Ganesh Chaturthi Is A Hindu Festival. How Do Indian Celebrities Celebrate It?

Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu celebration that lasts ten days and commemorates the birth of the Lord Ganesha, who is considered the deity of wisdom and prosperity. Ganesha idols are erected on elevated platforms in homes or in beautifully decorated outside tents at the beginning of the festival to mark the beginning festival. As Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival, let us see how Indians celebrate it.

The worship process is completed, beginning with thepranapratishtha, a ceremony to instill life in idols, and continuing with the shodashopachara, which consists of 16 ways to pay homage to deities. The statues are smeared with red sandalwood paste and yellow and red garlands as the chanting of Vedic hymns from religious literature such as the Ganesh Upanishad takes place in the background. Gnanasthi is also presented with coconut and jaggery and 21 sweet dumplings, which are believed to be Ganesha's favorite dish. 

 

Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi

 

As the God of New Beginnings and Obstacle Remover, as well as the God of Wisdom and Intelligence, Lord Ganesh is honored throughout this festival, which lasts for nine days. It is a festival that Hindus all around the world look forward to with great dedication and enthusiasm. It is thought that devotees who worship Ganesha would be able to achieve their goals and fulfill their dreams. Consequently, the central meaning of Ganesh Chaturthi is that worshippers who worship him are cleansed of their sins, and their prayers guide them down the road of knowledge and enlightenment. In India, states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana are among the most prominent in celebrating the festival. 

 

History of Ganesh Chaturthi

 

Ganesha is Lord Shiva and Parvati's younger son. Several stories surround his birth; however, two of the most popular are as follows:

Parvati created Lord Ganesha from her own dirt to protect her when Shiva was away in the original narrative. Shiva created Lord Ganesha from his own dirt, according to the second version. She asked him to keep an eye on her locked door while she showered. Meanwhile, Shiva returned home, and Ganesha, who didn't know him, stopped him. After a fight, Shiva slashed Ganesha's head off his body. When Parvati learned of this, she grew enraged, and Lord Shiva promised to revive Ganesha as quickly as possible. The devas were sent to find a child's head facing north, but they found an elephant's instead. Ganesha was born when Shiva attached the elephant's head to the child's body during creation.

The Devas pushed Shiva and Parvati to create Ganesha so he might be a Vighnakarta (creator of obstacles) for rakshasas (demons) while simultaneously aiding the Devas. 

 

The Hindu Festival, celebrated by Indians, follows the following rituals:

 

At houses, temples, and neighborhoods, Ganesha statues are installed in ornately decorated 'pandals.' Additionally, the statue is adorned with flowers, garlands, and lights.Pranapratishhthais a rite where a priest chants mantras to induce life in the deity.

Following that, Ganesha's statue offers sixteen various types of prayers. This is referred to as Shodashopachara.

The celebrations include singing or playing religious hymns, dancing to drum beats, and igniting fireworks, all of which contribute to the celebratory atmosphere.

Subsequently, the Uttarpuja rite is done, which entails respectfully bidding farewell to Ganesha. This is followed by Ganpati Visarjan, a ceremony during which the statue is immersed in water for the first time. People often chant in Marathi while taking the statue to the water and while immersing it. 

Others, however, prefer to pay their respects to Lord Ganesha at public pandals rather than at their homes during this festival of lights. People pay their respects, pray, and make sacrifices to Lord Ganesha, as is customary. 

 

The Celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi in different states

Ganesh Chathurthi is celebrated in many parts of India in joyous and pompous ways. Some of these are:

  • During this period, the busy metropolis of Mumbai appears to be more alive. Large idols of Lord Ganesha, placed in elaborately decorated pandals across the city, can be seen.
  • Because of its global nature, Ganesh Chaturthi in Delhi will allow you to witness all of the cultural and traditional traditions practiced in different regions of the country.
  • Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated with tremendous pomp and circumstance in the neighboring state of Goa, just as it was in Maharashtra. Individuals begin to prepare for the event by cleaning their homes and paying visits to family and friends before the festival even begins.
  • During Ganesh Chaturthi, worshippers flock to temples all over Tamil Nadu to do special aartis and pujas in honor of the god, which is celebrated with great zeal.

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    How to celebrate Ganesh Chathurthi at home

    Clean your home by sweeping and wiping it down. Bring the Ganesh idol into your home, and you can welcome your friends and family to participate in the Puja. Allow your entire family to get together during the Puja ceremony. In order to welcome the Lord into your home, recite Ganesh Slokas.

     

    Giving gifts

     

    Send delicious Ganesh Chaturthi wishes to your loved ones with a gift basket filled with dried fruits and sweets. Chocolates, sweets, exotic dry fruits, cakes, and modaks convey wishes for wealth and happiness in the most traditional and heartfelt way.

     

    Conclusion

    Ganesh Visarjan signifies the festival's finale and the truth that everything on Earth eventually unites with nature. It also represents Lord Vinayak's birth cycle from clay to the elements. He is literally returning to his heavenly house after a 7-10 day stay with his believers. This marks the end of the Hindu festival, which Indians celebrate.