One of the many festivals that creates a buzz in India is Ganesh Chaturthi. This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Lord Ganesha is widely worshipped for wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. Usually celebrated in the Hindu month of Bhaadrapada (August-September), it is widely celebrated by people of the Hindu community with great vigor and enthusiasm. It is celebrated in almost all the states of India but the grandest of celebrations takes place in Maharashtra, Mumbai, and towards the south. The celebration lasts for ten days and on the last day, we witness the Visarjan or immersion of Lord Ganesha. The ten-day-long festival has significance for each day. The celebrations start by bringing the idol to homes, and even puja mandaps. People wear new clothes and exchange Ganesh Chaturthi gifts and sweets. It is the time when most of the people visit their homes and relatives. If you are intrigued about the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities in India and would like to know more about it. Then we are here to let you know all the intricacies of the celebrations.
On the first day of the celebration, people bring the Ganesha idol to their respective homes and Puja mandaps to worship and honor him as a revered guest for ten days. This is also called the ‘Sthapana’ of the idol. The Lord is worshipped with all his favorite sweets among which modak is his favorite. The sweets are also distributed among each other to celebrate the visit of lord Ganesha. The celebration is of ten days in which sixteen rituals are performed but you can keep the idol only for 1.5 days, 3 days, 7 days, or 10 days. One cannot keep the idol for more than 10 days and on the tenth day the idol is worshipped for the last time and then the ceremony of Visarjan is performed. The Visarjan is also marked with a lot of pomp and vigor which is celebrated with music, dance, and colors.
The deity is led homeward with an enthusiastic procession that bid him farewell with the request of him coming back to visit them the next year again. Just as the puja and the ten-day-long celebration are significant so is the ceremony of Visarjan.
One can think of keeping Lord Ganesha in their home for more than ten days or maybe forever as he brings fortune and prosperity but doing so is considered to be ill. The force of the deity that the idol suffuses in these ten days is what a human can bear. So, immersing is a very important part of the puja as well. As discarding or breaking is disrespectful the idol is immersed in the river waters. It is said that Lord Ganesh goes homeward with the ceremony of Visarjan. This also signifies the cycle of life and death. Just as we humans become a part of nature and unite with the almighty after death. Thus, the idol is made with clay and mud and returns to whence it came. Some artists use innovative ideas that help nature after the immersion of the idol. For example, some idols are made in a way that they need to be immersed in a unique way like in your garden and when you pour water into it it melts leaving behind a seed that grows into a plant. Thus, it is beneficial for the environment and makes it a unique way of immersion.
Ganesh Chathurthi is called the day of Lord Ganesha’s birth and rebirth as well. The reason behind this is the mythological story of Ganesha’s creation. Goddess Parvati is believed to mould Lord Ganesha from clay or earth from her own body. There are many versions of the story that states distinctly. Before going to bathe Goddess Parvati asked Ganesha to guard the door of the house and not let anybody in without her permission. Obedient Ganesha stopped Lord Shiva to enter his own house and furious Lord Shiva slaughtered Ganesha’s head. After doing so he succumbed to guilt and made amendments by bringing him back to life. But in doing so he had to replace his head with that of an elephant who sacrificed his head happily. Lord Shiva made him Ganesha the leader of his people Ganas thus the name Ganapati. This is why the day is associated with birth and re-birth as well.
Hence, the day is of much significance and is celebrated with elaborate rituals and much enthusiasm. Now, you also know the rituals and their importance as well as the story behind this festival. So, you can send Ganesh Chathurthi gifts to your loved ones on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi and celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in India.
