Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu 10-day celebration commemorating the birth of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wealth and wisdom. It begins on the fourth day (chaturthi) of Bhadrapada (August–September), the Hindu calendar's sixth month. Shri Bal Gangadhar Tilak, also known as Lokmanya Tilak, installed Ganesh clay idols individually in houses and publicly on ornate pandals in Pune in 1893 to commemorate the festival (temporary stages).


When the Maratha king Shivaji (c. 1630–80) utilised Ganesh Chaturthi to inspire nationalist fervour among his followers battling the Mughals, it became known as Ganesh Chaturthi


Significance

Lord Ganesh is honoured at Ganesh Chaturthi, one of the most important Hindu holidays. Goddess Parvati, tradition has it, created an idol of a young boy out of sandalwood paste and breathed life into him with her heavenly powers. And a little child came out the sculpture, addressing her as his mother.

Goddess Parvati was overjoyed to have a son, and she was confident that he would devote his life to serving her. She then requested him to keep an eye on the entry while she had a bath.

Devotees are instructed not to look at the Moon on Ganesh Chaturthi. On Ganesh Chaturthi, it is said that anyone who views the moon gets MithyaDosham or MithyaKalank, which implies false accusations of stealing anything.


Deity

Lord Ganesh


Ritual (pooja, vrat etc.)

During the 10-day celebration, there are four primary rites that are done. Pranapratishhtha, Shhodashopachara, Uttarpuja, and Ganpati Visarjan are the four.

The anticipation for Ganesh Chaturthi builds for weeks before the celebration. Artisans begin sculpting Ganesha clay idols in various postures and sizes.

At homes, temples, and other locations, Ganesha statues are placed in elaborately adorned 'pandals.' Flowers, garlands, and lights adorn the statue as well. A priest repeats mantra to summon life in the diety in a rite known as Pranapratishhtha.

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated annually to mark the birth of Lord Ganesha, the God of new beginnings and a fresh start. The festival falls in the month of Bhadra, according to the Hindu calendar and in August/September according to the Gregorian calendar. This year, the ten-day celebrations will begin on August 22. Lord Ganeshais considered to be a symbol of wisdom, writing, travel, commerce and good fortune. He is also addressed as Gajanana, Ganesh, Gajadant that are among his 108 names

While some devotees spend the occasion at home, others go to public pandals to pay their respects to Lord Ganesha. People pay Ganesha their respects, pray to him, and make sacrifices to him. For friends, relatives, and visitors, dishes like as Lord Ganesha'sfavouriteModak, PooranPoli, and Karanji are cooked.


Celebrations

The birth of Lord Ganesha, the God of new beginnings and a fresh start, is commemorated every year on Ganesh Chaturthi. According to the Hindu calendar, the event takes place in the month of Bhadra, and in August/September according to the Gregorian calendar. The ten-day celebrations will begin on August 22 this year. Lord Ganesha is a Hindu god who represents intelligence, writing, travel, trade, and good luck. Among his 108 names, he is also known as Gajanana, Ganesh, and Gajadant.

The festival is held for 10 days in some regions of India, such as Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, and is a major public event. It may also be observed in households when hymns are performed and Ganesh offerings are offered. Sweets are a frequent offering since Ganesh, according to Hindu folklore, enjoys them.

On the festival day, clay idols of Ganesh are erected in houses or in adorned tents outside for people to see and pay their respects. In a rite known as 'pranapratishhtha,' priests would then breathe life into the statues while chanting mantras.


How to celebrate (including dishes etc.)

Modak is the main sweet delicacy served during the celebration (modak in Marathi and Konkani, modakam or kudumu in Telugu, modaka or kadubu in Kannada, kozhakatta or modakkam in Malayalam and kozhukattai or modagam in Tamil). A modak is a steamed or fried rice or wheat flour dumpling packed with grated coconut, [jaggery], dried fruits, and other seasonings. Another famous sweet dish is karanji (karjikai in Kannada), which has a semicircular form and is similar tomodak in composition and flavour. In Goa, this sweet dish is known as Nevri and is associated with the Ganesh festival among Goans and the Konkani diaspora.

Modak, laddu, vundrallu (steamed, coarsely powdered rice-flour balls), panakam (a jaggery-, black pepper-, and cardamom-flavored drink), vadapappu (soaked moong lentils), and chalividi (a cooked rice flour and jaggery combination) are all presented to Ganesh in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Naivedya is the name given to these offerings, and a plate of modak typically holds 21 pieces of the sweet. Modak and sanna, a Goan variant of idli, are popular in Goa.

In some areas of Karnataka, Panchakajjaya is an offering offered to Lord Ganesh at this occasion. Desiccated coconut, roasted Bengal gramme powder, sugar, ghee, and sesame seeds are all used in this recipe. Panchakajjaya comes in a variety of forms. Bengal gramme, roasted, green


Celebration in different regions/countries including Regional Variance

Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, and Karnataka Other states that celebrate this festival are: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Delhi, and Punjab.

In Pakistan, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are conducted by the Shri Maharashtra Panchayat, an organisation for Maharashtrians in Karachi.

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in the UK by the British Hindu population living there


Gifts

Sweets clothes


Best places to experience/ Mela

Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, and Karnataka


Date & Time

Bhadrapada (August–September)