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History, Significance Of Ganesh Chaturthi Festival

History, Significance Of Ganesh Chaturthi Festival

Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival celebrated every year throughout the country to mark Lord Ganesha’s birth. He is seen as the God of new beginnings and a new beginning. The festival falls in Bhadra, according to Hindu calendars, which generally means that it will take place in August / September. Ganesh Chaturthi will begin this year on August 22, 2020. Among the other 108 names, Lord Ganesha is addressed as Ganesh, Gajadant, and Gajanana. Scroll down for history, significance, and celebration of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

History Of Ganesh Chaturthi Festival

Mata Parvati liked Shiva’s bull, Nandi, as he was so dedicated to the service of his master. He knew Nandi would do anything for Shiva and wanted someone to devote herself to her. One day, she made a little boy’s idol with her own skin, and her divine powers infused life into him. And a small child emerged from the sculpture, who went on addressing her as his mother.

Mata Parvati was happy to have a son and she knew that he would always be dedicated to serving her. She then asked the little boy to guard the door when she decided to take a bath and did not allow anybody to enter the house until she consented to it. The boy agreed and stood directly at the door and began to watch. The little boy saw someone coming a little later and it was none other than Lord Shiva. He knew only his mom and no one else, though. Thus, the young boy guarded the door and stopped it when Lord Shiva was going to step into the house. Lord Shiva wondered who the little boy is and why he would not allow him to visit his own place of residence.

Lord Shiva tried several times, and therefore he had to let him in, to tell the little boy that he was Parvati’s husband. The young boy, however, declined to hear him. The two then began a conflict that erupted into a major war. During a rage fit, Lord Shiva was decapitated to the kid by his trident, who did not know that the little boy was his son. But after learning about her son’s death, Parvati became furious. She was so distressed by what had happened that Lord Shiva was called by other gods and deities to calm her down. Eventually, Lord Shiva asked his Ganas (followers) to find the creature’s head that they would see first.

The head of the elephant was eventually attached to a boy’s body. Lord Shiva gave him a new lease of life and pacified Mata Parvati. So, Lord Ganesha came into being. And to please her, he also granted a blessing that Ganesha would always be worshiped first.

History, Significance Of Ganesh Chaturthi Festival

Significance Of Ganesh Chaturthi Festival

Lord Ganesha is the God of good fortune, intelligence, and wealth according to Hindu mythology. One of India’s most prestigious festivals is Ganesh Chaturthi. People are preparing for that festival days ahead of the actual day. Big pandals have idols set up in many parts of countries such as Maharashtra and Gujarat. People then gather in large numbers to offer their prayers. Year after year, people innovate in idol-making and prefer ways that are more environmentally friendly to avoid damaging the environment as they dive. Some devotees also bring Ganesha little idols to their homes and hold pujas. This involves chanting, singing devotional songs, and bhog offerings.

History, Significance Of Ganesh Chaturthi Festival

Spiritual Meaning Of Lord Ganesha’s Birth

The little boy Mata Parvati created from her skin is a moh or a sense of belonging. Lord Shiva is the Adi Yogi, or a detached person (Vairagi). To attain ultimate truth and happiness, the root of sorrows and agonies has to be removed. The head generates numerous thoughts, creating an attachment feeling in turn. Hence the ‘beheading’ reflects the removal of all troubles from the source. And the Trishul use is also symbolic.

The trident has three sharp edges. It’s a whole variety of things. Here, the three intrinsic Gunas-Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas (features or qualities) are referred to. The man with the three Gunas in a good proportion is therefore able to conquer moh/sorrow.

Then the head of the elephant, which represents consciousness and intellect, is attached. Elephants possess a highly developed brain and memory power for the unversed. That’s why it’s important.

Mindfulness is the same as wisdom. Thus, after giving a new head, the little boy who symbolized attachment attains enlightenment. And his intelligence is making him supreme.

History, Significance Of Ganesh Chaturthi Festival

Celebrations Of Ganesh Chaturthi Festival

Vinayaka Chavithi is a 10-day celebration with a number of Ganesha idols brought either to their homes, to their offices, or to local pandals. They put a great deal of effort into decorating Lord Ganesha’s space and placing offerings in front of the idol. These offerings include modak, payasam, coconut rice, shrikhand, motichoor laddoo, and many other sweets. In these 10 days, devotees then visit temples and pandals to give Lord Ganesha respect and prayers. On 1.5th, 5th, and 10th day, the Ganesha statue is immersed in water. It is known as Visarjan Ganpati. Devotees are seen singing ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ paying homage to Lord Ganesha as they bid him farewell.

This is also traditionally regarded as Ganesha taking away all our worries and leaving behind his blessings. Because however, this year we are faced with a pandemic, a one-way Ganpati concept has been introduced by the Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in order to maintain social distancing. This year, Vinayaka Chavithi is also forbidden from conducting public celebrations in New Delhi. Care for large-scale festivities canceled in Maharashtra this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

History, Significance Of Ganesh Chaturthi Festival

The Important Mantra On Ganesha Chaturthi

Vvakratunda mahakaya surya koti samaprabha |
Nnirvighnam kurume deva sarva karyeshu sarvada ||

वक्रतुंड महाकाय सूर्यकोटी समप्रभ ।
निर्विध्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा ।।

The meaning of the verse is:

O Lord Ganesha, the Almighty, we worship you. O mighty Lord, who has a curved and holy trunk with a mighty physicality that beautifully burns like zillions of suns that give everyone bliss. Help me fight all my problems with faith that you’re going to be there to protect me as you’ve always guided me. My Lord, I trust in you that you will forever defend me from all evil.

One of India’s most popular and most prominent festivals is Ganesh Chaturthi. Lord Ganesha is known by 108 different names and is the ultimate source of enlightenment, wisdom, and fortune. Ganpati is known for heralding promising beginnings. Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated by families, public places, and temples in northern, west, and southern India with a great amount of energy, enthusiasm, and devotion.

Also Read: Ganpati Pandal Decoration At Home-Simple Yet Beautiful

 

 

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