Ganesh chaturti

Why do we celebrate Ganesh Chaturti.

Ganesh Chaturti is celebrated worldwide in honuor of Lord Ganesha and to celebrate his birth. Traditionally celebrations are held on the fourth day of the first fortnight (shukla chaturti) in the month of Bhaadrapada in the Hindu callender usually August or September. This time of the year is most auspicious because of Ganesha’s astronomical position, His energy is most powerful. Sri Ganesh is the most revered of all Hindu Gods. He is vighanharta and master of Ridhi – Sidhi. This simply means that He is the remover of all obstacles. Prayers to Lord Ganesha or penance made for Him ensures success, knowledge and learning, wealth and prosperity.

The festival generally lasts 10 days, ending on the fourteenth day of the fortnight (Anant Chaturdashi). Ganesh Chaturti is celebrated by families at home and by group worship in temples.The festival begins with the selection and installation of clay Murtis of Lord Ganesha. Preparations begin weeks in advance.

In the consecration ceremony, the Hindu priest (Pundit) performs Prana Pratishta to invite ganesha into the Murtis. This is followed by 16 step Shodashopachara ritual during which coconuts, durva (dubh) grass flowers and other items are offered to the Murtis.

Throughout the ceremony Bhajans and prayers are chanted, and aartis are performed by friends and families.Sri Ganesh’s love for sweets is evident. Traditionally 21 laddu’s are offered to Lord Ganesh at one time. 

On each night of the celebration, there is singing of bhajans, chanting of prayers, aartis and most importantly discourses presented by the Vyas (leader) of the temple. These discourses are meant to educate devotees of our way of life based on our Hindu texts, so that we become more knowledgeable in Sanatan Dharma, and when this knowledge is applied to our daily lives we become wiser and better people. There is also Parsad, food and drink for everyone.

At the end of the festival, on the last day, we have the Ganesh Visarjan. All the Murtis are now taken to the river, or the ocean where there is flowing water. Here offerings are made to the Murtis, bhajans are sung by Kirtan Mandalis, smashing of the coconuts are done by the leader Pundit. The coconuts have a special ability of absorbing your karma. Smashing the coconuts is called a sacrifice to have a transformation. This is the most powerful way that you can celebrate this special fourth moon of Ganesha.

Scientifically it is said that on immersion of the Murtis the water is purified. The flowing water reaches far and wide and many people benefit from it. This water evaporates also, hence making the atmosphere sattvik.