About Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesha Chaturthi is the Hindu festival celebrated in honour of the god Ganesha, the elephant-headed, remover of obstacles and the god of beginnings and wisdom. The festival, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is observed in the month of Bhaadrapada. The date usually falls between August and September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi. This festival involves establishing clay statues of Ganesha in pandals also know as mandap made on temporary basis, which are worshipped for ten days with different variety of herbal leaves, plants. These are immersed at the end of the festival in a body of water such as a lake, along with the Idol. After adding herbal and medicated plants and leaves(patri) in lakes, the water in the lake becomes purified. This was in practice because, in early days people used to drink lake water, and to protect people from infections and viral diseases especially in this season, this tradition was introduced. Some Hindus also install the clay images of Ganesha in their homes. It is believed that Ganesha bestows his presence on earth for all his devotees during this festival.
Origin of Ganesh Chaturthi
The festival was celebrated as a public event since the days of Maratha King Shivaji. However, the public festival as celebrated in Maharashtra today, was introduced by Bhausaheb Laxman Javale in 1892 by installing first Sarvajanik Ganesh idol- Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati, Bhudwar Peth, in Pune. 1st meeting regarding starting the Sarvajanik Ganesh utsav took place under the leadership of Bhausaheb Laxman Javale at his residence at Bhudwar Peth now known as Bhau Rangari Bhavan. In 1893 Lokmany Tilak praised the concept of Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav in Kesari Newspaper. In 1894 Nationalist Leader Lokmany Tilak installed Ganesh idol in Kesari wada, Pune too and started preaching Ganesh Utsav Lokmanya Tilak.
It is celebrated by Hindus located across the world in countries such as Nepal, Canada, Mauritius, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and many more.
Story of Lord Ganesha
Traditional Ganesha Hindu stories tell of Lord Ganesha, son of goddess Parvati, who is consort of Shiva. Parvati created Ganesha out of sandalwood paste that she used for her bath and breathed life into the figure. She then set him the task of guarding her door while she bathed. Lord Shiva, who had gone out, returned and as Ganesha didn't know him, didn't allow him to enter. Lord Shiva became enraged by this and asked his follower Ganas to teach the child some manners. Ganesha who was very powerful, being born of Parvati, the embodiment of Shakti, defeated Shiva's followers and declared that nobody was allowed to enter while his mother was bathing.
The sage of heavens, Narada along with the Saptarishis sensed the growing turmoil and went to appease the boy with no results. Angered, the king of Gods, Indra attacked the boy with his entire heavenly army but even they didn't stand a chance. By then, this issue had become a matter of pride for Shiva. Angry Shiva severed the head of the child. Parvati seeing this became enraged. Seeing Parvati in anger Shiva promised that her son will be alive again. The devas searched for the head of dead person facing North, but they found only the head of a dead elephant. They brought the head of the elephant and Shiva fixed it on the child's body and brought him back to life. Lord Shiva also declared that from this day the boy would be called Ganesha.
He is also known as Sukhakarta means ‘harbinger of happiness’ and Dukhaharta means ‘dispeller of distress’
Ganesh Chaturthi In Mumbai
Ganesh Chaturthi us celebrated with great joy across Mumbai. Huge Ganesha Idols are installed for 11 days. Worship in form of singing know as aarti is performed for 11 days. The well know areas in Mumbai such as Girgaon, Lalbaug and Parel are the origin of establishment of Ganesh Idols from early days. In Mumbai, Keshavji Naik Chawl also know as Girgaon Chawl was the initial place where the Ganesh idol was inastalled by a freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak.
People praise Ganesh by saying Ganpati Bappa Morya.
Ganesha Chaturthi is the Hindu festival celebrated in honour of the god Ganesha, the elephant-headed, remover of obstacles and the god of beginnings and wisdom. The festival, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is observed in the month of Bhaadrapada. The date usually falls between August and September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi. This festival involves establishing clay statues of Ganesha in pandals also know as mandap made on temporary basis, which are worshipped for ten days with different variety of herbal leaves, plants. These are immersed at the end of the festival in a body of water such as a lake, along with the Idol. After adding herbal and medicated plants and leaves(patri) in lakes, the water in the lake becomes purified. This was in practice because, in early days people used to drink lake water, and to protect people from infections and viral diseases especially in this season, this tradition was introduced. Some Hindus also install the clay images of Ganesha in their homes. It is believed that Ganesha bestows his presence on earth for all his devotees during this festival.
Origin of Ganesh Chaturthi
It is celebrated by Hindus located across the world in countries such as Nepal, Canada, Mauritius, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and many more.
He is also known as Sukhakarta means ‘harbinger of happiness’ and Dukhaharta means ‘dispeller of distress’
Ganesh Chaturthi In Mumbai
Ganesh Chaturthi us celebrated with great joy across Mumbai. Huge Ganesha Idols are installed for 11 days. Worship in form of singing know as aarti is performed for 11 days. The well know areas in Mumbai such as Girgaon, Lalbaug and Parel are the origin of establishment of Ganesh Idols from early days. In Mumbai, Keshavji Naik Chawl also know as Girgaon Chawl was the initial place where the Ganesh idol was inastalled by a freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak.
People praise Ganesh by saying Ganpati Bappa Morya.
Hello Mam, Need one help regarding one photo shown in this blog to get it used for one reputed History journal
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThere is an old picture of Tilak on your website. I want to know do you have copyright for the same? The picture is attached. Kindly revert asap.