Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. Although Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in different parts of India, it is celebrated with a lot of pomp and grandeur in the state of Maharashtra. As per the popular belief, Lord Ganesha prevents all obstacles while doing any auspicious work. People worship Lord Ganesha before starting any new work.
The devotees of Lord Ganesha get the idols of the god and put them inside their homes or public places and worship it daily by following the rituals. These beautiful idols are later taken with a procession and immersed in a water body.
- Ganesh Chaturthi 2019: Date
As per the tradition, Lord Ganesha was born during the Shukla Paksha of the Bhadrapada month in the Hindu calendar. According to the Roman calendar, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi falls during August- September. This year Ganesh Chaturthi is being celebrated on 2 September. People worship Lord Ganesha on this special occasion and pray for fame, respect and happiness.
- Ganesh Chaturthi: Puja Vidhi
People decorate the idols of Lord Ganesha with elaborate clothes and other traditional ornaments. Their idols are installed at homes after doing the puja as per the rituals. People worship Lord Ganesha in the morning and in evenings daily. People perform puja, sing and dance in praise of the almighty. The celebration is continued for ten days and on the day of Anant Chaturdashi, the idols of Lord Ganesha are immersed in a water body. The farewell procession of Ganesha is a very sentimental moment for some devotees.
- Ganesh Chaturthi: Shubh Muhurat For Sthapana
The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on Monday i.e., 2 September 2019. The devotees can install the idols of Lord Ganesha during these shubh muhurats during the day:
- Between 6 am and 7:30 am
- Between 9 am and 10:30 am
- Between 1:30 pm and 7:30 pm
Ganesh Utsav is celebrated for eleven days.
- Day 1- Ganesh Chaturthi Vrat is on 2 September (Monday),
- Day 2- Rishi Panchami on 3 September (Tuesday),
- Day 3- Morchat Champa Surya Shashthi on 4 September (Wednesday)
- Day 4- Santaan Saptami is on 5 September (Thursday)
- Day 5- Radhastami is on 6 September (Friday)
- Day 6- Mool Dinraat, Shree Hari Jayanti is on 7 September (Saturday)
- Day 7- Sugandh Dhoop Dashmi, Ramdev Jayanti is on 8 September (Sunday)
- Day 8- Padma Ekadashi Dol Gyaras is on 9 September (Monday)
- Day 9- Bhuvaneshwari Jayanti, Shree Vamana Jayanti is on 10 September (Tuesday)
- Day 10- Pradosh Vrat is on 11 September (Wednesday)
- Day 11- Anant Chaturdashi is on 12 September (Thursday)
(Source: www.patrika.com)
- Ganesh Chaturthi: History/Significance
Bal Gangadhar Tilak is given the credit for turning Ganesh Chaturthi into a mega event. During our struggles of freedom from the colonial rule, Tilak realised the need to unite Indians more. As Ganesha was worshiped by people of upper caste as well as the lower caste, he made Ganesha Chaturthi popular, turning it into a national festival. The aim was 'to bridge the gap between the Brahmins and the non-Brahmins.'
In the year 1893, Tilak organised Ganesh Utsav on a grand scale. People from all castes and communities turned up for the celebration when public social and political gatherings were banned by the British.
Till this date, people celebrate Ganesh Utsav with great excitement. People make Ganesha’s idols in all sizes and decorate them creatively. It is believed that by celebrating this festival with whole heart and dedication, the devotees are showered with happiness and prosperity.
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