Ganesh Chaturthi: Here's everything you need to know

Ganesh Chaturthi,well known as Vinayaka Chaturthi is an auspicious Hindu Festival. It is celebrated every year on Shukla Chaturthi of Hindu Month of Bhadra with great zeal. It is observed to mark the advent of Lord Ganesh to earth from Kailash Mountain with his mother. During this period, Lord Ganesha, the younger son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvata, who symbolizes intelligence, wisdom and good luck is worshipped. 

Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten days festival where large public pandals are set up with large idols of Lord Ganesha, and people throng these places to offer their prayers and seek blessings. People bring idols of Lord Ganesh to their homes for worshipping and seeking his divine blessings. 

GANESH CHATURTHI IMPORTANCE

People across the nation celebrate this festival in honour of Lord Ganesha who is considered as Vigna Harta ( One who removes difficulties in life) and Buddhi Pradaayaka ( One who has immense knowledge & wisdom).

It is strongly believed that during the Ganesh Chaturthi period, installing a Lord Ganesha's idol at home and offering prayers frees people of all worries & wrongdoings. Furthermore, it helps them to fulfil their wishes and achieve success in whatever they aspire.  

People also install bronze Ganesha statue in their home mandir, which they worship for years to come. Some install Lord Ganesh idols at the entry of their houses, with the belief that Lord Ganesh would ward off all negative energies from entering their homes.  

However, to continue the legacy of the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi, it is advised that devotees bring the brass Ganesh statue to their homes for worshipping and paying their respect. 

GANESH STHAPANA 

At the start of the ten days festival, the brass Ganesh idol is brought at home and preferably placed at the North-East corner of the house or East or West direction of the house. The idol, which should have a minimum height of 3 to 4 inches, is then placed on a clean surface with a red cloth beneath.

Devotees install brass Ganesh statue within the stipulated sthapana muhurat timings followed by Pran Pratishtha ritual.It invokes life into the idol.Devotees then offer modak, jaggery, coconut, red hibiscus flowers etc. to the idol of Lord Ganesha, to show their gratitude. Additionally, some perform morning and evening puja, sing religious songs for the almighty and offer various sweets.  

As per tradition being carried out for years now, at the 1st day of Ganesh Chaturthi, you should refrain from looking at the moon and rather pray to God for seeking success in all their endeavours being undertaken during the year and that the year should pass with happiness and success.

If you haven't installed Ganesha Idol yet at your home/office, then consider installing now as Ganesh Chaturthi is observed to be the most auspicious time.

RITUALS

There are four main rituals performed during the 10-day long festival. Initially, when the brass Ganesh idol is brought at home and installed for the pooja, Pran Pratishtha is done, followed by Shhodashopachara.  

At the end of ten days, devotees perform Uttar Puja where they give Lord Ganesha a bidding farewell. Devotees then request to bless them during the year and make them successful in all ventures undertaken by them. Lastly, Ganpati Visarjan takes place where the statues are immersed in water.

However, the bronze Ganesha statue, installed either at the main door of the house/temple of the house, is kept there only and worshipped for the years to come.

CONCLUSION

Lord Ganesha has been blessed by Lord Shiva to be a pioneer. It is the reason why people worship him ahead of any God to remove any obstacle. This Ganesh Chaturthi where the entire world is fighting pandemic, keeping a brass Ganesh idol is an absolute necessity. It would bring positivity in the home by giving the strength and confidence to your family to sail through these tough times easily.