Why is Ganesha Chaturthi Celebrated?

India

By DIvya Toshniwal

The celebration of Ganesha Chaturthi marks the beginning of the 10-Day Ganesha Festival, a festival to celebrate the birth of lord Ganesha ,the god of knowledge, wisdom , prosperity and good fortune.

According to the Hindu ancient texts- Lord Ganesha was created by Goddess Parvati in form of an idol with sandalwood paste from her body. She brought him to life and instructed him to guard the gates and allow no one in. When Lord Shiva was denied entrance by Ganesha he in anger beheaded him

When Goddess Parvati came to know about this she was broken. Overcome with grief, Parvati pleaded with Shiva to bring their son back to life. In a gesture of mercy, Shiva replaced Ganesha's head with that of an elephant, granting him a new life.

People worship him at the beginning of new ventures, journeys, or important life events to seek his blessings and ensure a smooth start. It is believed that invoking Ganesha's blessings helps overcome hurdles and ensures success.

On the day of Ganesha chaturthi, Ganesha Idols are welcomed in not only different pandals but also in the homes of many people, who believe they are bringing the lord himself in their families. For the next 10 days there are various rituals performed including puja, aarti, bhog, bhajan and much more.

Various mantras are recited. It is believed that it is the mantras that bring the idol to life and makes lord ganesha a part of your home and community.

After 10 days on the day of Anant Chaturdashi , lord Ganesha is taken to the streets with grand celebrations and then immersed in water sending him off again to his celestial abode, with a request to come back again next year.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a joyous and spiritually significant festival that celebrates the wisdom, prosperity, and benevolence of Lord Ganesha while fostering a sense of community and cultural heritage among devotees.

Ganesha Chaturthi USA 2023