Ganesh Chaturthi, or Vinayaka Chaturti, is the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the God of wisdom, and auspiciousness in Hinduism. Vinayaka Chaturthi 2010 date is September 11.
The 12-day festival ends with the immersion (Visarjan) of the idol of Ganesh on Ananta Chaturdasi day (September 22, 2010). Lord Ganesh is one of the most popular Hindu Gods and is worshipped around the world and is slowly becoming the face of Hindu religion.
Vinayaka Chaturthi is observed on the fourth day during the Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. In Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for 10 days. In other parts of India, it is celebrated for one day on the Vinayak Chaturthi day.
Ganesha is worshipped for removing all troubles from life. He is therefore known as Vighneshwara and Vignaraja. He is prayed to at the beginning of all new events.Legend has it that Goddess Parvati created Ganesha out of clay and breathed life into him. Letting him stand guard at the door, Goddess Parvati went to have her bath. When her husband, Lord Shiva returned, the child who had never seen him stopped him.
Ganesha did not allow Shiva to enter and finally an enraged Shiva severed the head of the child. Goddess Parvati returned to find her son dead and was distraught and asked Shiva to revive him. Shiva cut off the head of an elephant and fixed it on the body of Ganesha and giving birth to elephant-headed Ganesha.
Thousands of Ganesh Murtis are installed in various public places in India and in Hindu Temples around the world. Millions of small Ganesh idols are installed in Hindu homes, especially in Maharashtra, Goa and Andhra Pradesh. After the festival these statues are immersed in a water body (Ganesh Visarjan ceremony).
How to Perform Ganesh Chaturthi Puja or Vinayak Chavithi Pooja Vidhaan?
Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the most colorful and widely celebrated festivals in India. Large number of people observe Ganesha Chaturthi poojas at home. Here is an explanation on how to perform Ganesha puja at home as mentioned in Hindu scriptures.
Ganesha puja on the Chaturthi day is usually performed at noon but nowadays people perform it when all the family members are present.
Ganesh Chaturthi Pooja Vidhan Requirements :
A Clay image of Lord Ganesha.
Red flowers
Druva Grass blades
Modak (jaggery filled sweet)
Coconut
Red chandan (Sandalwood paste)
Incense and agarbathis
First clean the house and take a bath.A Clay image of Lord Ganesha is installed in a raised platform.Pray to Lord Ganesh and you can recite mantras or bhajans dedicated to Lord Ganesha.Next step is to invoke Ganesha into the image. This is known as pran-prathishta. The Pran Prathista mantra in Sanskrit to be invoked is found in the Rig Veda and is part of Ganesh Suktha.
Now Ganesha is installed in the idol and one can perform arati and light the lamps. Some people perform the shhodashopachara, which are 16 forms of paying tribute to Ganesha. (This ritual is usually performed by the priests, you can skip this.)
Offer 21 blades of Druva Grass.
Offer 21 modakas
Offer red flowers
Apply a tilak using red Sandalwood paste.
Break the coconut or just keep it along with the idol. You can also keep fried grains. (The food of the rat – the vehicle of Ganesha).You can also recite the 108 salutations dedicated to Lord Ganesha or read the Ganesha Upanishad or just simply pray.The number 21 signifies – the five organs of perception, five organs of action, five vital airs (pranas), five elements, and the mind.
While performing Ganesha Puja at home, you can always be flexible. The strict rituals are meant for Vedic priests. All you need be careful is to perform the pujas with a clean body and clean mind. What is more important is devotion not the ritual
