| वक्रतुंड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि सम्प्रभ
निर्विघ्नं कुरुमेदेव सर्वकार्येशु सर्वदा |
Duration: Celebrated for 10 days generally in the month of August and September
Special Cuisine: Modkas Prasad and Veg.Food without Onions and Garlic
Main Rituals: Washing Murti with Panchamrit, Aarti, Singing Hymns and Visarjan
Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival that is celebrated in almost each and every household of Nagpur. The scale of celebration here is simply overwhelming. Lord Ganesha is the patron deity of the state and He is believed to bestow good luck and remove the obstacles from the life of an individual. The people of Maharashtra have great faith on Lord Ganesh. Every new task begins only after taking the blessings of the Lord. The lord is worshipped by all the Maharashtrians with great devotion and faith. Ganesh Chaturthi Festival lasts for around 10 days.
Lord Ganesha is remembered on chauth or chaturthi, the 4th day of every month of the Hindu calender, but Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the birthday of Lord Ganesh (Ganesha), the god of wisdom and prosperity on the fourth day of the moons bright fortnight. Elaborate arrangements are made for lighting and decoration and Ganeshji is fervently worshiped for those seven to ten days. Much before the festival the celebration starts. People start their preparation with great enthusiasm all over the state. This ten-day festival begins with the installation of the deity, who is then worshiped daily till the immersion on the final day. 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. Idols can tower 10m high and weigh several tonnes. On the tenth and final day the festival ends with the ceremony of immersion of the idols in the nearest water body (all rivers, lakes and the sea which are sacred to Hindus). Thousands of people flock to rivers, lakes, with idols of Lord Ganesh. It is called Ganesh Visarjan meaning immersion of Lord Ganesha. The processions fill the streets with devotees singing, dancing and chanting 'Ganapati Bappa Morya'
Ladoos are distributed on the day. By tradition ladoos are placed in different corners of the house and consumed before the meal. 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.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated through Maharashtra, at the individual level as well as the community level. Huge Ganesh idols are worshipped at nicely decorated pandals, also known as Dekhavas for 8 to 10 days. These Dekhavas are organized by the Mandals, worked collectively for the entire locality. These public celebrations are called Sarvajanik Ganeshotsava. Various Mandals shouting the slogans of Ganpati Bappa Morya take out huge processions during the first day and the day of immersion of the idols throughout the city. People from the city and nearby towns, districts throng to witness the Ganesh festival celebrations. Huge money is spent on decorations of the pandals.
This festival gives the Indians a feeling of unity and revive their patriotic spirit and faith. Although this festival is observed in all parts of the country, it is celebrated in big way in Maharashtra where it is celebrated both publicly and privately. Maharashtra is the most happening place to be during the time of Ganesh festival.
We wish all our readers a very Happy Ganesh Chaturthi.
click here for Ganesh Utsav Photos
Some more Ganapati Pandal Photos
Author: Sonam Sobti
