Ganesh
Chaturthi is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi. It’s one of the Hindu festivals
which are celebrated across India, it is mainly observed during the Hindu month
of Bhadra pada (mid of August to mid of September). Lord Ganesh is the son of
Lord Shiva & Parvati who is believed to bestow his blessings on all his
devotees in the duration of this festival. It is said that he is the “God of
Wisdom, Prosperity & Good Fortune” so he has been always worshipped before initating
any new project. People have believed that any work started with his blessings
will always be successful. This custom of starting any work with his name begun
during Trethayug to Kaliyug.
Ø Celebration of
Ganesh Chaturthi.
It
is celebrated by Hindus around the world during the month of Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi
to Ananta Chaturdashi. On this day a clay model of Lord Ganesha is worshipped,
where the height of the Ganesh could be from 3 inches to 25 feet. During the
festival, the houses will be decorated and a raised platform is prepared to
place the idol. A priest will then invoke life into the idol by the chanting of
mantras. This ritual is called “Pranapratishtha”. After this “Shhodashopachara”
(16 ways of paying tribute to God) follows. Coconut, jaggery, 21 modakas (rice
flour preparation), 21 durva (trefoil) blades and red flowers are offered. The
idol is anointed red sandal wood paste (raktha chandan). Throughout the
ceremony Vedic Hymns from Rig Veda, Ganapathi Atharva Shirsha Upanishad &
Ganesh Stotra from Narada Purana are chanted. According to another belief, one shouldn’t
see the moon during the festival seeing the moon will amount to one being blamed
or a complaint of stealing to be alleged. Finally, after ten of offering with
all rituals the Ganesh idol is immersed in the river.
Ganesh Chaturthi and Freedom
fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
Ganesh
Chaturthi was the major festival in the 80’s during the Peshwa Rule in
Maharashtra, where thousands of gigantic idols of Lord Ganesh were taken in
procession by shouting ‘Ganapathi Bappa Moriya’. Till 1893, Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated in their
families in a traditional manner. In the year 1893 Freedom Fighter Lokmanya
Tilak took the opportunity to popularize Ganesh Chaturthi as a national
festival after observing the cultural importance. During the Swaraj Movement,
Tilak used Lord Ganesh as a rallying point to protest against the British rule,
coz Lord Ganesh enjoyed the popularity as “The God for everyman.” It was the
strongest movement in Indian history to unite every Indian through religious
passion. Within no time, Ganesh Chaturthi became popular throughout India by
changing itself from a private affair to a
public event.
“May
Lord Ganesh shower you with Wisdom, Prosperity & Good Fortune”.
SUBMITTED BY: POOJA
K.
1ST SEMESTER, B.A.
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