The Day of Path to Knowledge, Wisdom & Prosperity
Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Ganesha who is born to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. It is a 10 days Hindu festival celebrated in the month of Bhadra as in Hindu calendar. In English calendar, it starts from Mid of August till September. Lord Ganesha is well known for wisdom, knowledge, prosperity and good fortune. It is widely celebrated in major states of India.
The birth of Lord Ganesha
There are many stories prevailing to Lord Ganesha. And here we mentioned one such birth story of Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha was created by Paravathi from clay, later she gave life to the clay boy to safeguard her in the absence of Lord Shiva. After his birth, Goddess Parvathi gave him a task of guarding her private bathroom while she takes bath. Meanwhile, Lord Shiva returned, and Lord Ganesha don’t have any knowledge of Lord Shiva and stopped him from entering inside Parvathi’s room. Lord Shiva got angry and had a huge argument with Ganesha as who are you to stop me?, She is my wife. But the argument lasted long and Ganesha obeyed the words of Parvathi and never allowed Lord Shiva to enter the room. This heated argument ended up severing the head of Ganesha with the trishul of Lord Shiva. Parvathi became enraged after hearing this and took the form of Goddess Kali and tried to destroy the world. Lord Shiva convinced and promised Parvathi to bring the life of Lord Ganesha as before, which made her to console.
Elephant headed deity Ganesha
Lord Shiva ordered Devas and all his followers to get the head of a child which is facing north, so that it can save the life of Lord Ganesha. One elephant was found with its head facing north. Elephant head was cut and bought to Lord Shiva. The head whichever the Deva’s bought has merged seamlessly, and the little boy eye flickered, and later he opened his eyes.
Lord Shiva hugged him tight and embraced him and blessed him with wishes. You are my son, and you will be the leader of all ganas and the world will call you as ‘Ganapati’. Every man whoever starts a new venture, prayers and everything should start with you. You will be the god of knowledge and wisdom. This made Goddess Parvathi in happy tears.
Celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in India
Ganesha Chaturthi is widely celebrated in all parts of India. In every home new clay idols of Lord Ganesha are placed, also in every hook and corner of streets big Ganesha statues are placed and celebration begin by praying the idol from Day 1. Home and streets are decorated with flowers and pooja are done from Day 1 by chanting Ganesha Mantras. All Ganesha Temple witness crowd and the priest perform special pooja and favorite food is offered as prasadam from Day 1 till Day 10.
On the day of Ganesh Chathurthi favorite food of Lord Ganesha like modak and many more are offered. And also slokas of Lord Ganesha like Ganesha Pancharathnam, 108 Ganesha mantras are chanted offering chandan paste, flowers on the idol.
The celebration ends with dancing, singing and the idols are carried to the nearest river with huge crowd as procession. Later the idols are dissolved in the river, it means that Lord Ganesha is moving towards his parents Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi in Kailaiya.
Conclusion
It is believed that people whoever pray to Lord Ganesha are set free from their obstacles and sin which in turn leads to the path of knowledge, prosperity and wisdom