Ganesh Chaturthi : The Story behind the Indian festival & how it is celebrated

 

Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity of wisdom and prosperity. 

The birth of Lord Ganesha is a well-known story in Hindu mythology. According to the most popular version of the story it is narrated  like below :

1. Parvati's Creation: Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, wanted to take a bath and decided to create a guardian to stand outside her chamber while she bathed. She molded a figure from turmeric paste and breathed life into it.

2. Shiva's Return: While Parvati was bathing, Lord Shiva, who was away at the time, returned to their abode. He was stopped by the guardian Parvati had created, who did not recognize him as Parvati's husband and blocked his entry.

3. Fierce Battle: A fierce battle ensued between Shiva and the guardian, but Shiva was unaware that this guardian was actually his son. Shiva eventually severed the guardian's head with his trident during the battle.

4. Parvati's Grief: When Parvati came out of her bath and learned of what had happened, she was distraught. She revealed to Shiva that the guardian was their son, and her heart was filled with sorrow.

5. Ganesha's Transformation: To console Parvati and make amends for his actions, Lord Shiva promised to bring their son back to life. He instructed his followers to find the head of the first living being they encountered facing north. They found an elephant and brought its head to Shiva.

6. Lord of Wisdom: Shiva attached the elephant's head to the guardian's body, giving rise to Lord Ganesha, who became known for his elephant head and became the deity of wisdom, intelligence, and prosperity.

This story highlights the symbolism of Lord Ganesha as the remover of obstacles and the god of new beginnings. It also emphasizes the importance of devotion and family in Hindu mythology.

Here are some details about the festival & how it is celebrated :

1. Date: Ganesh Chaturthi typically falls in the months of August or September, depending on the Hindu lunar calendar. It is observed on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada.

2. Significance: Lord Ganesha is revered as the remover of obstacles, the god of new beginnings, and a symbol of wisdom, intelligence, and prosperity. People seek his blessings before starting any important venture or endeavor.

3. Rituals:

   - Idol Installation: Clay idols of Lord Ganesha are brought into homes or public pandals (temporary shrines) and installed with great devotion.

   - Prayers and Offerings: Devotees offer prayers, flowers, fruits, sweets (modak being a favorite), and various other offerings to Lord Ganesha.

   - Aarti: Special prayers and aarti (ceremonial worship with lamps) are performed multiple times a day.

   - Visarjan (Immersion): On the last day of the festival, the idol is taken in a procession and immersed in a body of water (such as a river or sea) to symbolize the departure of Lord Ganesha.

4. Celebrations: Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with enthusiasm and community participation in many parts of India, especially in Maharashtra, where it is a major festival. Elaborate decorations, cultural events, and processions are common during the festival.

5. Duration: The festival typically lasts for 10 days, with the final day being Ananta Chaturdashi when the idols are immersed.

6. Eco-friendly Practices: In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on eco-friendly celebrations, encouraging the use of clay idols and minimizing the environmental impact of the immersion process.

7. Cultural Significance: Ganesh Chaturthi is not only a religious celebration but also holds cultural significance, bringing communities together and fostering a sense of unity and devotion.

It's important to note that specific customs and traditions associated with Ganesh Chaturthi may vary from region to region and among different Hindu communities.