India is a country which is filled with celebrations and festivals. The rich culture of India boasts of different festivals to celebrate the numerous Gods whom people worship. One such festival is the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi that is considered to be a very auspicious festival in India.
The Ganesh Chaturthi marks the first puja or festival of every year. After the celebration of this puja comes the other pujas according to the Hindu calendar. The Ganesh Chaturthi Puja is celebrated grandly with much enthusiasm and vigour from every individual.
Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, who is the Hindu lord with an elephant head. God is said to remove all obstacles faced by individuals and bring prosperity in their lives. The puja or the festival is celebrated both in homes and in public places. Many rituals are followed in this puja.
People buy puja items online and make sure that the puja is done correctly. Puja items can be bought at reasonable rates by using Amazon Coupons. The festival is not only about the puja but also about the other celebrations that follow. You can see the crowd celebrating the festival with music and dance and every nook and corner of every street filled with the devotees of Lord Ganesha.
The History and Significance of Ganesh Chaturthi
In the mythological context, Lord Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati. He has 108 names and is said to be the God of prosperity and well-being. He is also considered to be the remover of all obstacles and the lord of beginnings. This is why Lord Ganesha is worshipped before starting any ceremony or rituals. Lord Ganesha is seen having the head of an elephant, and the story goes back in the mythological times.
It is said that Lord Shiva has beheaded the Lord Ganesha in anger as he stopped Lord Shiva from, visiting Mata Parvati while she was resting. However, seeing the pain and anger of Mata Parvati, Lord Shiva went on to search for any living soul whose head was faced north. He brought back an elephant head and placed in on the child, and this Lord Ganesha was born. This was the history of Ganesh Chaturthi.
There is another story that is told, which marks the beginning of Ganesh Chaturthi. According to mythology, Lord Ganesha was the one who wrote the Mahabharata. Many sectors in India also celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi based on this mythology. Ved Vyas recited the Mahabharata while Lord Ganesha wrote it down.
However, during the process, the instrument with which Lord Ganesha was writing broke. Due to lack of time to fetch a new instrument, Lord Ganesha broke one of his teeth and finished the Mahabharata. It is said that the writing process continued for 10 days, where both Lord Ganesha and Ved Vyas sat without a morsel of food or a sip of water.
On the 11th day, Lord Ganesha was covered with clay and was asked to go to the river to bathe. This is why Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for 10 days, and on the 11th day, the idols of Lord Ganesha are immersed in water bodies.
How Is Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated?
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated during the month of September, in the first weeks. It goes on for 10 days. These 10 days are filled with grand celebrations that leave many states of the country look alive. The Ganesh Chaturthi begins with the installation of the idol of Lord Ganesha. People choose deferent kinds of idols based on their liking.
In current times, people are becoming more inclined to organic idols since they are very environment-friendly. The organic idols are the same but are just make from clay and dirt and can easily dissolve when immersed n the water body. The organic idols are said to be the true representation of what Ganesh Chaturthi is all about.
You can buy organic idols from your community shop, or you can also find them online on Amazon. At Amazon, you can find many exciting coupon codes and discounts which will save you money.
After you buy the idol, it is then installed in the house or in the society. People celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in different ways. While some celebrated it in their house, some collect contributions and place a big idol in their society. You can also find people celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi in offices or factories.
Depending on where the Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated, people decide upon the size of the idol. The idol is then placed on a podium or a metal seat. This metal seat is also an auspicious one and is specially bought for the installation of Lord Ganesha. The decoration during the puja celebration is very beautiful.
People decorate the background of where the idol is kept. They hang light or flower garlands in the back. You can find many coloured lights at Amazon with effective offers. You can also buy other decorative items which you can find in many online stores with great Flipkart discounts.
Many people also make their clay idols together, which is also a kind of small celebration. The making of the idols begins a few days earlier of the Ganesh Chaturthi. After they make or buy the idol, it is then placed in the desired place with proper rituals.
There are many different rituals and activities that are performed during the festival. There is a decoration of pandals on societies which is also filled with music and dance performances.
Since Lord Ganesha is called the God of prosperity, many people buy new furniture for their homes. This is especially if people are moving into a new house during this auspicious time. If you want to buy good and affordable furniture for your new house, then you can order furniture from Pepperfry where you will find discounts and offers on online furniture.
During these ten days, people enjoy to their heart's content and do not leave any stone unturned. They give their all to the Lord Ganesha and celebrate with a free mind and heart. After the ten days are over, the idol of Lord Ganesha is immersed in any water body that is nearby. The people who go to immerse the idol bathe in the water and then come back home.
Where Is Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated?
One of the places where Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated extravagantly is in the state of Maharashtra. This is considered to be a public festival for the Maharashtrians. The festival began in Pune more than 125 years ago, but there has been an immense debate about the emergence of this festival in Pune. However, the main aim of this puja was to bring together the people of different caste and class and unite them during British rule. You can book cheap flights by using domestic flight offers.
Dagduseth Halwai Ganpati Temple is one of the most famous temples of Lord Ganesha in Budhwar Peth, Pune. You will be able to get the true essence of Ganesh Chaturthi in different places in Maharashtra. There are many well-known temples and areas in different states where Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated with much vigor. You can get discounts on early RedBus tickets if you wish to travel to Mumbai or Pune for watching the puja celebrations.
You can find many grand celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi in Pune, Mumbai, Goa and many other places as well. You will find that there are different kinds of pandal decorations and arrangements when you visit Maharashtra. The celebration in Mumbai and Pune is nothing that you have ever seen before. Plan a trip to these places and book cheap hotels by using OYORooms coupons.
There are many pandals where you will find different themes. Most of the themes are based on any recent events or social messages. Theme pandals have been the current hype, and societies are also becoming a part of this celebration where they decorate theme pandals.
You can see the celebrations not just in the ten days of the puja but on the visarjan day as well. This is the day that will leave you shocked and surprised at the same time. You must have never seen such a grand visarjan in Ganesh Chaturthi in any other states.
People take gulal or powder colours and dance to loud music. There is a whole procession that is carried out for the visarjan. Bigger the puja, the larger and louder is the visarjan. You will be able to enjoy many processions if you are in Mumbai or Pune during Ganesh Chaturthi.
If you have friends in Maharashtra, then you can spend Ganesh Chaturthi there and enjoy the private home celebration as well. Even the celebrations at home are very beautiful and aesthetic. You will be able to enjoy a nice and cosy family celebration and see the way that Lord Ganesha is worshipped in households of Maharashtra.
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The Rituals Performed In Ganesh Chaturthi
Like every other puja, even Ganesh Chaturthi has different rituals. The grandness of the puja can be clearly understood from its different rituals. There are four main rituals that are seen in the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. Each ritual is observed with a clean mind and soul to celebrate the God who removes all the worries from your life. The four rituals are as follows:
This is the first ritual of the Ganesh Puja. In this, the idol of Lord Ganesha is created. People who make their idols start by performing this ritual. People who buy idols bring in the idol and install in their homes. During this ritual, people chant prayers and sing songs which are devotional and dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
Certain households hold devotional meets on this day and sing music all day long. There are many different ways in which this ritual is celebrated in different places. Even societies may arrange devotional functions and bring in singers who sing devotional songs of Lord Ganesha.
The second ritual of the Ganesh Chaturthi is paying respects to the idol of Lord Ganesha. In this ritual, 16 different kinds of prayers are performed. These prayers are chanted by the priest or the purohit to give tribute to Lord Ganesha.
This is a very important ritual as this happens during the actual celebration of the Ganesh Chaturthi. People gather together and give sweets to the idol of Lord Ganesha. The idol is decorated with new clothes, and the pandal is filled with flowers, lights and other kinds of decorations. People make delicacies during this time.
This is a ritual that is performed before the idol of Lord Ganesha is to be taken for immersing. The idol is not to be removed from its place until and unless this ritual is performed. After the completion of the ritual, the idol can be moved from the place and then taken for the procession after which it is finally immersed.
During this ritual, people gather together to mark the end of the 10 day-long festival, and with heavy hearts, people bid goodbye to their Lord Ganesha. This is the ritual after which the final visarjan is carried out.
This is the final ritual that is performed in the Ganesh Puja. After celebrating the puja for 10 days, people have to end the celebration with this ritual. The visarjan is carried out after the Uttarpuja. The idol is taken to the water body in the same way that it is installed.
People carry out a huge procession and celebrate the end of the puja. Lord Ganesha is paid respects, and people shower their love and sadness through their dance and loud music. The end of the puja signifies that there is nothing in this life that is permanent in nature. It also means that all things, even good things, would have to go away eventually only to come back again.
Puja Items Required In Ganesh Chaturthi
There are different items that people would require for the Ganesh Puja. The purohit or the priest gives a list of the puja items that would be needed to perform the puja. The puja has to be performed at the right time and mahurat. Below mentioned is a list of items that is necessary for the puja:
You can get sweets and different puja items from your local store. If you are not able to find time in your busy schedule, then you can get them from Amazon or Flipkart at affordable discounts.
Travel Plans for Ganesh Chaturthi
Maharashtra is one of the places which are famous for its celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi. People travel from different states to be a part of their grand Ganesh Chaturthi celebration. You can explore Cleartrip offers to gt great deals. If you do not wish to miss out on this amazing and auspicious celebration, then you can travel to Mumbai or Pune during this time.
Since it is a very big celebration, you will often find that the flight and train tickets are not available. This is why it is always advisable to plan your trip and get a discount on early bookings through Goibibo. Below is a list of temples that are famous for their Ganesh Puja.
If you are going to these famous temples during the Ganesh Puja, then you would have to book hotels so that you find the right accommodation. Get good hotels at good prices by booking at Oyo Rooms at discount rates.
Delicacies to Enjoy During Ganesh Chaturthi
Having tasty delicacies is a must during the Ganesh Puja. You will find some lip-smacking sweets and other delicacies prepared in every household and also in different pandals. You can buy sweets for puja at Amazon through coupon codes. Delicacies are a major part of the puja, and people love to prepare and eat these different kinds of sweets for the Puja. Some of the delicacies that are prepared during the Ganesh Puja are mentioned below:
The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi is a scene of grandness, one that you cannot miss. See the different kinds of celebrations that are done by people and enjoy one of the biggest puja and festival of India. Be a part of this auspicious occasion and free yourself and your life of all obstacles.