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Celebrated with much vivacity and zeal, the true spirit of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival can be found in the state of Maharashtra. It is a Hindu festival, which is celebrated on the birthday of Lord Ganesha. The festival falls in the month of Bhado i.e. August- September and the celebration last for about ten days. Ganesha is represented as the God of knowledge, prosperity and good fortune. He is also an embodiment of intelligence and achievement. Since, he is known to protect his devotees from various impediments of life; he is also referred by the name of Vigneshwara.
The elephant head of Ganesha symbolizes intelligence, discrimination and wisdom. According to the Hindu mythology, Ganesha is the son of Shiva and Parvati and brother of Kartikeya, Lakshmi and Saraswati. He is one of the most beloved Gods of the Hindus and hence, holds an utmost significance amongst its devotees.
According to the Hindu mythology Lord Ganesha was created by Parvati. She shaped a sculpture from the paste that she used on her body, breadth life into it and told him to guard the entrance of her bathroom. When Lord Shiva returned he was stopped at the entrance by the boy. In his anger he chopped off the boy’s head. After Parvati’s incessant plea to restore her son, Shiva fixed the head of an elephant and restored life into the boy. It was Lord Shiva who named him Ganpati.
Various other mythological tales are associated with it and they are form part of our rich culture and heritage.
The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi falls in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. Celebration commences on the day of Shukla Chaturthi and terminates on the day of Anant Chaturdashi. The festival is extensively observed in the states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The festival was first initiated by Chatrapati Shivaji, who was a great Maratha ruler. It was later revived and bought back to a larger demonstration by Lokmanya Tilak.
Preparations for this festival begin months in advance. Homes and street corners are elaborately adorned and decorated. Priests perform rigorous prayer services daily. The size of the idol ranges from 10 meters to 30 meters in height. Large public processions and social gatherings are important aspect of this festival in India. On the last day, large assembles of people takes the idol of Lord Ganesha and submerge it in the water amid dance, music and full pomp. Thousands gather to watch the immersion ceremony.
Last Updated On: 2011/07/04
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