Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to Everyone! :)

SHRI GANESHAY NAMAHA!

* The most famous “Dagduseth Halwai” ganesh ji idol. This ganesh ji wears the ears, crown and all the other ornaments made of pure gold.

Vakra-Tunndda Maha-Kaaya Surya-Kotti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryessu Sarvadaa

ganesh chaturthi

Oh Lord Ganesha, whose trunk is curved
and who is the
brilliance of millions of suns,
please remove impediments from
the work that we do.

This year the auspicious festival of Lord Ganesha falls on 1st of September.
With Ganeshotsav on in full swing, people are busy sharing information on the festive attractions and their way of enjoying the festival. The myriad hues, celebratory flavours and excitement of the Ganeshotsav fill the air.

History behind the Ganeshotsav –
In 1893, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the great freedom fighter and Cub of India, initiated the now famous Ganesh Festival. His intention was to gather people sharing similar ideas and exchange thoughts to deal with the British ruler. He started celebrating Ganesh Festival from his own house Kesari Wada, Pune. Due to his influencing personality and initiative, everyone started celebrating this festival and thus it became a public festival in 1893. This is the 118th year of Ganeshotsav.

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Ganesha Chaturthi, the great Ganesha festival, also known as ‘Vinayak Chaturthi’ or ‘Vinayaka Chavithi’ is celebrated by Hindus around the world as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is observed during the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (mid-August to mid-September) and the grandest and most elaborate of them, especially in the western India state of Maharashtra, lasts for 10 days, ending on the day of ‘Ananta Chaturdashi’.

Names of Shri Ganesh ji –
The Lord of the Lords is known by 12 names, like, Vakratunda, Vinayaka, Ekdantam, Lambodaram etc. Most significantly known name is ‘Vighnaharta’ meaning ‘The one who removes obstacles’.
Spiritual science underlying calling Shri Ganesh ji ‘Vighnaharta’ –
Three hundred sixty different frequencies are continuously in motion in the eight directions. These clusters of frequencies adversely affect the world of living beings. Sri Ganesh ji controls these clusters and destroys the obstacles. Hence Sri Ganesh ji is called ‘Vighnaharta’, that is, the remover of obstacles.

Where is Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated –
Mostly in the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. One of the best places to experience the festival is in the city of Mumbai. Celebrations take place in a special way at the towering Siddhivinayak temple, located in the central suburb of Prabhadevi, which is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. An incalculable number of devotees visit the temple to join in prayers and pay their respects to the God during the festival. In addition, around 10,000 statues of Lord Ganesh are displayed at various locations in the city.
The concept of community celebrations has given way to huge grandeur in the celebrations. On this occasion, the community pandals are arranged where the ten days Pooja is carried on. This Pandal is like a temporary abode for the deity. This is also the common place for feasts and celebrations for the devotees. The making of Pandals for the Pooja begins many days before the actual Pooja starts.It is an intricate affair of arranging a beautiful and temporary shelter for ten days celebrations. The entire cost of arrangement of the Pandals is met by community donations.

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How is Ganeshotsav celebrated –
Ganeshotsav is a 5 or10 day festival that begins on Vinayak Chaturthi by welcoming the Ganesh’s arrival in their decorated mandirs, either at homes or in the pandals of various cultural organizations.
Worship of Sri Ganesh ji
Apply the sandalwood paste to Sri Ganesh ji with the ring finger.Offer the hina scent. Durva grass, eight red flowers, lit incense sticks to Sri Ganesh ji. Offer Naivedya of his favourite Modak. Say the Ganesh arati aloud on the beats of claps and drums.

Bhajans, aratis and cultural programs are carried on throughout the period while Lord Ganesh ji is blessing us with his stay.

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(Dagaduseth Halwai Ganapati Mandir, Pune)

Some devotees observe fasts, do not consume meat and alcohol, stay away from bad influences and habits, in an attempt to cleanse their souls in the presence of Vighnaharta.

Ganesh Statues Immersed in Water at the End of the Festival on the departure of Ganesha on tithi Anant Chaturdashi –
Hinduism recognizes that the universe is in a constant state of change. Form eventually gives away to formlessness. However, the energy still remains. The immersion of the statues in the ocean, or other bodies of water, and subsequent destruction of them serves as a reminder of this belief. There are many eyes filled with tears while saying goodbye to the Lord. It really feels sad to get back to our usual lives after Ganesh ji has filled our 10 days with hope, happiness, celebrations and a divine sense of spirituality.

Go Green this Ganeshotsav –
While Ganesha’s coming is auspicious, whether on the Hindu calendar or as a festival, his likeness is becoming a growing cause for concern amongst environmentalists. The colours and materials used in making the deities, which in their non-eco friendly avatars present an ever-increasing hazard to the environment.The Central Pollution Control Board has issued guidelines that are being followed by many states. In Mumbai, apart from initiatives by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, the BMC, NGO’s and the like, Bollywood is also driving this mood home, using star power to try and promote awareness.

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I cannot wait to welcome Ganesh ji in my home, started with the decorations and planning to pull out those classic silk sarees, which have taken a back seat with the arrival of chiffon, jardosi work n all. Hope those of you who celebrate Ganeshotsav too are gearing upto it.

May all of you have the everlasting blessings of the Vighnaharta and plenty of happiness in you lives.

SHRI GANESHAY NAMAHA!

Geeta

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24 thoughts on “Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to Everyone! :)

  1. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi all :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
    I am so happy….Ganesh ji visits again.
    There is so much excitement since morning even the rains have not altered the excitement of Mumbaikars…. :yahoo: :yahoo:
    Ganpati bappa morya!!!

    1. u a mumbaikar? !! pretty happening scene in mumbai na? :pompom:
      ohhh I’m sooooo missing it right now, wish atleast I was there in India. :waaa:

  2. happpyyyyyy ganeshhhhhhhhh chaturthiiiiii :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
    thnks for sharing all the info. geeta….
    i love my ganesh bhaiyyyaaaaaaa :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: :teddy: :teddy:

      1. slogged for 4 hrs to make them. Lekin returns r worth it…its not just a dessert, but a main meal n just some sidedish. yummmmmyyyyy!!!!! :yahoo: :yahoo: :balle:

  3. Happy ganesh chaturthi to all IMBB frndz……may god ganesh give us loads of buddhi(Intelligence) to earn more money & but more cosmetics 😆 😆 :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

  4. happy ganesh chaturthi to u all :pompom: :pompom: :pompom: :pompom: … v r celebrating it from the last 5 yrs since i’v cum to hyd..i luv all the excitement attached with this festival & myself planning to wear saree for the cuming 4 days to join in the celebration in our building.. :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:

  5. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to everyone!! :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
    May lord ganesha’s blessing showers on you all..god bless!
    Ganapati Bappa Moraya :yahoo: :yahoo:

  6. thank you and wish you the same. This year I am not home. visiting Hampi in Karnataka. will post pics soon. But I did make a ganesha out of clay before I left. My bldg had this whole clay making ganesha session..great fun. eco friendly too. have told my mil to dissolve it in a bucket of water and to put that water to the plants..:)

  7. happy ganesh chaturthi to u all … v r celebrating it from the last 5 yrs since i’v cum to hyd..i luv all the excitement attached with this festival & myself planning to wear saree for the cuming 4 days to join in the celebration in our building..

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