Ganesha Chaturthi - A Divine Celebration

Long drawn celebrations and festivities are a part of the social and cultural fabric of India.Among the many religious and social customs that mark the diverse festive calendar of Indians, Ganesha Chaturthi is a very important religious occasion. Ganesha Chaturthi celebration is about the birth of the Elephant headed god, Ganesha. He is the youngest son of lord Shiva and goddess Parvati. Celebrating the birth of lord Ganesha, Ganpati festival is observed on a grand scale in India. Cities come alive with colors and streets processions, making it one of the most interesting ones to see.

 

The preparation of Ganesha chaturthi start a lot earlier in the year, with work on the big and small clay idols starting several months in advance. Artisans create idols of Lord Ganesha to be worshipped by the people either in the streets or in private ceremonies. 

Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated on the fourth day of Shukla Paksh (Waxing phase of the moon). In most places in India it is a day to invoke Ganesha the god of wisdom, prosperity, good fortune and art & sciences. On this day devotees worship Ganesha idols, perform aarti and offer prasad of fruits and sweets especially modak (a delicacy prepared from rice flour, jaggery and coconut), which is considered to be the favorite of lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha has always held an important place in the hearts of all the Indians. As per the mythology, any prayer or start of a new project must start with the prayers of lord Ganesha. 

 ganesh chaturthi

 

Story Of Ganesha Chaturthi

According to Hindu Mythology scriptures, Lord Ganesha was formed by goddess Parvati, wife of lord Shiva. It is said that one day Parvati formed a sculpture from the paste that she used on her body before taking bath. She infused life in that figure and ordered him to guard the entrance of her bathroom. God Shiva returned and was stopped at the entrance of his house by that boy. In extreme rage, Shiva struck off the boy's head. This incident filled Parvati with utter grief and requested Shiva to return her son. Then, Shiva fixed the head of an elephant and restored life to the body of that boy. Lord Shiva named this boy as Ganpati. Gan means Hosts and Pati means chief and blessed him further that he would be worshipped before every new venture.

 ganesh chaturthi

In Andhra pradesh (India) and Maharashtra (India), Ganesha chaturthi is celebrated for ten days and in other parts of India, it is celebrated for one day on the Ganesha chaturthi day.

The origin of public celebration of Ganesha festival is traced to the period of Chatarpati Shivaji Maharaja,the great Maratha ruler who asked people to perform public celebration to promote culture and nationalism in 17th century. The large scale Ganesha festival of today was revived by Lokmanya Bal Gangadha Tilak, freedom fighter, in the last decade of 19th century in Pune (India) to spread the message of freedom struggle and to defy the British who had banned public assemblies.

 

SHRI GANESHA STUTI & AARTI

Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva

Mata Jaaki Parvati Pita Mahadeva

Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva

Mata Jaaki Parvati Pita Mahadeva

Ek Dant Dayavant, Chaar Bhuja Dhaari

Maathe Pe Sindhoor Sohe, Muse Ki Savari

Paan Chadhe, Phul Chadhe, Aur Chadhe Meva

Ladduan Ka Bhog Lage, Sant Kare Seva

Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva

Mata Jaaki Parvati Pita Mahadeva

Andhan Ko Aankh Det, Kodhin Ko Kaaya

Baanjhan Ko Putra Det, Nirdhan Ko Maaya

Surya Shaam Sharan Aye, Safalki Je Seva

Mata Jaaki Parvati Pita Mahadeva

Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh Deva

Mata Jaaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva 

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