Ganesh Chaturthi is one festival celebrated with great fervour in south –India, especially in Maharashtra.

This festival is celebrated on the fourth day of August-September, in religious terms this period is known as the phase of Bhadhrapada.

Ganesh Chaturthi wil be celebrated on September 3rd, 2008, as per the predictions.

Lord Ganesh is known by various terms – “Vignaharta” , “Vigneshwar”, “Gajananeti”, “Gajavaktra”, “Nandana”, “Varaganapati”,” Vinayaka” and the list extends to108 names.

Lord Ganesh is worshipped for several reasons, he is considered to be the god of knowledge, music, wisdom and the remover of obstacles.At the beginning of every venture or project his blessings are always sought and are considered to be very auspicious.

A clay or a metal image of Lord Ganesh is made in all possible sizes. Sometimes their length extends up to 20 feet. People buy these images and install them in their house during the festival which lasts for 10-12 days.

What Is Done During the Ten Day Ritual?

During the ten day ritual, Aarthis are performed everyday. Kumkum is thrown over the idol denoting the importance of its holiness.

Also “Naivedya” which means offerings, 21 blades of grass, a lotus flower, fruits, sweets, special prasadam of rice and jaggery mixed together in the form of 21 “modaks” are offered before Lord Ganesha. These modaks are then offered as “prasadam” (sacred food).

After the period of 10 days, Lord Ganesh’s image is taken out in a procession and immersed in the water. This day is known as the day of “Visarjan” or immersion.

It is considered unholy to keep the image of lord Ganesh after this day. This is the reason why we see so many images of Lord Ganesh, both big and small being led towards the water source for immersion.

Legend behind Lord Ganesh’s Origin.

Ganesh Chaturthi is known to be Lord Ganesha’s birthday. The Shiv Puranas state that , Goddess Parvathi breathed life into a image of clay called Ganesh, whom she considered to be more like her son. This image was placed so as to guard her while she bathed. At that time, her husband Lord Shiva, came to visit her. But, Lord Ganesh wouldn’t let him in. This infuriated Lord Shiva and in his anger he slayed Ganesh’s head off his body.

Parvathii was sad at this incident, so in order to make amends to his wife, Lord Shiva asked his servant to get him the head of the first living being he saw on earth.

The servant then brought him the head of a elephant. Lord Shiva placed the animals head on Ganesh’s headless body. This is how Lord Ganesh came into being.

Symbolic Meaning Of Ganesh’s Body Structure.

Lord Ganesh is described as the Lord who has a huge tummy, with a snake tied around it.He is said to travel on a mouse.

Lord Ganesh’s belly is said to encompass the entire universe and cosmos. The seven oceans, and the seven worlds above and below the earth are said to be placed in Lord Ganesh’s stomach.

The mouse symbolizes an individual’s ego. It means that no matter how rich or how famous we become we should be humble.

What To Do On The Day Of Ganesh Chaturthi

• Pray fervently to Lord Ganesh and ask him to remove any kinds of obstacles in your path.
• Make your offerings to the priest
• Spend the day reading the scriptures and meditate on them.

Wish you all a happy and blessed festival of Ganesh Chaturthi.

Lets all scream out ‘Ganpati bappa Morya, Agle baras to jaldi aa’