Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chavithi is the most auspicious and loved festival in Indian culture. This 10-day festival brings immense joy, happiness, and excitement among devotees with the arrival of Ganesh Ji. Ganesh festival is celebrated with pride and excitement to honour the birthday of our Lord Ganesha. With tasty delights like modak and devotional chants, devotees welcome the Ganesha in their homes. Ganesh Ji is regarded as a symbol of wisdom, knowledge, and wealth and is worshipped as the god of the beginning. In India, this festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm. But what is the story behind this 10-day Ganesh festival and what makes it significant? To explore the importance of Ganesh festival along with Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 dates, rituals, and many more, I would suggest you be intact with us!!!
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Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 Dates
As per the Hindu culture, this festival is celebrated every year during Bhadra month and in mid of August and September. Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 is being celebrated on September 19, Tuesday,
Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi
There are many reasons to celebrate the Ganesh festival. From a scientific perspective to a religious perspective, the level of significance of Ganesh Chaturthi is the same. Let’s explore the value of the 10-day festival from different views:
Religious Perspective
Ganesh Chaturthi starts on the fourth day of Shukla Paksha of the Bhadra and ends with Ananth Chaturdasi. This is dedicated to the birth of Ganesh ji that removes the obstacles. It is believed that during these 10 days, Ganesh ji visits the earth and blesses the devotees. The main essence of Ganpati Chaturthi is to get free from sin and lead a way filled with positive energy and blessing. Further, Ganesh ji denotes intelligence and wisdom, thus, worshipping them during this period blesses you with prosperity, success and growth.
Social Perspective
Apart from a religious perspective, this festival holds significance for many reasons. This festival always has been a symbol of faith and unity regardless of religion and background. Traditionally, Ganesh Chaturthi has been part of Indian culture since the rule of King Shivaji. However, the reason behind this grandeur has roots in the British realm when Lokmanya Tilak urged people to make it a grand public festival instead of a private celebration. During that period, this festival has become a symbol of national unity. Thus, Ganesh Chaturthi has emerged as a platform to bring people together. Even to date, it encourages social interaction among neighbourhood and local communities.
Spiritual Perspective
This auspicious 10-day festival also represents the cycle of birth, life, and death. As per the ancient tale when Ganesh ji is taken out of immersion, it takes away obstacles of the house and blesses the family members. On the day of farewell, Ganesha denotes the human consciousness and water becomes a symbol of soul consciousness that is peaceful. Immersion of idols in water bodies shows the ultimate merging of the soul with the human body which is the goal of life.
Scientific Perspective
Besides the mythological stories, there is a scientific reason behind Ganesh Chaturthi. It is believed that during Visarjan, natural clay is suspended in large quantities in water bodies which cleanses the water owing to its medical properties.
How is Ganesh Utsav Celebrated in India
Every state of India celebrates Ganesh Utsav with an extravaganza, but the zeal with which it is celebrated in the Maharashtra region is unmatchable. The excitement of the festival starts long before with the making of Ganesh's idol. To worship the Ganesha, devotees bring the Ganesh idol to their homes with the chant of Ganpati Bapa Moriya on the first day. Some devotees chose metal Ganesha idols, so they can ensure an aesthetic appearance of your pandal. After bringing home, the Prana Pratishtha ritual takes place where some Mantras are recited along with the Ganesh Pooja. During the ceremony, Pooja Thali is decorated with sweets, handmade agarbatti, flowers, and Kumkum. After Pooja, sweet offerings are made which include modak, laddo, coconut rice, shrikhand, and banana sheera.
For the next 10 days, Ganesh ji is worshipped with the same energy and different sweets are made to offer Ganesha. Local communities and societies keep the Ganesh ji idol in Pandals where some special events are conducted to honor Vinayaka. On the day of Anant Chaturdashi, the Ganesh idol is paraded through the streets with dancing and singing. And with heavy hearts, devotees bid adieu to their little friend and deity Ganesh Ji and immersed the idol in holy water bodies.
Conclusion
On the occasion of Anant Chaturdashi, the immersion of the Ganesh idol marks the journey of Ganesh Ji to Mount Kailash where Parvati and Shiva reside. This also symbolizes the human journey from birth to the ultimate conclusion. From social to spiritual, Ganesh Chaturthi spread the message of love, unity, and wisdom. But the aura of Ganesh Chaturthi feels incomplete without a cute Ganesh idol that gives an aesthetic appeal to our home. So, this Ganesh Chaturthi explores an exclusive collection of idols and figurines on iTokri.
Ganpati Bappa, Moriya!
FAQs on Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations in India
How is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated at home?
The Ganpati celebration starts with the bringing of the Ganesh idol at home. After Pran Pratishta, Ganesh Pooja takes place and then many Bhogs are offered to Vinayaka. For 10 days, Ganesh Ji worshipped in the morning and evening, and on Anant Chaturdashi Ganesh's idol is immersed in water bodies.
Why do we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in 10 days?
The ceremony is celebrated by keeping the Tithi and Muhurat in mind. It is commonly believed that Ganesh Ji visits the earth during these 10 days.
What is special about Ganesh Chaturthi?
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated to honour the birth of the Hindu deity Ganesha. In India, this festival is celebrated by all communities without any barriers, and during these days Ganesh Ji blesses all its devotees with wisdom and knowledge.
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