Ganesh Vinayak Chaturthi Maharastra 2024

What is Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayak Chaturthi

The Hindu festival, Ganesh Chaturthi commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha. Hindus believe that Lord Shiva gave Ganesha existence after Parvati fashioned him from the dirt on her body. People from different communities and backgrounds come together for the widely observed and inclusive celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in India. As individuals from various castes, religions, and social classes take part in the festivities across the nation.

What are the major events observed during Ganesh Chaturthi?

The celebration includes a procession, prayers, and offering prayers to Lord Ganesha. On the first day of the festival, devotees bring clay idols of Lord Ganesha from their home or ashram. They immerse the idols in water and worship them. On the second day, the idols are taken out again and immersed in milk. On the third day, the idols are taken out again and immersed in oil. On the fourth day, the idols are taken out again and immersed in fresh flowers. The celebration includes a procession, prayers, and offering prayers to Lord Ganesha. Joyous prayers and aarti are accompanied by sweet offerings. Next day and the day after, the intricate Shhodashopachara Pooja is performed. The seventh day is marked with the sacred Saptapadi ritual. On astami celebration is accompanied by special prayers and offerings. Finally on the nine day The Navapatrika Pooja pays homage to nine planets. The tenth and the last day is the day of Visarjana wherein the idols are immersed in holy water with prayers and wishes for the Lord to come again the next year.

What is the story of Ganesh Chaturthi?

Hindus observe Ganesh Chaturthi, which is also known as Lord Ganesha’s birthday, with great fervour and devotion in order to honour the Hindu deity and ask for his blessings on living a prosperous and trouble-free life.

How popular is the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi?

Ganesh is known by the names Heramba, Ekadanta, Ganapati, Vinayaka and Pillaiyar. Ganesh Chaturthi / Ganesh Puja is one of the widely celebrated festivals in India. The blessings of Lord Ganesha are invoked before all kinds of auspicious religious ceremonies and customs. Lord Vinayaka is known as the fortune giver and one who can assist to avoid natural calamities. He is also the patron god of traveling. Lord Vinayaka is portrayed with an elephant’s head on a human body. Though the festival is hugely popular in Maharashtra and is observed with great zeal and enthusiasm, however all through India and the world, the followers of Lord Ganesh wait fervently through the year to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi.

Customs and ritual associated with Ganesh Chaturthi

In states like Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, the festival spans ten days, marked by public celebrations. Sweets are offered, and idols of Ganesha are enshrined in homes and public spaces, adorned with elaborate decorations. Schools and colleges also partake in these Installations.

• Installation of Ganesha’s Idol: Idols are placed on pedestals at homes or public venues following a consecration ritual.

• Avoiding the Moon: On the festival’s first night, viewing the moon is eschewed due to its inauspiciousness.

• Prayers and Aarti: Daily rituals involve washing the idol, chanting shlokas, offering Flowers and sweets, and performing aarti.

• Cultural Performances: Public installations often feature performances of dance, music and skits.

• Modak and Other Sweets: Modak, a sweet dumpling favored by Ganesha, is prepared and distributed as prasad.

• Visarjan: The festival concludes with the immersion of the idol in a water body,
accompanied by processions, chanting, and offerings.

FAQs on Ganesh Chaturthi 2024

When is Ganesh Chaturthi in 2024?
– Ganesh Chaturthi begins on September 7, 2024 and spans ten days.

Is Ganesh Chaturthi a national holiday?
– No, it is a regional holiday observed in states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Gujarat.

Is Ganesh Chaturthi a bank holiday?
– Yes, it is a bank holiday in seven states including Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.

Is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated for 10 days or 11 days?
– It is celebrated for ten days, including the Ganesh Visarjan.

Who started Ganesh Chaturthi?
– Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj initiated the celebration to promote culture and nationalism.

What is the real reason for Ganesh Chaturthi?
– It signifies the cycle of birth, life, and Death, and the immersion symbolizes the destruction of obstacles.

What are the aims and objectives of Ganesh Chaturthi?
– To express gratitude to Lord Ganesha and seek his blessings for a prosperous life.

What is the favorite flower of Ganesha?
– The single, red flowered Hibiscus (Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis) is recommended for all ten days of the festival.

What is the favorite food of Lord Ganesha?
– Modak, a sweet dumpling made of rice or wheat flour stuffed with coconut and jaggery, is his favorite.

Ganesh Chaturthi Festivals Maharastra – Pune | Mumbai | Surat | Kolhapur