Ganesh Chaturthi: Birth day celebration of God of wisdom and prosperity
Biswa Ranjan sahoo

Om Gan Ganapataye Namo Namah ;
Shree Siddhi Vinayak Namo Namah ;
Ashtavinayak Namo Namah ;
Mangal Murti Moraya ;

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Vinayaka Chaturthi, also known as Ganesh Chaturthi, is an important Hindu festival held for ten days each year. This festival is observed during Bhadra month, according to the calendar of Hindus, typically between mid-August and September. The festival signifies Lord Ganesha’s birthday, the beloved Lord.

Ganesha is often called Ganesha, the God for science, wealth, wisdom, knowledge, and prosperity. Many Hindus revere him as a god of prosperity and ask for his help before undertaking any significant task. Lord Ganesh, popularly known under 108 names Gajanana, Vinayaka, and Vighnaharta.

The celebration has been celebrated with love and happiness by Hindus across the globe. However, it is most commonly celebrated in India in different cities, including Maharashtra.

Ganesh Chaturthi which is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is worshipped during this festival with flowers, modaks, and other sweets. The idols of Lord Ganesh are installed in homes and public pandals across the country with pomp.

As we all know, Ganesha is the son of Shiva and Parvati. There are many stories about the birth of Ganesha. However, two well-known ones are there.

The first story is as follows. Lord Ganesha is a god Parvati had created using all her body’s dirt to protect her when Lord Shiva is not there. Ganesha was assigned to guard her bathroom as she was bathing. While she was bathing, Shiva came home, and Ganesha did not know about Shiva. He did not let lord shiva enter. The incident enraged Shiva Ji, and he cut off Ganesha’s head following a fight between them.

Parvati was angry when she learned about this. Lord Shiva then said he would bring Ganesha back. All the devas over there were instructed to find a child’s head north, but they were unable to find one head from an elephant. So Shiva put the elephant’s head to the child’s body when Lord Ganesha took birth.

The other famous story has it that Devas demanded Shiva and Parvati to make Ganesha become a Vighnakarta to defeat rakshasas (demons) and thus become the Vighnaharta (averter from obstacles) as well as helping Devas.

Importance Of Vinayaka Chaturthi is to
belief is that those who seek the blessings of Ganesha can fulfil their desires and wishes. Therefore, the main reason for Vinayaka Chaturthi’s worship is the devotees who seek his blessings are cleansed of their sins and led to the way of understanding and wisdom.

People have been observing this festival since the reign of Shivaji, the king. Although the celebration was a part of the Indian independence fight during the war for independence, Lokmanya Tilak transformed Vinayaka Chaturthi from a private event to a major public celebration. As a result, people from each social class could gather to pray and unite.

With the increased awareness of the environment, many have celebrated Vinayaka Chaturthi as more eco-friendly. It includes: buying the Ganesha statues made from natural clay and using only natural objects to decorate the pandals.

There are many other benefits to the practice of Ganesh Chathurthi Vrat.

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a vibrant and auspicious Hindu festival celebrated with great zeal and devotion. This joyous occasion marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity revered as the remover of obstacles and the bestower of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune.

Lord Ganesha is famous for blessing devotees with fortune and prosperity. If you are devoted to worshipping Lord Ganesha, You will succeed and not leave empty-handed. It will be simple for you to find your way to a bounty of power and wealth within your life.

This auspicious event commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha, who is often referred to as the god of wisdom, prosperity, and new beginnings.
Therefore, if you are a devotee of Lord Ganesha, you are more likely to attain wisdom.

Eliminate all obstructions
Lord Ganesha is also known as Vighnaharta. If you pray to Lord Ganesha with your heart, He guides you in the right direction. He provides you with the strength to overcome your fears and conquer every obstacle that comes your way.

It’s the big ears of Lord Ganesha, who is a symbol of a patient listener. So if you make a prayer to him and concentrate on your strength, you’ll be able to attain the same amount of perseverance.

You begin to walk along a path of transformation once you revere Lord Ganesha. If you are determined, you’ll ascend the steps of understanding.

You will see your soul become cleansed. The belief is that any person who worships God with a lot of devotion will be blessed with a clean soul. Furthermore, it will slowly begin eliminating any negative aspects of your life, which will further cleanse your soul.

You’ll live a peaceful life
Suppose you are a devotee of Lord Ganesha and begin to feel an obligation towards achieving your goals. Then your life becomes more tranquil, both in your personal and professional lives.

Vinayaka Chaturthi Vrat Rituals
There are four major rituals to be performed during this festival, which is 10-day-long. These are Pran Pratishtha, Shhodashopachara, Ganpati Visarjan, and Uttarpuja.

Vinayaka Chaturthi builds up in the months before the celebration starts in the excitement. Then, artists start making the clay gods and idols for Ganesha in various dimensions and poses.

It is believed that the Ganesha statues are placed in a beautiful ‘pandal’ in temples, homes, or localities. It is decorated with garlands, flowers, and light fixtures.

The celebration is celebrated by people singing and playing the drums, and lighting fireworks, which contribute to the celebration.

The Uttar Puja ceremony is followed by a ceremony meant to say goodbye to Ganesha with heartful reverence. Then, Ganpati Visarjan takes place, a ritual that sees the statue submerged in the water. As the statue is carried to the ocean and submerged in it, people usually sing to them in Marathi, “Ganapati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Laukariya,” which means “Goodbye Lord, I hope to see you again the next time.

Some devotees enjoy the festival in their homes while others pay a pilgrimage to the God Ganesha in all the public pandals. Humans pay respect in prayers, offerings, and prayers to Ganesha. The most popular dishes of Lord Ganesha, such as Modak and Karanji, are made for friends and family members, and guests.