BhaktiLoopGanesh Chaturthi Puja
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is one of the most widely celebrated Hindu festivals, commemorating the birth of Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati. It is observed on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the waxing moon fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (usually August or September). Devotees bring clay idols of Ganesha into their homes or public pandals, worship them with elaborate rituals for a period of 1, 3, 5, 7, or 10 days, and then immerse them in a body of water (Visarjan). The festival is a vibrant celebration of devotion, community spirit, cultural programs, and artistic expression, symbolizing Ganesha's return to Kailash while taking away the devotees' troubles.
Purpose
To invoke the blessings of Lord Ganesha for: - Removal of obstacles (Vighnaharta) - New beginnings and success in ventures - Wisdom, knowledge, and intelligence - Prosperity and good fortune - Spiritual growth and protection
Key Rituals
- Mandap/Altar Preparation:** Cleaning the house, setting up a decorated altar or a temporary shrine (mandap) for the idol.
- Idol Placement:** Placing the clay idol (murti) of Lord Ganesha on the prepared altar.
- Pran Pratishtha:** Invoking life into the idol through specific mantras and rituals, inviting Lord Ganesha to reside in the idol for the duration of the festival.
- Shodashopachara Puja (16-Step Worship):** A detailed puja involving 16 steps:
1. Dhyanam: Meditation on Lord Ganesha.
2. Avahanam: Invoking the deity.
3. Asanam: Offering a seat.
4. Padya: Washing the Lord's feet.
5. Arghya: Offering water for hands.
6. Achaman: Offering water for sipping.
7. Snanam (Abhishekam): Bathing the idol with Panchamrita (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar) followed by pure water.
8. Vastra/Yajnopaveetam: Offering new clothes and sacred thread.
9. Gandham/Chandan: Applying sandalwood paste.
10. Pushpam: Offering flowers, especially red hibiscus and Durva grass.
11. Dhupam: Offering incense.
12. Deepam: Lighting an oil lamp or ghee lamp.
13. Naivedyam: Offering food, especially Modak and other sweets.
14. Tamboolam: Offering betel leaf and nut.
15. Dakshina: Offering monetary gifts.
16. Neerajanam/Aarti: Waving a lamp and singing devotional hymns (Aarti) in praise of Ganesha.
- Daily Puja:** Performing daily prayers, offering fresh flowers, incense, lamps, and fresh Naivedyam (food offerings, especially Modak and Laddus) to the idol throughout the festival period. Daily Aarti is also performed.
- Modak Offering:** Offering 21 Modaks (steamed sweet dumplings, Ganesha's favorite sweet) is a significant ritual.
- Visarjan Puja (Uttar Puja):** On the day of immersion, a final puja is performed to bid farewell to the Lord.
- Visarjan (Idol Immersion):** Carrying the idol in a procession to a nearby water body (river, lake, sea, or artificial tank) and immersing it, symbolizing Ganesha's journey back to his divine abode and taking away the misfortunes of his devotees.
Common Offerings
Modak (steamed or fried sweet dumplings, Ganesha's favorite)
Ladoo (Motichoor, Besan, or Rava ladoos)
Durva Grass (21 blades of three-leafed Bermuda grass)
Red Hibiscus flowers (Jaswand)
Sindoor (vermilion)
Banana and other fresh fruits
Coconut
Jaggery
Betel leaves and betel nuts
Sandalwood paste (Chandan)
Ghee lamp (Deepak)
Incense sticks (Agarbatti)
Associated Mantras
Mantra 1
Mantra Text
Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
Meaning
Salutations to Lord Ganesha, the Lord of multitudes.
Benefits
This is the most common and potent Ganesha mantra. Chanting it helps remove obstacles, brings success in endeavors, grants wisdom, prosperity, and overall well-being.
Mantra 2
Mantra Text
Vakratunda Mahakaya, Surya Koti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva, Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada.
Meaning
O Lord with a curved trunk, a mighty body, and the radiance of a million suns, please make all my endeavors free from obstacles, always.
Benefits
Reciting this mantra invokes Ganesha's blessings for the removal of all obstacles and ensures the smooth and successful completion of any task or new beginning.
Mantra 3
Mantra Text
Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe, Vakratundaya Dhimahi, Tanno Danti Prachodayat.
Meaning
We know the one-tusked, we meditate on the curved trunk, may that Danti (Ganesha) enlighten us.
Benefits
This is the Ganesha Gayatri Mantra. Chanting it brings inner peace, spiritual growth, enhances wisdom and intellect, and removes negative energies, guiding the devotee towards righteous paths.
Auspicious Days
- Main Day:** Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi (Fourth day of the waxing moon fortnight in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, typically August or September).
- Festival Duration:** The celebrations can last for 1.5, 3, 5, 7, or 10 days, with the grand public immersions often taking place on Anant Chaturdashi (the 14th day of the waxing moon fortnight of Bhadrapada).
Regional Variations
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with distinct regional variations: - **Maharashtra:** Celebrated with immense grandeur (Ganeshotsav), particularly in Mumbai and Pune, with large public pandals, elaborate decorations, cultural programs, and massive processions during Visarjan. Lokmanya Tilak popularized it as a public festival to unite people during the freedom struggle. - **South India (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu):** Known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi, it is primarily celebrated in homes with smaller, eco-friendly clay idols. Offerings like Modak (Kozhukattai), Undrallu, and Kudumulu are prominent. Visarjan typically occurs within 1, 3, or 5 days. - **Goa:** Known as Chavath, it features unique traditional sweets like 'neureos' and 'patolis,' and family gatherings are central to the celebrations. - **Gujarat:** Celebrated with Garba and Dandiya Raas, particularly during the Visarjan processions. - **Eco-Friendly Idols:** Across India, there is a growing movement towards using eco-friendly idols made of natural clay and colors to minimize environmental impact during immersion.
Related Pujas
- Sankashti Chaturthi:** A monthly fast and puja observed on the fourth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning moon fortnight) dedicated to Lord Ganesha, specifically for overcoming difficulties and obstacles.
- Angaraki Chaturthi:** Considered highly auspicious, this occurs when Sankashti Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday. Observing fast and performing puja on this day is believed to yield greater benefits.
- Durva Ganapati Vrat:** A specific vow involving the offering of 21 blades of Durva grass to Lord Ganesha, often observed for specific wishes or for general prosperity.