Maharashtra Most Popular Festival

Ganesh  Chaturthi

Lord Ganesh

Ganesh Chaturthi is a major Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity known as the remover of obstacles, god of wisdom, and the patron of arts and sciences. The festival typically lasts for 10 days, starting on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the waxing moon period in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (usually August or September).

Rituals and Traditions of Ganesh Chaturthi

1. Ganesh Idol Installation (Sthapana)

• Idol Purchase: Traditionally, families bring home an idol of Lord Ganesha, made from clay or other eco-friendly materials.
• Altar Setup: A special place in the house is cleaned and decorated for the idol, using flowers, lights, and garlands.
• Invoking Ganesha: The ritual of “Prana Pratishta” is performed to invoke life in the idol, making it a seat for Lord Ganesha's presence.

2. Puja Rituals

• Sankalpa: Taking a vow to worship Lord Ganesha with devotion and purity throughout the festival.
• Invocation (Dhyana): Meditating and chanting mantras to invite Lord Ganesha's presence.
• Offerings: Items like flowers, fruits, sweets (especially modak, Lord Ganesha's favorite), coconut, rice, turmeric, and sandalwood paste are offered.
• Mantras & Shlokas: Reciting Ganesha mantras like:
  • "Om Gan Ganapataye Namah"
  • Ganapati Atharvashirsha (sacred chant dedicated to Ganesha).
• Aarti: The ritual of waving lit lamps before the idol, while singing hymns and aarti songs, like "Sukhkarta Dukhharta", is performed multiple times a day.

3. Modak Offering

• Modaks are sweet dumplings made with jaggery and coconut filling, which are considered to be Lord Ganesha’s favorite sweet. These are offered during the puja.

4. Daily Worship and Offerings

• Every day during the festival, the family offers fresh flowers, fruits, and sweets to Lord Ganesha, performing a small puja and aarti in the morning and evening.

5. Public Celebrations

• In many parts of India, especially Maharashtra, large pandals (temporary structures) are erected in public spaces, housing massive idols of Lord Ganesha.
• People gather for community prayers, cultural events, music, and dance, fostering a spirit of unity and devotion.

6. Visarjan (Immersion Ceremony)

• On the last day, usually the 10th day (Anant Chaturdashi), the idol of Lord Ganesha is taken for immersion in a body of water, symbolizing his return to Mount Kailash.
• Families and communities take out processions, singing and dancing to drum beats, chanting "Ganpati Bappa Morya," before immersing the idol.
• The visarjan marks the departure of Lord Ganesha, with a prayer to return the following year.

Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi

• Removal of Obstacles: Lord Ganesha is invoked for blessings to remove obstacles and provide success in all endeavors.
• Spiritual Cleansing: The visarjan signifies the impermanence of life and the universe, while immersion in water is symbolic of returning the elements to nature.
• Unity: This festival brings families, communities, and people of different backgrounds together in a shared celebration of devotion.

Ganesh Chaturthi Visarjan

Ganesh Chaturthi Visarjan is the ritual immersion of Lord Ganesha's idols in water bodies at the end of the festival. This marks the conclusion of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, symbolizing Lord Ganesha's return to his celestial abode. It is a day of joy, devotion, and emotional farewell, often accompanied by large processions with music, dance, and chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya” ("O Lord Ganesha, come again next year!").

Key Aspects of Ganesh Visarjan:

1. Duration of Festival: Visarjan is performed on various days depending on individual or community traditions. While some families immerse their idols on the 1.5th, 3rd, 5th, or 7th day, the grand public immersion typically happens on Anant Chaturdashi, the 11th day.

1. Procession: On the day of Visarjan, Ganesha idols are taken out in large processions to a nearby water body (river, lake, or sea). The procession is often accompanied by devotees singing bhajans, playing drums, and dancing joyfully to bid farewell to Ganesha.

1. Immersion Ceremony: Before immersion, devotees perform the final aarti, offering prayers, flowers, sweets, and coconuts. The idol is then immersed in the water, symbolizing the cycle of creation and dissolution.

1. Eco-Friendly Practices: In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards using eco-friendly idols made of clay and natural colors, as traditional idols made of plaster of Paris and synthetic paints can harm aquatic ecosystems.

2. Symbolic Meaning: The immersion of the idol represents the impermanence of life and the belief that Ganesha, after visiting his devotees, returns to Mount Kailash to his parents, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It also signifies the act of letting go and allowing Ganesha to carry away all difficulties and obstacles.

1. Final Farewell: Devotees chant loudly, "Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya", asking Lord Ganesha to return soon the following year. This is both an emotional and joyful moment for devotees.