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Ganesh Chaturthi: Why is This Elephant-Headed God Worshipped in India for 10 Days?
Ganesh Chaturthi: Why is This Elephant-Headed God Worshipped in India for 10 Days?
Sputnik India
Ganesh Chaturthi, the 10-day festival that marks the birthday anniversary of the Hindu God - Lord Ganesh, will begin from today and will end on September 28.
2023-09-19T15:21+0530
2023-09-19T15:21+0530
2023-09-19T15:21+0530
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The festive fever has gripped Hindus across India as they gear up to participate in the grand celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in reverence of Lord Ganesha.Sputnik India reveals the significance of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, and how Indians celebrate it.Who is Lord Ganesha?Lord Ganesha is one of the most revered Hindu Gods, fondly called 'Ganpati Bappa' by His devotees.He is regarded as the God of auspicious beginnings, fresh starts, wisdom, prosperity, the remover of obstacles, and a patron of the arts and sciences.Before the start of any auspicious event or a new job, exam, wedding, or important project, Hindu devotees seek Lord Ganesha's blessings and perform rituals.Lord Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.Legend has it that Lord Ganesha was created by Goddess Parvati to stand guard for her in the absence of Lord Shiva. He was to stand outside her bathroom door.Upon Lord Shiva’s return, Ganesha, who was unfamiliar with Shiva, stopped Him. A heated argument ensued, enraging Lord Shiva to the extent that He beheads Ganesha.This enraged Goddess Parvati when she got to know about the whole incident. Lord Shiva, in turn, promised her to bring Ganesha back to life.The other deities were sent to search for a child's head facing north. But they could only find an elephant's head, which Lord Shiva fixed on the beheaded child's body. That is how Lord Ganesha was born.What is Ganesh Chaturthi Festival?Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav, is a 10-day-long festival that marks the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha.This festival holds great significance in Hinduism, as it is believed that Lord Ganesha arrived on Earth with his mother Parvati to bless His devotees.Why do People Worship This Elephant-Headed Hindu God?During the festival, devotees pray to Lord Ganesha to free themselves from all obstacles and lead them on the path of knowledge and wisdom.How Do People Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi?The preparation for the festival begins months in advance, right from artisans crafting clay idols of Lord Ganesh in different sizes and themes.Scores of devotees bring Lord Ganesha’s idol to their homes for one-and-a-half days, three days, seven days, or 10 days and worship Him by following all rituals at the make-shift temple at home.The atmosphere is filled with devoted chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya, along with resonating Sanskrit hymns and verses that celebrate Lord Ganesha. The rhythmic beats of the traditional dhol-tasha captivate the hearts of the devotees who sing, dance, and surrender to the religious songs played during the grand procession of Lord Ganesh on the bustling streets of Mumbai and Pune.These idols are then installed in specially decorated pandals (temporary structures used in religious events) with vibrant flowers, lights, and festive decorations.Devotees worship Lord Ganesha with daily prayers and offer flowers, coconut, jaggery, and 21 modaks (sweets) considered to be Ganesha’s favorite food.Some devotees also fast on this day and prepare His favorite food as an offering to Him.The festival ends with the Ganesh Visarjan ceremony, during which devotees immerse Lord Ganesha's idols in water, at places like the Arabian Sea in Mumbai, or in rivers, lakes, and pools in their state or city. The gesture marks Ganesha's return to Mount Kailash, a peak in the Himalayas where Shiva and Parvati are said to reside.Devotees conduct a grand send-off ceremony by taking out the procession and praying and wishing for Lord Ganesha to return next year.Which states in India celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi?The festival is celebrated with enthusiasm and devotion across India and by Hindu communities around the world.The holiday is widely celebrated in a grand way in the cities of Mumbai, Pune, and Hyderabad in India’s southern states of Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka.
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Ganesh Chaturthi: Why is This Elephant-Headed God Worshipped in India for 10 Days?
Ganesh Chaturthi, a 10-day festival that marks the birthday anniversary of the elephant-headed God Lord Ganesha, that commences today, will conclude on September 28.
The festive fever has gripped Hindus across India as they gear up to participate in the grand celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi festival in reverence of Lord Ganesha.
Sputnik India reveals the significance of the
Ganesh Chaturthi festival, and how Indians celebrate it.
Lord Ganesha is one of the most revered Hindu Gods, fondly called
'Ganpati Bappa' by His devotees.
He is regarded as the God of auspicious beginnings, fresh starts, wisdom, prosperity, the remover of obstacles, and a patron of the arts and sciences.
Before the start of any auspicious event or a new job, exam, wedding, or important project, Hindu devotees seek Lord Ganesha's blessings and perform rituals.
Lord Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
Legend has it that Lord Ganesha was created by Goddess Parvati to stand guard for her in the absence of Lord Shiva. He was to stand outside her bathroom door.
Upon Lord Shiva’s return, Ganesha, who was unfamiliar with Shiva, stopped Him. A heated argument ensued, enraging Lord Shiva to the extent that He beheads Ganesha.
This enraged Goddess Parvati when she got to know about the whole incident.
Lord Shiva, in turn, promised her to bring Ganesha back to life.
The other deities were sent to search for a child's head facing north. But they could only find an
elephant's head, which Lord Shiva fixed on the beheaded child's body.
That is how Lord Ganesha was born.
What is Ganesh Chaturthi Festival?
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav, is a 10-day-long festival that marks the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha.
This festival holds great significance in Hinduism, as it is believed that Lord Ganesha arrived on Earth with his mother Parvati to bless His devotees.
Why do People Worship This Elephant-Headed Hindu God?
During the festival, devotees pray to Lord Ganesha to free themselves from all obstacles and lead them on the path of knowledge and wisdom.
How Do People Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi?
The preparation for the festival begins months in advance, right from artisans crafting clay idols of Lord Ganesh in different sizes and themes.
Scores of devotees bring Lord Ganesha’s idol to their homes for one-and-a-half days, three days, seven days, or 10 days and worship Him by following all rituals at the make-shift temple at home.
The atmosphere is filled with devoted chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya, along with resonating Sanskrit hymns and verses that celebrate Lord Ganesha.
The rhythmic beats of the traditional dhol-tasha captivate the hearts of the devotees who sing, dance, and surrender to the religious songs played during the grand
procession of Lord Ganesh on the bustling streets of
Mumbai and Pune.
These idols are then installed in specially decorated pandals (temporary structures used in religious events) with vibrant flowers, lights, and festive decorations.
Devotees worship Lord Ganesha with daily prayers and offer flowers, coconut, jaggery, and 21 modaks (sweets) considered to be Ganesha’s favorite food.
Some devotees also fast on this day and prepare His favorite food as an offering to Him.
The festival ends with the
Ganesh Visarjan ceremony, during which devotees immerse Lord Ganesha's idols in water, at places like
the Arabian Sea in Mumbai, or in rivers, lakes, and pools in their state or city. The gesture marks Ganesha's return to
Mount Kailash, a peak in the
Himalayas where Shiva and Parvati are said to reside.
Devotees conduct a grand send-off ceremony by taking out the procession and praying and wishing for Lord Ganesha to return next year.
Which states in India celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi?
The festival is celebrated with enthusiasm and devotion across India and by Hindu communities around the world.
The holiday is widely celebrated in a grand way in the cities of Mumbai, Pune, and
Hyderabad in India’s southern states of
Maharashtra,
Telangana, and
Karnataka.
