Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a ten-day celebration held in honour of Ganesha, the Hindu god of wisdom. The holiday, which is celebrated with prayer, public and private displays of Ganesha idols, the recitation of Vedic hymns, and fasting, usually occurs in the Gregorian months of August or September. An idol of Ganesha is carried in a public parade on the festival’s last day before being thrown into a nearby body of water. According to popular belief, Ganesha returns to Shiva when the clay dissolves. India as well as nations with a Hindu diaspora, such as Nepal, observe Ganesh Chaturthi.
HISTORY
Two legends surround the birth of Lord Ganesha. The first is that he was created while the goddess Parvati was bathing. When he was still a child, Shiva asked Parvati, his companion, to finish her bath while Ganesha, who was Shiva’s partner, stood watch over the door. Later, when Shiva returned, Ganesh had refused him entry to his house, which infuriated Shiva and led to him chopping off Ganesha’s head. Parvati ordered that Ganesha get a new head after being distressed and grieved by this tragedy. All that could be found was an elephant head, which was subsequently put on Ganesha’s body. The second, less common version claims that Ganesha was consciously created by Shiva and Parvati at the direction of more powerful heavenly creatures. The goal of Ganesha was to obstruct the way of evil spirits.
Ganesh Chaturthi is generally accepted to have been observed for the first time between 271 B.C. and 1190 A.D. under the rule of the Satavahana, Rashtrakuta, and Chalukya dynasties.
OBSERVING GANESHA CHATURTHI
Décor your house
Obtain a Ganesh idol
Pray to Ganesha
TITBITS ABOUT GANESHA
Ganesh Chaturthi’s first celebration
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj reign is when the event was first officially observed.
The event is not merely held in India
China, Cambodia, Thailand, Nepal, and China are among the nations that worship Lord Ganesha.
On banknotes, Lord Ganesha is depicted
Indonesia’s 20,000 rupee note has a picture of Lord Ganesha.
The portrayal in China is different
In China, a figure with two elephant heads is worshipped as a divinity called Kangi Ten.
Avoid looking at the moon
During the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, seeing the moon is seen as inauspicious.
SIGNIFICANCE TO THE WORLD
The significant religious festival
Ganesh Chaturthi welcomes the Hindu God Ganesh and hosts lavish celebrations for ten days.
The festival reflects positivity
During Ganesh Chaturthi, we ask Lord Ganesh for his blessings, evaluate the positive and negative aspects of our lives, and strike a balance for the coming year. Since the event represents fresh starts, we seek abundance in terms of riches, health, and prosperity, which gives us hope and a good outlook.
Bringing joy to communities around the world
Hindu communities all over the world celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi. Hindus get together during this holiday to celebrate their shared faith while taking part in large-scale celebrations, which makes them feel more a part of their homeland and nation.
