Gajanan Bhootpanadhi Sevintan, Kapiththjambufulcharubhakshanam.Umasutam Shokavinashkaramn, Param Vighnapadapadkajam.Gajanan Bhoota Ganadi Sevitam, Kapithth Jambu Fruit Charu Bhakshanam.
One who is venerated by all the ganas and berries, Parvati son Vighneshwar Ganapathi, who destroys sorrows, I bow to your feet.
Ganesh Chaturthi, in Hinduism, is a 10-day festival of the birth of the elephant-headed god Ganesha, the god of prosperity and wisdom. It begins on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September), the sixth month of the Hindu calendar.
At the beginning of the festival, the idols of Ganesha are kept in homes and in pandals. Puja begins with pranapratishtha, the ritual of invoking prana in idols, followed by shodashopachara or tribute in 16 ways. During the chanting of Vedic hymns from religious texts such as the Ganesh Upanishad, the idols are anointed with red sandalwood paste and yellow and red flowers. Ganesh is also offered coconut, jaggery, and 21 modak (sweet dumplings), which is considered to be the favorite food of Ganesha.
At the conclusion of the festival, the idols are taken to local rivers in huge processions with drums, devotional singing, and dancing. There they are immersed, symbolizing Ganesh's homework journey to Mount Kailash, which is the residence of his parents, Shiva and Parvati.
BRIEF HISTORY
As soon as the name of Ganeshotsav is generated in Maharashtra, there is a lot of enthusiasm in the people. Let's know today how Ganeshotsav was established in Maharashtra? And how this festival started to be celebrated all over the country?
Beginning of Ganeshotsav in Pune organized by Lokmanya Tilak for the unity of the people, he was struggling for 'Swaraj' and he wanted to spread his word to more and more people. For this, he needed a public forum from which his views could reach the most people. To make this work he chose Ganpati Utsav. So that all Indians are united. Today, the melody and charm of Ganeshotsav in Maharashtra are famous worldwide. Whether it is Ganesh Mandal in Mumbai or Ganesh Mandal in Pune, it is famous all over the world. It is celebrated for ten days but preparations are made throughout the year. The Ganapati festival started in 1893 by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak from Maharashtra. Even before 1893, the Ganapati festival was made, but it was limited to homes only. At that time pandals were not built like this nor did the collective Ganpati sit.
Let us know today how Ganeshotsav was established in public and whose tireless efforts made it possible - though Bhau Rangari, Nanasaheb Khajivwale, and Ghotwadekar strongly encouraged people to celebrate Ganeshotsav through 'Kesari', people themselves Ganapati, a Mandal, was not established. Lokmanya started Ganeshotsav in 1894 at Tilak in Vinchurkar Wada. He used to take law classes at Tilak, hence it was initially known as 'Ganapati of Law Class'. Lokmanya Vinchurkar left Wada and in 1905 Gaikwad came to live in Wada.
This festival also accompanied him to Gaikwad Wada. Lokmanya resided in this palace for many years. After his death, Kesari was entrusted with the responsibility of organizing the festival as per his wish. The form given by Tilak to the public Ganapati at his own residence became an inspiration for many.
Although the beginning of the public Ganeshotsav in Pune is a historical event, some congregations and festivals in Pune have got a special place due to the historical events happening there. The same can be said of the Lokmanya Tilak-established public Ganpati Trust, Vinchurkar Wada Ganeshotsav Mandal, which was started in Vinchurkar Wada due to the inspiration of Lokmanya Tilak himself.
Two years before the public Ganeshotsava, Balasaheb Bharade, Prabhakar Kunte, and Rabindra Pathare revived the festival by establishing the first public Ganpati Trust established by Tilak. Through the first Ganpati Trust established Tilak, the annual Ganeshotsav was celebrated in a spirited and traditional manner. The immersion procession of this Ganesha is taken out of the palanquin.
Lokmanya himself is giving a lecture in front of this first established Ganapati, but at the same time, eminent lecturers have also presented their views at this festival. Vinchurkar Wada has such an intellectual tradition, history of Ganeshotsav. Due to such a tradition of Lokmanya, this Ganeshotsav is different today.
Now Vinchurkar Wada is undergoing renovation and when it is completed, this Ganapati will get a special place in it.
DEVOTIONAL, CELEBRATION, AND IMMERSION - RITUALS
Ganesh Chaturthi includes 4 specific rituals - Pranapratistha, Shodashopachara, Uttarpuja, and Ganapati Visarjan.
The idol of Ganesha is made in Pranapratistha. The devotees then place the idol in the pandal or their home. Devotees pray, perform concerts, and sing devotional songs for the idol.
During Shodashopchar, 16 types of prayers are performed, which include decorating the idol with flowers and offering sweets.
The third stage - Uttarpuja - occurs just before immersion. The deity is taken from the house or pandal and prepared for water.
The final ritual immersion is-
Where the idol is immersed in the sea. It is said that Ganesha wrote the Mahabharata (one of the great epics of India), as narrated to him by the sage Vyasa. When he ran out of writing material, he broke his tusk and continued writing with it. The writing process lasted for 10 days (the length of the festival). Once this was done, mud was applied to Ganesha's body, and he was taken for a bath in the river. On the 11th day, Ganesh is thus immersed in water. The ritual is reminiscent of Ganesha's incredible intelligence - one that is infinite and formless like water. It also implies that nothing is permanent.
Each narrative associated with Ganesha has many interpretations, different layers, and meanings. Each has importance, which you see in different ways in which people celebrate the festival.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra goes into a state of extreme devotion and celebration during this 10-day festival. Idols of Ganesha can be found in every house, in every corner, in the streets, and in the streets, people have come to celebrate. Each locality has its own pandal with a huge Ganesh idol in the center. Cultural events, rituals, concerts, folk and classical dances, poetry, and more are filled every second of these 10 days. Finally, the 10th day concludes with grand processions for idol immersion.
West Bengal
The city of West Bengal wears its best clothes during Ganesh Chaturthi. Large pandals are made, where devotees worship Lord Ganesha. Devotional songs and Bengali films are played in some pandals. Before immersing the idol in water, devotees sing and dance.
Andhra Pradesh
In Andhra Pradesh, roads, houses, and cities are filled with celebration. Vinayaka Chavithi, as it is said in the state, includes pandals, immersions, devotional songs, religious rituals, and more. In Hyderabad, devotees come for the Khairatabad statue - one of the tallest Ganesh idols installed for the festival. The festival concludes with this magnificent idol immersed in the Hussain Sagar Lake.
Karnataka
In Karnataka, the celebrations are somewhat different. The festival begins by celebrating Gauri (Parvati), the mother of Lord Ganesha. The festivities are widespread in various temples in the region and people often pray for both mother and son. Women, in particular, pray to Goddess Gauri for a long and happy married life.
Madhya Pradesh
In September, markets in Madhya Pradesh have swept away with Ganesh idols - small and delicate, eco-friendly, and simple and grand and opulent. Crowds throng the temples to witness grand rituals. Religious and cultural festivals are organized in various neighborhoods.
Gujarat
Like Maharashtra, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in Gujarat. Over a period of 7-10 days, temples, pandals, houses, and streets filled with ceremonies and demonstrations. Finally, the idols are immersed in the Tapi and Sabarmati rivers.
Goa
Ganesh Chaturthi is known as Chavoth in Goa. For Goan Hindus, it is time to celebrate with the family. Lord Ganesha is worshiped according to the ritual of each family. A matoli is established where the idol is worshiped with the bhajan, aarti, and puja. Sweets are distributed like Modak and Noori and other savory items. Special vegetarian food is prepared for the festival. Finally, the idol is prepared and then taken out for immersion in Goan water.
Kerala
In Kerala, the time is sometimes different from other Ganesh Chaturthi festivals in India. Known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, this festival is celebrated during Chingam Masam (month). Chingam is the first month of the year according to the Malayalam calendar. As this calendar is different, it may be a month before the festival celebrates other states. The years in which this has happened were 2004, 2012, and 2015.
Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, a special dessert in the form of Kozhukutai is made for Lord Ganesha. This dessert made of rice and filled with flaky coconut and jaggery is one of Ganesha's favorite sweets. The last day of the festival - Anant Chaturdashi - is when the idol is immersed in water.
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