GANESHA CHATURTHI VRAT :31 MAY 2010

Ganesha is the god of wisdom and prosperity and is invoked before the beginning of any auspicious work by the Hindus. It is believed that for the fulfillment of one's desires, his blessing is absolutely necessary.

Ganeshji is remembered on chauth or chaturthi, the 4th day of every month of the Hindu calendered on moon’s bright fort night or period from new moon in the lunar month of Bhadrapada. The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi continue for five, seven, or ten days. Some even stretch it to twenty one days Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated as his birthday.In the month of may Ganesh Chaturthi vrat falls on 31 May 2010.

Ladoos (sweets) are distributed. Milk is offered to idols of lord Ganesh at home and at temples, and Ganesh puja is performed at all temples and hi-house prayer rooms. Fasting, feasting and distribution of sweets offered to Lord Ganesh are important aspects of Ganesh chaturthi rituals in India. Hindus pray to images of Lord Ganesha, large and small, many of them made specially for the occasion by cottage industries and street side artisans, and those that do not wish to keep the idols alive by daily prayers, offerings and lighting oil lamps, immerse them in the nearest water body (all rivers, lakes and the sea which are sacred to Hindus).

MATHOLOGY

Centuries ago during a war between the Gods and the Demons, Lord Shiva was away for a long time. His wife, Goddess Parvati, afraid of being alone for an extended period used her divine powers and created a son, Ganesh, and gave him the responsibility of protecting the house. When Lord Shiva and his army, returned victorious to his home, Parvati was in her bath, and Ganesh had been strictly instructed not to allow anyone in. Angered by Ganesh's refusal to allow him in to the house, Lord Shiva and his army chopped off the boy's head. When Parvati came out of her bath, she was shocked and grieved to see her son dead. Lord Shiva, to pacify, her proclaimed that the head of Ganesh would be replaced by that of the first creature that came up the hill. As luck would have it the first visitor to the hill was an elephant and his head was promptly cut off and placed on that of Lord Ganesh, and life was restored to the son of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati. To pacify his wife further and compensate for the act of killins own son, Lord Shiva bestowed upon Ganesh the powers of a God and blessed him that henceforth no activity will begin without invoking your name and blessings. Since then, it is said, no new venture - the inauguration of accompany, the opening of a shop, the foundation of a building, entering a new home - is deemed complete by Hindus without a Ganesh puja.
Ancient Hindu texts are filled with tales about Lord Ganesh, his powers, wisdom and goodness, one of the most delightful being the one about a contest between him and his brother, Kartikeya. Kartikeya was very proud of his mount, the peacock, and his own speed and efficiency, challenged lord Ganesh to a race around the world 7 times. While Kartikeya made a tour of the world thrice, Ganesh just encircled lord Shiva and goddess Parvati, his parents 7 times, and claimed victory. The story is often related to inculcate in children the importance of God and their parents.

The Festival

Ganesh Chaturthi is an important festival on the Hindu calendar which is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. Ganesha as per Hindu mythology is considered to be the 'vigana harta' (remover of obstacles) for his many devotees. Ganesh Chaturthi festival gives an opportunity to the innumerous devotees of Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati to offer prayers to their deity and seek his blessings.

The best celebrations associated with Ganesha Chaturthi are usually witnessed in the state of Maharashtra where celebrations stretch across 10 days. The state witnesses celebrations on gigantic proportions, Ganesha pandals (stages) are created and decorated beautifully till the day of Ganesh Murti Visarjan (immersion of Ganesha idols in to the river).