GANESH CHATURTHI: THE DIVINE CELEBRATION OF WISDOM

09 September,2021  |  By Brainwonders

About the Festival of Ganesh Chaturthi:

Many religions are practised in India. Every religion has its own unique style of commemorating the festivals linked with it. Christians observe Good Friday and Christmas, Muslims observe Eid-ul-Fitr and Ramzan, Sikhs observe Guru Nanak Jayanti and Baisakhi, Jains observe Mahavir Jayanti and Paryushana, Buddhists observe Buddha Purnima and Ullambana, and Hindus observe many holidays.

The festival of Ganesh Chathurthi, which commemorates Lord Ganesha's birth, the God of wisdom and prosperity is one such popular festival.

People worship Lord Ganesha on the Ganesh Chaturthi and seek his blessings in order to fulfil their wishes and solve their difficulties.

History of Ganesh Chaturthi:

Since the age of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (founder of the Maratha Empire), Ganesh Chaturthi has been publicly commemorated in Pune. In the 18th century, the Peshwa kings established a public Ganesh Chaturthi in Pune, their capital city, during the month of Bhadrapad.

The Ganesh Chaturthi lost state backing after the British Raj began.

Ganesh Chaturthi became a private family celebration in Maharashtra until it was brought back by Indian freedom fighter and social reformer Lokmanya Tilak.

Let us look at a few stories of Lord Ganesha on this Ganesh Chaturthi:

1. Lord Ganesh is the son of Lord Shiva and Pravati. Goddess Parvati is said to have made Lord Ganesh out of sandalwood paste. She instructed him to watch the entry while she took a bath. When Lord Shiva attempted to enter, Lord Ganesh refused. Angered by this, Lord Shiva decapitated Ganesha's head. According to mythology, when Lord Brahma went out looking for an animal to replace Ganesha's head, the first animal he came across was an elephant.
2. If you look closely at Lord Ganesha's idol, you'll find that one of his tusks is broken. According to tradition, Ganesha's feather broke when he was writing the Mahabharata. To keep writing, he broke a part of his tusk and completed it.
3. Krauncha was a celestial musician-god, according to the Ganesha Purana. He walked on Muni Vamadeva's foot by accident, and he was cursed to become a mouse. In the end, he promised Krauncha that one day the gods themselves would bow down before him after Everything in its path was destroyed by the colossal mouse. When the mouse became Ganesha's vahana, the prophecy was fulfilled.

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Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations in Maharashtra:

Lord Ganesha is a Hindu god who represents intelligence, fortune, and success. He is worshipped every time something new is started. Hymns are sung, aarti is done, and prasad in the form of fruits and sweets, such as Modak, is offered, as it is Lord Ganesha's favourite.

Ganesh Chaturthi is observed in all Indian states, although it is particularly popular in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

Mumbai is a fantastic city to enjoy some of India's most renowned festivals. When it comes to festivals, Mumbaikars look forward to the Ganesh Chaturthi events held in and around the city. Locals and visitors from all over the country travel to Mumbai during this time to take part in and witness the spectacular celebrations.

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most important events in Mumbai. Around 150,000 idols are submerged each year in Mumbai alone.

So, this is how Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in Mumbai.

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The wait of Ganesh Chaturthi for 3 years of Covid times:

The Maharashtra government has decided to ban big idols of Lord Ganesha and mega public celebrations for the 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi, which begins September 10, for the second year in a row, despite protests from the organisers.

The state administration issued a comprehensive statement on Tuesday regulating the height of idols for Ganesh Chaturthi to up to 4-feet at public pandals and 2-feet for a home in anticipation of the Covid-19 'third wave.'

The state government has asked people to keep the celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi low-key as the third wave of Covid is anticipated.

The pandemic has affected the state's big Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations for the second year.

Last year, the government released many instructions to guarantee that the holiday season would not result in an increase in Covid cases.

The state that celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi with such enthusiasm, has waited for the last 2 years to experience the magic of the festival.

During this 10-day holiday, Maharashtra is immersed in devotion and celebration.

As communities gather together to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, Ganesha idols can be found in every home, on every corner, and on every street on Ganesh Chaturthi.

Every neighbourhood has its own pandal, with a Ganesha idol in the centre.

Every second of these ten days is packed with cultural events, rituals, musical performances, folk and classical dance, poetry, and more. Finally, on the tenth day of Ganesh Chaturthi, elaborate processions are held to immerse the idol.

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5 Must visit Ganesh pandals in Mumbai this Ganesh Chaturthi:

1: Lalbaugcha Raja : Lalbaugh

If the sheer enormity of the statue doesn't impress you, consider the long queue of followers waiting to see the idol up close. It is also the most admired Ganesh Mandal in Mumbai, in addition to its splendour.

2: Mumbaicha Raja: Ganesh Galli

Located near Lalbaugcha Raja, one of Mumbai's oldest Mandals, it lost prominence to Lalbaugcha Raja in the 1990s, but it still draws a respectable crowd thanks to its complex themes of replicas of prominent Mumbai locations.

3: Khetwadi cha Ganraj: Girgaon

The shape of the Ganesh idol has stayed the same for all these years, and the same idol craftsman has been manufacturing the idol for all these years. When you get to the location, you will notice 13 lanes, each with a Ganesh pandal. The pandal in the 12th lane, however, is the most popular of them.

4: GSB Seva Ganesh Mandal: (King Circle)

Every year on Ganesh Chaturthi, the idol of Lord Ganesha here is decked with the most exquisite gold and silver jewellery, making it the richest Mandal in the city. Thousands of devotees come here to seek blessings, and this is the only place where you can watch Ganpati's visual show.

5: Andhericha Raja: (Andheri)

During the ten days of Ganesh Chaturthi, the King of Andheri is regarded as a king, and the Mandal has a reputation for fulfilling wishes dating back to 1966. You'll be mesmerised by the decor and atmosphere.

Celebration in different states of India for Ganesh Chaturthi:

Karnataka:

Karnataka residents celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in a very unique style. The festivities begin with a tribute to Gauri, Lord Ganesha's mother. Lord Ganesha and Gauri are prayed to for a happy and prosperous life. Panchakajjaya, a blend of powdered coconut, gramme powder, ghee, and sugar, is a unique offering made around this period.

Andhra Pradesh:

In Andhra Pradesh, the statue of Lord Ganesha is carved of Matti Vinayakudu on Ganesh Chaturthi.  This means that the idol of Lord Ganesha is formed of Turmeric or Plaster of Paris, and it is prayed at home and in public places on Ganesh Chaturthi.

Tamil Nadu:

Vinayaka Chaturthi or Pillayar Chaturthi are two additional names for Ganesh Chaturthi in Tamil Nadu. According to the Tamil calendar, it occurs on the fourth day after the new moon in the Avani month. Ganesha idols are usually made of paper mache or clay, as Plaster of Paris statues are prohibited by the government. In addition to these, idols are made from organic materials such as coconut.

Goa:

In Goa, Ganesh Chaturthi is known as Chovoth. This is a time for Goan Hindus to gather with their families to celebrate. Lord Ganesha is worshipped according to each family's rites. Bhajans, aartis, and pujas are performed in front of the idol in a Matoli. Modak and neuri, as well as other sweet and savoury delicacies, are provided. Finally, the idol is prepared before being transported out to be immersed in the seas of Goa on the last day of Ganesh Chaturthi.

West Bengal:

During Ganesh Chaturthi, the cities of West Bengal are dressed up beautifully. Devotees gather in large pandals to offer devotion to Lord Ganesha. At some of the pandals, devotional songs and Bengali films are played.

This festival is celebrated in each corner of the country with extreme enthusiasm.

India’s unity in the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi:

Ganesh Chaturthi being a Hindu festival is not only celebrated by Hindus but also by the people of other communities. To strengthen the bond between the religions many people participate in the Aarti and Puja.

Rules and Regulation to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi this year due to Covid-19:

1. Mandals shall make available online darshan through social media, broadcast channels, and other means for Ganesh Chaturthi.
2. For public Ganpati Mandals, no more than ten persons are allowed to carry a Ganesh idol that is less than four feet tall.
3. Public idols should be immersed in artificial ponds. In order to reduce the crowd at natural immersion sites, artificial lakes have been built in 173 locations across 24 divisions.
4. At the time of Visarjan, no more than 10 individuals will be allowed in public Ganpati Mandals for Ganesh Chaturthi.
5. At home, only five persons will be allowed to bring the Ganesh idol, and they must have undergone both doses of vaccine against Covid- 19 and be at least 15 days post-vaccination.
6. If possible, home idols should be immersed in a bucket or a drum at home. If immersion at home is not possible, idols should be immersed at artificial immersion sites.
7. For safety reasons, children and older persons would not be permitted at Visarjan.

On this Ganesh Chaturthi, we wish you seek Lord Ganesha’s divine blessings in order to fulfil your dreams and get rid of problems.

Ganapati Bappa Morya!