Pancha Ganapati?

[Guest guest]

Namaste,

how many of you will be celebrating "Pancha Ganapati" this year? this

year will be my first year, but I will be celebrating alone cause I

am the only Hindu In my area, But I was just curious to see who else

will be celebrating. also I am posting what "Pancha Ganapati" is.

since it is a Western Hindu Tradition for Hindus to celebarate

durring Christmas Time, and some of you may not know what it is so

here you go.

 

The December gift-giving festival called Pancha Ganapati

 

1. Pancha Ganapati, a five-day festival celebrated from December 21

through 25, has become a favorite in homes all over the world. The

winter solstice has always been a festive time of year in all

countries, religions and among Hindus especially, for it is a

traditional season for the worship of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-

headed lord of culture and the arts.

In the Sri Lankan tradition, for example, thirty days are dedicated

to Ganesha worship during December-January in the festival called

Markali Pillaiyar. In Vedic astrology this time of year marks the end

of the sun's southward movement and the beginning of its movement

north. Pancha Ganapati is a Hindu expression of this natural season

of worship, gift-giving and celebration.

During each of the five days, a special sadhana, spiritual

discipline, is focused upon by the entire family. Because of the

festival's importance as a new beginning and mending of all past

mistakes, a festive shrine is created in the main living room of the

home. At the center is placed a large wooden or bronze five-faced

statue of Lord Pancha Ganapati. If this is not available, any large

picture or statue of Lord Ganesha will do. Each morning the children

dress or decorate Ganesha anew in a different color: golden yellow on

December 21, then royal blue, ruby red, emerald green and finally

brilliant orange. These are the colors of His five powers, or

shaktis.

Each day a tray of sweets, fruits and incense is offered to Lord

Ganapati, often prepared and presented by the children. Chants, songs

and bhajans are sung in His praise. After puja, the abundant, diverse

sweets are shared by one and all as prasada. Each day gifts are given

to the children, who place them before Pancha Ganapati to open only

on the fifth day. Gifts need not be extravagent or expensive; they

should be within the means of each family. Handmade presents are by

far the most precious. Ganesha does not want gift-giving to promote

Western commercialism but to further the great Hindu culture.

Clearly, killer games should never be given. Greeting cards, ideally

made by the children, offer Hindu art and wisdom, such as verses from

the Vedas. Here is how the five-day celebration is observed.

December 21, yellow: The family sadhana for the first day of Pancha

Ganapati is to create a vibration of love and harmony among immediate

family members. The day begins early, and the entire family works

together to design and decorate the shrine with traditional symbols,

rangoli, lamps and more. Then a grand puja is performed invoking the

spirit of Pancha Ganapati in the home. The sadhana of the day now

begins. The family sits together for the purpose of easing any

strained relationships that have arisen during the year. They make

amends one with another for misdeeds performed, insults given, mental

pain and injuries caused and suffered. When forgiveness is offered to

all by one and all, they speak of each other's good qualities and

resolve that in the days ahead they will remember the futility of

trying to change others and the practicality of changing one's self

to be the silent example for all to witness. Gifts are then exchanged

and placed unopened before Pancha Ganapati. As family harmony is

important to all Hindus, this sadhana must be taken very, very

seriously.

December 22, blue: Day two is devoted to creating a vibration of love

and harmony among neighbors, relatives and close friends and

presenting them with heartfelt. The sadhana of the day is to offer

apologies and clear up any misunderstandings that exist. Relatives

and friends in far-off places are written to or called, forgiveness

is sought, apologies made and tensions released. Gifts received are

placed unopened before Pancha Ganapati.

December 23, red: The sadhana for the third day is to create a

vibration of love and harmony among business associates, the casual

merchant and the public at large. This is the day for presenting

gifts to fellow workers and customers and to honor employers and

employees with gifts and appreciation. The sadhana today is the

settling of all debts and disputes. Gifts received are placed

unopened before the Deity.

December 24, green: The sadhana of day four is to draw forth the

vibration of joy and harmony that comes from music, art, drama and

the dance. Family, relatives and friends gather for satsang to share

and enjoy their artistic gifts. Then all sit together before Ganesha,

Patron of Arts and Guardian of Culture, discussing Hindu Dharma and

making plans to bring more cultural refinements into the home. More

gifts are placed before Pancha Ganapati.

December 25, orange: The family sadhana for the final day is to bring

forth love and harmony within all three worlds. Because of sadhanas

well performed during the first four days, the family is now more

open and aware of Ganesha's grace, and their love for Him is now

overflowing. On this day the entire family experiences an outpouring

of love and tranquility from the great God Himself. His blessings

fill the home and the hearts of everyone within it, inspiring them

anew for the coming year.

We can clearly see that religion and tradition are interlocked in the

annals of time back many thousands of years, and how tradition moves

forward from one generation to the next, setting the patterns for

humanity. Every time-honored tradition loyally serves mankind, and by

following it through the context of one of the great religions of the

world, one cannot go astray. Jai Ganapati! May He lead us always

along the right path.

 

Aum Gum Ganapatiya Namaha

 

Aaron

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to let you know i know how you feel. I would love to

celebrate "Pancha Ganapati" but my Christian family would think me quite

insane. I like to borrow bits and pieces of different religions so Im more of a

psudo Buddhist Than a Hindu,but I love Ganapati and all he represents.I may not

read sanskrit or speak hindi but I can understand.I hope you dont feel to alone

during the holiday season. In some way or another we are all together.

Happy holidays,

JamesAaron <skud_13 > wrote:

Namaste,how many of you will be celebrating "Pancha Ganapati" this year? this

year will be my first year, but I will be celebrating alone cause I am the only

Hindu In my area, But I was just curious to see who else will be celebrating.

also I am posting what "Pancha Ganapati" is. since it is a Western Hindu

Tradition for Hindus to celebarate durring Christmas Time, and some of you may

not know what it is so here you go.The December gift-giving festival called

Pancha Ganapati 1. Pancha Ganapati, a five-day festival celebrated from

December 21 through 25, has become a favorite in homes all over the world. The

winter solstice has always been a festive time of year in all countries,

religions and among Hindus especially, for it is a traditional season for the

worship of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed lord of culture

and the arts. In the Sri Lankan tradition, for example, thirty days are

dedicated to Ganesha worship during December-January in the festival called

Markali Pillaiyar. In Vedic astrology this time of year marks the end of the

sun's southward movement and the beginning of its movement north. Pancha

Ganapati is a Hindu expression of this natural season of worship, gift-giving

and celebration. During each of the five days, a special sadhana, spiritual

discipline, is focused upon by the entire family. Because of the festival's

importance as a new beginning and mending of all past mistakes, a festive

shrine is created in the main living room of the home. At the center is placed

a large wooden or bronze five-faced statue of Lord Pancha Ganapati. If this is

not available, any large picture or statue of Lord Ganesha will do. Each

morning the children dress or decorate Ganesha anew in a different color:

golden yellow on December 21,

then royal blue, ruby red, emerald green and finally brilliant orange. These are

the colors of His five powers, or shaktis. Each day a tray of sweets, fruits and

incense is offered to Lord Ganapati, often prepared and presented by the

children. Chants, songs and bhajans are sung in His praise. After puja, the

abundant, diverse sweets are shared by one and all as prasada. Each day gifts

are given to the children, who place them before Pancha Ganapati to open only

on the fifth day. Gifts need not be extravagent or expensive; they should be

within the means of each family. Handmade presents are by far the most

precious. Ganesha does not want gift-giving to promote Western commercialism

but to further the great Hindu culture. Clearly, killer games should never be

given. Greeting cards, ideally made by the children, offer Hindu art and

wisdom, such as verses from the Vedas. Here is how the five-day celebration is

observed.

December 21, yellow: The family sadhana for the first day of Pancha Ganapati is

to create a vibration of love and harmony among immediate family members. The

day begins early, and the entire family works together to design and decorate

the shrine with traditional symbols, rangoli, lamps and more. Then a grand puja

is performed invoking the spirit of Pancha Ganapati in the home. The sadhana of

the day now begins. The family sits together for the purpose of easing any

strained relationships that have arisen during the year. They make amends one

with another for misdeeds performed, insults given, mental pain and injuries

caused and suffered. When forgiveness is offered to all by one and all, they

speak of each other's good qualities and resolve that in the days ahead they

will remember the futility of trying to change others and the practicality of

changing one's self to be the silent example for all to witness. Gifts are then

exchanged and placed unopened before Pancha Ganapati. As family harmony is

important to all Hindus, this sadhana must be taken very, very seriously.

December 22, blue: Day two is devoted to creating a vibration of love and

harmony among neighbors, relatives and close friends and presenting them with

heartfelt. The sadhana of the day is to offer apologies and clear up any

misunderstandings that exist. Relatives and friends in far-off places are

written to or called, forgiveness is sought, apologies made and tensions

released. Gifts received are placed unopened before Pancha Ganapati. December

23, red: The sadhana for the third day is to create a vibration of love and

harmony among business associates, the casual merchant and the public at large.

This is the day for presenting gifts to fellow workers and customers and to

honor employers and employees with gifts and appreciation. The sadhana today is

the settling of all

debts and disputes. Gifts received are placed unopened before the Deity.

December 24, green: The sadhana of day four is to draw forth the vibration of

joy and harmony that comes from music, art, drama and the dance. Family,

relatives and friends gather for satsang to share and enjoy their artistic

gifts. Then all sit together before Ganesha, Patron of Arts and Guardian of

Culture, discussing Hindu Dharma and making plans to bring more cultural

refinements into the home. More gifts are placed before Pancha Ganapati.

December 25, orange: The family sadhana for the final day is to bring forth

love and harmony within all three worlds. Because of sadhanas well performed

during the first four days, the family is now more open and aware of Ganesha's

grace, and their love for Him is now overflowing. On this day the entire family

experiences an outpouring of love and tranquility from the great God Himself.

His blessings fill the

home and the hearts of everyone within it, inspiring them anew for the coming

year. We can clearly see that religion and tradition are interlocked in the

annals of time back many thousands of years, and how tradition moves forward

from one generation to the next, setting the patterns for humanity. Every

time-honored tradition loyally serves mankind, and by following it through the

context of one of the great religions of the world, one cannot go astray. Jai

Ganapati! May He lead us always along the right path. Aum Gum Ganapatiya

NamahaAaronTo from this group, send an email

to:-http://www.geocities.com/aumganesh/ Your use

of is subject to the

 

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