Introduction

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the significant festivals of Hindu. It is celebrated as the mark of Lord Ganesha’s birthday. The festival is observed in the month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the Shukla Chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). Though, the festival is celebrated all over the country but the excitement is seen more prominent in Western India especially in the state of Maharashtra. It is ten day long festival end with 'Ananta Chaturdashi'.

About Ganesha

Ganensha is the son of God Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The legend has it that Lord Siva was away for a war. This wife and mother of Ganesha – Parvati wanted to take bath but there was no body around to guard the door. Parvati instantaneously created Ganesha out of the sandalwood paste and entrusted him with the responsibility to guard the door of the place where she was to bathe. While in the course of her bathing, Shiva returned from the war. Ganesha did not know him so stopped him from entering Parvati Chamber. The enraged Siva could not tolerate this insolence on the part of Ganesha and cut his head with his Trishula. Parvati later emerged out of her chamber and looked his son lying on the ground with his head chopped off. She became furious and took the form of Kali and threatened to destroy the world. The Gods then started looking for a mother sleeping in other direction to her son which was mark of negligence. They find one elephant and its young one in same position and chopped the child’s head and fixed it on the shoulder of young Ganesha. Thus, Ganesha is an elephant headed God.

Celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi

In the year 1893 Lokmanya Tilak, the famous freedom fighter from Maharashtra, reshaped the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi from a private family celebration to the grand public celebration. The celebrating of Ganesh Chaturthi ends for 10 days. In every home the idol of Ganesha is placed on a platform and worshiped with traditional customs and rituals. Elaborate decorated tents and pandals are arranged outside. Huge images of Ganesha are erected in these tents. The priests usually clad in red Dhoti and Shwal evokes the God and pay homage. Coconut, jaggery, 21 ‘modakas’ which is a rice flour preparation, 21 'durva' (trefoil) blades, red flowers etc. are offered to Ganesha. For the ten days from Shudh Chaturthi to Ananta Chaturdashi, Ganesha is worshiped in different forms. On last day of the celebration a huge procession is organized for the immersion of the Ganesha images. Thousand of devotees follow the procession dancing and singing the praise of Ganesha. The slogan of “Ganpati Bappa Morya” reverberates the surrounding.