Nadapratithishta One who appreciates and loves music
60. Namasthetu Vanquisher of all evils and vices and sins
61. Nandana Lord Shiva’s son
62. Nideeshwaram Giver of wealth and treasures
63. Omkara One who has the form of OM
64. Pitambara One who has yellow-colored body
65. Pramoda Lord of all abodes
66. Prathameshwara First among all
67. Purush The omnipotent personality
68. Rakta One who has red-colored body
69. Rudrapriya Beloved of lord Shiva
70. Sarvadevatman Acceptor of all celestial offerings
71. Sarvasiddanta Bestower of skills and wisdom
72. Sarvatman Protector of the universe
73. Shambhavi The son of Parvati
74. Shashivarnam One who has a moon like complexion
75. Shoorpakarna Large-eared Lord
76. Shuban All auspicious lord
77. Shubhagunakanan One who is the master of all virtues
78. Shweta One who is as pure as the white colour
79. Siddhidhata Bestower of success and accomplishments
80. Siddhipriya Bestower of wishes and boons
81. Siddhivinayak Bestower of success
82. Skandapurvaja Elder brother of Skanda (Lord Kartik)
83. Sumukha Auspicious face
84. Sureshwaram Lord of all lords
85. Swaroop Lover of beauty
86. Tarun Ageless
87. Uddanda Nemesis of evils and vices
88. Umaputra The son of goddess Uma (Parvati)
89. Vakratunda Curved trunk lord
90. Varaganapati Bestower of boons
91. Varaprada Granter of wishes and boons
92. Varadavinayaka Bestower of Success
93. Veeraganapati Heroic lord
94. Vidyavaridhi God of wisdom
95. Vighnahara Remover of obstacles
96. Vignaharta Demolisher of obstacles
97. Vighnaraja Lord of all hindrances
98. Vighnarajendra Lord of all obstacles
99. Vighnavinashanaya Destroyer of all obstacles and impediments
100. Vigneshwara Lord of all obstacles
101. Vikat Huge and gigantic
102. Vinayaka Lord of all
103. Vishwamukha Master of the universe
104. Vishwaraja King of the world
105. Yagnakaya Acceptor of all sacred and sacrificial offerings
106. Yashaskaram Bestower of fame and fortune
107. Yashvasin Beloved and ever popular lord
108. Yogadhipa The lord of meditation

Curse of Moon

It is believed that any one who looks at moon on the Ganesha Chaturthi night will be fallaciously accused.

The reason behind this belief, it is thought that Moon behaved inappropriately towards the Lord.

In the broader sense this faith means that one should stay away from the company of all those who don’t believe in God and religion, right from the day of chaturthi.

Ganesh Arti

Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh deva

Mata jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva.

Ek dant dayavant, char bhuja dhari

Mathe sindur sohai, muse ki savari, Jai

Ganesh...

Andhan ko ankh det, kodhin ko kaya

Banjhan ko putra det, nirdhan ko maya, Jai

Ganesh....

Pan chadhe, phul chadhe, aur chadhe meva

Ladduan ka bhog lage, saht kare seva, ,Jai

Ganesh....

Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh deva,

Mata jaki Parvata, Pita Mahadeva

Divine Symbolism
Whole being of Ganeshji has symbolic imports for his devotees:

* Large Stomach:
represents his great capacity to digest all good and bad in life.

* Short Legs:
symbolize tolerance power.

* Large Ears:
imply listening devotees.

* Small Eyes:
imply having high concentration power.

* Mouse as Vehicle:
represents a deity of control over desires.

* Large Forehead:
develops great intelligence

* One Tusk:
retains good and throws away bad.

* Long Trunk:
represents high efficiency and adaptability.

* Four Arms:
which hold following:

1. “Ankush”:- symbol for control over
the mind

2. “Ladu”:- for happiness

3. “Pash ”:- axe to cut off all bonds of attachments

4. “Ashirvad mudra”:- blessings for the well being of humanity


Gifts
10 days of celebration starting from the fourth day of the Bhadarva Shukla-paksh, the ganesha chaturthi ending on Anantha chaturdarshi are full of joy and pleasure. This occasion truly motivate devotees to infuse redemptive qualities in their lives.

The festival is manifest by worship of the Ganesha and sharing gifts with friends and relatives by wrapping heartiest feelings for them. Following are few ideas to express your best festive wishes to near and dear ones:

* Gold / Silver Coins with images of Ganesha to reveal wishes for prosperity of near and dear ones.

* Ganesha Idols to bring lots of good luck and prosperity in the family.

* Ganesha Pendants to eliminate all the difficulties faced in life.

* Ganesha Gift Hampers including idol of the Lord Ganesha together with sacred text book of Ganesha, greetings, diyas, sweets, chocolates and crispy delicacies like dryfruits.

* trecoin.jpgat to relish taste buds Sweets, Dryfruits, Choclates, Cakes yummy of relatives and acquaintances

* Accessories for puja all assembled together to perform puja in a proper manner including Puja Thalis, Laksmi-Ganesh idols, katoris with kumkum-chawal, diyas, camphor burners etc.

Recipe of Modak Laddu
The popular offering for Lord Ganesha is Modak laddu. It is believed that ganpati puja is incomplete without modak as these are considered to be Ganesha’s favorite sweet also. Modaks are generally prepared on the 1st day of the festival.

Ingredients:

* For the Cover:

1 cup rice flour
1 tsp. ghee
1 cup water
1/2 tsp oil
a pinch of salt

* For the Filling:

2 cups shredded fresh coconut
1/2 tsp. cardamom powder
1 tsp. roasted poppy seeds
1 tsp. rice flour
1 cup jaggery (Gur) or Sugar

Procedure:

Always prepare the filling first then the cover.

* For the Filling:

For preparing filling, combine coconut and jaggery together and cook on medium heat. Stir continuously to mix properly.

Add 1 teaspoon rice flour (sieved), cardamom powder and roasted poppy seeds to it and let it be on flame for few minutes. Then remove from flame and allow it to cool .The filling is ready now.

* For the Cover:Take1 cup of boiled water and add ghee, salt and oil.

Just after the 1st step immediately add sieved rice flour and stir quickly to prevent lumps. Cook for few minutes with a lid then remove the lid & stir continuously then cover again. Care should be taken while stirring as dough should be neither too sticky nor too dry.

Switch off the flame and Take off all the mixture on a flat plate. Knead it thoroughly while hot for making soft dough.

Divide this dough into small balls.

* For modaks:

Prepare modaks when the dough is slightly warm.

After properly greasing palms with ghee/ oil, take small amount of dough and flatten the dough to form a cup shape now, fill this cup with 3/4th teaspoon coconut filling. Make 5-6 small pinches by using thumb and index finger on the external edges of cup. Bring them together on top and join to form a peak. Now the modak is all set, looks like a garlic pod.

Like this, prepare all modaks. Spread a damp cloth onto a flat round sifter and arrange all the modaks onto it. Place the sifter in a steamer and cover. Steam for about 15 minutes. Pressure cooker without whistle can also be used in place of steamer.

Serve with ghee.

Ganesh Chaturthi Vrat
One of the most auspicious festivals, Ganesh Chaturthi, the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha is celebrated with great devotion towards lord.

It is thought that Ganesha bestows his presence on earth for all his devotees on this day. On this day, devotees observe the vrat (fast) and have strong faith that this vrat of Ganesh Chaturthi will shower success, wisdom and prosperity to them.

It is known that the Chandra- moon was the first one to observe this fast in order to relive from the curse put on him by Ganesha as, moon once misbehaved and slighted ganeshji’s strange form.

This is one of the reason that seeing moon on the night of Ganesha Chaturthi is said to be forbidden.

This fast of chaturthi is observed by many people on Ganesh Chaturthi. Sweets specially modaks are prepared by women and presented as offering to the lord and then shared as prasad among all devotees.

Many people visit temples and pray for wisdom, health and wealth on this day.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2011
Ganesh Festival is celebrated with high festive spirits ad enthusiasm across India, especially in the state of Maharashtra. The grand preparations for the festival begin the month before the festival.

The first day of Ganesh Festival, commonly called as Ganesh Chaturthi, is the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the deity of wisdom.

On this day, devotees bring huge idol of Lord Ganesha and worship the idol for 10 days. Prayers are also accompanied with other cultural activities.

The 10 day long festival concludes on the Ananta chturdashi day, with the visarjan (immersion) of the idol.

According to Hindu calendar, Ganesh Festival is observed on the fourth day of the Shukla Paksha (Waxing Phase of moon) in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August - September).

In 2011, the date of Ganesh Chaturthi is September 1 and the date Ananta chaturdashi is September 11.

The 10 day long, Ganesh Festival will be celebrated from September 1 to September 11 in the year 2011.